10,000 four four recipes

Classic cocoa brownies made by beating eggs and sugar for 5 minutes until fluffy, then folding in cocoa, flour, melted margarine, and chopped pecans. Simple pantry ingredients, rich results.

For a bread machine. I've done these both 'full fat' and 'reduced fat'. It's hard to tell the difference, so we go reduced, including using light (Neufchatel) cream cheese. I've tried ALL the fat free cream cheeses and NONE of them work.

Slow cooker chicken fricassee with onions, celery, and carrots in a thick flour-thickened gravy served over noodles. A classic comfort dish that cooks itself all day in the Crock-Pot.

Moist banana bread loaded with mini chocolate chips and optional nuts, baked in a standard loaf pan. A one-bowl quick bread with melty chocolate in every slice.

Pecan pie bars: shortbread crust topped with classic gooey pecan pie filling, baked in a sheet pan and cut into 36 holiday bars. All the flavor of pecan pie, none of the slicing drama.

Fresh apricot pie with a double crust, lemon juice, cinnamon, and butter. A classic fruit pie showcasing apricots at their peak with a flaky golden top crust.

Old-fashioned molasses cookies with candied citron, chopped nuts, cloves, and cinnamon. Rolled thin, cut out, and baked crisp. A heritage holiday cookie.

Layers of torn corn tortillas, seasoned chicken, green chiles, and melted Longhorn cheese baked in a creamy sour cream and mushroom soup sauce. Easy Tex-Mex casserole in one hour.

Old-fashioned yeast-raised doughnuts perfumed with warm nutmeg, built on an overnight sponge for a light, pillowy crumb. Rolled, cut, and fried golden, just like the bakery doughnuts of years past.

Cheese puff muffins made with choux pastry dough, sharp cheddar, eggs, and a hint of cayenne. Crispy outside, hollow and airy inside. A savory twist on classic French gougères.

Simple Irish soda-style bread with butter, raisins, and no yeast. Creamed butter and sugar give it a tender, cake-like crumb. Just mix and bake.

Thin-pounded pork chops coated in Dijon mustard and ginger-flour, pan-seared and finished with a maple syrup and toasted pecan sauce. Quick weeknight dinner in 35 minutes.

Oyster and mushroom pie baked in a creamy half-and-half sauce thickened with the oyster liquor, finished with a buttery bread crumb topping. A New England-style crustless seafood pie ready in 40 minutes.

Holiday brunch egg casserole loaded with diced ham, Monterey Jack, cottage cheese, and green chiles. A make-ahead crowd-feeder that bakes up puffy and golden for Christmas morning.

There are many versions of this one. The following has been a favorite for years. To be truly German, it should be served warm with whipped cream on top.

Baked turkey empanadas with a flaky cornmeal crust filled with cubed turkey, cheddar cheese, and green chilies. A great way to use leftover turkey.