Warm Swiss Chard

This is self explanatory. Swiss Chard, Garlic, Olive Oil, Vinegar, Salt and Pepper. The Swiss Chard is rolled to cut into ribbons. Warm the garlic in the olive oil, add the Swiss Chard, add the vinegar to taste.

Cake Balls

I saw a recipe for this when I was clipping grocery coupons. Here is the link to the Betty Crocker website and the full recipe.
Now I must admit I'm not very good at the decorating part of it, and I still haven't perfected the way to dip these in chocolate. I suppose putting a lollipop stick in them is the way to go!

1 box cake mix, any flavor (I used classic yellow)
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box

1 container  frosting

36 oz vanilla or chocolate-flavored candy coating

Bake cake as directed on box. Pour your frosting into a large bowl. Crumble warm cake into frosting.

Mix together with a fork until well blended. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or firm enough to shape. (I left it in overnight).

Use a tablespoon worth of mixture and shape into a ball. Repeat. Freeze for 30 minutes.

Line another cookie sheet with foil. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave 12 oz candy coating uncovered on High 1 minute 30 seconds; stir. Continue microwaving and stirring in 15-second intervals until melted and smooth. Remove one-third of the balls from the freezer. Using 2 forks, dip and roll each ball in coating. Place on foil-covered cookie sheet. Decorate as desired. Refrigerate cake balls about 10 minutes or until coating is set. Melt remaining candy coating in 12-oz batches; dip remaining balls. Serve at room temperature. Store in airtight container.

Eggroll Wrap Empanadas

My daughter gave me the idea for this. Either out of a lack of time, or just plain laziness, we've avoided making empanadas because of the work involved in preparing the flour wrap. Using store-bought egg-roll wraps makes this recipe very simple and the crispiness of the fried wraps bring an extra fun and tasty texture to the empanadas.

Start with a simple meat filling.
1 1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 large onion finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper finely chopped
2 to 4 cloves of garlic, pressed or minced
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbs paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1 cup water
12 pimento stuffed green olives, sliced (optional)
olive oil

Brown your ground beef and strain.  Set aside. Coat your pan with olive oil and saute the onions, peppers and garlic. Add the beef, the water, the spices and the olives. Simmer, stirring occasionally until everthing is well blended and most of the water has evaporated. Taste and adjust your salt. Set aside and let cool to room temperature.

For the wrap
1 pkg egg roll wrap
Vegetable oil for frying

Place on sheet of the wrap on a flat surface. Place about two tablespoons of your filling in the center. Wet the edges of the wrap with your finger. Fold the wrap over on the diagonal and press to seal. You can fold your wrap rectangular if you prefer. Continue this process for as many empanadas as you wish to make.

Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a frying pan, and drop your empanadas in one at a time (depending on the size of your frying pan you may only be able to fit two or three at a time). Adjust your temperature so that it doesn't brown too quickly. Turn them to brown on both sides. Place on a paper towel lined plate.

Hint: You can sprinkle cheese atop the filling before folding and sealing the wrap.