CMT News

Ziti
1 lb Johnsonville Italian sausage (or ground beef if you prefer)
16 oz. ziti
1 pint Half & Half
2-16 oz. bags Italian cheese blend (5 cheeses) large jar spaghetti sauce (32 oz.) cooking wine sprinkle garlic powder Cook the sausage until done, add spaghetti sauce with a splash of cooking wine--simmer an hour or more.
Cook ziti according to package but the lesser time indicated. Remove sauce from stove, add one package cheese and the Half & Half. Fold the ziti into the sauce and place in a large baking dish. Add more cheese on top and bake 30 minutes.

Green Beans
Remove strings from green beans. Wash beans, place in a pan with salt pork--cover with water. Allow to boil, lower heat-cook about an hour. Check to be sure the beans don't scorch. When tender, add 2 T butter and 1 t sugar. Allow to boil dry, but be careful not to stick.

Corn on the Cob
Shuck 6 ears fresh yellow corn and remove silks. Wash and place in a kettle, cover with water. Bring to a rolling boil, decrease heat to medium and cook 15 minutes. Drain and slather corn with butter in the pan. Serve

Melon & Mozzarella Salad
3 cups peeled and chopped fresh peaches
1 (8 oz.) tub fresh small mozzarella cheese balls cut in half
3 T chopped fresh basil
3/4 cups Lemon Poppy seed dressing
4 cups seeded and cubed watermelon
4 cups cubed honeydew melon
3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 cups seedless green grapes cut in half Toss first three ingredients with 1/4 cup Poppy Seed dressing.
Layer watermelon, peach mixture, honeydew, berries and grapes in a tall glass bowl. Cover tightly and refrigerate.

Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 T poppy seeds
2 t chopped onion
1/2 t salt
Process ingredients in a blender until smooth. Store in fridge up to 1 week; serve at room temp.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 cup soft butter
1 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 t vanilla extract
2 cups self-rising flour
1 (12 oz.) package semisweet chocolate morsels Preheat oven to 350. Beat butter at medium speed with mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Add flour; beat at low speed until well blended. Stir in chocolate morsels.
Drop cookie dough by heaping tablespoons 2 inches apart onto parchment paper lined or lightly greased baking sheets.
Bake at 350 for 11 - 12 minutes or until light browned. Cook on baking sheets for 5 minutes, transfer to wire racks and cool completely for 30 minutes.