RECIPES: American favorites for the New Year

All-American Burger Dog

1 pound ground beef (80% lean)

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 slices Cheddar cheese

2 extra-long hot dog buns

4 teaspoons mayonnaise

2 tablespoons ketchup

Place half the ground beef on a sheet of plastic wrap. Pat it into a rectangular shape, about 1/2 inch thick, 8 1/2 inches long, and 4 inches wide. Season with salt and pepper. Roll the beef into a log, using the plastic wrap as a guide. Season with more salt and pepper. Wrap the plastic tightly around the log and twist both ends tight. Pat gently to slightly flatten. Repeat with remaining ground beef.

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Remove the burger dogs from the plastic wrap and place on the grill, perpendicular to the grates. Cook until burgers are browned but still pink inside, 4 to 5 minutes, flip, and cook another 2 to 3 minutes. Place a slice of cheese on each burger dog and grill to medium doneness (an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 140 degrees). Remove and rest 3 to 4 minutes.

Toast hot dog buns on the grill and spread each with 2 teaspoons mayonnaise. Place burger dog on each bun and squirt 1 tablespoon of ketchup on top.

-- Chef John

American Lasagna

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

12 dry lasagna noodles

2 eggs, beaten

1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon salt

1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef, onion and garlic; drain fat. Mix in basil, oregano, brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until al dente; drain. Lay noodles flat on towels, and blot dry.

In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, parsley and 1 teaspoon salt.

Layer 1/3 of the lasagna noodles in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover noodles with 1/2 ricotta mixture, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese and 1/3 of the sauce. Repeat. Top with remaining noodles and sauce. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the top.

Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

-- Edith Mertz

Chicken American

8 slices thick-cut bacon

1/4 cup all-purpose flour, or more if needed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 eggs

1 tablespoon water

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 (6 ounce) package corn bread stuffing mix

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons canola oil

4 slices American cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place a baking rack over a roasting pan.

Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until browned but not totally crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate.

Mix the flour, salt, and black pepper into a resealable plastic bag, seal the bag, and shake a few times to combine. Beat the eggs with water in a shallow dish. Place the corn bread stuffing mix into a large plastic bag, seal the bag, and roll the stuffing with a rolling pin to crush it into crumbs. Pour the stuffing crumbs into a shallow dish. Mix in the Parmesan cheese.

Rinse chicken breasts, shake off excess water, and place them, one at a time, into the bag containing the flour. Seal the bag and shake well to coat the chicken with flour; shake off excess flour. Dip the floured breast into the beaten egg, then gently but firmly press into the corn stuffing crumbs, turning to coat all sides.

Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and pan fry the breaded chicken breasts until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken breasts to the baking rack; cut the bacon slices in half crosswise, and lay 4 halves on each chicken breast. Top the bacon with a slice of American cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside, the bacon is crisp, and the cheese has melted, 15 to 20 minutes. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a breast should read at least 160 degrees.

-- Jim Fitzpatrick

Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 pint blueberries, rinsed and drained

2 pints fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced

Prepare cake according to package directions and bake in a 9x13 inch pan. Cool completely.

Frost cake with whipped topping. Place blueberries in a square in the corner, and arrange sliced strawberries as stripes to make an American flag. Chill until serving.

-- Judy Ross