Taste of Home September - October2014

Grateful parents hail September as back-to-school month, but there are still plenty of great excuses to get together and share some good-time foods—birthdays, tailgates, the gorgeous fall weather. And in the spirit of Labor Day, those recipes should require little (or no) effort. So we asked Taste of Home readers and Facebook friends for their best instant party foods. Here are just a few. Taco-flavored chicken wingsare always a hit. Mix 1 envelope taco seasoning, 2 Tbsp. oil, 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar and 1 tsp. hot pepper sauce. Toss with 4 lbs. chicken wingettes. Grill, covered, over medium heat 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally. Mix 1 cup ranch dressing with 1 tsp. hot pepper sauce. Serve with wings. —DEB KESLAUR UTICA, NE Make antipasto skewers with marinated mozzarella balls, grape…

If you love Taste of Home magazine, get ready for an event like no other. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a blushing beginner, it’s an unforgettable LIVE Cooking School filled with new friends, fabulous food and lots of fun! At Every Show… LEARN 10 NEW RECIPES! The Caramel Apple Strata recipe below is just one of the yummy recipes we’ve shown fans how to make. Like all cooking show recipes, it’s easy enough to recreate at home. PICK UP NEW TECHNIQUES! Our Culinary Specialist, the host of the show, will toss in tips and techniques while teaching recipes. You’re guaranteed to walk away with something new! PICK UP NEW TECHNIQUES!Our Culinary Specialist, the host of the show, will toss in tips and techniques while teaching recipes. You’re guaranteed to…

Snack o’ Lantern INSTANT GRATIFICATION POLENTA, PRESTO Channel your inner Italian nonna with a creamy polenta and sausage casserole. This toss-together meal tastes like a labor of love but is easy enough to make on a weeknight. Slice up a Honeycrisp apple, a yellow onion, an 18-oz. tube of polenta (try basil garlic) and some chickenapple sausage, then put it all in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking pan. Slip it into the oven at 350° for 50-60 minutes, and supper’s all set. Now, the best part: Mangia! SHARE YOUR TOP CROP Everyone’s in the mood for apple goodies, cabbage rolls and all things pumpkin. send your homiest harvest recipes to tasteofhome.com/submit. Chili Corn Cheese Dip This started out as a cheesy Mexican soup, but later I turned it into a beefed-up…

Apple Cider Doughnuts Cake doughnuts remind me of family trips to South Dakota. We’d stop at Wall Drug for a dozen or so before camping in the Badlands. Maple glaze was and still is my favorite. Share a batch with friends and family who appreciate a hot, fresh doughnut. MELISSA HANSEN TASTE OF HOME PREP COOK PREP: 1 HOUR + CHILLING COOK: 5 MIN./BATCH MAKES: 1 DOZEN DOUGHNUTS PLUS DOUGHNUT HOLES Cups apple cider 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 tsp. baking powder Maple Glaze Whisk 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, 3 Tbsp. 2% milk, 2 Tbsp. maple syrup and 1/2 tsp. maple flavoring until smooth. Makes 1 cup. BarBara eLLiott TylER, TX 3/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp.…

EAT SMART FAST FIX Garlic Chicken Rigatoni In New Mexico we adore big flavors from ingredients like garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Here’s a punchy chicken and mushroom pasta that’s a family standard. Judy Crawford Deming, nm START TO FINISH: 30 min. MAKES: 4 SERVINGS 8 oz. uncooked rigatoni or large tube pasta 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil) 1/2 cup boiling water 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-in. cubes 1/4 tsp. garlic salt 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided 11/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth 1/4 cup white wine or additional reduced-sodium chicken broth 2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley 1/4 tsp. dried basil 1/8 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper…

1One serving of Brussels sprouts contains morevitamin C than an orange,plus omega-3s, a powerful antioxidant. 2They’reGREAT WITH BACON: Saute two slices per pound of pan-roasted sprouts to add smoky goodness at only a little over a gram of fat per serving. 3They contain the anti-CanCer compound sulforaphane—the same substance that makes them stinky when overdone. So set your timer! 4September is National Cholesterol Education month. Teach your family: Eating steamed sprouts helps LOWER CHOLESTEROL. 5You can shred ’em, toss ’em with dressing and eat raw like a slaw. Or try this gingery saute that’s ready in minutes. GRAMS OF DARK CHOCOLATE A DAY CAN SLASH YOUR CHANCE OF HAVING A STROKE BY 48% AND HELP LOWER YOUR HEART ATTACK RISK BY 27%. BE SURE TO GET YOUR DAILY DOSE. European…