NY Times no-kneed bread

3 C all purpose or bread flour
1/4 tsp instant yeast
1 1/4 tsp salt
cornmeal or wheat bran as needed

In a lg bowl combine flour, yeast and salt.  Add 1 5/8 c water.  Stir until blended.  Dough will be shaggy and sticky.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap.  Let dough rest for 12-18 hours at room temp (70*). 
Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles.  Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it.  Sprinkle with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice.  Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let sit 15 minutes.
Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball.  Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, cornmeal or wheat bran.  Place dough seam side down onto towel.  Sprinkle with more flour, cornmeal or wheat bran.  Cover with another cotton towel.  Let rise another 2 hours.  Dough will more than double in size and will not readily spring back with poked with a finger.
At least half an hour before the dough is ready, heat oven to 450*.  Put a 6-8 quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in the oven as it heats. When dough is ready carefully remove pot from oven.  Slide you hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up.  (it may look a mess, but that's okay).  Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed.  Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes.  Remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes (until loaf is browned).  Cool on a rack.

Smell of Christmas Pot Pourri

2 or 3 bay leaves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp caraway seeds
1 tsp whole cloves
4 cups water
Simmer in saucepan, as water evaporates, just add more

IHOP Country Griddle Cakes

non-stick spray
1 1/4 c flour
1 1/2 c buttermilk
1/3 c instant cream of wheat (dry)
1 egg
1/3 c sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 c veg. oil
1/2 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Cook as you would any other pancake.

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

broccoli florettes - 2 bunches, separated
3 carrots, diagonally sliced
2 or 3 chicken breasts cut into chunks
1c light mayo
1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp curry - or to taste
grated cheese

Layer chicken and veggies.  Mix remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and pour over chicken and veggies.  Bake at 350* for 25 minutes.  Sprinkle grated cheese over casserole just before it is done and melt cheese over just before serving.

Wild Rice and Turkey Casserole

2 C cut up cooked turkey or chicken
2 1/4 C boiling water
1/3 C milk
1 small chopped onion (1/4 c)
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg seasoned long grain and wild rice.

Mix everything together in a casserole dish.  Cover and bake at 350* for 45-50 minutes, or until rice is tender.  Uncover and bake 15 minutes more, until liquid is absorbed.

Cold Pizza

1 pillsbury jumbo crescent roll
1 large philadelphia cream cheese
1 pkg of club house ranch mix
1/3 cup mayo
salad toppings
shredded cheese

Lay squares of crescent roll flat on pizza sheet and press seams together.  Bake at 350* until golden brown.  Remove and let cool.
Mix cream cheese, mayo and ranch dressing together.  Spread over crust when cooled. 
Add salad toppings and cheese.  Refrigerate (up to 2 days)

Chocolatey Chocolate Chip Cookies

The ultimate triple chocolate cookie!  Warning!  they are addictive!

1 2/3 C all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c margarine
3/4 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans


Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.  Cream margaine in a large mixing bowl at medium speed until light.  Gradually beat in brown and white sugars, egg and vanilla until smooth.  Blend in dry ingredients on low speed.  Mix well.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Drop dough by spoonfuls, 2" apart onto ungreased baking sheet.  Bake at 375* for 8 to 10 minutes, or until set.  Cook on baking sheet 1 minute, then remove from sheet and cool completely.