Thai Salad

I found this recipe on about.com, Thai Food.. It is a cool and extremely delicious salad... perfect for summer. I have never used the edible flowers, however.



1 small head romaine or leaf lettuce, or enough salad greens for 2-3 people
2 green (spring) onions, sliced
1/2 to 1 cucumber (see cutting instructions below)
1 cup fresh coriander /cilantro, roughly chopped
1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
optional: edible flowers to garnish, such as pansies, nasturtiums, violas, or rose petals
SALAD DRESSING: (double the recipe if serving 4 or more)
3 Tbsp. coconut milk
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1 Tbsp. fish sauce OR vegetarians use 1+1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1-2 cloves garlic, minced, OR 1/2 tsp. pureed garlic
1 tsp. brown sugar
optional: 1/2 fresh red chili, finely minced, OR 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. dried crushed chili
(I use 1 tbsp sweet Thai chili sauce)

Place lettuce in a salad bowl along with the spring onions and basil.
If you're in a hurry, simply slice the cucumber as you would for a regular salad. For more formal occasions: Use a potato peeler and peel the cucumber into long, thin ribbons (see photo). If the slices turn out too long to eat easily, cut them in half or in thirds.
Add the cucumber and coriander to the salad bowl and toss together.
To make the dressing, stir the salad dressing ingredients together in a cup until sugar dissolves. Tip: If you're making a larger salad, consider doubling the dressing recipe (you can keep any extra in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks - just place it into a covered jar).
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to combine. Top with the sliced green onion and basil. Edible flowers can also be added to dress up the dish. Serve

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CROCKPOT BANANA BREAD

This is a great recipe to make in the summer. By using your slow cooker, you can have delicious baked goods without heating up the kitchen!



2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
4 small ripe bananas, mashed
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preparation:
Turn crockpot on high. Grease and flour a crockpot baking insert or foil loaf pan.
Mix flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Add nuts and set aside. In another bowl, cream butter with sugar. Add eggs, one at a time. Add milk and vanilla. Mix completely. Stir in bananas until well mixed. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir until just combined. *Place insert into crockpot. Carefully add batter. Cover. Put lid on crockpot and bake for 2 to 3 hours or until done. Be sure not to check on bread until it's cooked at least 2 hours.

*If using a foil loaf pan, either place a rack or crumpled aluminum foil at bottom of crockpot. Place pan on top. After adding batter, top pan with several paper towels. Make sure crockpot lid is loose and bake for regular amount of time.

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SPUMONI CAKE

This is a delicious and very pretty cake... Nice for potlucks or cookouts...









1 yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1-cup sour cream
3/4-cup oil
1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1 cup chopped maraschino cherries
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate melted
4 drops each red and green food color
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tub extra creamy whipped topping (ie Cool Whip)
1 tsp rum extract or ½ tsp almond extract
Sliced almonds
Shaved chocolate curls

Beat items 1-5 together for 2 minutes.
Divide into 3 bowls.
1. Add nuts and green food color.
2. Add cherries and red food color.
3. Add chocolate and almond extract.
Grease and flour 10 inch tube pan .
Pour 1st batter, then 2nd , and then 3rd .
Do not swirl together
Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
Cool 10 Min.
Remove from pan, cool on wire rack
Stir rum or almond extract into whipped topping
Frost cake and decorate top with almonds and chocolate shavings
Refrigerate

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ZUCCHINI APPETIZERS

A great recipe for using up the tons of zucchini from your garden(or the ones that mysteriously appear on your front porch in a paper bag..lol) Easy to make and tasty.Can be served warm or at room temperature. Good side dish,too

3 c thinly sliced unpeeled zucchini
1 c baking mix (such as Bisquick)
1/2 c finely chopped onion
1/2 c freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp crushed oregano
Dash freshly ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 c oil
4 eggs, slightly beaten


Heat oven to 350 F
Grease 13x9 in baking pan
Mix all Ingredients together
Spread in pan
Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes
Let stand 10 minutes before cutting
Cut into squares like brownies
Can be eaten hot or at room temperature

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CRAB CAKES

Tasty and elegant, perfect for company!



1 lb. crabmeat
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 tbsp. Old Bay seasoning
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tbsp. shallots
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
Approx. 20 crushed saltine crackers
1 stick butter

Put all ingredients in mixing bowl and mix thoroughly. Make
sure there are enough saltines to give it body. Using hands,
take out desired amount and shape into patties. Using a
non-stick frying pan or electric skillet,melt butter and saute crab cakes
approximately 5 minutes on each side. Do not burn. Serve
with Lime Beurre Blanc(recipe follows) or Tarter sauce and sliced lemon


LIME BEURRE BLANC:
6 tsp. white wine vinegar
2 tbsp. shallots
3 tbsp. fresh lime juice
1/2 c. heavy cream
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into sm. pieces

Put vinegar, shallots and lime juice into
saucepan. Over high heat reduce to approximately 2
tablespoons. Add cream and reduce for approximately 5
minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter 1 piece
at a time. Serve over crabcakes.

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