Wake up the family with the delicious smell of blueberry-pecan scones baking in the oven.

Blueberry-Pecan Scones

• 1/2 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
• Cooking spray
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Gently fold in blueberries and pecans. Add milk mixture, stirring just until moist (dough will be sticky).
3. Turn dough out onto a floured surface; pat dough into an 8-inch circle. Cut dough into 10 wedges, and place the dough wedges on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush egg white over dough wedges; sprinkle evenly with 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake scones at 375° for 18 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light.

Source: Culinary.net

Watch video to see how to make this delicious recipe!

There's no better way to top off a scrumptious dinner than with a big slice of this yummy coconut custard pie. With a mild taste of coconut and the sweet taste of custard, you'll be wanting to go back for seconds. If desired, top with toasted coconut or better yet, some whipped cream.

Coconut Custard Pie

• Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches)
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, chopped
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2-1/2 cups 2% milk
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Toasted sweetened shredded coconut, optional

1. Preheat oven to 450°. Line a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate with pastry. Line pastry with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake 10 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer. Sprinkle coconut over crust; set aside. Reduce oven setting to 350°.
2. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sugar, flour, vanilla and salt. Pour over coconut; sprinkle with nutmeg.
3. Bake, uncovered, 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate leftovers.

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home

Source: Culinary.net

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

(Family Features) - Pan-broiling on the stovetop is especially handy for quick and delicious steak dinners. Simply place the meat directly into a preheated nonstick skillet - that's it, nothing more! Keep the heat setting at medium to guarantee even browning.

The Featured Cut

"The flat iron steak originates from the chuck and is well-marbled and tender - holding its own against premier steaks from the rib and loin - and only surpassed in tenderness by the tenderloin at about half the cost," says Chef Dave Zino, executive director of the Culinary Center for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. "Pan-broiling showcases this steak's extraordinary flavor. And it should be noted that the flat iron is an excellent source of protein, providing 21 grams per 3-ounce cooked serving."
Three Easy Steps

Step 1: Heat heavy, nonstick skillet 5 minutes over medium heat.

Step 2: Remove beef from refrigerator and sprinkle with preferred seasonings. Place in preheated skillet without overcrowding. Do not add oil or water and do not cover.

Step 3: Cook flat iron steak (about 8 ounces each) 13 to 15 minutes, turning once. To determine doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer horizontally from the side, penetrating the thickest part or center of the steak. Allow 10 to 15 seconds for the thermometer to register the internal temperature. Steaks should be cooked to 145°F (medium rare) or 160°F (medium). After cooking, season with salt, as desired.

For more pan-broiling tips and recipes, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

Flat Iron Steak with Balsamic Pepper Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 beef shoulder top blade (flat iron) steaks (about 8 ounces each)
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper, divided
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup beef broth

Preparation

1. Bring vinegar to a boil in small saucepan; reduce heat to medium. Cook 20 minutes or until vinegar is reduced to 1/4 cup.
2. Press 1/2 teaspoon pepper evenly onto beef steaks. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place steaks in skillet; cook steaks 13 to 15 minutes for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning once. Remove to platter; keep warm.
3. Mix butter and flour in small bowl until smooth. Add reduced vinegar, broth and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper to same skillet. Gradually whisk in butter mixture until smooth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 1 minute, stirring constantly. Serve steaks with sauce.

SOURCE: The Beef Checkoff

(Family Features) According to a recent survey conducted by Infogroup/Opinion Research Corporation on behalf of Perdue Farms, 91 percent of Americans believe in the importance of a sit-down, home-cooked meal.

While families today are busier than ever, they are still willing to go to great lengths to get a meal on the table the entire family will enjoy - including:

Customizing a recipe to their family's liking - 88 percent
Preparing the best side-dishes to accompany the meal - 85 percent
Purchasing higher-quality products - 74 percent

While the survey revealed roast chicken as Americans' best chicken dish, Chicken Cordon Bleu is the dish people most want to learn to cook.

Perdue's Executive Chef, Chris Moyer, created an easy recipe and how-to video for Chicken Cordon Bleu. Plus, he incorporates some tips to help both cooking novices and enthusiasts get this great meal on the table:

Start with high quality ingredients. Selecting all-natural chicken from a brand you can trust is a good place to start. Look for chicken with the USDA Processed Verified Seal. Perdue is the first poultry company to receive the seal, which verifies that PERDUE® Fresh, All-Natural Chicken products have been fed an all-vegetarian diet with no animal by-products and/or raised cage free. Chef Chris recommends PERDUE® FIT & EASY® boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.

Want to dress it up? Use prosciutto ham, gruyere cheese and thyme for your filling.

Side dishes matter, too. The survey also revealed that 95 percent of Americans feel that getting a nutritious and delicious meal on the dinner table is important to them - so make sure your side dishes consist of a healthy grain and a green vegetable high in nutrients and fiber.

Visit Perdue on Facebook to learn more about their commitment to providing better chicken and to find tips, tools and recipes for families to help get a great meal on the dinner table.

For a more advanced recipe for Chicken Cordon Bleu visit Perdue on Facebook.

What's your best chicken dish? Go to www.facebook.com/perduechicken, share a picture and describe what you do to make your dish the best for the chance to win a year's supply of PERDUE® chicken.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Description

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a popular chicken dish that many want to learn to cook.
VIDEO: How to Cook Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients

• 1 package PERDUE® FIT & EASY® Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 6 thin slices of salt-cured Virginia-smoked ham
• 3 slices domestic Swiss cheese
• 1 whole egg
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 tablespoon table ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation

1. Slice chicken horizontally without cutting all the way through to create butterfly breast.
2. Place chicken on cutting board with sheet of plastic wrap over top. With meat mallet, gently pound chicken to even thickness of breast. Place two slices ham and cheese on one side of breast and fold back over.
3. In bowl, whip together egg and water to create egg-wash.
4. On two separate plates, put flour and breadcrumbs. Season flour with salt and black pepper.
5. Carefully dredge chicken first into seasoned flour, then into egg-wash, followed by breadcrumbs.
6. Heat olive oil in ovenproof sauté pan. Place chicken in pan to brown. Cook for 2 minutes on one side, then flip each breast over. Place pan into oven at 350°F and cook until each chicken breast reaches 170°F internal temperature, about 20-25 minutes.

Preparation Time

10-15 minutes

Serves

3

SOURCE: Perdue

Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham
Ham, Apple and Cheddar Crepes

(Family Features) This year, make your Easter ham effortless by ditching the oven and using your slow cooker instead. While most people think about slow cooking for staples like chili and stew, it’s also perfect for center-of-the-plate feasts — like an Easter ham.

Using the slow cooker, you can minimize both prep time and cleanup time, leaving plenty of room in the day for church, hunting eggs and enjoying time with your loved ones.

Ham is a tradition for many families this time of year, and because it pairs well with a multitude of ingredients, you can create a unique dish every time.

For a fresh spin on the classic ham, try this Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham recipe from the National Pork Board. Apple cider and bourbon (or vanilla extract, if you prefer) combine to create a rich flavor complemented by the sweetness of brown sugar.

Round out your Easter menu by pairing your ham with classic sides such as oven-roasted carrots, asparagus wrapped in bacon and mashed sweet potatoes.

You can also use leftover ham for flavor-packed recipes like Ham, Apple and Cheddar Crepes, which are ideal for a family-style brunch.

To get inspired by more ham and Easter meal ideas, visit PorkBeinspired.com or Facebook.com/PorkBeinspired.

Easter Ham Pin-spiration Sweepstakes

Enter the National Pork Board’s Easter Ham Pin-spiration Sweepstakes at PorkBeinspired.com/EasterHam for the chance to win an Easter gift basket with everything you need for this year’s celebration.

Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham

Ingredients

• 1 bone-in fully cooked ham, about 5 1/2 pounds
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup Kentucky bourbon
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 4 fresh thyme sprigs

Preparation

1. Place ham in large slow cooker. Whisk cider with brown sugar, bourbon, honey and mustard. Slowly pour over ham. Scatter thyme sprigs into slow cooker.
2. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, or until very tender. Remove ham to rest on cutting board. Pass remaining cooking liquid through fine mesh sieve into saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes or until slightly reduced. Carve ham into serving pieces. Brush ham pieces with cooking liquid before arranging on platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Preparation Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

4 to 8 hours

Serves

12 servings

Notes, Tips & Suggestions

For a non-alcoholic alternative, replace the bourbon with 1/4 cup water and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

Ham, Apple and Cheddar Crepes

Ingredients

• 3 cups ham, shredded and warmed
• 1 3/4 cups 2% milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Granny Smith apple, halved, cored and thinly sliced

Cheese Sauce

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped

Preparation

1. Pour milk, butter, eggs and salt in blender. Mix until well combined. Add flour. Mix for 15 to 20 seconds or until smooth. Let stand for 10 minutes.
2. Heat an 8-inch crepe pan or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Coat well with nonstick cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cup batter into pan, swirl to fully cover bottom of pan. Cook for 1 minute or until crepe begins to curl around edges. Carefully flip and cook for an additional 30 seconds or until set. Transfer to plate. Repeat with additional cooking spray and remaining batter. Layer cooked crepes between pieces of wax paper to prevent sticking.
3. Lay a crepe on clean work surface. Arrange few slices of apple on quarter of crepe; top with shredded ham. Fold crepe in half to cover filling and fold in half again to create triangular shape. Repeat with remaining crepes, apple and ham. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and hold in warm oven until ready to serve, or up to 30 minutes.
4. For cheese sauce, melt butter in saucepan set over medium heat. Stir in flour until well coated. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes or until pale and smooth. Whisk in milk, a splash at a time, until smooth; stir in mustard, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until thick enough to coat back of spoon. Remove from heat. Whisk in cheese, a small handful at a time, until melted and smooth.
5. Place filled crepes on each plate. Spoon cheese sauce over each crepe and sprinkle with chives.

Preparation Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Serves

6 servings

Notes, Tips & Suggestions

All the elements of the recipe can be prepared a day in advance and gently warmed before assembling.

SOURCE: National Pork Board

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons Organic Valley Cultured Unsalted Butter, divided
• 1/2 cup homemade bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup Organic Valley Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• 1 pound organic dry pasta in elbow or other small tubular shape
• 4 tablespoons organic flour
• 4 cups Organic Valley Whole Milk
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 6 cups (24 ounces) grated Organic Valley Sharp and/or Mild Cheddar Cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Melt 1 tablespoon butter and combine with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Cook pasta per package directions, drain, and return to pot.
3. In large heavy saucepan, melt remaining butter over low to medium heat. Add flour and whisk until golden. Add milk; continue whisking and cooking until sauce thickens slightly. Add dry mustard and grated cheese, whisking until cheese melts into sauce. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
4. Pour sauce over pasta and stir to combine well. Transfer macaroni to a 4-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture.
5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until lightly golden and bubbling.

Serves

6 to 8

Source Organic Valley

Ingredients

• 4 ounces bacon, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 small leeks, trimmed and chopped
• 1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 large carrot, diced (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups Wolfgang Puck Organic Free Range Chicken Broth
• 3 large Russet potatoes, cut into cubes (about 4 cups)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Chopped fresh chives

Preparation

1. Cook bacon in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from saucepan. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings. Add butter to saucepan and cook and stir until melted.
2. Add leeks, onion, carrot and garlic to saucepan and cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Add flour and cook and stir for 2 minutes. Gradually stir in broth.
3. Add potatoes and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender and the broth mixture is thickened.
4. Stir cream and cheese in saucepan and cook until cheese is melted. Season with black pepper. Crumble bacon. Sprinkle soup with bacon and chives before serving.

Preparation Time

35 minutes

Cook Time

40 minutes

Serves

Makes 6 servings

Source Wolfgang Puck Soup, Stock, Broth