Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
“Stir Fry” (or not!)
This nutty mix of vegetable impostors is guaranteed to cause a stir! Fruit Roll-Ups, 2-3 green rolls, and 1 red roll 1-1/2 teaspoons hulled sunflower seeds 1-1/2 cups dried apples 3/4 cup dried pineapple chunks 1/2 cup cashews
First, make a bunch of pea pods. For each one, cut a 2-1/4 inch square from a green fruit roll. Arrange 5 or 6 sunflower seeds (for peas) on the strip in a vertical row, just off-center. Fold the strip in half over the seeds and press the edges together to seal them. Trim the ends into a rounded pod shape using scissors. Next, cut the red fruit roll into thin pepper strips and break the dried apples into bite-size chicken pieces. For the full effect, serve in a frying pan with chopsticks. Makes three cups.
Steamed Dumplings From China
3 stalks Chinese cabbage 2 scallions 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 pound lean ground pork 1 10-ounce package dumpling wrappers
Finely chop the cabbage and scallions and put them in a mixing bowl. Add the soy sauce, salt, cornstarch, and pork, mixing well with a spoon. Place 1 teaspoon of filling on each wrapper. Fold the wrappers into half circles. Moisten the inside edges with water and press them together to seal. In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Drop in the dumplings and cover. When the water resumes boiling, add 1 cup of cold water. Repeat this step twice. When the water boils for the third time, the dumplings will be done. Serve with 1/4 cup soy sauce mixed with 2 tablespoons white vinegar. Makes 4 dozen.
African Sesame Cookies
In Africa, sesame seeds, or benne, symbolize good luck.
2/3 cup sesame seeds 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt
Toast the sesame seeds on a baking sheet in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep them from burning. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well mixed. Fold in 1/2 the sesame seeds. Shape the dough into 1" balls and roll them in the remaining sesame seeds. Place on greased cookie sheets and flatten with the palm of your hand. Bake until golden brown (about 10 minutes). Makes 2 dozen.