Pantry Secrets for Easter Dinner


MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - Apr 18, 2011) - (Family Features) You probably don't know it, but you may have the secret ingredients for an exceptional Easter dinner in your pantry right now. The holidays are a perfect opportunity to sprinkle creativity into special meals by using staples like pancake mix, syrup and instant mashed potatoes in unexpected ways to craft new and delicious dishes the whole family will love.

Celebrity Chef Adam Gertler, host of Food Network's "Kid in a Candy Store," along with Hungry Jack®, have come up with original, easy-to-prepare recipes using everyday items to create a memorable Easter meal.

"Planning for a holiday meal can be stressful," says Chef Gertler. "But by looking to your pantry for inspiration, you will find ingredients to make a truly unique and special meal sure to delight your family and guests!"

Here are ways to use up what you already have to make a complete Easter menu, including savory Bacon and Cheese Appetizer Bites, Spinach Salad with Warm Maple Dijon Vinaigrette, Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin, and a sweet Spiced Mocha Fudge Cake. You'll create an Easter meal worth celebrating and make your hungry family a happy one.

For more creative recipes and tips, visit www.useupthebox.com.

Adam Gertler's Use Up the Box Pantry Tips
-- Punchy Potatoes: Add a teaspoon of prepared horseradish or Dijon mustard and a sprinkle of garlic powder to Hungry Jack Instant Mashed Potatoes for gourmet flavor ready in less than five minutes.
-- Make dry spices last: Ground spices tend to lose pungency rather quickly. Buy spices like cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cumin, nutmeg, cloves and allspice whole and grind small batches as you need them. It's a good idea to have a separate coffee grinder for your spices.
-- Save room and keep dry goods fresh: When you get home from the grocery store, transfer flours, pastas, cereals and other dry grains into resealable storage bags or containers. Simply label and date them with a marker, and you'll be surprised at how much extra room you'll have in your pantry.

Spiced Mocha Fudge Cake
Makes: 12 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
CAKE:
Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
4(1-ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
3tablespoons butter
1cup hot brewed Folgers Classic Roast® Coffee
2/3cup Hungry Jack Instant Mashed Potato Flakes
1teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 1/2cups sugar
1teaspoon vanilla extract
4large eggs, separated
1/2cup Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
1 1/2teaspoons baking powder
1/4teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar
SPICED WHIPPED CREAM:
1/2pint whipping cream
3tablespoons powdered sugar
1teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Line bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Coat paper with no-stick cooking spray. Place chocolate and butter in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH power 45 to 60 seconds or until chocolate is melted and smooth when stirred.
2. COMBINE coffee, potato flakes, cinnamon and cayenne in large mixing bowl, stirring until moistened. Blend in sugar and vanilla. Blend in chocolate mixture and egg yolks. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually blend into chocolate mixture.
3. BEAT egg whites on medium speed of electric mixer until stiff. Add to chocolate mixture and blend on low speed until completely blended, scraping sides and bottom of bowl frequently. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until set in center. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Remove from pan. Sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar.
4. COMBINE whipping cream, powdered sugar, cinnamon and vanilla in medium mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed of electric mixer until stiff. Serve with cake.

Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Makes: 4 servings
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Ingredients

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed

1 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves, crushed
1/4teaspoon salt
1/4teaspoon onion powder
1/4teaspoon garlic powder

1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1tablespoon butter
2tablespoons Hungry Jack
Original Regular Syrup

Directions
1. COMBINE thyme, marjoram, salt, onion powder and garlic powder in large resealable food storage bag. Seal bag and shake well. Add pork slices. Seal bag. Shake to coat.
2. MELT butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork mixture. Cook and stir 8 to 10 minutes or until pork is browned and no longer pink in center. Add syrup. Cook and stir until pork is glazed.

Spinach Salad with Warm Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
Makes: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Ingredients
1/4cup Hungry Jack Original Syrup
3tablespoons cider vinegar
4teaspoons Dijon mustard
1teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, minced, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2cloves garlic, minced
1/2teaspoon salt
1/4teaspoon pepper
1/2cup Crisco 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1(6-ounce) bag fresh baby spinach leaves
1small unpeeled red apple, cored and thinly sliced
1/2cup crumbled blue cheese
2tablespoons crumbled cooked bacon or real bacon bits

Directions
1. WHISK together syrup, vinegar, mustard, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper in a medium microwave-safe bowl until well blended. Gradually whisk in oil, stirring until thickened.
2. COMBINE spinach, apple, cheese and bacon in a large bowl. Just before serving, microwave vinaigrette on HIGH for 30 to 45 seconds or until warm. Drizzle salad with desired amount of vinaigrette; toss salad and serve immediately.

Bacon and Cheese Appetizer Bites
Makes: 24 appetizers
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1/2cup sour cream
1tablespoon water
1cup Hungry Jack Buttermilk Complete Pancake & Waffle Mix (Just Add Water)
1/2cup (2 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1/4
cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
2tablespoons butter, melted Paprika

Directions
1. HEAT oven to 400°F. Spray cookie sheet with no-stick cooking spray.
2. MIX sour cream and water in medium bowl until well combined. Add pancake mix, cheese and bacon pieces. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheet.
3. BAKE 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with paprika. Serve warm.

©/® The J.M. Smucker Company. Folgers Classic Roast is a trademark of The Folgers Coffee Company. Pillsbury BEST is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, LLC, used under license.

Contact Information:

Wendy MacDonald
wmacdonald@familyfeatures.com
1-888-824-3337 ext. 235
http://editors.familyfeatures.com

Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin