Creamy Sweet Potato Soup

2 T canola oil
1 large sweet onion, diced
2 tsp cumin
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
6 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 T chopped cilantro

In soup pot, heat oil and saute onions and cumin 3-4 minutes. Add potatoes and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20-25 minutes. Puree soup with yogurt and cilantro. Delicious!

Recipe from Dannon

Overnight French Toast Casserole

French bread cut in 1 1/2 inch slices, enough to fill a 9x13 pan
2 cups whole milk
6 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Place bread in buttered pan. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, carefully turn over the slices of bread and let soak while the oven heats to 350. Bake uncovered 20 minutes. Remove from oven, turn bread, and bake another 15-20 minutes or until tests done.

(Modified from this recipe)

Brigadeirão

This is a yummy cake-like Brazilian dessert. Recipe from the mother of Andy's Brazilian coworker, Gustavo.

2 T butter

3 eggs
2 T sugar
1 cup cocoa
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can of cream (3/4 cup normal cream)

Blend eggs and butter. Add everything else and blend. Pour into well-greased and sugar-dusted microwave safe bowl. Microwave 8 to 11 minutes or until set and edges begin to pull away. Chill before serving.

You can place a greased cup in the middle to create a bundt-like effect. After cooking, remove the cup and invert the Brigadeirão onto a serving platter.

Brigadeiro

Brigadeiro is a traditional Brazilian birthday treat. It tastes like chocolate caramel. Yum! (not to be confused with Brigadeirão). Recipe from the mother of Andy's Brazilian coworker, Gustavo.

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 T butter
3 T cocoa

Mix everything and put into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes, stir. Repeat until it becomes thick, smooth, and creamy.

Eat with a spoon or form into balls and roll in chocolate sprinkles.

Fresh Blueberry Pie

1 single crust 10-inch pie crust, baked and cooled.
Blueberries (3-4 cups, I didn't measure)
4 oz cream cheese
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp lemon extract (or less, optional)
1/2 cup blueberries
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
2 T cornstarch
2 T lemon juice

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon extract (if using). Spread into pie crust. Arrange berries on top of cheese layer (as many as you want).

In small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup blueberries, water, sugar, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened and bubbly with lots of purple color released from the berries. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding lemon juice. Pour over berries, spreading so it covers all of them. Chill until set.

Huevos Rancheros

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 tomato, peeled and chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• eggs (for number of people you're serving--we had enough sauce for 4)
  
• Corn tortillas
• Shredded cheese
  

In large skillet, heat oil (we used canola oil). Saute onion and green pepper until tender. Add tomatoes, garlic, oregano, salt, tomato sauce, and water. Simmer for 20 minutes. Cook eggs separately. To assemble, place egg on tortilla, pour sauce over and sprinkle with cheese. Enjoy!

(If you want to spice it up you can add jalapeno peppers and hot sauce. see original recipe here)