CARROT CAKE

Ingredients :
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups corn oil
1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple in natural syrup
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
3 cups grated carrots (about 4 carrots)

Preparation :
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13-by-9-by-2-inch pan. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil and brown sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, sift the baking soda, cinnamon, salt and flour, then gradually add it to the egg mixture; do not over mix. Add the pineapple and syrup, coconut, walnuts and carrots, and beat well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Invert onto a cooling rack and cool completely. Serves 12 to 14.

HARELESS POTPIES

Ingredients :

PIECRUST
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup frozen sweet butter, cut in small chunks
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
7 to 8 tbsp. ice water

FILLING
2 medium onions, diced
4 celery stalks, diced
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 cups frozen corn
2 cups frozen baby peas
2 1/2 cups carrots, peeled, chopped and cooked (about
4 carrots)
2 medium potatoes, peeled, cubed and cooked
4 cups diced cooked chicken, turkey or ham
5 tbsp. sweet butter
5 tbsp. all-purpose flour
4 1/2 cups chicken, vegetable or turkey stock
1/2 tsp. pepper
Salt to taste
1 egg, lightly beaten

Preparation :

TO MAKE THE PIECRUST:
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse the flour, salt, butter and vegetable shortening until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Sprinkle with the ice water and pulse until the dough starts to come together, being careful not to let the dough form a ball. Remove the dough and press it into two disks. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate while you make the filling. TO MAKE THE FILLING:
In a large saucepan, sauté the onions and celery in the olive oil over medium heat until soft. Add all the vegetables, and the chicken, turkey or ham, and set aside. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in the stock until the sauce is smooth. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes. Add the pepper and salt. Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables. Then pour the mixture into 10 individual ovenproof bowls or two 9-inch pie pans. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll out the piecrust on a lightly floured surface. Cover the 10 (or two) pies with the dough. Use a cookie cutter to cut bunnies out of scraps of piecrust. Lightly brush the egg onto the piecrusts and place a bunny on top. Bake for 20 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the filling bubbles. It's a good idea to place a cookie sheet below the pies to catch any drips. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Ingredients :
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened to room temperature
2 1/2 to 3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Green food coloring

Preparation :
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until smooth. Makes 3 1/2 cups.

CREAMY VANILLA FROSTING

Ingredients :
In medium bowl,
beat 1/3 cup softened butter or margarine.
Add 1 cup powdered sugar and
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; beat well.
Add 2-1/2 cups powdered sugar alternately with 1/4 cup milk,
beating to spreading
consistency. About 2 cups frosting.

Preparation :
To tint coconut, combine several drops desired color food color with 3/4 teaspoon water; add to 1-1/2 cups coconut. Stir until evenly tinted.

BRAIDED EASTER BREAD

Ingredients :
Serving this classic bread on Easter is a wonderful way to start an annual tradition.
2 pkgs. dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tsp. salt
5 cups all-purpose flour
6 soft-boiled, dyed eggs (nontoxic dyes only)
1 egg
1 tsp. water

Preparation :
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan, add the milk and heat until just warm. Pour the mixture into the bowl with the yeast. Add the sugar, eggs and salt, and stir well. Mix in the flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough is formed. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, adding flour if the dough is too sticky to handle. Knead until it becomes elastic. Place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and set in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size (about 1 hour). Punch down the dough. Divide it into three equal parts and roll each piece into a 20-inch-long strand. Lay the strands side by side and gently braid them. (To avoid tearing the dough, braid from the middle out to an end; repeat with the other side.) Place the woven dough in a wreath shape on a greased cookie sheet, tucking the ends under. Sink the eggs into the dough. Cover and let rise until double in size. Beat 1 egg with 1 teaspoon water and brush the wash over the dough. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

CARROT SALAD (Serves 4)

Ingredients :
1 1/2 lb. Carrots
1 Tbs. Olive Oil
1/2 Tbs. Red Wine Vinegar
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 clove of Garlic, finely chopped
Pinch of Black Pepper
Pinch of Paprika
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 Tbs. fresh Parsley, chopped

Preparation :
Cut the carrots lengthwise into four quartered sections. If they're very long, cut across so that you get eight pieces from each carrot. Put the carrots into lightly salted boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes, until they're starting to become tender but are still crisp. Drain the carrots. Mix the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, and paprika together in the saucepan, which has been washed and dried. Add the carrot segments and the salt and turn over a very low heat for about 5 minutes, until the flavors are all impregnated into the carrots. Remove, pile into a dish, and sprinkle with the parsley. Leave to cool before serving.

CHOCOLATE CREAM EASTER EGGS

Ingredients :
1 package white frosting mix
5 tablespoons soft butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons hot water
1/2 cup chopped candied fruit or 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 package chocolate fudge frosting mix

Preparation :
Combine frosting mix with soft butter, flour, water and if desired, chopped fruit or nuts. Knead 20-30 times on board lightly dusted with confectioners sugar. Divide and shape into 8 eggs; chill. Coat eggs with Chocolate Fudge Frosting mix by dipping egg into frosting, ending with a swirl on top. Keep frosting mix over hot water while dipping the eggs. Decorate with white frosting mix tinted with pastel colors.

BUNNY CAKE

Ingredients :
cake mix; baked to form two circular cakes
frosting
Licorice for whiskers; M&M's for decoration

Preparation :
You have two circular cakes, as though each would normally be one layer of a birthday cake. One is the head. The other is used the make ears and a bow tie. Cut the two ears out of either side of the circular cake, and then the center becomes a bow tie. Assemble the pieces, put frosting on it, and decorate it, making a face on it, etc. Use white frosting for most of it, and pink frosting for the center of the ears. Use licorice for whiskers, and put M&Ms all over the bow tie.