Vegetable Patch Recipes

Steps:

• You don't need a green thumb to plant this plot of crudités. Just spread 4 cups of any dip in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish (thick dips like hummus work best), then sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups ground pumpernickel crackers or pumpernickel bread to cover completely. Stick veggies in the "dirt" in rows, trimming as needed.

Steps:

• Microwave Directions.
• Combien soup, sour cream and milk in a large mixing bowl.
• Stir in vegetables, cheese and 2/3 cup French Fried Onions.
• Spoon into microwavable 2 quart oblong baking dish with lid.
• Cover and microwave on HIGH 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender; stir halfway through.
• Uncover; and sprinkle remaining French Fried Onions on top and microwave for 1 additional minute.
• Oven Directions.
• Prepare casserole as mentioned above.
• Bake, covered, in a 400 degree oven 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• After 45 minutes, stir and add remaining French Fried Onions on top. Cook for one additional minute.

Steps:

• Cook pasta in medium pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta; rinse under cold water and drain well.
• Grate enough lemon peel to measure 1/2 teaspoon. Squeeze enough juice from lemon to measure 1 1/2 tablespoons. Place lemon peel and juice in medium bowl. Whisk in oil. Mix in carrot, radishes and chives, then pasta. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let stand 10 minutes to blend flavors.