SPINACH BALLS

10 oz pkg frozen chopped spinach – cooked and drained
1 cup herb dressing
2 Tablespoons flour
1 small onion chopped finely
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients together. Form into balls (approx. 1 heaping teaspoon ). Place on ungreased cookie sheet and freeze. Thaw 1 hour before cooking. Cook at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. (check at 15 minutes to make sure bottoms are not burning).

WATERCRESS SOUP (warm or cold)

3 bunches watercress
2-3 Tablespoons butter
3 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
6 cups chicken stock ( you may used canned broth)
3 cups heavy cream

Chop watercress leaves and stems, reserving a few leaves for garnish.

In a kettle, melt the butter and add watercress and potatoes; cover the pan and cook gently for 12-15 minutes or until the vegetables are very soft.

Pour in the stock, bring to a boil, season and simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cool the soup slightly; then work it through a sieve or blender. Return to the pan with the cream; bring just to a boil and taste for seasoning (salt & pepper).

The soup should be the consistency of very thin cream. It will thicken on cooling; if necessary, add a little more stock.

Cover the soup tightly, let cool, then chill it.

For serving, top each bowl with a few leaves of watercress.

Optional: Put a dollop of sour cream in each bowl, and maybe a thin slice of lemon peel for garnish.

This soup may also be served warm, as well.

Plum Pudding

Ingredients:

2 large cans of plums
1 loaf of cinnamon raison bread (16oz.)
2 packages of jello custard pudding mix
2 tbsp. light brown sugar
4 extra large eggs
1 quart of whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Begin French toasting the raison bread.

Beat 2 eggs and about 2/3 cup of milk and 1 tsp. of vanilla. Dip the bread and fry in buttered pan until golden brown. Do the entire loaf.

Line the bottom and sides of a deep bowl with the French toast. Drain the plums of all liquid and remove the pits. Allow them to drain until they are as dry as possible.

Place the plums in the bottom of the bowl. Sprinkle with the brown sugar. Cut the remaining French toast into 1 inch cubes. Sprinkle cubed toast into the bowl. Prepare the custard according to the package directions, add two egg yolks to the custard mixture for richer results.

Pour over the bowl ingredients. Sprinkle with ground nutmeg and chill overnight or until custard is well set. Serve with whipped cream or hard sauce.