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Preparation The half-silhouettes of these cards make the butterflies seem as if they are fluttering over the table. To make seating cards like Laura’s, choose a decorative stamp (the design should have a relatively smooth outer edge) and ink pads in a variety of colors. For the card, Laura started with cards that are approximately 3" across and 6" high. Rubber stamps Ink pads 3-by-6-inch cards (or similar size) Bone folder...

Ingredients 1 tea bag chai tea 1 pouch Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 egg 1/4 cup eggnog (do not use canned) Cinnamon-sugar 1 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper. Remove tea leaves from tea bag; discard bag. In large bowl, mix tea leaves, cookie mix, butter, egg and 2 tablespoons of the eggnog until well blended....

Ingredients 16 uncooked jumbo pasta shells 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil 1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup) 1 small bell pepper (any color), chopped (1/2 cup) 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 small zucchini, diced (about 3/4 cup) 1 can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained 1 jar (14 to 15 oz) tomato pasta sauce 1/2 cup ricotta cheese 1 egg 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend or mozzarella cheese (4 oz)...

Ingredients 4 cups heavy cream (1 quart) 2 tablespoons Madras curry powder 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 bay leaf 2 cloves garlic 1/2 cup fresh finely chopped cilantro 2 1/2 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut about 1/2-inch thick (8 cups) 2 egg whites 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese 1 cup ground bread crumbs 1 teaspoon kosher salt and cracked black pepper Preparation Heat the oven to 375°F. Butter a 13 x 9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish....

Next to California Rolls, Dragon Roll is another popular sushi roll served at American-style sushi restaurants and buffet joints. It’s not traditional sushi you can find in Japan, but I can see why this imaginative sushi is such a favorite. The combo of creamy avocado and crunchy shrimp tempura make the perfect match to the tenderly moist vinegared rice. It’s so delicious that I can devour the entire roll on my own....

Ingredients 2 boxes Betty Crocker™ au gratin potatoes 1 1/2 cups finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (6 oz) 1 1/2 cups finely shredded Monterey Jack cheese (6 oz) 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 1/2 cups water 2 cups half-and-half 1 can (2.8 oz) French-fried onions (about 2 cups) Preparation Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place potatoes (from au gratin potato boxes), and Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheeses in baking dish....

Ingredients 4 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves 1/8 teaspoon salt 3 drops red pepper sauce 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced Salad greens, if desired Preparation Place tomatoes in glass or plastic dish. Shake remaining ingredients except cheese and salad greens in tightly covered container....

Ingredients 1 small (6 lb) fresh-well-ripened pumpkin Nonstick cooking spray 1/2 teaspoon salt Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Cut pumpkin in half. Remove the membrane and seeds. Remove most of the pulp from the seeds (leave some pulp on - it adds to the flavor; for the same reason, do not rinse the seeds). Spread seeds in a shallow, jelly roll pan with sides, 15x10x 1 1/2 inches. Spray seeds with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt....

Ingredients 2 cups whole natural almonds 2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Place almonds in single layer in ungreased 15x10x1- inch pan. Bake 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat water, honey and oil to boiling over medium heat. Stir in toasted almonds. Cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until liquid evaporates....

Ingredients 1 pouch Betty Crocker™ chocolate chip cookie mix 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 egg 2 envelopes (1 oz each) instant hot cocoa mix and 2 envelopes (0.2 oz each) marshmallows (from 1 box marshmallow lovers hot cocoa mix with marshmallows) Powdered sugar or unsweetened baking cocoa, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, egg, 2 envelopes cocoa mix and 1 envelope marshmallows until stiff dough forms....

Ingredients 1 oz Disaronno 1 oz vodka (pick your favorite brand) 2 oz store bought eggnog Maraschino cherry Cinnamon Brown sugar Caramel syrup Candy cane and cinnamon stick for garnish (optional) Preparation Coat the inside of a small plate with caramel syrup, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Dip the rim of a martini glass in the mixture and spin back and forth and all around until the whole rim is coated....

This past summer, we took a 3 day trip to Kyoto. Mr. JOC was particularly looking forward to the trip because it’s his favorite city in Japan. Armed with a couple iphones and comfortable shoes, our adventure begins. Transportation From Tokyo to Kyoto, the fastest way is to take the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) and it takes roughly 2 hrs and 20 min. A train leaves from Tokyo every 10 min from 6 AM to 9 PM every day of the week so you’re fairly flexible on when you want to leave and get there....

Preparation Every Easter I host an egg hunt at my farm. I have been doing this for five decades, if you can believe it. The tradition started at Turkey Hill, my former home in Westport, Connecticut, once my daughter, Alexis, was old enough to search for hidden eggs in the gardens surrounding our old farmhouse. Later, we held it for my nieces and nephews, and then for the young children of my neighbors and colleagues....

Ingredients 1/2 can (8-oz size) drained mushroom pieces and stems 1/2 cup pitted kalamata or ripe olives 2 tablespoons capers, drained 1 clove garlic, sliced 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 10 slices French bread, toasted Preparation In food processor, mix mushrooms, olives, capers and garlic. Cover; process using quick on-and-off pulses until finely chopped. Add oil and vinegar; process just until mixed (do not overprocess). Spread mushroom mixture on toasted bread....

Ingredients 1 package (9 oz) chocolate wafer cookies, crushed 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 4 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened 1 1/3 cups sugar 4 eggs 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur or orange juice 1 teaspoon grated orange peel 1 package (10 oz) frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon cornstarch Preparation Heat oven to 325°F. In medium bowl, mix crust ingredients; press in bottom and 2 inches up side of ungreased 9-inch springform pan....

Ingredients 1 1/4 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef 3/4 lb bulk Italian sausage 1 egg 1 can (8 oz) pizza sauce 1/4 cup Progresso™ Italian style bread crumbs 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 cups shredded 6 cheese Italian cheese blend (8 oz) 2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach leaves Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix ground beef, sausage, egg, 1/2 cup of the pizza sauce, the bread crumbs and pepper....

Ingredients 1 cup soft bread crumbs (about 2 slices bread) 1/2 cup Bisquick Heart Smart® mix 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon pepper 8 medium green onions, finely chopped (1/2 cup) 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 can (14 3/4 oz) red salmon, skin and bone removed, drained and flaked 2 tablespoons margarine or butter 4 whole wheat burger buns, split Lettuce leaves 4 tablespoons dill dip or Ranch dip Preparation In medium bowl, mix all ingredients except margarine, buns, lettuce and dill dip....

Preparation Once the vows are exchanged and the cake is cut, it may feel like your wedding has come to an end, but that’s not entirely the case. When you wake up the next morning, you’ll find a pile of cards and gifts from your nearest and dearest, and this feels like an entirely unexpected bonus after you’ve spent the last 24 hours celebrating with the people you loved most. While gifts aren’t the point of a wedding by any means, the two do go hand in hand, so it’s important to have a game plan for unwrapping them, keeping a record of what you received, and sending prompt, heartfelt thank-you notes....

Ingredients 1 1/4 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3/4-inch pieces 1 1/2 cups sliced fresh carrots 1 medium onion, halved, sliced 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped 3 teaspoons paprika 1/2 teaspoon peppered seasoned salt 1 (10 3/4-oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed 1/2 cup sour cream with chives 4 cups prepared mashed potatoes Cooked real bacon pieces, if desired Preparation In 3 1/2 or 4-quart slow cooker, combine chicken, carrots, onion, bell pepper, paprika, seasoned salt and soup; mix well....