Good morning everyone and welcome to your Sunday edition of A to Z Recipes newsletter. The weather is chilly and not too wet here in Texas. It should be great for getting some sleep as I worked all night. I'm about halfway though this month of nights, then on to days. Being a morning person, it can't get here soon enough for me. I envy folks who can sleep anytime, anywhere. For me, it is best done at night, but my body adjusts every other month when I must sleep days. Of course, since the kids are not on my schedule, we sometimes play a tug-of-war keeping things quiet for whoever happens to be sleeping.

We have received some very good ideas for our Monthly Theme topic of Slow Cooker Recipes. Many of you use a slow cooker or crock pot on a regular basis and know what a great small appliance it is. Others will hopefully find some recipes in the issue (to be posted March 5th) and invest in a slow cooker to try them out. I encourage you to send your recipes in for sharing. Visit the Monthly Theme section and use the handy link found there for getting them to me. Thanks.

In today's issue you'll find quite a few keepers to try. Most have been shared by readers just like you who enjoy preparing home-cooked meals for family and friends. Eating out can be fun, but nothing beats food prepared at home with love. Have a great day and we will see you here Wednesday. I am hoping Linda will have her computer up and running for a special issue for you then.

"When preparing pasta with tomato sauce and grated cheese, it's best to sprinkle the cheese directly onto the pasta, then pour the sauce over. The combined heat of the pasta and the sauce will melt the cheese, greatly enhancing it's flavor."

To all you OWLS ( Older Wiser Laughin' Souls) 

Shared by Barbara, Chula Vista, CA

Wisdom from Grandpa ....... 

Whether a man winds up with a nest egg, or a goose egg, depends a lot on the kind of chick he marries.

Trouble in marriage often starts when a man gets so busy earnin' his salt that he forgets his sugar.

Too many couples marry for better, or for worse, but not for good.

When a man marries a woman, they become one; but the trouble starts when they try to decide which one.

If a man has enough horse sense to treat his wife like a thoroughbred, she will never turn into an old nag.

On anniversaries, the wise husband always forgets the past - but never the present.

A foolish husband says to his wife, "Honey, you stick to the washin ', ironin', cookin' and scrubbin'. No wife of mine is gonna work."

The bonds of matrimony are a good investment only when the interest is kept up.

Many girls like to marry a military man - he can cook, sew, and make beds and is in good health, and he's already used to taking orders.

Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.

The! Older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth....Remember about Algebra.

You know you are getting old, when everything either dries up or leaks.

I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.

One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.

Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

Old age is when former classmates are so gray and wrinkled and bald, they don't recognize you.

If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.

Have a GREAT day.......and keep Laughing

Save Manuals For Tools and Appliances

Shared by Judy, MI

Operator's manuals are valuable. They tell how to safely use an appliance or tool, where to get it repaired, and often how to make adjustments or repairs yourself. They also enhance the value of an item if you eventually decide to sell it. But these manuals tend to disappear, in the shop or in the bottoms of drawers. Place them in a folder and tuck the folder in the home files. In the workshop, manuals can be hung on a nail near the tool they pertain to.

This mixer is great! I got my order in and couldn't wait to try it. WOW! You have GOT to try it for yourself! The flavor and convenience are top shelf!
~Maggie~

Zilch, a delicious sugar free Margarita mixer is giving A to Z Recipes readers an exclusive 10% discount on all orders. Zilch is ideal for low calorie d-i-e-t programs, low carb lifestyles, and diabetic d-i-e-t-s. The mix is packaged in easy to take along, single serve packets for enjoyment at home, in restaurants, or anywhere you go. Use coupon code ???AtoZ??? to take advantage of this special offer. Visit Zilch at www.zilchmixers.com.
F-R-E-E SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS !

THIS TOWN IS SO SMALL...

Shared by Don G., GA

The City Jail is called amoeba, because it only has one cell.

Main Street - one block long - dead ends in both directions.

McDonalds only has one Golden Arch.

The phone book has only one page.

The 7-11 is a 3&1/2 - 5&1/2.

The New Year's baby was born in October.

The ZIP code is a fraction.

The city limits signs are both on the same post.

Second Street is in the next town over.

There's no place to go that you shouldn't.

A "Night on the Town" takes only 11 minutes.

The mayor had to annex property to eat a foot-long hot dog.



A Woman's Thoughts on Life!

Shared by Angelique, TX

1. Your secrets are safe with me and all my friends. 
2. I don't repeat gossip, so listen carefully. 
3. If I can't be skinny, let all my friends be fat. 
4. My idea of cleaning the house is sweeping the floor with a glance. 
5. I cleaned my house yesterday, sure wish you could have seen it. 
6. This isn't clutter, these are my antiques! 
7. If you don't like my attitude, call 1-800-Who Cares. 
8. Discover Wildlife! Have Kids! 
9. "Genuine Antique Person," Been there, done that, can't remember! 
10. Our policy is to always blame the computer. 
11. I'm not aging, I just need re-potting. 
12. Take my advice, I'm not using it! 
13. Okay! I love you! Now can we eat? 
14. You know you're getting old when you stop to think and forget to start again. 
15. Mom, I'll always love you, but I'll never forgive you for cleaning my face with spit on a hanky. 
16. I love to give homemade gifts ... umm, which one of the kids would you like? 
17. I have a million dollar figure -- but it's all loose change! 
18. By the time you find greener pastures, you can't climb the fence! 
19. This house is protected by killer dust bunnies. 
20. Every time I get the urge to exercise, I lie down till the feeling passes.



Good Sports

Shared by Jean, Syracuse, NY

At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young players, "Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?" The little boy
nodded in the affirmative.

"Do you understand that what matters is whether we win together as a team?" The little boy nodded yes.

"So," the coach continued, "when a strike is called, or you're out at first, you don't argue or curse or attack the umpire. Do you understand all that?" Again the little boy nodded.

"Good," said the coach. "Now go over there and explain it to your mother."

SPINACH FETA SALAD

~Submitted by Jean, Syracuse, NY

Ingredients:
4 cups fresh spinach
2 ripe tomatoes
1/4 cup feta cheese
1 teaspoon sliced almonds
1 teaspoon sunflower seeds
1/8 cup green onion
1/4 cup raisins
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar (apple or white wine)
salt
pepper

1. Mix together lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.

2. Mix spinach, tomato, cheese, raisins and onion. Add dressing until well coated.

3. Sprinkle with almonds and sunflower seeds.

Serves 4
Nutritional Analysis:
Calories ? 90
Total fat ? 4.5 g.
Saturated fat ? 1.0 g.
Sodium ? 87 mg.
Cholesterol ? 20 mg.

CRANBERRY COUSCOUS SALAD

~Submitted by Jean, Syracuse, NY

3/4 cup dry couscous
2-1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup dried cranberries
2 cups diced carrot
1 cup diced celery
2 Tbsp. chopped toasted walnuts
1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Pinch salt

Rehydrate the dry couscous in 1-1/2 cups of the boiling water. Let couscous stand for 5 to 10 minutes until water is absorbed. rehydrate the dried cranberries in the remaining boiling water. Let stand for 10 minutes and drain.

Combine the rehydrated couscous and drained cranberries with the carrot, celery, and walnuts in a large salad bowl. Whisk together the remaining ingredients and pour over the salad. Chill for several hours before serving.

Makes 6 (1 cup) Servings.

Per Serving: 191 Cal; 6g Total Fat; 30g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 57mg Sodium; 4g Protein; 3g Dietary Fiber. Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch; 1 Veg; 1 Fat.

CHOCOLATE MINK

~Submitted by Treva, Eastern TN

These luxurious little desserts are like gooey flourless chocolate pudding cakes. 

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus additional for greasing bowls or ramekins
3 1/2 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), finely chopped
1 large egg, separated
1 tablespoon sugar 
Special equipment: 2 (5- to 6-oz) ovenproof glass or ceramic bowls or ramekins 
Accompaniment: coffee ice cream 

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350?F. Butter bowls or ramekins.

Melt chocolate and butter in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove bowl from heat and cool, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Whisk in egg yolk and a pinch of salt until combined.

Beat egg white in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until it holds soft peaks. Gradually add sugar, beating, and continue to beat until white just holds stiff, glossy peaks.

Whisk about one fourth of white into chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining white gently but thoroughly.

Divide batter between bowls or ramekins. Cover each bowl with a small square of foil and crimp foil tightly around rim. Put bowls in a baking dish, then add enough boiling-hot water to reach halfway up side of bowls, making sure that foil is above water. Bake until puddings are just set, about 30 minutes. (Puddings will be gooey to the touch.) Transfer bowls to a rack and cool puddings, uncovered, about 1 hour.

Just before serving, unmold puddings into serving bowls.

Cooks' note:
Puddings can be made 4 hours ahead and kept in bowls or ramekins at warm room temperature. Dip in hot water 10 to 15 seconds to unmold.

Makes 2 servings.

Source: Gourmet September 2005

ELAIRS

10 servings 

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups milk 1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons boiling water 

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2. For icing: In small saucepan, melt chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter over low heat. Remove from heat and, with electric mixer, beat in confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons hot water. Beat until smooth. Drizzle over filled elairs.

3. For shells: In medium saucepan bring 1 cup water to a boil, stir in 1/2 cup butter and salt. Stir until melted. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat and beat in eggs, one at a time, until smooth. Drop by tablespoons onto baking sheet.

4. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and bake until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool completely.

5. For filling: In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup of milk, a little at a time, into softened cream cheese, until creamy. Beat in remaining 1 1/2 cups milk and pudding mix. Stir until thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Cut tops off cooled pastry shells and fill. Replace tops. 

Source: AllRecipes

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