Try some of the ‘Best of the Best’ recipes

Susan Spicer

I got a new cookbook for Christmas, called the “Best of the Best from America Cookbook.” It’s a compilation of favorite recipes from each state, and I’ve tried a few already, with varying degrees of success.
The recipes representing Kentucky are predictable for the most part, the Louisville Hot Brown, a mint julep from the Kentucky Derby Museum, and that pie with the chocolate and nuts that must remain nameless (or you’ll get threatened with a lawsuit!)
The first two recipes I tried were pretty good. The Potato Pepperoni Hot Dish would be great for a gang of kids. It’s the kind of dish my girls and their friends would have liked back in the day. It’s from North Dakota.
For a good side dish, I really liked the Roasted Broccoli with Sesame Dressing, from Rhode Island. I love roasted vegetables of all kinds, anyway, so this is a keeper. See what you think.
The book is available from Quail Ridge Press, Inc., P.O. Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043.

Potato Pepperoni Hot Dish
1 1/2-2 lbs. hamburger
1 small onion, diced
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 can tomato soup
1 c. milk
1/2 t. oregano
1/4 t. pepper
1 t. sugar
6-8 potatoes, peeled, sliced
1 pkg. pepperoni slices
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Brown hamburger and onion. Mix the soups, milk, and seasonings. Mix together the hamburger, potatoes and soup mixture. Place in a 9x13 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for one hour, or till potatoes are very tender. Top with pepperoni slices and bake for five more minutes, then top with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and bake an additional few minutes till cheese melts. Serves 8.

Roasted Broccoli with Sesame Dressing
1 lb. large broccoli flowerets, including 3 inches of stem
3 T. olive oil
4 T. lemon juice
2 t. sesame oil
4 t. soy sauce
3 T. vegetable oil
4 t. sesame seeds, toasted
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. minced garlic
Pinch sugar

In a bowl, toss broccoli with olive oil until coated well, and roast in a large pan in 500-degree oven, turning it occasionally  with tongs, for 10-12 minutes, or until crisp tender. (I am scared to turn my oven on this high, so I roasted at 450 degrees for a little longer.) While broccoli is roasting, in a blender or food processor, blend lemon juice, sesame oil, soy sauce, vegetable oil, sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, and sugar until dressing is smooth. Transfer broccoli to a serving dish and pour dressing over it. Serves 4.