Fleischsalat

Fleischsalat is German for "meat salad," and this is an excellent meal to eat when it's hot outside and you don't want to heat up your kitchen. DH"s mother taught me the orginal recipe, which didn't have cheese or tomatoes. I added cheese after having it that way at a restaurant in Zweibrucken, Germany, and then added tomatoes after DH suggested it. We love to eat this with buttered rye bread, since we can't get real Mischbrot here in the States.

1/2 lb. German bologna, thinly sliced
4 thin slices Swiss cheese
1 medium tomato, diced
1 c Kruegermann pickle salad (I suppose you could try dill pickles, but the flavor is truly different)
1/2 c finely chopped onion
1/4 t salt
1/8 t pepper
2 T vegetable oil
1/4 c vinegar
2 T water

Cut the bologna and cheese into strips about 1 1/2 inches long and 1/8 inch wide. Put in medium bowl with tomato, pickle salad, and onion. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together oil, vinegar, and water. Pour over salad, and stir to combine. Serves 4.

Pfannenkuchen

These are very similar to the crepes served at IHOP. Their Swedish Crepes are served with lingonberries, and are my favorites.

2 eggs
1/8 t salt
1/4 c sugar or Splenda granular
1/2 t vinegar
1 T melted butter
1 3/4 c flour
2 c milk
more butter for cooking
lingonberries or preserves of your choice (DH likes blackberry)

Beat eggs well. Add salt, sugar or Splenda, vinegar, and butter. Add flour and 1 cup of the milk; stir until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup more of the milk. Preheat a large (12 inch) skillet, and add 1/2 t butter. When butter is melted, add 1/3 cup of the batter. Quickly turn pan in a circular motion to coat bottom of pan with a thin layer of the batter. Cook about a minute over medium heat; flip to other side and cook another minute or so until lightly browned. Serve with lingonberries or preserves. Makes about 9, or enough to serve 3 people.

Pineapple Salsa

1 6-oz. can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 t brown sugar or 1 t Splenda brown sugar blend
2 T finely chopped purple onion
1-3 t finely chopped jalapeno (depend on how hot you want it)

Combine all ingredients. This makes enough for 2-3 grilled or sauteed chicken breasts.

Chicken and Mushrooms with Herb Cheese Sauce

1/4 c butter
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 lb. thickly sliced mushrooms
1/2 c dry white wine
4 oz. semisoft herb cheese (Rondele or Alouette)
1/4 t dried dill weed

Melt butter in medium-skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Transfer to platter using slotted spoon, keep warm. Add mushrooms to skillet and cook until softened; stirring frequently, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon, sprinkle over chicken. Pour wine into skillet and bring to boil. Add cheese and dill weed and stir until smooth and slightly thickened. Pour over chicken and serve. This is great with hot rice or couscous. Serves 4

Cranberry-Orange Pork Chops

2 thick (3/4") boneless pork chops (I took one of the thick ones from Costco and sliced it in half)
1 T butter
salt and pepper
1 c fresh/frozen cranberries
1 T Splenda brown sugar blend
3/4 c water
2 t cornstarch
1 4-oz. cup mandarin oranges (from Del Monte or Dole snack packs)
hot white rice (optional)

Brown chops on both sides in butter. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Add cranberries, brown sugar, and juice from oranges; cover and simmer about 20 minutes. (Cranberries will release their juices). Remove chops from pan and keep warm. Combine water and cornstarch and add to berries. Simmer, stirring, until thickened. Add oranges and reheat. Serve sauce over chops and rice, if desired. Serves 2.

Harvest Moon Pork Chops

1/4 c mayonnaise
1 T prepared horseradish
1 T spicy brown mustard
3/4 t Worcestershire sauce
dash cayenne pepper
2 boneless pork chops, about 3/4” thick
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c cooked, crumbled bacon (about 3 slices)
two dashes paprika

Preheat oven to 375˚. Combine the mayonnaise, horseradish, mustard, Worcestershire, and cayenne in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Cover and chill. Spray a foil-lined small baking pan lightly. Place the chops in the pan and bake 25-30 minutes, until done. Place chops on a broiling pan or ovenproof platter. Top each with the mayonnaise mixture. Sprinkle with the cheese and then the bacon pieces. Broil for 1-1/2 minutes or until the cheese is blended with the sauce and llightly browned. Just before serving, sprinkle each chop with paprika.