The Flavor Of Love

by Shiree McCarver

  Hot Toddies

  Ingredients:

  1 Package Apple Cider mix

  1 tbsp honey

  1/4-cup of tea (favorite brand)

  1 shot brandy

  1 slice lemon

  1 stick of cinnamon

  Instructions:

  Follow package instructions for Apple cider. Brew tea and fill a mug 1/4 full. Mix in honey. Mix in brandy shot. Finish filling mug with Apple cider. Add lemon slice and cinnamon stick. Enjoy.

  Ham Sandwiches

  Ingredients:

  4 slices of black or red peppered ham

  3 ounces sliced natural Swiss Cheese

  1 (6- or 8-inch) hoagie or sub-style sandwich roll

  4 thin tomato slices

  Shredded lettuce

  Thousand Island dressing

  1 tablespoon Butter or margarine, softened

  Instructions:

  Butter top and bottom of bread hoagie bun and put butter side down in skillet layer ham and cheese on both pieces of bread and grill until cheese is melted. Remove from pan and place on plate. Pour Thousand Island dressing to taste on top of melted cheese and ham. Add remaining ingredients and press top to bottom. Cut in half. Serve with dill pickle spears.

  Wonton Soup

  Ingredients:

  18 - 24 won ton wrappers (most local grocery specialty section)

  Fillings:

  1/2 pound of favorite pork sausage

  1-tablespoon soy sauce

  1-tablespoon oyster sauce

  A few drops sesame oil

  1-teaspoon sherry

  1/2-teaspoon sugar

  1 green onion, finely minced

  1-teaspoon cornstarch

  2 dashes of white pepper

  Preparation of filling:

  Mix all items together. Finger the mixture into mini meatballs and drop into a non-stick frying pan at about med-hi and lightly precook. Put on paper towel to drain and set aside.

  Broth Ingredients:

  4 1/2 - 5 cups chicken broth

  Green onion, thinly sliced, as desired

  A few drops sesame oil

  Preparation:

  Place the Broth mixture on the stovetop for later. On another eyelet set a pot of water boiling.

  Lay one won ton skin in front of you. Cover the remaining won ton skins with a damp towel to keep them from drying out.

  Moisten all the edges of the won ton wrapper with water. Place a won ton mini meatball in the center.

  Fold the won ton wrapper in half lengthwise, making sure the ends meet. Press down firmly on the ends to seal. Use thumbs to push down on the edges of the filling to center it. Keeping thumbs in place, fold over the won ton wrapper one more time. Push the corners up and hold in place between your thumb and index finger. Wet the corners with your fingers. Bring the two ends together so that they overlap. Press to seal. The finished product should resemble a nurse's cap. Repeat with remaining won tons.

  Alternate method: Place the teaspoon of filling in the middle of the wrapper and twist to seal. The final result should resemble a money pouch.

  Boiling the won tons: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the won tons, making sure there is enough room for them to move about freely. Let the won tons boil for 5 - 8 minutes, until they rise to the top and the filling is cooked through. Remove from the pot with a slotted spoon.

  To make the soup: Bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add the won tons and bring the soup back to a boil. Add the green onion, remove the pot from the heat and add the sesame oil, stirring. Ladle into soup bowls, allowing 6 won tons per person.