Daily Health Alert

You are what you eat!!

Mardi Gras King Cake...

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 40 min. + rising Bake: 20 min. + cooling YIELD: 2 cakes (12 servings each).
This frosted king cake is the highlight of our annual Mardi Gras party. If you want to hide a token inside, do so by cutting a small slit in the bottom of the baked cake…and remember to warn your guests!

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
1/3 cup shortening
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, room temperature
4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cans (12-1/2 ounces each) almond cake and pastry filling
GLAZE:
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 tablespoons water
Purple, green and gold colored sugar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, shortening, sugar, salt, egg and 2 cups flour. Beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll one portion into a 16-in. x 10-in. rectangle. Spread almond filling to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet; pinch ends together to form a ring. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. For glaze, combine confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough water to achieve desired consistency. Spread over cooled cakes. Sprinkle with colored sugars.

Potluck Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms...

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min. YIELD: 12 servings.
Pennsylvania is often referred to as the "Mushroom Capital of the World." This recipe's a delicious appetizer and is always the hit of the party.

Ingredients

12 large fresh mushrooms
2 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
4 ounces bulk Italian sausage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Thinly sliced green onions, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Remove stems from mushrooms; place caps in a greased 15x10x1-in. pan. Finely chop stems; wrap in paper towels and squeeze to remove moisture.
2. In a skillet, heat 1-1/2 tablespoons butter; saute onion and stems over medium-high heat until tender. Stir in lemon juice and seasonings; cook until juices are almost evaporated. Cool slightly.
3. Mix sausage, parsley and onion mixture; spoon into mushroom caps. Mix bread crumbs and cheese; sprinkle over tops. Dot with remaining butter.
4. Bake until sausage is cooked through, 15-20 minutes, basting occasionally with pan juices. If desired, top with green onions.