I'll post the cake recipe next time I update that blog. Here's the link to the blue cheese spread recipe from WS. I started out using Paula Deen's (one of her son's recipes) pimento cheese spread, but it wasn't good. Just a mayo taste, so I doubled the cheddar and monterey cheese and used tabasco and roasted red peppers. There's no way that I know exactly what I did to replicate it. Too bad, because it's really good. LOL The cremini mushrooms came from one of Emeril's recipes. I think it's on a recipe with grilled lemon and rosemary chicken with couscous. It's basically 3 T minced fresh shallots and 1 teaspoon minced garlic, a little salt and pepper, 1 T fresh chopped thyme, 1 lb cremini (thinly sliced), 3/4 cups balsamic. Heat up a pat of unsalted butter, add the spices (usual methods), add the mushrooms and saute for about 7-8 minutes; add balsamic and reduce by half. Makes enough steak topping for 6-8 people. I just wing this one (it's in my head), so you may want to go look for the real recipe to double-check measures. Here is a link that might be useful: blue cheese spread

Oh Gail! That's a FUN package! Those pretzels and mustards are making my mouth water! I have a feeling that bowl doesn't go with your decor though, so I'd be happy to take it off your hands. You can even send it COD, no problem. I have BLUES in MY house! I'm just the kind of gal that will help out a friend in this way, so go ahead and box it up. No need to thank me. What are friends for? heh heh I saw some Polish pottery at a Christmas show I went to on Saturday. It was all I could do to walk away empty handed. Gorgeous!

Raspberry Crumb Bars by ocurt Schrock Yummy yum yum! 48 servings 1 hour 15 minutes 30 mins prep 2 1/2 cups flour 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar 1/2 cup finely chopped hazelnuts 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 cups butter, mslted 1 (21 ounce) can raspberry pie filling 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Heat oven to 350. In large bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, hazelnuts and baking soda, using pastry blender. Stir in butter until well mixed. In small bowl, reserve 2 cups oat mixture for topping. On bottom of ungreased 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan, firmly press remaining oat mixture. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until crust just begins to brown. Carefully spread pie filling over warm crust. Stir cinnamon into reserved oat mixture. Sprinkle oat mixture over filling; press lightly into filling. Bake 20-25 minutes or until top is deep golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack, about 30 minutes. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Calories 125 Calories from Fat 62 (49%) Amount Per Serving %DV Total Fat 6.9g 10% Saturated Fat 3.8g 18% Polyunsat. Fat 0.5g Monounsat. Fat 2.2g Trans Fat 0.0g Cholesterol 15mg 5% Sodium 50mg 2% Potassium 57mg 1% Total Carbohydrate 14.8g 4% Dietary Fiber 0.8g 3% Sugars 6.8g Protein 1.6g 3% Vitamin A 177mcg 3% Vitamin B6 0.0mg 1% Vitamin B12 0.0mcg 0% Vitamin C 0mg 0% Vitamin E 0mcg 1% Calcium 12mg 1% Magnesium 12mg 3% Iron 0mg 3% Alcohol 0.0g Caffeine 0.0mg ---------------------------- Magnolia Cafe Dried Cherry Crumb Buns recipe by grandma 16 buns 30 minutes 10 mins prep BUNS 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup buttermilk 1 1/2 cups dried cherries TOPPING 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, unpacked 1 cup butter, softened, cut in small pieces Preheat oven to 325*. Grease and flour 16 large muffin cups. To make the buns; in a medium-size bowl, sift together the flour, the baking powder, the salt and the cinnamon; set aside. In a large bowl, on the low speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and the sugar till fluffy -- about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients, alternately with the buttermilk, in three parts, beating well after each addition. Stir the dried cherries into the batter (or whatever fruit you are using). Spoon the batter into the muffin cups. To prepare the topping: In a medium-size bowl, mix the flour and the brown sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the topping over the buns, being sure to keep crumbs wihin muffin cups, otherwise they are difficult to remove. Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden or until a cake tester inserted into center of bun comes out clean. Calories 416 Calories from Fat 165 (39%) Amount Per Serving %DV Total Fat 18.3g 28% Saturated Fat 11.3g 56% Polyunsat. Fat 0.9g Monounsat. Fat 4.8g Trans Fat 0.0g Cholesterol 72mg 24% Sodium 260mg 10% Potassium 144mg 4% Total Carbohydrate 59.0g 19% Dietary Fiber 0.9g 3% Sugars 33.3g Protein 4.9g 9% Vitamin A 566mcg 11% Vitamin B6 0.0mg 1% Vitamin B12 0.2mcg 2% Vitamin C 0mg 0% Vitamin E 0mcg 1% Calcium 112mg 11% Magnesium 16mg 4% Iron 1mg 5% Alcohol 0.1g Caffeine 0.0mg --------------------------------- Raspberry Lemon Bars recipe by MarieAlice These delicious lemon bars are wonderfully tart with a novel addition of a raspberry layer which goes perfectly well. We love them. 16-20 bars 1 hour 5 minutes 15 mins prep CRUST 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup icing sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest LEMON TOPPING 6 large eggs 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract (optional) 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour 1/2 cup raspberry preserves (optional) Preheat the oven to 350F and spray a 9- inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all the ingredients for the crust in a medium bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Chill for 10 minutes. Bake the crust for 15 minutes, then let cool in the baking pan for 15 minutes. Combine all the ingredients for the lemon topping in a bowl and whisk until blended. Spread the raspberry preserved evenly over the baked crust. Pour the lemon topping over the raspberry layer. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 325°F and bake for 20-25 minutes longer, or until the topping is set. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours before cutting. Store at room temperature, or in the refrigerator if you prefer chilled squares. Nutrition Facts Calculated for 1 bars (96g) Recipe makes 16 bars Calories 301 Calories from Fat 121 (40%) Amount Per Serving %DV Total Fat 13.5g 20% Saturated Fat 7.9g 39% Polyunsat. Fat 0.8g Monounsat. Fat 3.7g Trans Fat 0.0g Cholesterol 109mg 36% Sodium 92mg 3% Potassium 56mg 1% Total Carbohydrate 42.0g 14% Dietary Fiber 0.5g 1% Sugars 29.0g Protein 4.2g 8% Vitamin A 447mcg 8% Vitamin B6 0.0mg 2% Vitamin B12 0.3mcg 4% Vitamin C 3mg 6% Vitamin E 0mcg 1% Calcium 43mg 4% Magnesium 6mg 1% Iron 0mg 3% Alcohol 0.0g Caffeine 0.0mg ----------------------------------- Lemon raspberry squares Yield: 1 Servings 1 c Flour ½ c Confectioner's sugar ½ c Melted butter 1 c Sugar ½ ts Baking powder 2 Slightly beaten eggs 4 tb Lemon juice 2 ts Grated lemon peel ½ c Flaked coconut ½ c Raspberry preserves or jam Combine flour, sugar add butter, press into 8x8 greased baking dish and bake for 15-20 min. Meanwhile combine rest of ingredients except preserves. When shell is done, spread jelly or preserves, then pur rest of ingredients over the top. bake 25 min. Chill. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar ---------------------------- Lemon raspberry bars Yield: 1 Servings 1 ½ c Flour ½ c Icing sugar ¾ c Butter; cold ½ c Raspberry jam; (I preferred 3/4 cup) 1 ½ c Granulated sugar 3 tb Flour 1 ts Baking powder 4 Eggs ½ c Lemon juice ½ c Icing sugar 1 tb Melted butter 1 tb Lemon juice GLAZE Combine flour and icing sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto bottom of greased 13 x 9" pan. Bake at 350 F for 15 to 18 minutes. In saucepan, melt jam over low heat; spread on baked crust. In large bowl, combine granulated sugar, flour and baking powder. Add eggs, lemon juice; mix well. Carefully pour lemon mixture over raspberry layer. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Spread with glaze and let set. Cut into bars. Makes 30 bars. ----------------- Magnolia Bakery Lemon Vanilla Bundt Cake recipe by Marie Another of Magnolia Bakery's wonderful recipes. The club soda makes for a very tender cake. 16 servings 1 hour 30 minutes 20 mins prep 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened 3 cups sugar 5 large eggs, at room temperature 3 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup club soda (not seltzer) 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 1 1/2 tablespoons grated lemon zest Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and lightly flour a 10" Bundt pan. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and the sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the flour in thirds, alternating with the club soda, beating after each addition until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and the lemon zest and mix well. Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake 70-80 minutes until golden brown or a cake tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Let cake cool in pan for 20 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. -

This is one of my favorite gluten-free cookie recipes. Gluten-free White Chocolate Lemon Cookies Ingredients: 1 cup Unsalted Butter, slightly softened 3/4 cup Brown Sugar 1/2 cup White Sugar 2 Eggs 1/2 tsp Almond Extract 2 Tbs Lemon Zest 2 1/2 tsp Lemon Juice 3/4 cup Sorghum Flour 3/4 cup Rice Flour 1/2 cup Tapioca Starch/Flour 1/2 cup Potato Starch 1 tsp Baking Soda 1/2 tsp Baking Powder 1 tsp Xanthan Gum 1/2 tsp Salt 12 oz White Chocolate, chips or chopped Optional Sugar Roll: 1/2 cup Fine Sugar mixed with 1 Tbs lemon zest. Directions: Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Mix the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and xanthan gum together with a whisk and set aside. Using an electric mixer beat the butter until creamy, and add the sugars, blending well. Add the eggs, one at a time, incorporating each well. Add the almond extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just blended. Gently stir in the white chocolate. The dough will be soft, and slightly sticky. You can work with it as is, or refrigerate it for an hour or two to make it easier to work with. Spoon (I used a small scoop) a full tablespoon of dough and roll gently into a 1" ball. Optionally, you can roll the ball into the sugar-zest mixture. Not necessary, but a nice touch. Bake on parchment paper-lined cookies sheets approximately 12-13 minutes until the edges start to get golden. Let cookies cool on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes before moving to cooling rack. These can be served as is, sprinkled with powdered sugar, or drizzled with a mix of 1/2 cup powdered sugar mixed with 1-2 Tbs lemon juice. Makes about 4 dozen cookies. Here is a link that might be useful: Blog post for this cookie