Herbed Potato Slices

3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried basil or oregano
2 tablespoons melted butter

Put half of the sliced potatoes and half of the sliced onions in a buttered 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with half of the dried herbs and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Repeat layers, ending with remaining melted butter.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover plate with foil. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until potatoes are tender.Serves 4

Asparagus au Gratin

1 pound trimmed asparagus spears, fresh or frozen
salt and pepper
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

PREPARATION:
Heat warming drawer or preheat oven to 225°. Put asparagus in a pan large enough to hold them lying flat. Pour enough boiling water in the pan to cover asparagus; add salt, to taste. Cover and simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender.

Lift asparagus out carefully with a spatula; transfer to paper towels to drain. Reserve 1/4 cup of cooking liquid. Arrange asparagus with tips all pointing in one direction on a warm, ovenproof serving dish; cover and keep warm in warming drawer or in a 225° degree oven. Simmer mushrooms in half of reserved asparagus liquid (2 tablespoons) for about 2 minutes, or until tender.

Drain and arrange over the bottom half of asparagus, leaving tips uncovered. Cover and continue to keep warm while making sauce.

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter; stir in flour until smooth. Continue to cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, until golden in color. Remove from heat; gradually stir in milk, the remaining half of asparagus cooking liquid (2 tablespoons), and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Return sauce to heat; simmer for 2
minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Pour over mushrooms and sprinkle
with Parmesan cheese. Asparagus tips will remain exposed. Cover exposed
asparagus with foil; place dish under broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, or until sauce
with cheese is browned.
Serves 4

Copy Cat Recipe Cracker Barrel Cherry Chocolate Cobbler

1−1/2 cups flour
1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cups butter
1 (6 oz.) pkg. Nestle's semi−sweet chocolate morsels
1/4 cups milk
1 egg
1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling
1/2 cups nuts, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350F. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter; cut with pastry blender until crumbs are size of large peas. Melt over hot (not boiling) water, Nestle's semi−sweet chocolate morsels. Remove from heat and cool
slightly at room temperature (about 5 minutes). Add milk and egg to melted
chocolate and mix well. Blend chocolate into flour mixture.

Spread cherry pie filling in bottom of 2 quart casserole. Drop chocolate batter randomly over cherries. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.

Bake at 350 F for 40 − 45 minutes. Serve warm with heavy cream.

Amaretto Coffee

1 ½ c Warm Water
1/3 c Amaretto
1 T Instant Coffee Crystals
Dessert Topping from a pressurized can

In a 2-cup measure stir together water and instant coffee crystals. Micro-cook uncovered, on 100% power for about 4 minutes or just till steaming hot. Stir in Amaretto. Serve in mugs. Top each mug of coffee mixture with some dessert topping.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Truffles

1 c peanut butter chips
3/4 c butter
1/2 cup cocoa
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla

Coatings:
crushed graham cracker crumbs, confectioner’s sugar or crushed nuts.

In a heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chips with butter. Stir in cocoa until smooth. Add condensed milk and vanilla. Cook and stir until thickened and well blended, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Chill until firm enough to handle. Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll in desired coating. Chill until firm.

Store, covered in refrigerator. Makes about 3 dozen truffles