July 4th Recipes

Sky-High Chocolate Pie

Filling:
2 cups milk, divided
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (6-ounce) reduced-fat graham cracker crust

Meringue:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
8 large egg whites
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

To prepare filling, combine 1/2 cup milk, 2/3 cup sugar, and next 4 ingredients (2/3 cup sugar through egg) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Heat 1 1/2 cups milk in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Remove from heat. Gradually add hot milk to sugar mixture; stir constantly with a whisk. Return milk mixture to pan.

Add chopped chocolate; cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 5 minutes); stir constantly. Reduce heat to low; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour into crust; cover surface of filling with plastic wrap. Chill 3 hours or until cold. Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare meringue, combine 1 cup sugar and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until candy thermometer registers 240°. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed of a mixer until foamy.

Pour hot sugar syrup in a thin stream over egg white mixture; beat at high speed until stiff peaks form. Remove wrap from filling. Spread meringue evenly over filling; seal to edge of crust. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until lightly browned; cool on a wire rack. Chill until set. Makes 10 servings

Devil's Food Caramel Torte

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) devil's food cake mix
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup canola oil
3 eggs
1 package (7 ounces) milk chocolate turtle candies, chopped, divided
1 tablespoon baking cocoa
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping
1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting
Additional milk chocolate turtle candies, broken, optional

Line two 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper; grease the paper and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, buttermilk, oil and eggs. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Combine 1 cup candies and cocoa; fold into batter.

Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Remove waxed paper.

In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add caramel topping; beat until stiff peaks form. Fold in remaining candies.

Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with chocolate frosting. Top with remaining cake layer; frost top and sides of torte with cream mixture. Garnish with additional candies if desired. Refrigerate until serving. Makes 12 servings.

Grilled Country Ribs

4 pounds bone-in country-style pork ribs
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons prepared mustard

Place ribs in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 1-1/2 hours or until no longer pink. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Drain ribs. Grill, covered, over indirect low heat for 45 minutes, turning once. Baste with barbecue sauce. Grill 15 minutes longer or until meat is tender, turning and basting frequently. Makes 6 servings.

Cherry Cheese Pie

1 9" graham crackr crumb crust or baked pastry shell
1 8oz package of cream cheese
1 14oz Can of Eagle brand sweetened Condensed Milk not evaporated milk
1/2 cup Lemon Juice
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1 21 oz Can Cherry Pie Filling

In a large mixer bowl beat cheese until fluffy. Gradually pour in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Stir in Real Lemon, cherries, and Vanilla. Pour into prepared crust. Chill 3 hours or until set. Top with desired amount of filling before serving. Refrigerate leftovers. Makes 6 servings