Cooked icing recipe

Image by El Negro Magnifico via FlickrCOOKED FROSTING
Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons butter flavored extract

Directions
Cook flour, salt, and milk in a skillet over low heat, stirring constantly, until thick. Let cool completely (If you do not allow the mixture to cool completely, your frosting may end up with pasty lumps in it.). Cream butter, sugar, and shortening in a separate bowl. Stir in 2 teaspoons each of vanilla extract and butter flavored extract. Then add flour mixture to bowl and cream together. Frost cake once completely cooled.

Cook's Notes-this frosting tops our Red Velvet Cake deliciously!

Chocolate covered cherries recipe

Image by elana's pantry via FlickrCHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES
Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 (4 ounce) jars maraschino cherries, drained
• 1 pound chocolate coating (milk or dark chocolate work best, but white can be used if desired)

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together powdered sugar, butter, milk and almond extract. Knead together until well blended, then form into 1 inch balls. Flatten each ball into a 2 inch circle and wrap around a cherry, leaving the stems sticking out. Chill 3-4 hours. When ready to dip, place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after every 30 seconds, until smooth. Take a cherry by the stem, dip it in chocolate and allow extra chocolate to drip back into bowl. Place on waxed paper and allow to set up completely. Chill until time to serve.

Cook's Notes-if desired, garnish dipped cherries with chocolate sprinkles, chopped nuts, etc.

Shopping Tips-

• You can purchase chocolate bark at any neighborhood grocery during the holiday season, Kroger, Meijer and WalMart tend to carry a lot of it during the holiday season, but it may be elusive during the rest of the year.
• JoAnn's, Michael's and Hobby Lobby carry Wilton's chocolate coatings year round.
• If you are giving these as a gift, you can purchase holiday tins at Hobby Lobby, Michael's JoAnn's or Flower Factory, all located near the Dayton Mall.

Bangers and mash recipe

Image via WikipediaBANGERS AND MASH
Ingredients

• 8 large potatoes
• 2 teaspoons butter, divided
• milk, as needed
• 1-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, to taste
• salt and pepper to taste
• 8 large sausage links
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• packet brown gravy mix
• 1 cup water

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Peel and quarter potatoes, place in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and 20 until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash potatoes with half of the butter and enough milk to achieve your desired consistency. Season with mustard, salt and pepper and continue mashing until smooth. Prick sausages and cook over medium heat until cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside. Add remaining butter and onions to pan and cook until tender. Add gravy mix and water. Cook according to the directions on the package, stirring as needed, to make a thick gravy. Pour half of gravy into a 9X9 baking dish, swirling to coat the bottom. Top gravy with sausages then pour remaining gravy over the sausage. Top with mashed potatoes. Bake 20-30 minutes, until potatoes brown.

Bubble and squeak recipe

Image by WordRidden via FlickrBUBBLE AND SQUEAK
Ingredients

• bacon fat, butter or oil for frying
• 1 pound cooked, mashed potatoes
• 1/2 pound boiled cabbage
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• other vegetables as desired
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
Heat fat/oil in a skillet. Mix together all remaining ingredients and form into patties. Add patties to skillet and cook over medium heat until browned on both sides.

Chicken fajitas recipe

Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:

• 10 Mission® Small/Fajita Flour Tortillas
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Tbsp fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 20 oz Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless
• 1 1/4 C Cheese, fat free, shredded
• 1 1/4 C Iceberg Lettuce, shredded
• 1 1/4 C Tomatoes, small dice
• 1/2 C +2 Tbsp Sour Cream, fat free
• 1/2 C +2 Tbsp Green Onions, sliced
• 1/2 C +2 Tbsp Cilantro, chopped

Directions
1.Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and cumin in a large Ziploc bag. Add the chicken breasts and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes. (A large Ziploc bag works great for marinating food, saves on refrigerator space and is easy to clean up – no mess).
2.Grill the chicken until it is cooked through, turning occasionally, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. When cooked, slice diagonally.
3.Assemble all of the other ingredients (garnishes).
4.Warm the flour tortillas.
5.Serve the chicken on a platter with the garnishes and warmed tortillas.
*Recipe and photo used with permission

After you have enjoyed your fajitas, please visit TerraCycle and join in their mission to outsmart waste. TerraCycle has partnered with Mission Foods to collect the usually non-recyclable wrappers from tortillas, chips, and other food products and, indeed, recycle them. These food wrappers can be turned into backpacks, plant grow kits and mini speakers (anda whole lot more!). School and community groups can join the "Brigade" and earn 2 cents per item for the charity of their choice!