How to Make Flaky Oatmeal

  Start with some rolled oats.  My favorite is the "extra thick" rolled oats made by Bob's Red Mill.  If you live around here, you can get it from the scoop and weigh bins at Smith's Marketplace for cheap.  If you can't find the extra thick, regular rolled oats are fine.  WinCo sells them in their bulk bins for a fantastic price.  DO NOT use the instant ones...for anything. They are gross.

STEP ONE:  Add the desired amount of rolled oats to a bowl, throw in a pinch of salt, and add water until it looks like this.  Mix it around with your finger to distribute the salt and get all the oats under the water. 

:)

STEP TWO:  Do nothing. :)  No, really.  Set the bowl on the counter and go do something else for at least 10 minutes.  Let the oats soak up the water.  If  you are in a hurry, 5 minutes is ok too.  10 is perfect.  You can let it soak for hours if you want, but I don't think it makes any difference.  Once the oats are hydrated, they are hydrated.  This picture is after 10 minutes.  If I tilt the bowl, there's still water visible, but not a giant puddle.  Too much water = mushy oatmeal!

STEP THREE:  Microwave the oatmeal for 6 minutes on power level 3.  Then add whatever toppings you like -- brown sugar, raisins, milk, whatever.  Your oatmeal will be beautiful and flaky, and you will never want to eat the wallpaper paste old lady mush style oatmeal EVER AGAIN. :)

Berry tie dye cookies

Okay this recipe is for those who crave a cookie but would rather get caught adding a berry muffin to their thighs. It's originally called blueberry muffin top cookies but I get gross pictures in my head from the words muffin and top too close together... Ya dig?

So here they are

1/2C shortening
1/4C butter
1egg
1C sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
I added 1/4teaspoon almond extract b/c I like it
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or zest
2 1/2 - 3 tablespoons milk
2C all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1C fresh or frozen blueberries I used froZen for the tie dye effect
1/2 C frozen raspberries

Preheat oven to 375
Combine wet ingredients and cream together
Combine dry ingredients and fold in berries wih all

Drop by teaspoonfuls or a one inch scoop onto parchment aper or a silicone mat or spray he heck out of a cookie sheet like I did. Because Jose berries STICK like a madman

Bake 12-15min cool and glaze I'd you want or atreuswl topping if ya want. It these are amazing all by themselves

amazingmasala! tiki THAT.

my family loves LOVES indian food. we go out to eat together as often as we can and end up at indian places. so i tried a whirl at making home made masala (my favorite)


i'm reading a book that has recipes at the end of each chapter. at the end of the last chapter i read it had chicken tiki masala and so i thought i'd give it a try. its REALLY QUITE EASY. and it tastes unbelievable. (i even made that yogurt cucumber stuff to tone down some of the spice but i like my masala pretty mild) here is the recipe for both and you need to make it.

what you'll need to make the chicken:

1 C plain yogurt
2 Tbl. lemon juice
2 t. cumin
2 t. cayenne pepper (1 teaspoon for a more mild flavor, i went with the one teaspoon)
2 t. black pepper
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. salt
1 t. ground ginger or 1/2 piece of ginger root (i just used the powder i had on hand)
1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite size pieces (i used the thighs since they are more tender meat, totally worth a visit to the meat department)

After combining all the ingredients above into a ziploc gallon bag seal it and knead the mixture together by hand.

Allow the chicken to marinate at least one hour in the refrigerator (it can also marinate all day or overnight if you need it to)

After marinating, remove the chicken from the bag and grill or broil the chicken until it is cooked through (i broiled it for about 10 minutes or so)

Marinade will be thick and will COOK OFF, you do NOT need to save the drippings.

what you'll need for the sauce:

1 T. butter or margarine
2 garlic cloves minced
1 jalepeno minced (i left that out since it adds more kick, and the cayenne is enough by itself but if you have spicy eaters, throw it in)
2 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1 t. garam masala (optional, but i found it at target and LOVED the flavor it added)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (8ounce) can of tomato sauce
1 C. whipping cream

basmati rice cooked
cilantro for garnish (left that out but didn't need it)

Melt the butter in a large skillet, add garlic and jalepeno (if you choose to keep the jalepeno, again, i didn't)
cook for 1 minute.
Add the coriander, cumin, paprika, garam masala, and salt. Add the tomato sauce and cover the skillet.
Simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add the cream slowly at a lower temperature, and simmer until the sauce thickens (about 5 minutes or so)
taste the sauce and see if you want to add a little more kick, i threw in some chili powder and the paprika since i forgot it originally.
Add the cooked chicken pieces to the sauce simmer an additional 5 minutes

serve over basmati rice
serves 6 (i'd double it since it's delicious.) (in our house it served brandon twice and me once with one more leftover so about 4 servings with big boy eaters.)

i hope you love this recipe as much as i do! it tastes even better than india palace on center street.

oh the yogurt thing:

this is for 3 people but if the boys like spice i wouldnt worry about doubling it

1 C. plain yogurt
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. red chili powder
1/4 tsp. garam masala
salt to taste
1/2 a cucumber chopped up finely.
mix!

the best salad/dinner ever . i mean, EVER

the best salad/dinner ever.

i got this recipe from elaine she made it for us one night and i crave it when i need green stuff and i'm sick of meat and cheese (ish)

you'll need

1 baguette sliced and toasted (i put mine plain in the oven but you can butter them or drizzle olive oil on em or season them if you want)
olives (optional, brandon likes em so i chop em really fine and they add a nice flavor)
mozerella cheese sliced up
one yellow tomato
one orange tomato
one red bell pepper
one whole avocado
basil leafs
1 pound black forest TURKEY from the deli (dont have them slice it, just cut off a small hunk and throw it in the bag)
salt and pepper to taste
and season the whole thing with balsamic VINEGAR (not vineagrette, i got that messed up the first time)

chop it all up and toss it with the balsamic vinegar
serve it on the toasted baguette slices
OR if you want to keep the bread low,
just get a head of butter lettuce, chop it up, and serve the mixture on top of that!
it's scrumptious!!!!! and colorful and healthy.

Cumin-Lime Black Bean, Jicama, and Corn Salad

Cumin-Lime Black Bean, Jicama, and Corn Salad
by Sweet Treats & More
Lime-Cumin dressing inspired by Healthy Food for Living

1 can corn, drained
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup diced jicama
1 avocado, diced
Juice of 2 limes (about 1/4 cup)
1 1/2 tsp cumin
Dash of salt and pepper

In a medium sized bowl combine corn, black beans, jicama, and avocado. In a separate bowl, whisk together lime juice and cumin. Pour juice over bean and corn mixture. Season with just a dash of salt and pepper. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour before serving.

Chile Cheese Egg Bake

Chile Cheese Egg Bake
by Sheri Denney via sweet treats and more

10 eggs
1/2 c flour
1 tbs baking powder
1 1/1 tsp salt
16 oz. cottage cheese
4 c shredded monterey jack cheese
1/2 stick butter (1/4 c), cubed
2 (4.5 oz) cans diced green chile (if you want it spicier, toss in some jalapeno)

Whisk the eggs and salt together in a large bowl. Add the cheeses and butter. Whisk in the flour and baking powder into the cheese mixture. Lastly, stir in green chiles. Pour into a greased 9 X 13 in. baking pan.

Bake for 10 mins at 400 degrees. Reduce heat to 350 and cook for another 25-30 minutes (or until knife or tooth pick comes out clean).

Coconut Cream Pudding Cookies {with Coconut M&M's}

Coconut Cream Pudding Cookies {with Coconut M&M's}
by Sweet Treats and More

1 cup butter, room temp
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 (4oz) package instant Coconut Cream Pudding mix
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup flaked coconut
1 cup Coconut M&Ms (about 4 small pkgs)
1 cup Milk Chocolate Chips (I used milk chocolate candy bar chunks because it's what I had)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour and soda in a small bowl and set aside. Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in pudding mix until blended, then eggs and vanilla. Add flour and soda mixture. Stir in coconut M&M's, flaked coconut, and chocolate chips. Using a cookie dough scooper, place dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before moving to a cooking rack. Store in air-tight container. Makes two dozen.

Snickerdoodle Sheet Cake

Snickerdoodle Sheet Cake
source: Always With Butter

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp cinnamon
2 sticks softened butter

1 3/4 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups milk

Heat oven to 325.

Butter and flour an 18 x 24 in sheet cake pan {or two round cake pans for layer cake}. Sift together both flours, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon and set aside.

Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

Alternating, add dry mixture, then milk in three batches.

Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Buttercream
source: Always With Butter

1 1/2 stick softened butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp half and half (milk will work too)

Mix butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Alternating, add powdered sugar and half and half. Frost cake.

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

The original recipe didn't call for any pasta noodles, but the consistency seemed a little too soupy so I decided to add just a little, about 1/2 cup of cooked whole wheat macaroni noodles. After baking, it was perfect!

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
adapted from Dianasaur Dishes

1 small head cauliflower
1/2 cup cooked whole wheat macaroni noodles
1 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup cream cheese
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup light sour crea
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dry mustard
salt & pepper to taste
3 Tbs melted butter
2/3 cup panko bread crumbs or whole wheat bread crumbs (home made)
1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.


1. Cut cauliflower into small macaroni sized pieces (florets and stems) and place in a casserole dish.

2. Roast cauliflower for 15-20 minutes, until the edges are golden and it is easily pierced with a fork.

3. While cauliflower is roasting, fill a saucepan with the milk, cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Heat on medium high.

4. Slowly whisk the cheese as it melts until sauce is well mixed. Add sour cream to thicken. Stir in garlic powder, dry mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.

5. Remove roasted cauliflower from oven, stir in pasta noodles, and pour cheese sauce over cauliflower and pasta. Mix evenly.

6. Combine melted butter, breadcrumbs, and parmesan. Spread over the cauliflower.

7. Roast uncovered in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until crumbs are golden brown and cheese is bubbling.

frito pie

Oven-Baked Frito Pie
source: What's For Dinner?

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 can (16 oz) chili beans
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 envelope low sodium taco seasoning
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (2% fat kind)
3 1/2 cups corn chips (Frito's)
1 1/4 cup fat free sour cream

Directions:
Cook ground beef until meat is browned; drain. Stir in beans, tomato sauce, taco seasoning mix and 1/4 c. of cheese. Sprinkle 1 cup corn chips in bottom of 8x8 baking dish or 9x13 dish. Cover with chili. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Spread sour cream over chili. Top with remaining corn chips and cheese. Bake 4-5 minutes longer.

Makes 6 to 8 servings


**I froze half of the chili so essentially halved everything else (half the chips, half the cheese, half the sour cream. You get it) and put it together in a small round casserole dish (smaller than an 8x8).

Banana Whip Cream Cake

Banana Whip Cream Cake
by Sweet Treats and More

1 box white cake mix (plus egg whites and oil called for on package)
1 1/4 cup whipping cream
3/4 cup mashed bananas
1/2 tsp vanilla extract


Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Make cake mix according to package directions, only replacing the water called for with the 1 1/4 cup whipping cream. Stir in vanilla and mashed bananas last.

Pour into a lightly greased 9 X 13 in cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes (or until it passes the tooth-pick test.)

Serve with fresh whip cream and a few slices of banana on top.


Whipped Cream

1 pint whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbs granulated sugar

Beat together until soft peaks form.

.raspberry jam.

after heading upstate to pick raspberries and apples I felt some serious jam making was in order.

I found this great recipe and it really was easy peasy.

 Place berries in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a full boil over high heat, mashing berries with a potato masher as they heat. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

 Place sugar in an ovenproof shallow pan and warm in a 250°F (120°C) oven for 15 minutes. (Warm sugar dissolves better.)

 Add warm sugar, return to a boil, and boil until mixture will form a gel (see tips, below), about 5 minutes.

  Ladle into sterilized jars 

 enjoy!!!!!

Holy I want to make these sour cherry clafoutis tarts

Recipe VIA martha stewart
for the crust:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 egg yolk
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon salt

for the filling:
2 eggs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup crème fraîche or sour cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt
6 ounces (about 1 1/4 cups) sour cherries, pitted and halved

1. Make the crust: With an electrix mixer on high speed, beat butter and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Add egg yolk and mix until incorporated. Add flour and salt, and mix just until incorporated. Wrap dough in plastic, pat into a disk, and refrigerate 1 hour or up to 3 days.

2. Set six 4-inch tart rings on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut out six 6-inch rounds and fit into bottoms and up sides of tart rings. Trim dough flush with rims. Pierce bottoms of shells with a fork; refrigerate or freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 325°F. Bake until lightly brown, pressing down on crust with an offset spatula if it starts bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let crusts cool completely on a wire rack before filling. Raise heat to 375°F.

4. Make the filling: Gently whisk together eggs, sugar, crème fraîche, vanilla, and salt just until combined. Divide mixture among tart shells and scatter cherry halves in each, dividing evenly. Carefully transfer to oven and bake until just set, 17 to 19 minutes. Let tarts cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.

Dijon Chicken Bake

Trying this tonight, i'll letcha know if it's any good :] VIA Just Cook Already




2-4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup dijon mustard
2 tablespoons soy sauce
*optional: 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes for a little spice
directions

preheat oven to 400 degrees.

place chicken breasts in a large bowl. in a smaller bowl, add curry powder, honey, dijon, and soy sauce and whisk together until smooth and blended. add the red pepper flakes in this mixture at this time if you want a little spice. pour half of the mixture over the chicken and marinate for 24 hours. if you don't have 24 hours (which i didn't tonight), the chicken tastes just as delicious without marinating it forever. sprinkle some salt and pepper over top and put in the oven for 20-25 minutes. when the chicken has about 5 minutes left, take the remaining mixture and put in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. bring to a simmer and stir often, creating a thicker sauce. when the chicken is finished, plate and pour sauce over the cooked chicken.

okay i doubled this recipe because i'm feeding a hungry man- but IF YOU DO, DONT BOTHER DOUBLING THE SAUCE- it's perfect just with one batch of the sauce split in half (one half for marinating, one half for topping) i doubled it and it was wayyy too much sauce, (albeit still delicious on the rice) i'm a recent mustard convert and this was yummmmmy. (also look at the cute acorn squashies from the garden!)

whole wheat peanut butter bars

Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
source: Nosh With Me via One Ordinary Day

1/2 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. packed light brown sugar
1 egg (i do two fresh eggs)
1/3 c. peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. quick oats
chocolate chips to sprinkle on top

Stir together melted butter and sugars until thoroughly combined. Add egg and mix well. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; stir to combine. Stir in oats. Press mixture into a 9×13 pan (lightly greased). Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Return to oven until golden brown and baked through, about 8-10 more minutes.

this recipe is super easy and fun to do

big fluffy sugar cookie review

honestly people, the sugar cookie recipe posted by ariana is TO. DIE. FOR i'm a soft cookie person, and the subtle hint of almond, overall perfect fluffiness and ease with which the dough formed and cut without too much stickiness this cookie recipe is now in my top ten.
thanks ariana!

whip it real good

aka lemon ricotta pancakes from smitten kitchen

one of my favorite breakfast dishes is lemon ricotta pancakes. having never made them before I was pumped when I saw a recipe on smitten kitchen. (a fav foodie blog)

truth: I had never whipped up egg whites for any recipe so I was kinda excited for this task :)

I decided to add some blueberries to my pancakes because well I happened to have some.

growing up my dad was the pancake master. the weekends were all about breakfasts and he knew how to do it right. most of the tricks he taught me are in SKs list for pancakes 101. as you can see one trick is adding the blueberries on the skillet verse in the bowl.

delish

you try:

For the pancakes
4 large eggs, separated
1 1/3 cups ricotta
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Melted butter for brushing the griddle
Maple syrup, as an accompaniment


Make the pancakes:
In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks, the ricotta, the sugar, and the zest, add the flour, and stir the mixture until it is just combined. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they hold stiff peaks, whisk about one fourth of them into the ricotta mixture, and fold in the remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Heat a griddle over moderately high heat until it is hot enough to make drops of water scatter over its surface and brush it with some of the melted butter. Working in batches, pour the batter onto the griddle by 1/4-cup measures and cook the pancakes for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden, brushing the griddle with some of the melted butter as necessary. Transfer the pancakes as they are cooked to a heatproof platter and keep them warm in a preheated 200°F oven.
Serve the pancakes with maple syrup.

via smitten kitchen

Basil Pesto Dip

2 c. chopped fresh basil
½ c. extra virgin olive oil
¼ c. macadamia nuts (or pine nuts)
1/3 c. grated parmesan
2 garlic cloves pressed
pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients in food processor

Serve on wraps or as dip for veggies

Edamame with Cranberries, Feta, and Basil

Serves 8

(2) 16 oz. bag frozen shelled edamame – cook in boiling salted water for 5 minutes. Drain under cold water to stop cooking. Pat dry.

Toss rest of ingredients together with edamame and serve chilled or at room temperature:

1 c. dried cranberries
½ c. fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips
4 Tlbs. Olive oil
1/8 tsp. black pepper
¾ c. crumbled feta cheese

Quinoa Salad with Roasted Red Peppers

Salad:

1 c. quinoa (rinsed and drained)
2 c. water
8 oz. jar roasted red peppers
½ c. feta cheese, crumbled
2 scallions, white part, chopped
1/3 c. mixed fresh herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro,) chopped (I used just basil)
¼ c. chopped black olives

Bring Water to boil – Add Quinoa, bring back to boil. Turn down to simmer and cover for about 15 min. or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from the heat, fluff up the quinoa with a fork and transfer to a bowl and let cool.

After Quinoa has cooled, add remaining ingredients listed above and mix together.

Add 1/3 c. Tomato Dressing and Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (It tastes best served the next day.)

Tomato Dressing (Whisk dressing together in food processor):

6 Roma Tomatoes roasted on slightly oiled pan in the oven. 450 degrees until starting to char (about 10 min.)
½ c. canola oil warmed over the stove (about 3 minutes)
1 clove garlic, crushed
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tlbs. Lemon juice

Christine’s Ultimate Green Salad

Mixed Greens
¼ jiccama chopped
1 Stalk Celery chopped
½ cucumber chopped
¼ c. chopped almonds/pecans/cashews roasted in small pan over stove
1 Carrot chopped
½ Red Pepper chopped
2 Sweet Banana Wax Peppers chopped
4 Slices of Muenster cheese
1 c. Blueberries (or any fruit)
2 toasted garlic bread cut into crouton sizes (You can make your own by cutting multi grain into bite sizes and roasting over the stove in same pan as the nuts. Sprinkle garlic powder or garlic salt over while stirring for 3 min.)

Pour dressing over to marinate for ½ hour before serving:


Best Dressing Ever:
½ c. extra virgin olive oil
3 Tlbs. Red wine vinegar
¼ tsp. Dijon mustard (or honey Dijon mustard)
1 garlic clove pressed
salt to taste
stevia pwd to taste or a small squeeze of agave nectar or honey

Blend all dressing ingredients together in food processor or blender


I will make this dressing up and put it over vegetables while I’m cooking them for dinner or pour them over any raw vegetables for marinated veggies to eat as snacks from the fridge. You can also use the marinated raw veggies in a green salad.

Greek Orzo

1 ½ c. uncooked orzo pasta
1 Bunch of Spinach cut up
1 jar of sundried tomatoes drained and chopped
½ red bell pepper
¼ c. red onion

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes; drain and cool

Mix rest of ingredients together and toss with

6 Tlbs. Olive Oil
4 Fresh Basil Leaves cut up
Feta

3 Sister Salad

1 Butternut Squash peeled/seeded and chopped into small bite size pieces – Bake in oven with 1 Tlbs. olive oil on cookie sheet at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes – cool

Mix together:

1 can (15 oz.) drained and rinsed black beans
1 can (11 oz.) drained corn
2 roma tomatoes chopped
¼ c. red onion chopped
½ red bell pepper seeded and chopped

Add Cooled squash

Toss with:

¼ c. olive oil
½ tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. chili pwd.
1 garlic clove pressed
salt and pepper to taste
¼ c. feta cheese


Chill for 2 hours before serving
This is also really good served the next day

Couscous and Grilled Vegetables

1 Red Bell Pepper
2 Zucchini
2 Yellow-neck squash
Bunch of Asparagus
Mix with 2 Tlbs. Olive oil

Wash and cut up all vegetables and grill for 15 minutes or bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 20 min. stirring occasionally. Cool.

Cook 1 c. Israeli Couscous covered by 1” with water. Bring to Boil and cook for 3 minutes . Remove from heat and cover. Fluff with fork and cool for 10 min.

Combine all cooled ingredients with dressing:

6 Tlbs. Olive oil
4 Tlbs. Lemon juice
4 mint leaves chopped
2 green onions chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Waffles

2 c. rice or soy or lowfat milk
2 eggs
2 Tlb. Honey or agave nectar
4 oz. tofu (soft is best, but any will do)
*2 c. whole wheat flour
1 scoop flax seed (or about 1 Tlbs.)
1 Tlb. Baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Mix in order

Cool on racks for a minute before serving or storing.

Makes 12 Waffles



*If you are making a transition to whole wheat use 1 c. of white flour and 1 c. of wheat flour.

You may also you multi-grain flour of rice, wheat, oats, mlllet, flax, rye, barley. This will give it a crunchy flavor. Most of these flours are available at Jimbos/Whole Foods or buy the whole grains and grind them.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

1 c. black beans
1 can corn
½ red. Bell pepper, chopped
½ c. chopped cilantro
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
2 Roma Tomatoes seeded and diced
Salt and Pepper
¼ tsp. garlic powder
3 limes, juiced
2 Tlbs. Red onion, chopped
1 Tlbs. Olive oil

Drain and rinse both beans and corn. Put into a bowl with bell pepper, onion, cilantro and spices. Mix. Add lime juice and olive oil. Let the flavors blend for at least 30 min. Serve with Healthy Chips.

Creamy Green –Nutty Tropical Smoothie

2 c. Rice Milk
4 oz Tofu
2 C. Frozen Tropical Fruit
1 Frozen Banana
handful of almonds
1 Tlbs. Flax Seed
2 c. frozen spinach
1 Tlbs. Agave nectar

Blend in order listed

Cucumber-Berry-Nut Smoothie

Place food in the order listed into the blender

2 c. Rice or Almond Milk
1 c. frozen mixed berries
½ cucumber chopped
handful of almonds & pecans (mix)
1 Tlb. Agave nectar or honey
1 scoop (1 Tlb. Flax seed)

Blend and Serve

Roasted Vegetable Minestrone

www.thepioneerwoman.com

2 whole zucchini, halved, cut into strips, then cubed
2 whole summer squash, halved, cut into strips, then cubed
8 ounces, white mushrooms, stems removed and quartered
2 T olive oil
Kosher salt to taste
2 T (additional) olive oil
2 whole carrots, washed and sliced (not peeled)
1 whole medium onion, diced
3 stalks celery, sliced (leaves included)
8 C chicken broth
2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed
1 C (heaping) cut green beans, fresh or frozen
1-½ C medium or small pasta shells, uncooked
1 can (14.5) diced tomatoes with juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ t turmeric (optional)
Parmesan cheese, shaved

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Toss cubed zucchini, squash, and mushrooms in a bowl with olive oil and a sprinkling of kosher salt. Arrange onto two sheet pans (to avoid crowding) and roast in the hot oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until brown and black parts begin to show. Remove from oven and set aside. In a heavy pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add carrots, onions, and celery and stir to cook for 3 minutes. Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for ten minutes. Add cannelini beans and green beans. Cook on low for five minutes. Add pasta and cook for an additional five minutes. Add canned tomatoes, stir, and cook for an additional five minutes on low heat. Check for seasonings, adding salt, pepper, and turmeric. Add roasted vegetables at the very end. Stir and allow to simmer and heat for a few minutes before serving. Be sure to check seasoning! Add more broth if necessary to increase liquid amount. Serve with Parmesan shavings and crusty Italian bread. Makes 8 servings.

Big Fluffy Sugar Cookies

(THE ONLY Sugar Cookie Recipe You Need)

*SECRET!!! This recipe must be made by hand. No power mixers allowed!

These are the big cookies we used to sell decorated where I used to work. We couldn’t make enough!! These are perfect for holiday decorating—I make them for every holiday. J Recipe comes from my good friend, Kara, who was the baker at the time.

Cookies

4 c. flour

1 ½ c. sugar

***Mix these together, then add…

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

***Mix then cut in the following with a pastry blender…

1 c. unsalted butter

***Mix until fine and crumbly. Add:

1 c. sour cream

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. almond extract

***Be careful to not overmix. Roll the dough out between parchment and plastic wrap while at room temp. Freeze the sheets of dough till hard, then quickly cut out. Bake on a cookie sheet with parchment paper on it at 375° F for 7 minutes. DO NOT BROWN.

The Frosting

1 lb. powdered sugar

¼ c. shortening

¼ c. butter

¼ c. milk with a pinch of salt dissolved in it

½ tsp. almond extract

***Whip for 5 minutes till fluffy. Adjust consistency with milk or sugar. Color with frosting paste coloring.

Mandarin Chicken Salad

8 oz. bowtie pasta, cooked to al dente and cooled

Dressing: Brianna’s Ginger Mandarin

Salad:

2 10-oz. bags spinach and/or mixed baby greens

1/2 small head of chopped cabbage (choose your favorite kind--Napa is fabulous)

1 6-oz. bag of dried cranberries

3 small cans of mandarin oranges, drained well

1/2 bunch green onions, chopped

3 cups cooked and sliced chicken

sliced almonds for sprinkling

Mix 1 cup of the dressing with the pasta and let marinate about 1 hour.

Combine everything else, add pasta, dressing, and toss. (Costco rotisserie chicken works well in this recipe!) Sprinkle with almonds.

Feel free to add other ingredients such as sliced water chestnuts, baby corn, toasted sesame seeds, etc. You could also substitute peanuts or cashews for the almonds.

For an extra garnish, fry a few wonton skins and place them on top of the salad.

Pasta Pomodoro

2 (8 ounce) packages angel hair pasta

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups roma (plum) tomatoes, diced

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 (10.75 ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth

crushed red pepper to taste

freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 minutes or until al dente; drain.

2. Pour olive oil in a large deep skillet over high-heat. Saute onions and garlic until lightly browned. Reduce heat to medium-high and add tomatoes, vinegar and chicken broth; simmer for about 8 minutes.

3. Stir in red pepper, black pepper, basil and cooked pasta, tossing thoroughly with sauce. Simmer for about 5 more minutes and serve topped with grated cheese.