1 lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley + extra sprigs for garnish
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)

1. Using a peeler, remove strips of zest from half of the lemon; trim into fine strips with a small knife. Grate the other half of the lemon to make 1 tablespoon of zest. Squeeze the juice from the lemon into a small bowl.

2. In a large bowl, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, parsley, thyme, marjoram, salt and pepper. Add the chicken breasts and toss to coat well; cover and chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes or overnight.

3. Preheat the grill, griddle or broiler. Place chicken on grill; reserve the marinade. Cook until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes on each side brushing with marinade 2 to 3 times during cooking. Sprinkle with reserved lemon strips; garnish with parsley sprigs and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Emily

1 refrigerated pie pastry
2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter, cut into 8 pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten
1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Set the pie pastry out at room temperature to soften slightly, about 10 minutes.

2. In a small bowl, combine the diced apples and lemon juice; stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the pastry dough into a 16×8-inch rectangle; cut into eight 4-inch squares.

4. Spoon 2 scant tablespoons of the apple mixture onto the center of each square of dough*; top each with a piece of the butter. Brush the edges of dough with beaten egg. Fold the corners of the dough toward the center, covering the filling; pinch the edges to seal. Place on ungreased baking sheet.

5. Brush the tops with the remaining beaten egg; sprinkle with the granulated sugar. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes; serve warm. Makes 8 servings.

*Do not overfill these pies if you have too much apple filling. Use the extra filling to top oatmeal, ice cream or yogurt.

Emily

2 sweet potatoes
4 Yukon gold potatoes
8 new potatoes
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Peel and cube the sweet potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes. Scrub the new potatoes and cut into cubes.

2. Place the cubed potatoes in a large saucepan; add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook 3 minutes; drain.

3. Spread drained potatoes in a single layer on a large nonstick baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with tarragon, salt and pepper. Roast until browned and crisp, about 25 minutes; serve immediately. Makes 6 servings.

Emily

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
1 large onion, cut into wedges
3 pounds top round or rump roast
3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
3 medium white potatoes, cubed
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (1.4 ounce each) envelopes onion soup mix
3 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon water

1. In a large skillet, heat the butter and sunflower oil; add the onion and beef. Brown the beef on all sides; transfer beef and onion to a 5-quart slow-cooker.

2. Arrange the carrots, potatoes and bay leaves around the beef; sprinkle with the salt. In a heatproof bowl or measuring cup, combine the soup mix with 3 cups boiling water, stirring to combine.

3. Pour the soup mixture over the beef and vegetables in slow-cooker. Cover; cook on High until the meat is very tender, about 3-1/2 hours or on Low for 7 hours.

4. In a medium saucepan, combine the cornstarch and 1 teaspoon water; stir to form a paste. Add 2 cups hot liquid from the slow cooker and bring to a boil, stirring until the gravy has thickened. Slice the beef and serve with the vegetables and gravy. Makes 4 servings.

Emily

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups rolled or quick-cooking oats
1 cup raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 3 baking sheets. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.

2. In a large bowl, beat the brown sugar and butter on high speed of mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until smooth.

3. With a wooden spoon, gradually stir in the flour mixture until thoroughly combined; stir in the oats and raisins until blended.

4. Drop the dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 1-1/2-inches apart on prepared baking sheets; flatten slightly with a fork. Bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Makes 32 cookies.

Emily

1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar (light or dark)
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 pounds top sirloin, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 medium heads broccoli, cut into florets (about 4 cups)
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons grated fresh gingerroot

1. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, lemon juice, cornstarch, brown sugar, garlic and pepper; set aside.

2. In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and stir-fry about 2 minutes or until the meat is almost cooked through. Transfer to a plate, cover and keep warm.

3. Heat the remaining oil in the same skillet; add the onion and stir-fry for 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and 1/2 cup water; bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes.

4. Return beef to the skillet; stir in the reserved soy sauce mixture and gingerroot. Bring to a boil; cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Serve over a bed of hot fluffy rice. Makes 6 servings.

And a very Happy New Year!

Emily

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup rolled oats
1-1/4 cups chocolate chunks

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 large baking sheets.

2. In a large bowl, combine the butter and both sugars; beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract; set aside.

3. Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda into a small bowl. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating continuously. Stir in the rolled oats and chocolate chunks.

4. Spoon the dough by tablespoonfuls about 2-inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool on pans for 1 minute; transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Repeat with any remaining dough. Makes 16 cookies.

Emily

CAKE:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cold black coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs

FROSTING:

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup warm water
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts, divided

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

2. With electric mixer on Low speed, beat in the shortening, milk, coffee and vanilla until combined. Increase speed to high and beat for 2 minutes. Add the eggs and beat 2 more minutes.

3. Divide the batter between the two prepared pans; smooth with a spatula. Bake in the middle of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes; turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.

4. For the frosting, combine the cocoa powder, butter, corn syrup, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. With electric mixer set on medium speed, beat for 2 minutes; add the warm water and mix well. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar in 2 batches; beat until smooth and creamy.

5. Place 1 cake layer top side down on a large, flat plate. Spread with 1 cup of frosting and sprinkle with 2/3 cup of walnuts. Top with the remaining cake layer, top side up. Frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting, swirling with a small spatula. Garnish with the remaining walnuts. Makes 12 servings.

2 cups crispy rice cereal
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (1 ounce) envelope ranch salad dressing mix
2 egg whites
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs*

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the rice cereal, Parmesan cheese and ranch dressing mix.

2. Beat egg whites in a medium bowl; dip each chicken thigh in the egg whites and then in the cereal mixture to coat evenly.

3. Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet; bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a knife. Makes 4 servings.

*You may substitute 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts halves, if desired.

Emily