O.K. fellow kitchen crew, the fresh produce is here again! Like Polly said the Asparagus did it's surprize act, and I can't believe how big some of the Rhubarb stocks are SUDDENLY!

Now my husband loves Asparagus just plain ole steamed with butter and a dash of garlic, but to get the kids to eat it I have to get a bit more creative then that! Here is a couple of my favorite recipes that even Asparagus critics LOVE. But I've gotta admit I haven't been able to trick my eight year old into liking anything with Rhubarb in it, but the rest of us think that these Rhubarb recipes are heavenly ! If you are looking for recipes that are healthy and lean, somebody else will have to contrubute those! Sorry folks, guess I'm more into yummy, then the size of my tummy!

Saucy Chicken and Asparagus.

1 1/2 pounds fresh asparagus spears, halved or cut up into small pieces.

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

2 tb.s cooking oil

1'2 teaspoon salt

1'4 teaspoon pepper or other spice,

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup,undiluted, or any cream soup.

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 cup shredded cheese.

Partially cook the asparagus, drain, Place in greased 9" square baking dish. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken in oil on both sides. Season with salt pepper and spice. Arrange chicken over asparagus, It looks prettier whole , but I slice it up for the kids. In a bowl mix soup,mayonnaise,lemon juice, pour over chicken. cover and bake at 350 for about 40 minutes or untill the chicken is tender and juices run clear. sprinkle with cheese, Let stand for 5 minutes, serve ! enjoy!

Asparagus cheese dish

8 pieces bread , buttered, 3c. cooked asparagus

8 0z. cheddat cheese, shredded.

2c. ham, or I have just sprinkle bacon bits or bacon over the top

6 farm fresh eggs, smile

3 c. milk

dash salt

Place buttered bread face down in a 9x13 pan. Srinkle with shredded cheese, spread asparagus and ham or bacon on top. Beat eggs, milk and salt. Pour over layers in pan. Bake at 325 or 50 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and return to oven untill it melts. Yum!

Rhubarb Cheesecake

2 pk light cream cheese(16 oz)

3 tbs. triple sec, or lemon juice

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup sugar, 2 large eggs

1 or 2 teaspoon flour, 1 teaspoon lemon rind, or orange peel

3/4 cup Rhubarb sause(below)

CRUST

1 stick butter

1 pk cinnamon grahams, finely ground, or regular ghrams with cinnonmin or sugar added.

TO MAKE CRUST; process crackers untill finely ground. Melt butter . Combine in pie dish, Press evenly over the bottom. Bake crust at 325 for about 10 minutes, cool.

TO MAKE RHUBARB SAUSE; Chop 4 large stalks of Rhubarb and put into sausepan, Add about 3 teaspoon of water. cook over low heat untill very soft, Remove Rhubarb from heat and mash. Add about 1'4 the cup of granulated sugar, 3 tbs, triple sec or lemon juice, and 1 tbs. flour, mix well. put back unto stove untill thickened.Cool

To make topping . Combine 3'4 th cup rhubarb sauce, with 1 cup sour cream, and a little sugar if desired.

TO MAKE CHHEESECAKE Combine cream cheese, sugar, eggs, flour, lemon or orange rind, rhubarb sause, blend untill smooth, Pour over crust, and bake about 50 minutes.(or untill pie barely moves when shaken). at 325 . Turn oven off and leave pie in oven another 10 minutes. When cool top with rhubarb , sour cream mixture and frige for 2 hrs.

rHUBARB PUDDING CAKE

1 egg beaten, 1 1/2 c. sugar, 2 T. shortening

1/2 cup milk 1 1/4 c. flour 3 1/2 baking powder

1/2 t. salt.

THE TOPPING

3 c. diced rhubarb 1 cup sugar 2 cups boiling water

combine cake ingredients and mix well. Spread in well greased 9x13 pan, Combine topping ingredients and pour over cake batter. Bake at 400. for 25 minutes or until cake is golden brown.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

Answers

Thanks for the rhubarb recipes, Tren - my husband loves rhubarb. I have never been able to make a rhubarb pie fit to eat, but maybe that's because I can't stand the stuff! I'll give the pudding cake recipe a try - Pop's friend's still has most of her row of rhubarb and it's getting bigger!

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

My rhubarb is already heading up and making flowers! Yikes. Anyone make rhubarb wine? My husband has started making wine this year and is looking for recipes. If we have any rhubarb left over after I make dishes from the recipes already been posted (thanks Tren!), he may have a chance!! Thanks!

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001