Vegetable Patch Recipes

VEGGIE CRUDITé PATCH

Steps:

• You don't need a green thumb to plant this plot of crudités. Just spread 4 cups of any dip in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish (thick dips like hummus work best), then sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups ground pumpernickel crackers or pumpernickel bread to cover completely. Stick veggies in the "dirt" in rows, trimming as needed.

VEGETABLE PASTIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water until mixture forms a ball. Divide dough into 8 pieces, and shape into balls. Cover, and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in carrot, turnip, potatoes and mushrooms. Add water, bouillon cube, tarragon, salt and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Roll each pastry ball into a circle, 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Place about 1 cup of filling on one half of each circle. Fold pastry over filling, and pinch edges to seal. Place on baking sheet, and brush with egg.
• Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

VEGGIE PATE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
• In a food processor, blend sunflower seeds, whole wheat flour, nutritional yeast, salt, vegetable oil, lemon juice, potato, carrot, onion, celery, garlic, water, thyme, basil, sage, savory, pepper and dry mustard. Process the mixture until almost smooth.
• Transfer mixture to the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 1 hour, or until bubbly and lightly browned.

TASTY VEGGIE PATTIES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Shape into four patties. In a large skillet, cook patties in oil over medium heat for 3-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve immediately.

VEGETABLE PATCH MARINADE

Steps:

• Cook carrots in a small amount of water until crisp-tender.
• Drain.
• Combine carrots and cucumbers and pour dressing.
• Mix well.
• Cover.
• Marinade in refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
• Drain before serving.

GARDEN PATCH VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Microwave Directions.
• Combien soup, sour cream and milk in a large mixing bowl.
• Stir in vegetables, cheese and 2/3 cup French Fried Onions.
• Spoon into microwavable 2 quart oblong baking dish with lid.
• Cover and microwave on HIGH 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender; stir halfway through.
• Uncover; and sprinkle remaining French Fried Onions on top and microwave for 1 additional minute.
• Oven Directions.
• Prepare casserole as mentioned above.
• Bake, covered, in a 400 degree oven 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• After 45 minutes, stir and add remaining French Fried Onions on top. Cook for one additional minute.

VEGETABLE PATCH PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta in medium pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta; rinse under cold water and drain well.
• Grate enough lemon peel to measure 1/2 teaspoon. Squeeze enough juice from lemon to measure 1 1/2 tablespoons. Place lemon peel and juice in medium bowl. Whisk in oil. Mix in carrot, radishes and chives, then pasta. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let stand 10 minutes to blend flavors.

GARDEN PATCH CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat oil, eggs, sugar and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; add to egg mixture and mix well. Stir in vegetables. Add chips and mix well. Pour into a greased and floured 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. , For frosting, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over cake. Store in refrigerator., Editor's Note: See below for decorating frosting recipe and directions., GARDEN PATCH CAKE DECORATING:, In a bowl, cream shortening, extracts and salt. Gradually beat in sugar alternately with milk until smooth and stiff. Cover with a wet paper towel and plastic wrap until ready to use., TO MAKE TRELLIS:, Lay 5 craft or Popsicle sticks on a sheet of waxed paper with 1/4 in between bottom of sticks (ends that are inserted into cake) and 1/2 in. between tops. Spread back side of remaining sticks with frosting; position across the 5 sticks 1 in. and 2 in. down from the top. Allow to dry, about 1 hour. Press bottom of sticks into upper left corner of cake., TO MAKE GARDEN PATCH:, Using a toothpick, mark a 5-1/2x3-1/2-in. patch in lower right corner. Lightly sprinkle with cocoa and gently press into cake., TO MAKE VEGETABLES AND BORDER:, Cut a small hole in corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert #10 round tip. Combine 1/4 cup frosting and red food coloring; fill bag. Holding bag straight up and down, form 8-10 tomatoes in front of the trellis. Prepare another bag, inserting #5 round tip. Combine 1/2 cup frosting and yellow food coloring; fill bag. Using the same procedure, form rows of small dots to create kernel of 8-10 ears of corn in upper right corner. Wash #10 tip and insert into a third bag. Combine 1/2 cup frosting and orange food coloring; fill bag. Using the same procedure, form 3 rows of 4 carrots on the garden patch. Add green food coloring to remaining frosting. Prepare a fourth bag, inserting leaf tip; fill with some of the frosting. Form husks on edges of ears of corn; add stems and leaves to tomatoes and carrots. Add vines to trellis. Prepare a fifth bag, inserting the star tip; fill with remaining green frosting. Form a border around base and upper edge of cake.