Onion Rings

Slice large onions, preferably sweet onions into 1/2 in slices, separate rings

In one bowl place 3/4 c flour

in another bowl, beat 1 egg

In a large shallow dish place 2c of Panko* or regular bread crumbs.You will have to add more as you go along, depending on the amount of rings you are making.

 Take each ring and place in egg, then flour, egg again and then panko.

Place on baking sheet and bake at 400 until crisp, and lightly browned.

Panko will only brown slightly, if you wish for darker crumbs, toast them in a frying pan until golden before breading.

flax

Spot light-Flax

Flax, if you have never tried it now may be the time. Flax can be found in most grocery stores now, in 3 forms; whole, ground or milled, and flax oil. It has a nutty flavor and can easily be added to baked goods, sprinkled on salads or mixed into sauces. Flax is rich in Omega 3's. Ground flax has 1,900 mg per tablespoon, whole flax seed has 2,600 mg and oil has 8,000 mg! Rich in antioxidants too.
Studies in health have revealed some positive results between flax and cancer, dry eyes, ADHD and menopause. In fact one study showed menopausal women that took 2 Tbs. of ground flax twice a day reduced hot flashes by 50% and the intensity of flashes decreased by 57%.
Flax should be stored in the freezer for best retention of nutrients, you can easily grind whole seeds yourself as needed.
When baking, if your recipe has at least 2 cups of flour, you can substitute 1/4 to 1/2 c with ground flax.
try cranberry flax muffins today or use it in your banana bread.

King cake

If your from the South you know this dish! If not let me introduce you to a fun tradition. During Mardi Gras everyone makes or buys a king cake. Inside each cake is hidden a plastic baby, the one that gets the piece with the baby inside becomes the king or queen for the day, and also gets to bring the cake to the next gathering.

There are many ways of making a king cake, this is a basic.

Cake:

2 tbs sugar                                               

2 envelopes yeast

1/3 c warm water

1 stick margarine or butter

2/3 c evaporated milk

1/2 c sugar

2 tsp salt

4 eggs

6 c flour

Combine sugar, yeast and water in bowl and let stand until foaming, about 5 min.

Place margarine, milk, sugar, and salt in small pot and melt slowly. Beat eggs into yeast, add milk mixture when lukewarm. Add flour 1 c at a time, Knead on lightly floured surface 5 min. Place in greased bowl and cover, let rise 2 hours.

Divide dough in half and roll out to 6 by 18 inches. Fill with any filling (see below) place small plastic baby inside. Be sure to let your guests know about the baby! Roll up and pinch seem, form into ring and seal ends. Bake at 350 for 18-20 min.

Icing:                                                                                                       

1/2 stick margarine or butter

1 pound confectioners sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c simple syrup-

  simple syrup- heat 1/4 c sugar and 1/4 c water until sugar is dissolved

Pour over cake and sprinkle generously with colored sugars, Mardi Gras colors are green, purple and gold. These colors may be found in stores that sell cake decorating supplies, like Michaels or made by food coloring and regular sugar.

Filling:

-you may use canned pie filling

-butter dotted with 1/2 c brown sugar sprinkled and chopped pecans

-cream cheese filling, one box of vanilla pudding and one 8oz block of cream cheese, mixed together.

you can roll your dough into longer pieces and twist both together. You can even fill each with a different filling,.... how about cream cheese and strawberry. Mmmmm.

cheese dip

1 8 oz softened cream cheese

1/2 c mayo

1 c shredded cheddar cheese

garlic and onion powder to taste

Mix together, spread in oven safe dish. I used a 10 in round stoneware pan. Top with a sprinkling of pepper and basil. You may add finely crushed Ritz crackers (about 5) to top and even crumbled bacon. Bake at 350 for 20 min. Serve with Ritz or tortilla chips.