Brie en Croute

Ingredients

1/2 of a 17.3 ounce package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets ( 1 sheet)
1 egg
1 tbsp. water
1/2 cup apricot preserves OR seedless raspberry jam
1/3 cup dried cranberry, softened*
1/4 cup toasted sliced almond
1 (13.2 ounces) Brie cheese round
1 pkg. (26 ounces) Pepperidge Farm® Entertaining Quartet Distinctive Crackers 

Directions

Thaw the pastry sheet at room temperature for 40 minutes or until it's easy to handle. Heat the oven to 400°F. Mix the egg and water in a small bowl.

Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 14-inch square. Cut off the corners to make a circle. Spread the preserves on the pastry circle to within 1-inch of the edge. Sprinkle the cranberries and almonds over the preserves. Place the cheese in the center of the pastry circle. Brush the edge of the pastry circle with the egg mixture. Fold 2 opposite sides over the cheese. Trim the remaining 2 sides to 2-inches from the edge of the cheese and fold them up onto the cheese. Press the edges to seal. Place seam-side down on a baking sheet. Decorate the top with the pastry scraps, if desired. Brush with the egg mixture.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden. Let stand for 1 hour. Serve with the crackers.

*To soften the cranberries, mix the cranberries and 1/2 cup hot water in a small bowl. Let stand for 1 minute. Drain and pat the cranberries dry.

1/3 c. dries cherries, 1/4 c. toasted pecans, and 1/4 c. honey can be substituted for the fruit and nuts in this recipe. Soften the cherries as you would the cranberries.

Raspberry Pinwheels

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 8-ounce bar cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the work surface
• 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons turbinado or some other coarse sugar

Directions

With an electric mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Mix in the vanilla. Gradually add the flour, mixing until just incorporated.

Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and gently knead it 2 to 3 times, just to bring it together. Form the dough into two 1-inch-thick squares. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

On a lightly floured piece of parchment, roll one of the dough squares into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle. Spread half the jam over the dough. Cut the dough crosswise into thirds, making three 9-by-4-inch rectangles. Starting from the long side of each rectangle, roll into logs. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate until firm, 30 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Heat oven to 350° F. Slice the logs into 1-inch pieces and space 1 1/2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush with the egg and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

To wrap: A 32-ounce glass canning jar will neatly hold 2 dozen pinwheels. You can play up the cookies' two-tone theme with a striped ribbon tied around the jar's mouth and a colorful adhesive bow.

To freeze: Instead of refrigerating the logs, freeze them for up to 2 months. To bake, follow the recipe instructions, cutting logs while frozen and baking the dough without defrosting it. Use the upper end of the cooking-time range.

This recipe makes about 54 cookies.

Pappardelle with Cabbage, Prosciutto, and Sage

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pappardelle or some other wide pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1/2 head Savoy cabbage, quartered, cored, and sliced (8 cups)
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 pound sliced prosciutto, cut into strips
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

Directions

Cook the pasta according to the package directions.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes.

Add the cabbage and broth and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to wilt, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the prosciutto, butter, and sage and cook until the butter has melted. Serve over the pasta.

Poached Scallops with Leeks and Carrots

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 carrots, cut into 4-inch sticks
• 2 leeks (white and light green parts), thinly sliced lengthwise
• 1/2 dry white wine
• 12 large sea scallops (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, finely chopped

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and leeks and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the wine and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil.

Season the scallops with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and place on top of the vegetables. Reduce heat to medium and cook, covered, until the scallops are opaque throughout, about 8 minutes. Transfer the scallops to a plate.

In a small bowl, combine the parsley, garlic, pine nuts, and the remaining tablespoon of oil. Stir into the vegetables and broth and serve with the scallops.

Sweet Potato RIsotto

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 small sweet potatoes (about 1 pound), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano

Directions

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes.

Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook, stirring frequently, until absorbed.

Measure 3 1/2 cups of water. Add 3/4 cup at a time and cook, stirring occasionally and waiting until each addition is absorbed before adding the next. It should take 25 to 30 minutes for all the water to be absorbed.

Stir in the Parmesan and oregano.

Salmon and Fennel with Roasted-Lemon Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 2 bulbs fennel, thinly sliced
• 2 lemons, cut in half crosswise
• 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 4 6-ounce pieces skinless salmon fillet
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 12 ounces mixed greens (about 8 cups)

Directions

Heat oven to 400° F. In a large roasting pan, toss the fennel, lemons, garlic, 1 tablespoon of the oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Roast until the fennel begins to soften, about 8 minutes.

Season the salmon with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and nestle in the fennel.

Roast until the salmon is opaque throughout, 12 to 15 minutes.

Squeeze the garlic out of the skins into a small bowl and mash to a paste. Squeeze the lemon pulp and juice into the bowl. Stir in the honey, rosemary, the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Place the salmon and fennel on the greens. Drizzle with the dressing.

Three-Cheese Calzones

Ingredients

• 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough
• 1 cup fresh ricotta
• 1 cup grated mozzarella (4 ounces)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)
• 1 bunch spinach, thick stems removed and roughly chopped (5 cups)
• black pepper
• 1/4 pound thinly sliced salami
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup jarred marinara sauce, warmed

Directions

Heat oven to 400° F. On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 4 equal portions and roll and stretch them into 8-inch rounds.

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Layer the salami on one side of each round of dough and top with the cheese mixture. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal.

Brush the tops of the calzones with the oil. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve with the sauce.

Apple Crumble with Golden Raisins

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 1/2 cups diced peeled Granny Smith apple
• 1 tablespoon golden raisins
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

Combine flour, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Combine 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, apple, and next 4 ingredients (apple through cinnamon), tossing well. Divide apple mixture evenly between 2 (6-ounce) ramekins coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with flour mixture. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Gingered Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

• 1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie dough (such as Pillsbury)
• 10 gingersnap cookies
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 (15-ounce) can unsweetened pumpkin
• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated fat-free milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 large egg whites

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Roll dough into a 12-inch circle; fit into a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate. Fold edges under, and flute. Freeze 30 minutes.

Place cookies, 2 tablespoons sugar, and flour in a food processor; process until cookies are ground. Add butter; pulse until crumbly.

Combine 3/4 cup sugar and remaining ingredients; pour into prepared crust. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Sprinkle crumb mixture over pie; bake an additional 20 minutes or until center is set. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack.

Cookie-Crusted Derby Pie

Ingredients

• Crust:
• 40 reduced-fat vanilla wafers
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• Cooking spray
• 
  Filling:
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted
• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons bourbon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten

Maple-Glazed Salmon

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ancho chile powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
• 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
• Cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup

Preparation

Prepare grill, heating to medium.
Combine first 5 ingredients. Sprinkle fish with salt; rub with paprika mixture.
Place fish on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 7 minutes. Drizzle fish with syrup; grill 1 minute or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Wasabi Salmon

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon wasabi powder (dried Japanese horseradish)
• 1 teaspoon bottled minced fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
• 4 (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets (about 1 inch thick)
• Cooking spray

Preparation

Combine soy sauce, wasabi, ginger, and sesame oil in a large zip-top plastic bag; add fish. Seal and marinate at room temperature 5 minutes, turning bag occasionally to coat. Remove fish from the bag, reserving marinade.

While fish marinates, heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add fish and marinade; cook 3 minutes. Turn fish over. Reduce heat to medium; cook 8 minutes or until fish is done.

Rum-Marinated Chicken Breasts with Pineapple Relish

Ingredients

• Chicken:
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Caribbean hot sauce (such as Pickapeppa Sauce)
• 1 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 4 (8-ounce) bone-in chicken breast halves
• 
  Relish:
• 1 small pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into (1/2-inch-thick) rings (about 12 ounces)
• Cooking spray
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1 teaspoon grated lime rind
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon dark rum
• 1/4 teaspoon Caribbean hot sauce (such as Pickapeppa Sauce)
• 1/8 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
• 4 lime wedges

Preparation

To prepare chicken, combine first 6 ingredients in large zip-top plastic bag. Add chicken to bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, turning bag occasionally. Remove the chicken from bag, reserving marinade; set chicken aside. Let marinade stand at room temperature 10 minutes. Strain through a sieve into a bowl; discard solids. Set marinade aside.

Prepare grill to medium heat.

To prepare relish, place pineapple on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 3 minutes on each side or until soft and browned around the edge. Cool slightly; chop. Combine pineapple, bell pepper, and next 5 ingredients (bell pepper through 1/8 teaspoon salt); set aside.

Place chicken on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 30 minutes or until done, turning occasionally. Remove and discard skin.

Bring reserved marinade to a boil in a small saucepan; cook 1 minute. Drizzle cooked marinade over chicken. Serve chicken with relish and lime wedges.