Cream Cheese

Cheese recipes can be a big hit for large gatherings. Artichoke and Red Pepper Cream Cheese Torte From November 2006 Gallery Hop Six blocks of 8-ounce cream cheese, softened 8 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons finely chopped or minced garlic Two 11 1/2 -ounce jars artichoke dip (Nelson uses Robert Rothschild Farm brand) 1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped 12 1/2 -ounce jar roasted red pepper and onion dip (Nelson uses Robert Rothschild Farm brand)

High-end Italian pottery, platter-ware and Asian-flavored items. Lamps, candles and cookbooks. Original art. Blown glass. Soaps and other toiletries. Baby items and tea. All of this was what Ben Nelson saw when he walked into Maple Tree Gallery for the first time. And all that doesn't include the services he observed, such as custom framing, high-end art preservation, art consultation, original lamp design, and personalized invitations. Last May, his wife Julie and he bought the business.

Falling Leaves Tea Sandwich Beet mixture 16-ounce jar Harvard beets 6 ounces cream cheese 1 garlic clove, minced Pinch of sugar 1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled 1/3 cup toasted and ground walnuts In a food processor, blend the beets, cream cheese, garlic, sugar and Gorgonzola. Add ground walnuts at the end just to blend. Place mixture in storage container. Carrot mixture 15-ounce jar baby carrots, drained 8-ounce package cream cheese 2 green onions, minced 1 loaf hearty white sandwich bread 1 loaf hearty dark wheat sandwich bread In a food processor, blend the carrots, cream cheese and green onions until spreadable.

Vendors with the Heart of Danville Main Street Farmers Market will be set up during the Constitution Square Arts Fest. Hours will be 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. This week look for: blackstrap molasses cider (apple, blackberry, blueberry, peach, red raspberry) homemade apple butter homemade apple butter (sugar free) homemade barbecue sauce (apple, hickory, honey , hot and spicy) homemade black bean salsa (mild or medium)

J.K.'s Chess Squares Ingredients: 1 box butter recipe cake mix 1 stick butter (Blue Bonnet) 3 eggs 1 box confectioner's sugar 1 eight oz. package cream cheese Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, butter and one egg. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix in butter. After these ingredients are combined, press into a 13X9 metal cake pan. Do not use a glass pan - it will burn the bottom of the squares. In another bowl, mix sugar and two eggs with an electric mixer until smooth.

Blueberry Torte 1 butter or yellow cake mix with pudding in the mix 8 ounces cream cheese 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 8 ounces whipped topping 1 can blueberry pie filling Bake cake as directed, but in three layers. Cool. Whip cream cheese and whipped topping. Add sugars. Place one layer on plate and spread whipped mixture. Put about 1/3 on top only. Cover with 1/3 of the blueberry filling. Continue to alternate layers of cake, whipped mixture and filling until done.

Here are some of the recipes that go with this week's food story: Grape and Nut Salad 1 1/2 pound of red seedless grapes 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans 8 ounces of cream cheese 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise 1 to 3 tablespoons of milk 3 tablespoons of confectioners' sugar Mix grapes and nuts together. Mix the last four ingredients together. I usually microwave cream cheese to soften, then mix with the next three ingredients. Use a wire whisk to mix. Then pour over grapes and nuts to mix. Refrigerate.

Eating out is one of America's favorite pastimes, but something that can be even more fun than eating out is eating outside. Aug. 31 was National Eat Outside Day. Unfortunately, I was working all day and didn't participate, but I decided it's better late than never to celebrate such an excellent holiday. Even if you missed Eat Outside Day like me, that doesn't mean you can't eat outside and enjoy the outdoors by yourself or with friends. I think almost any meal is made better when eaten outside.

From candy placed in the bedroom to whipped cream with strawberries on star-shaped pancakes, Debbie Bennett knows how to make her guests feel special. "Brian calls it 'the inn,'" Bennett says, noting she and her husband have a lot of family visit since they moved from Cincinnati in 2005 to a Garrard County home overlooking Herrington Lake. They relocated for her husband's job as senior general foreman for Norfolk Southern Railroad in Danville. Many of the railroaders have received samples of her desserts for holidays.

According to Clark County Cooperative Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Jennifer Howard, Americans consume more calories on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year. There’s no doubt that having great food to enjoy with friends while watching the big game is part of many people’s Super Bowl traditions. However, according to Howard, it’s possible to enjoy tasty snacks without sacrificing nutrition. Some low-calorie alternatives can keep sports fans full without over-indulging.

The Boyle County Farmers Market 3rd Annual Christmas Sale was a huge success. Thanks to all who came out to do their Christmas shopping with us! It was wonderful to visit with all of you again. The market will open a month earlier next year. Watch this column for more news and updates as the 2012 market days approach. If you are interested in becoming a member of our market for 2012, contact Gary Taylor at the phone number listed below. The Boyle County Farmers Market is located at the Boyle County Fairgrounds.

The Boyle County Farmers Market 3rd Annual Christmas Sale event is Saturday. Let us help you with your holiday parties, decorating and gift giving. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., we will set up inside the brown building at the Fairgrounds. Turn into the first entrance. Follow the drive up to the building's second entrance. You will find everything from fresh vegetables and fresh greenery to delicious baked goods, homemade candies and gift items for teachers, hostesses, friends and family.

Over the years there has been a constant war raging in the kitchen. Dried herbs verses fresh herbs. Which to use? Which is better? Does it matter? Many chefs and home cooks alike, swear by the fact that fresh herbs are the only way to go. The pure, vibrant flavor that fresh herbs add to a dish, can take it from blah to amazing with very little effort. However, fresh herbs can be very expensive, go bad quickly, and during the winter months almost impossible to find. Dried herbs are a great substitution for fresh herbs.

Eating out is one of America's favorite pastimes, but something that can be even more fun than eating out is eating outside. Aug. 31 was National Eat Outside Day. Unfortunately, I was working all day and didn't participate, but I decided it's better late than never to celebrate such an excellent holiday. Even if you missed Eat Outside Day like me, that doesn't mean you can't eat outside and enjoy the outdoors by yourself or with friends. I think almost any meal is made better when eaten outside.

March went out with snowflakes and gray skies. Here’s hoping that winter is behind us now. With the redbuds and crabapples in bloom and the fields a nice, deep green, it sure appears that spring is here to stay. The countdown for Farmers Market Opening Day begins. We look forward to seeing everyone again on May 7.  I will begin to list the first offerings of the season in the coming weeks. Cool-weather crops will be ready soon. For now, we are still enjoying the fruits of our labor from last year.

According to Clark County Cooperative Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Jennifer Howard, Americans consume more calories on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year. There’s no doubt that having great food to enjoy with friends while watching the big game is part of many people’s Super Bowl traditions. However, according to Howard, it’s possible to enjoy tasty snacks without sacrificing nutrition. Some low-calorie alternatives can keep sports fans full without over-indulging.

Kristi Stuckel says she's always loved to cook. Her grandmother taught her when she was young and Stuckel likes to carry on her tradition. The Louisville native was wrapping up cooking at a guest chef gig at Fourth Street Deli and Tap recently, and getting ready to start serving the meal. She made Spicy Rum Pork; traditional green beans; Mashed Potato Casserole; and Rum Cake. The pork was inspired by a recipe she uses to make a dish for functions at First Christian Church, where she is an associate minister.

Vendors with the Heart of Danville Main Street Farmers Market will be set up during the Constitution Square Arts Fest. Hours will be 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. This week look for: blackstrap molasses cider (apple, blackberry, blueberry, peach, red raspberry) homemade apple butter homemade apple butter (sugar free) homemade barbecue sauce (apple, hickory, honey , hot and spicy) homemade black bean salsa (mild or medium)

The most recent installment of the Rachel and Brittany cooking adventures took place at my house last week. Since I did so well last time, Brittany decided that I was ready to advance to dinner and dessert. I'm a quick study, especially when cupcakes are at stake. It seemed like a simple enough plan. Brittany gave me the recipe we were going to cook and a list of ingredients to look over beforehand. My first job was to go to the grocery to pick up whatever ingredients I didn't have, which turned out to be all of them.

Beautiful weather Saturday brought everyone out. The old adage about the "early bird" was in evidence, as many vendors sold out by noon. Vendors will set up at the fairgrounds 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from now until Nov. 1, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. See you there! This week look for: Freshly baked breads: whole wheat; white potato; sourdough; Amish mini-loavesAssorted baked goodsHomemade jams and jelliesDried applesDried dip mixesHeirloom tomato plantsVegetable plantsHerb plantsFlowers Fresh local produce: Green OnionsLettuce: romaine, speckled romaine, bibb, oak leaf and moreRadishesSnap PeasSpinachStrawberriesTomatoesTurnipsYellow squash Fresh local: Free-range chicken eggs Fresh from Florida: CucumbersGreen beansPotatoesTomatoesYellow squash Recipe of the week Compliments of Bush Farms Springtime Spread 2 (8-ounce)