Make cleanup a breeze by using disposable tin containers rather than glass or enameled cast iron. If you plan on freezing the casserole, there is no need to bake it. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, date it, and be sure to eat it within 3 months. When you are ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap, and complete step four of the directions.
From Anna Monette Roberts
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup semi-condensed cream of mushroom soup, such as Amy's
1 10 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
2 tablespoon canola oil
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder
Garlic salt, to taste
1 12 ounce package corn tortillas, sliced into 1-inch strips
3 cups chicken breast meat, shredded
10 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
Set oven to 350ºF. Combine chicken broth, mushroom soup, and tomatoes with green chiles in a large liquid measuring cup.
In a sauté pan, heat one tablespoon oil over high heat. Add chopped onion, and sauté for 5-10 minutes without stirring, until brown on one side. Stir once, and allow to sauté another 5-10 minutes until brown on the other side. Add bell pepper and chili powder, and cook another 5 minutes, until bell pepper is wilted. Sprinkle garlic salt or regular salt to taste.
In a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish, grease the bottom and sides with remaining oil. Cover the bottom with a third of the tortilla strips. Spread half of the sautéed vegetables and shredded chicken over the tortilla strips. Pour a third of the soup mixture over the casserole, then sprinkle a third of the cheese on top. Create a second layer of tortilla strips, and add the same fillings. Top the casserole with a third layer of tortilla strips, and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Cover the casserole dish with foil, and bake for 30-45 minutes. Uncover the casserole, and set the oven to broil. Broil the top of the casserole until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown, about five minutes.
Last Fall when living in Manhattan, I experienced fresh concord grapes for the first time and was dazed by the naturally jelly consistency and supersweet interior.
Last Fall when living in Manhattan, I experienced fresh concord grapes for the first time and was dazed by the naturally jelly consistency and supersweet interior. I probably went through five pounds a week, so you can imagine my excitement when grapes started popping up at the farmers market here in San Francisco. Preserve the season's bounty by making homemade jam. A few serving suggestions: offer it for breakfast with English muffins and butter, or use it as a filling for cakes or mix it into vanilla frosting. Slip some in a peanut butter sandwich, and you'll find that PB&Js never tasted so good.
Fall back in love with this sandwich staple when you get the recipe.
From Martha Stewart LivingBacon and Caramelized Leek DipIngredients3 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 medium leeks, white and pale green parts only thinly sliced crosswise and rinsed well (about 3 cups)
2 cups sour cream
6 ounces soft goat cheese
6 strips of bacon, cooked until crisp and coarsely chopped
Salt for seasoning
Directions
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
3 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 medium leeks, white and pale green parts only thinly sliced crosswise and rinsed well (about 3 cups)
2 cups sour cream
6 ounces soft goat cheese
6 strips of bacon, cooked until crisp and coarsely chopped
Salt for seasoning
Directions
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook leeks, stirring often, until caramelized about 35 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
Stir in sour cream, goat cheese, bacon and salt.
Serve with thinly sliced bread, tortilla chips or crudités. Can be made one day in advance.
That’s right. Not only is the holiday celebration and charity season in full effect, but your tiny tot can get in on the action this year! How you ask? With Huggies® of course! Introducing the limited-edition Huggies Santa Diaper (we know, ADORABLE)! And, in the true spirit of the season, when you “Dress ‘Em Like Claus For a Cause” in the holiday-inspired Huggies Santa Diapers, Huggies will help a baby in need by donating to Every Little Bottom. In 2011, Huggies' Every Little Bottom has committed to donating more than 22.5 million diapers.
The stuffing in the stocking? You can spread the holiday cheer by uploading a photo of your little one at AmericanGreetings.com and creating a one-of-a-kind holiday ecard. And the bow on the gift? For every ecard created or shared, Huggies' Every Little Bottom will donate to a baby in need!
The Dr Pepper Ten ads have sparked a lot of controversy in the past month for their perceived sexism. The beverage is targeted to men, with ads claiming there's nothing girlie or unmanly about this diet drink. So we rounded up a group of male and female taste testers and tried it alongside regular Dr Pepper and Diet Dr Pepper. Check out what our tasters had to say about Dr Pepper Ten.
The promise: "A unique blend of sweeteners that delivers the iconic flavor and beverage experience of regular Dr Pepper with just 10 calories."
If you're new to canning, we recommend that you purchase a kit containing all of the canning tools and equipment you will need, such as this Fagor 9 Piece Pressure Canning Set.
If you're new to canning, we recommend that you purchase a kit containing all of the canning tools and equipment you will need, such as this Fagor 9 Piece Pressure Canning Set. You'll find that canning (especially with all of the right tools) is a fun process, and you'll be inspired to make all sorts of delicious homemade jams and pickles. I used a little fruit pectin in the end to thicken the jam quickly. However, if you don't have fruit pectin, simply reduce the jam until it passes the freezer test noted below.
Equipment
2 glass jars with metal seals and lids
1 stainless steel canning rack
1 jar funnel
1 magnetic jar lifter
Directions
To sterilize jars: Wash jars, metal seals, and lids in soapy water, then rinse. In a deep pot or pressure cooker, cover the jars with enough water so they are completely covered. Bring to a boil, and sanitize for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, but keep jar in the pot to say warm. If the jars are not warm when you pour in boiling jam, they might crack.
To make jam: Chill a plate in the freezer to use later for testing the jam's consistency. In two bowls, separate the skins from the flesh by pinching the grape and allowing the flesh to pop out. In a food processor, combine grape skins and sugar, and puree until smooth.
Combine grape skin mixture, grape flesh, and lemon juice in a bottom heavy, medium to large pot. On medium heat, keep mixture at a simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
Place a fine mesh sieve over a clean metal bowl, and pour mixture into mesh sieve. Using a rubber spatula, force the liquid through the sieve, discarding the seedy, dry pulp remains.
Return strained mixture to pot, and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Whisk in pectin, and cook for 1 minute. Take chilled plate out of freezer and dab a small amount of jam on plate. Return plate to freezer for 1 minute. If jam has gelled and does not slide down when the plate when tilted, then it is done. However, if the jam slides down, continue to cook jam for a few more minutes, and try the freezer test again. Continue cooking, until jam reaches the desired consistency.
To process jars: Using the jar lifter, remove warm glass jars from warm water. Place funnel over jar, and pour jam mixture into jar, leaving about an inch of headroom. Place seal over the top of the jar, and screw on the lid tightly. Using the jar lifter, return jars to the water-filled deep pot. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. Boil jars for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, remove jars, and set them on the counter or a wire rack to cool. You should hear a snap as they cool, signifying the seal has inverted and jars have processed correctly. Sealed jams should last sealed for up to 12 months and once opened, they will last several months refrigerated.
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That’s right. Not only is the holiday celebration and charity season in full effect, but your tiny tot can get in on the action this year! How you ask? With 
