Leahs Crispy And Chewy Coconut Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

Fun easy chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside cookie will make you forget it can actually be healthy (ok healthier than say a chocolate dipped chocolate chip cookie) due to the oatmeal and optional raisins. I also add notes on how to make into a 'chocolate' version - see directions for that!

Baking these in a moderate oven at 325 degrees really helps these be chewy on the inside while still allowing the outside to crisp up. Great cookies for shipping and freezing and for any time of the day when you need a pick me up.

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon each of baking soda and baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats (oatmeal)
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) unsalted
1 cup light brown sugar packed
1 jumbo/large egg (preferred) or 2 medium eggs
1-1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup toffee bits
1 cup raisins (optional)
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder or 2 oz melted unsweetened chocolate (if making chocolate version)
cookie sheets
parchment paper for baking (optional)
Preheated oven at 325 degrees
Hand or stand mixer
Cookie Cooling Racks

Directions:

Made these a couple of weeks ago and felt the need to make them again they were that good. So I have the ingredients coming to room temperature as I share this recipe. The photo is from when I made them a couple of weeks ago.
Remember to preheat oven at 325 degrees and you will be baking these from anywhere of 12 minutes to 15 minutes.
****OK Here we go!*****
Cream butter then slowly add sugar and once combined, turn mixer on high and allow the creamed butter and sugar mixture to slightly change in color (it will get lighter in color)
Add vanilla extract and egg and mix again for 2 minutes.
IF MAKING CHOCOLATE VERSION: Add cocoa powder (preferred) or melted unsweetened chocolate to mixer and stir in at this point.
Sift flour with baking soda, salt, and baking powder.
To dry mixture add oatmeal and stir till combined.
Add dry mixture to wet mixture, slowly with mixer at first to prevent a cloud of flour from creating.
Add coconut and toffee bits, mix in then add optional raisins.
Make spoonfuls and gently roll into round (if at all) and drop onto greased cookie sheets or onto parchment paper (which I prefer for easy removal and to help prevent any burning)
Place on middle shelf in preheated oven and set timer.
Check on cookies at 12 minutes, if they need a little more time, then bake till 15 minutes, but no more than that. They should have flatten slightly and have a light golden color.
Once out of the oven, let cookies set for one minute before removing from cookie sheets to cooling racks.
Let cool completely before freezing to ensure crispy and chewy factor.
Enjoy with Milk or your favorite beverage...

Leahs Cheesy Fresh Tomato And Spinach Pie With Bacon Recipe

I made this up yesterday since I wanted to use up some ingredients in my freezer and had fresh tomatoes from the garden. Pie was savory and moist without being mushy and the parmesan and mozzarella cheese with crispy bacon add that extra umph we all crave. This is a pretty dish that would do well at pot lucks, for vegetarians (without the bacon of course) and at parties served as an appetizer cold, hot or in between. Cooking time includes cooking bacon.

Ingredients:

Be lazy - Use 1 pre-made pie crust unbaked - if frozen, allow to come to room temperature
2 large beefsteak tomatoes or four plum tomatoes - could also use grape or cherry, simply slice in half.
1/2 packaged Box of frozen spinach thawed and completely drained of its juices
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
fresh cracked pepper
4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 cup milk 2 percent or whole
4 jumbo eggs (or 5 medium/large eggs)
Pie pan
Working oven preheated at 350 degrees
1/3 cup flour - all purpose
2-3 tablespoons of tomato paste
2 tablespoons shopped minced onions (for color and optional)
red chili flakes (optional)
Clean tea towel to help squeeze out water from thawed spinach

Directions:

Preheat oven at 350 degrees
Place and unroll unbaked pie pastry into pie pan.
Slice bacon and cook up in skillet while performing other tasks.
Once spinach is thawed (I used my microwave for 1-2 minutes on medium strength) place half of the boxed thawed spinach into a clean tea towel and grab corners to create a bundle.
Over sink start squeezing - and squeeze some more, loads of water will come out - you really want to get all the water out, and after opening back up your dish towel, the spinach will easily pop out of your dish towel.
Fork pie pastry all over on bottom with holes to prevent buckling
Sprinkle at least 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese on bottom of pie pan on top of pie pastry.
Sprinkle three tablespoons of the flour on top of the parmesan cheese - this will prevent your pie from being too drippy of tomato juices
Slice if using beefsteak tomatoes or plums into 1/4 inch slices and arrange in circles over lapping slightly in pie pastry. Sprinkle a little salt all over the tomatoes.
Sprinkle about half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the tomatoes.
In bowl, crack your eggs and add mayonnaise, whisk till completely combined and thick.
Add freshly cracked pepper, tomato paste, 1/2 of the remaining parmesan cheese, remaining flour, optional shakes of chili flakes and half of the nutmeg to egg mixture.
Stir again then add spinach - stir till combined.
Pour egg mixture over tomatoes.
Once bacon is done, drain any extra fat and place on top of egg mixture and add additional shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
With hand or back of spoon, slightly press cheeses and bacon into egg mixture to get them wet.
Sprinkle the top with the remaining nutmeg.
Add optional diced green onions.
Place pie pan carefully into preheated oven and allow to bake for 40 minutes.
When checking for doneness, insert knife - which will come out a little wet, but not gloppy.
Let Pie/tart set up for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
This can be served hot, cold or warm - it was super delicious cold late last night when I was struck with a little hunger after watching Craig Furgenson!
Yes I KNOW!!! lol

Click on photos to see a larger image.

Have fun with this one and use tomatoes from your own garden (or a friends) or from the farmers market nearby - the extra taste of fresh tomato will really come through!

Gerties Egg Special Recipe

This easy dish has its origins from Ancient Spanish Ships traversing across the seas - but for me, this dish is what my mom used to make for breakfast when I was in luck and when we had left over potatoes, whether they were boiled or oven roasted. Easy quick meal I make for myself for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

She never liked being called Gertie, but we always loved her egg special for breakfast.

Ingredients:

Left over oven roasted (preferred by me) or boiled potatoes - any kind
1-2 eggs per person
1 onion sliced thin
1 bell pepper (optional)
1 garlic clove minced (optional)
salt and pepper
red chili flakes (optional)
a few shakes of hot sauce (optional)
fresh parsley minced (for garnish when plating)
large skillet
olive oil and butter

Directions:

I have done this many times with raw potatoes which I suggest slicing and cutting very small, so that they cook up easily and quickly - though this will add at least 10 minutes to the cooking time.
Take eggs out of refrigerator to get off chill.
In skillet add a drizzle of olive oil and a little dab of butter
Cut up left over potatoes into 1-1/2 inch sized chunks and put into skillet.
Add thinly sliced or diced onions and bell pepper if using.
Let brown and turn over to brown potatoes on the other sides.
Once potatoes are nearly browned to your hearts content you can add eggs.
There are two (2) ways you can do this - my photo shows both. You can either crack an egg on a pile of potatoes so that the egg gets fried sitting on top of the potatoes and when removing from skillet, you scoop up both potatoes and fried egg.
Or - which is what my mother did - is crack the eggs over the potatoes, let cook for two minutes, then with spatula, 'break' yolks and start turning entire potatoes and eggs over each other creating a sort of fried egg/scrambled egg concoction.
Cook eggs for as long as you like - I prefer soft and slightly still runny (but that is me - and don't yell at me for adding ketchup!)
Plate eggs and potatoes and garnish dish with fresh minced parsley and serve with toast - add sausage, ham or bacon if you would like.
Photo shows both ways of cooking eggs - as both are super delicious.
Enjoy this easy way to upcycle cooked potatoes from the night before.

Leahs Fresh French Tarragon Salad Dressing

This is one of my staple homemade salad dressings I have done for years and finally decided to share here - I learned this one while traveling to the French Riviera and seemed to be on every salad we ate - creamy but not naughty - neat thing, if you do this in a blender, you can actually make a 'light' version - see directions - otherwise great to serve over salad greens, over steamed veggies and even fish - also makes a nice light marinade for chicken. Flavors get a little stronger as they marry and get to know one another and you can easily adjust to your palette should you want to add more honey, salt or vinegar, etc.

Ingredients:

I eyeball the amounts, but I believe when I made this last night, that these measurements come quite close.
3 tablespoons fresh tarragon minced
4 tablespoons WHITE balsamic vinegar (use apple cider vinegar in stead if you don't have white balsamic - but you should buy this the next time you are at the store - its very nice!)
2-3 tablespoons good honey
2 cloves fresh garlic minced
1 tablespoon grainy for a more artisan look or creamy (preferred) dijon mustard or spicy mustard
1-1/2 tablespoon lite mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup or more water (if making a light version)
bowl and good whisk or blender
1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper

Directions:

In bowl, add all of the following: tarragon, garlic, salt and pepper, mayonnaise, mustard, honey, vinegar and lemon juice.
Whisk till combined.
Slowly , really slowly drizzle olive oil while continuing to whisk to create an emulsion.
If this is too difficult for you - use the blender on a low setting but add the tarragon last and by hand so it doesn't pulverize the tarragon.
If making a light version, use only half of the olive oil while making this in the blender, once emulsified, add water slowly - this will keep the dressing emulsified yet creating a creamy type salad dressing.
Then add your minced tarragon by hand and set aside.
Taste test your salad dressing, add a little more honey if it has too much of a bite for your tastes, or more lemon juice if you need more, etc.
I usually prepare this before serving up my salad and let it sit for 30 minutes for the flavors to marry, then save any unused portion in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
This will keep for two weeks. And as mentioned, this is great over your poached fish dishes, used as a marinade for shrimp or chicken to be grilled and is nice as a dressing over your potato or pasta salads.
The dressing has a fresh bright creamy goodness which makes you want only more. Enjoy!
Photo is borrowed from christinecooks blog

Leahs Pesto Pasta With Shrimp And Bacon - Oh My

Easy twist to a quick pasta dinner I served up with homemade pesto (click on link to see my basil pesto recipe) over pasta with chicken (happened to be left over), shrimp and oh so good crispy bacon. Serve this up hot or cold along with a salad and a fresh cold drink and garlic bread - enjoy! And yes, yet another pesto recipe from me, I'm telling you this stuff is very versatile! Ideas are endless.

Ingredients:

Boiling water for pasta (I used penne pasta)
3 large jumbo shrimp deveined and cleaned per person
1/2 cup or more pre-cooked chicken (or left over chicken) diced large
1/2 cup of caramelized onions (I had some extra over from my 'cilantro bean dip quesadilla' (recipe posted)
1/2 cup diced red or green bell peppers
3 slices of bacon cut into 1 inch wide pieces
4 tablespoons or more pesto (my recipe posted)
red chili flakes
olive oil
salt and pepper
additional fresh grated parmesan cheese
1 spring/green onion and fresh parsley minced

Directions:

Start to boil water in large pot
Slice up bacon and set aside
In deep skillet on top of stove, add a little olive oil and on medium low heat add sliced onions, let caramelize slowly - do not burn. This will take about 8 minutes - enough time for the water to come to a boil for the pasta.
Once water is rapid boiling, add a dribble of olive oil, and add salt
Add penne pasta or pasta of your choice into boiling water and set timer as noted on your pasta package.
Once onions are cooked, remove from skillet and set aside.
Add bacon to skillet and cook on medium heat - turning over occasionally.
While bacon is cooking, clean shrimp removing veins and shells and set aside and dice up chicken (if using) and set aside.
Once bacon is crisped, remove from skillet and add green peppers and shrimp to skillet.
Add freshly cracked pepper to skillet.
Cook shrimp 4 minutes ensuring they are cooked through and add chicken to reheat.
Drain pasta at this point, reserve a little of the pasta water.
Add Penne pasta to skillet, add back onions.
Sprinkle a couple of shakes of red chili flakes to skillet
Skillet should now contain penne pasta, shrimp, onions, peppers, bacon and chicken.
Add pesto to skillet and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water, stir till combined.
Plate and put shrimp on top of pasta, and add garnish of freshly grated cheese, and freshly minced spring/green onions and parsley on top and serve with your favorite salad and some garlic bread!
Enjoy!

Share how you use homemade basil pesto with us all!

Soy Nuts and Soy Beans - Whats the truth to their health benefits?

I was hungry the other day and started to munch on crunchy soy nuts - and wondered what gives with their health benefits. So I already knew and have read that they were healthy for woman and men, but especially women and wanted to know further what really gives as to their healthy benefits for us women. What was inside these little crunchy 'nuts' which were really beans, and how does it help one's body?

So after uncovering a few tidbits of information and some useful links I share this with you.

Soy Nuts are really roasted soy beans, they are not nuts at all. A one ounce serving has four (4) grams of fat of which three (3) grams are unsaturated fats. A serving may contain 120 calories, but it has over 10 grams of protein. Soy nuts comes in a variety of flavored options such as salted, unsalted, BBQ and many other flavors. Watch out for salt content, if you are watching your salt and remember because of the calorie amounts should you be counting those as well, they can easily add some weight to your belly if you are not watching the amount you are shoveling into your mouth.

This does not mean you should avoid them at all, quite the contrary! Soy nuts also contain isoflavones which are phytochemicals that help prevent heart disease and a variety of cancers. And due to the amount of fiber and protein, these little puppies pack a nice amount of nutrition to help you stave your appetite until lunch and dinner time.

Roasted soy nuts are great to add to a salad, to yogurt and to your baked goods such as breads and muffins. The amount of isoflavones for one serving is roughly 80 mg of isoflavones and is nearly doubled the amount initially recommended for women to eat on a daily basis in helping their health, especially premenopausal and menopausal women. In perimenopausal women, it also helps to keep that libido going - and for those of you there already, you know exactly what I mean. And did you know this stuff called isoflavones helps with preventing hot flashes? But the current recommended amount is now 80 mg per day of soy isoflavones, which is the amount 'considered helpful for hormonal imbalance'. Women in Asia easily intake this amount in their daily diet, it is no wonder they have low breast cancer rates.

And just as a side note, the soy bean is the only complete plant protein, it contains B vitamins, calcium and even known super healthy omega-3 fatty acids. You really can't get a much healthier plant product - it is also long been known as one of the five sacred plants and the soy bean can be made into a variety of products which some you may already know and have tried: soy milk, soy sauce, tofu, edamame, tempeh - used as a meat or poultry substitute, soy cheese, miso, and even soy flour. The one exception to this is soy bean oil, which frankly should be treated as one would use corn oil, not very often.

If you are a vegetarian, a vegan or even someone who wishes to better themselves with healthy protein alternatives, the wondrous soy bean is your answer. And not only are soy bean products extremely affordable, it is simply silly not to have them handy in your cupboards and refrigerator. Soy protein shakes and even soy bars are a great way to add the ever so important isoflavones into your daily diet.

Be creative the next time you think soy, if you haven't been already converted by this article - you can add soy beans in its many forms in a variety of ways. The important part is to realize you are helping yourself to prevent heart disease, adding a neat plant protein which is easily digested by your body unlike red meat, helping to keep your hormones in balance - and heck as a woman, you know how important that is.

So remember to add soy beans to your varied diet for the best health along with loads of fresh vegetables, fruits and other legumes for optimum health.

Here are some interesting links to learn more about the wonders of Soy Nuts:

• Crunch Soy Nuts for Good Health?

• Nutritional benefits of soy – how to get the most from your soy foods

• CNN.com - The nutty health benefits of soy - Nov. 20, 2002

• Surprising health benefits of soy for heart, breasts, prostate, menopause and osteoporosis.

Leah's Fancy Pesto Encrusted Stuffed Chicken Breasts

In these lean times, I make sure to use up any and all food - but do not wish to dummy-down my palette in anyway! This dish I made up the other day since I had all the ingredients handy. Looked great out of the oven, tasted amazing since the pesto became crunchy and the corn bread stuffing ensured a moist chicken breast. A wonderful dish for parties or for a special evening in.

I had made corn bread that didn't get all eaten up, so I had cut it into large cubes, and let it air dry for a day, then threw it into the freezer for future use as corn bread stuffing. I happen to also have made pesto the other night and thought this would be a nice twist to simple oven roasted chicken breasts.

I am also saving money by buying chicken whole, and cutting it up myself - this amazing meal for two cost me a total of $5.00 if that when all ingredients tallied up - we got a huge kick out of that, since taste was not denied by us in any way!

Ingredients:

One large breast of chicken with the bone still in.
2 cups cubed corn bread (preferably homemade)
2 tablespoons each fresh herbs: parsley, rosemary, mint
2 cloves garlic - minced
1-2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 onion - cut into chunks
2-4 potatoes with skins, washed and cut up into 2 inch size chunks
other vegetables that are good to roast: fennel, carrots, etc. cut up (optional)
olive oil
salt and pepper
3-4 toothpicks for each chicken breasts
Preheated oven 350 degrees
3-4 tablespoons or more of basil pesto (homemade preferred)
deep heavy skillet or roasting pan (I used my Le Cruset deep skilled)

Directions:

In small bowl, add orange juice to corn bread cubes, then melted butter and 1/3 of the minced fresh herbs and all of the minced garlic. Stir to combine and set aside for a moment.
Rinse well and pat dry large chicken breasts.
With knife, create pocket for stuffing with each chicken breast. If you have the chicken breast in front of you, start cutting from the higher end of the chicken breast down to the lower end - in other words, start pocket where the meat is deepest, you want to create the pocket as close to the bone as possible.
Drizzle a little olive oil into your roasting pan.
In another bowl, add vegetables and onions, add remaining minced herbs, salt and pepper and drizzle a little olive oil. Stir with hands to coat each cut veggie with the herbs, S&P and olive oil.
Place stuffing into pockets and with toothpicks close up pockets, using skin of chicken to help pinch close the openings.
Put chicken breasts skin side up into roasting pan.
Add vegetables around chicken breasts.
Spread a tablespoon of basil pesto on the tops of the chicken breasts.
Then place into oven and go about your business.
Roasting time should be anywhere from 45-70 minutes depending upon the size of your chicken breasts. To ensure they are done, you can fork them to make sure the juices run clear.
The pesto adds extra flavor and becomes crusty and crunchy once out of the oven. Let chicken breasts rest for 5-8 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!

One Pot Sensational Chicken Leah Recipe

Easy succulent dish creates a wonderful one pot wonder full of complex flavors which is surprising to your family and guests - they will think you have cooked for hours, when in fact - it took one hour just sitting there on the stove top! - You could do this in a crock pot as well after you brown your chicken. Serve over basmati rice, brown rice, with cous cous or pasta. Dish is full of lively colors and is a great party dish or pot luck dish since it easily impresses. The fruit and little amount of curry in this dish only adds to the delightfully full flavor this recipe provides.

Ingredients:

Whole chicken cut up into eight pieces.
Save giblets/neck to create own chicken stock to be used in dish.
1 cup green or red seedless grapes
3/4 cup raisins
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
1 onion chopped
1 cup mushrooms (I used baby bellas)
2 scallions minced
2 tablespoons parsley or cilantro minced - for garnish at end.
1 cup white wine
1+ cup of chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon good curry powder
2 tablespoons fresh minced rosemary
4-6 cloves pieces
1 tablespoon "better than bullion" paste - chicken flavor (optional)
several shakes of dried red chili flakes
salt and pepper
Deep heavy skillet with lid (I used my Le Crusette)
olive oil

Directions:

I tend to forget about this dish, but won't anymore! I first made this twist of a recipe then I created my own version several years ago when I had grapes that were looking a little past their prime along with grape tomatoes. This dish can easily be doubled and served at parties. The amount of curry used in this dish is so small, that it even passes mustard for those who do not like curry - you can barely tell it is in there - but the resulting flavors are way complex - you will think you ordered this at a restaurant.
A nice addition is adding toasted slivered or blanched almonds at the end along with the garnishes of parsley and cilantro.
****OK Here We Go!*****
Allow skillet to heat up.
Take cleaned chicken pieces, pat dry and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.
Add a little olive oil to skillet, then add one mashed clove of garlic.
Once garlic starts to brown - remove to prevent garlic from burning, but this infuses the olive oil with some of the garlic oils.
You could still minced up the browned garlic and add to dish when adding all the seasonings.
Place chicken pieces skin side down carefully into hot skillet.
You are only going to brown the skin, then flip to brown on the other side.
Once chicken has been browned slightly, remove from pan and set aside. You will finished cooking the chicken completely in a moment.
Add a little more olive oil if needed. Add onions to hot skillet saute for 3-5 minutes, then add mushrooms.
Add cumin, pepper, crushed red pepper, curry, cumin, cloves, rosemary, crushed garlic from before and minced remaining garlic, and lastly scallions. Stir and saute for 3 minutes.
Now add tomatoes, raisins, grapes and white wine to skillet. Stir bottom of pan to help remove any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to deglaze skillet and let cook for 2 minutes.
Now return chicken back to skillet and add chicken stock.
I added an additional tablespoon of "Better than Bullion" paste at this point.
Bring down heat to simmer and add lid.
Let simmer for one hour.
Enjoy smells in house while chicken dish is cooking!
Taste sauce, add salt if needed.
Chicken is incredibly tender and super moist and falls off the bone easily.
Sauce is amazing served over rice as pictured for my dinner the other night.
Add chopped parsley and/or cilantro right to skillet just before serving.
Add toasted optional almonds to plated food for extra flair.

Leahs Bean Dip Quesadillas Recipe

Quick and easy lunch or dinner idea I made for today's lunch - Used my Colorful Wonderful Cilantro Bean Dip (recipe posted) along with caramelized onions and fresh peppers made for a super tasty meal.

Ingredients:

2 medium size flour tortillas per person
1 onion sliced
1 green pepper chopped
1/2 cup "colorful wonderful cilantro bean dip" or less per quesadilla
1 ounce of Monterey Jalapeño cheese shredded
salt and pepper
olive oil
a little pat of butter
skillet
Sour cream for dipping
Freshly cut chives for serving. (See Photo)

Directions:

You are going to caramelize the onions first then add cut peppers for only a short cooking time so that they stay crisp.
You can use the same skillet to make and cook the quesadillas.
You could also grill these or do them in the oven, or oven in your panini grill or waffle iron- which ever is easier for you.
In skillet, add a little olive oil and add cut onions. Cook on medium heat and allow them to caramelize naturally and slowly.
After about 5 minutes, add peppers and cook for additional 2-3 minutes.
Remove peppers and onions from skillet.
One one side of quesadilla add half of shredded cheese, and pepper and onion mixture, then add bean dip, dash of salt and pepper and then lastly add a layer of cheese.
Close up quesadilla with another flour tortilla. Press down
Add a small pat of butter to hot skillet, carefully slide in quesadilla.
Cook for 5 minutes or less until browned underneath, then flip and cook on the other side.
Take out of skillet once done, cut up, add a dollop of sour cream if you wish and sprinkle some cut chives on top.
Call troops to table and eat up! Enjoy!

So let me know how you like your quesadillas - enter your comments!

Colorful Wonderful Cilantro Bean Dip Recipe

Learned this just over the weekend - different from those recipes already here. This dip is great on chips, inside quesadilla (which was my awesome lunch today) and got eaten up all too quickly-it was loved that much. So I went home and made it myself a few days later. Colorful, bright flavors are quite showy and the zesty taste happily satisfies carnivores.

Ingredients:

1 can black beans, rinsed super well and drained of liquid
1 can chick/garbanzo beans, rinsed well and drained of liquid
2-4 garlic cloves minced
1 medium red onion chopped
2-3 plum tomatoes diced
Juice of two limes, juice of an extra lime over just cut avocado
1/3 cup of minced fresh cilantro (or more!)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
Couple of shakes of red chili flakes
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt and 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Cracked Pepper
2-3 avocados sprinkled with lime or lemon juice and cut up.
1 large bowl

Directions:

This bean dip is great to take to parties and for potlucks and summer BBQ's - its quite filling and so colorful, it pleases the eye and satisfies those tummies. And so one will even care its super healthy. (I didn't!)
I would also suggest to cut up avocados last and place on top of everything else then stir at last moment. It makes for a prettier arrival onto the table.
If you want to make this last a bit, separate into two bowls, then only cut up avocado for the bowl you are about to serve, then toss.
About 5 cups are yielded with this recipe
****OK Here We Go****
Take your strainer/colander and place into sink. Open up cans of beans and put into colander and rinse really well under running water. Let drain.
Place rinsed beans into large bowl and stir.
Add all other ingredients except for avocado.
Stir up ingredients. Add more cilantro if you would like.
Cut up avocado making it look pretty and place on top of stirred ingredients. Sprinkle additional lime juice on top of avocados to prevent browning.
Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Stir at last moment and serve with chips.
Photo shown has missing avocado which I was about to put in.
I also used this as filling for my quesadilla lunch today (recipe just posted)
This would also be nice served over rice, cous cous or pasta for an extra nice cold salad making it a lovely cold meal during hot summer nights.
Enjoy!

How to make Homemade Cool Whip

Ok, here's another pony trick from my pal tippy st. clair who was more than happy to allow me to share this recipe of hers with you alls! Now, who doesn't love whipped cream? For those of you who would like to make a version of cool whip topping for your favorites desserts, try this one on for size.


Ingredients:

1 tsp unflavored gelatin
2 tsp cold water
3 Tbsp boiling water
1/2 cup ice water
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
3 Tbsp sugar
3 Tbsp veg oil

Directions:

Chill a small mixing bowl.
Soften gelatin with 2 teaspoons cold water, then add boiling water, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved.
Cool until tepid.
Place ice water and nonfat dry milk in the chilled bowl.
Beat at high speed until mixture forms stiff peaks.
Add sugar, still beating, then oil and gelatin.
Place in freezer about 15 minutes then transfer to refrigerator until ready for use.
Stir before using to retain creamy texture.

What is your favorite dessert you love to dollop your favorite whipped topping? Share and let me know in the comments section!

Recipes for Life - A Food Funny

This morning I read this and had to share with all of you....

As You Slide Down the Banister of Life, Remember
Laughter relieves Stress.
Stressed is desserts spelled backwards.
Always have dessert first.

Directions on Recipes for Life:

Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggert have written An impressive new book. It's called 'Ministers Do More Than Lay People.'
Transvestite: A guy who likes to eat, drink and be Mary.
The difference between the Pope and Your boss, the Pope only expects you To kiss his ring.
My mind works like lightning, One brilliant Flash and it is gone.
The only time the world beats a path to Your door is if you're in the bathroom.
I hate sex in the movies. Tried it once. The seat folded up, the drink spilled and That ice, well, it really chilled the mood.
It used to be only death and taxes Were inevitable Now, of course, there's Shipping and handling, too.
A husband is someone who, after taking The trash out, gives the impression that He just cleaned the whole house.
My next house will have no kitchen - just Vending machines and a large trash can.
A blonde said, 'I was worried that my Mechanic might try to rip me off. I was relieved when he told me all I needed was turn signal fluid.'
Definition of a teenager? God's punishment...for enjoying sex.
As you slide down the banister of life, may The splinters never point the wrong way

Have fun folks, life is shorter than you think.

Leahs Fresh Herb Chicken Marinade Recipe

I made this after having it at a friends house this past weekend, I couldn't believe how tender the chicken was and the menagerie of herbs really made this fresh bright tasting chicken I broiled up last night. This is an easy winner and is great for all types of chicken whether you are grilling, broiling or roasting.

Ingredients:

The amounts are approximate, pretty much a small handful of each herb, minced. The one thing that I would highly suggest, is that you cut the herbs from your garden just before you are going to use them to make the marinade.
4 sprigs rosemary
5 sprigs cilantro
5 sprigs flat leaf parsley
10 large basil leaves
2 scallions
3-4 cloves garlic
Juice of one lemon
1/2 cup olive oil or more.
Fresh cracked pepper
kosher salt
4-6 chicken thighs with or without skins and bones
large zip lock bag, or container large enough to allow chicken and marinade to marry in.

Directions:

Rinse chicken well and pat dry with paper towels.
Mince finely all herbs and place into bowl.
Add good amount of freshly cracked pepper (1 tablespoon) and add 1 teaspoon or more of kosher salt to bowl.
Add lemon juice and olive oil to bowl and stir marinade.
Pour over chicken in zip lock bag or container.
Marinade for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
Turn bag or chicken over once and awhile so that all parts of the chicken are well coated.
If you are roasting chicken, simply rub marinade all over chicken before placing the bird in a hot oven and roast 15 minutes per pound if not stuffed, 20 minutes if stuffed.
If broiling or grilling, make sure grill surface or broiler is preheated, and cook at least 12 minutes on each side on medium heat.
Serve it up with your favorite side dishes!

The fresh herbs really make this dish work, so if you do not have access to fresh herbs, get them from your neighbor or local farmer's market. If you haven't cooked with fresh herbs, trying this dish will convert you quickly. I know I will be making this dish again and again.

Lamb Gyros with homemade Tzatziki recipe Yogurt Sauce

I had made a wonderful leg of lamb, quite by accident, since I had left the freezer door open overnight. My being so absent-minded did not impress me, but since the leg of lamb was sill quite semi-frozen, I allowed it to completely thaw in the fridge - then made it up with fresh garlic and rosemary. I think I get better at this dish, with every time I make it (recipe is already posted for Roasted Leg of Lamb). The slow roasting at 300 degrees is really the key to allowing the fat to slowly melt and baste the leg of lamb.

Since this was a big leg, almost 7 pounds, you can just say I had enough to feed a small army. I couldn't have a clue that my next meal the very next night would be as delicious as the leg of lamb out of the oven from the night before.

I asked my fellow foodies at GroupRecipes.com what could I do with so much left over leg of lamb. I really was perplexed - and I wasn't one for casseroles, as least not for tonight. It has been so hot lately in NY this summer. When one foodie mentioned gyros, I was instantly interested (thanks Pointseven). I went off to do some surfing and look up and review several recipes, then came up with my own version.

Since lamb is served best either hot or cold, not in between, I decided to try my hand at making homemade tzatziki sauce which is comprised of a low fat yogurt which has been drained of its liquid along with fresh cucumber. I noticed there were a variety of ways to make this sauce as there are a variety of ways to make so called gyros and even more ways to spell this sauce. So here is my take.

We also ended up inviting friends over for dinner, while one of them is a former NYC Chef, and he said many times over how great the meal was - so enjoy this wonderful summer dinner.

Ingredients:

Large pitas that can be sliced in half and opened to create pockets. Figure one large 6-7inch pita per person or more. (Usually found by the deli section at your grocery store sitting in front of the glass case containing your deli cheeses and meats)
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Sauce:
1 large cucumber - skinned, seeds scooped out with spoon, then diced small
2 - 6oz jars of plain lo fat yogurt
1 - 8 oz jar of low fat sour cream - I think I used a larger container.
Juice and zest of one lemon
2 tablespoons or more fresh minced mint leaves
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt - or more as needed
1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
1-2 large cloves of garlic minced super fine.
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For the Platter and Meal:
2 juicy tomatoes diced and salted
1/2 head of lettuce or less shredded
1 large cucumber, peeled leaving a little skin, then sliced thinly, then halved.
Left over leg of lamb, which has been cut into thin strips.
Large platter for serving

Directions:

Prepare tzatziki sauce first, in fact I made mine that afternoon, since you will need the flavors to marry and get to know one another. This could easily be made the night before.
Also this sauce would be perfect will grilled chicken in the pita pockets, or served over poached fish of your choice. This sauce is refreshingly light and quite delicious enough to satisfy carnivores.
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Take either strainer sitting over a bowl or simply a bowl and line it with several layers of cheese cloth (preferred) or clean tea towel (which is what I did).
Pour contents of the containers of plain yogurt and sour cream into the dish towel with is sitting in the bowl, and let sit either in fridge or on your counter for about 1 hour at least. Do not skip this step, let the fluids drain at their own pace.
This allows a lot of the water from the sour cream and the yogurt to be drained creating an extra thick sauce later.
Take to the sink, and with gently squeezing out (like you would with frozen spinach) create a ball with your cheese cloth or dish towel and squeeze out the excess liquid. I even scraped with my fingers on the outside of the 'ball' to get as much as the excess liquid away.
I stopped when little bits of the yogurt seemed to be sneaking through the dish towel.
Using a spatula, scrape out/flip out the contents of the yogurt and sour cream into a bowl.
Rinse your cheese cloth or dish towel to make cleaning it up later a cinch.
To bowl, add all the minced mint, oregano, fresh cracked pepper, salt, lemon juice, minced finely garlic and the skinned, seeds removed diced small cucumber. Stir till the contents are combined. Cover with plastic and put back into fridge to let flavors to become friends.
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To make a pretty platter, make rows of the ingredients. This will allow your guests to create their own pita pockets.
I took a large platter, sliced up farmers market tomatoes and sprinkled them with kosher salt. Letting the cut tomatoes sit for 10 minutes with the salt really gets the juices to flow from the tomatoes and super enhances their flavors.
Make another row of the shredded lettuce and lamb.
The make one last row of thinly sliced and decorated cucumber.
You can either grill your pita bread to make it slightly more pliable, or even sprinkle them with a little water and heat them in the oven for a mere 5 minutes.
I added additional minced mint on top of the lamb on the platter and on top of the zatziki sauce - which really boosted up the viewing factor.
Bring pita, platter and zatziki sauce to the dinner table and serve with fresh seltzer with freshly cut lemons and limes or sangria. We also served up some fresh hummus I has also made (recipe posted) that afternoon.
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To Assemble:
Open pita pocket, take a dollop of tzatziki sauce, then add lamb, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers - and maybe some additional tzatziki sauce and eat up!
Put in serving spoons under rows of ingredients to allow people to easily get their ingredients and place them into their own pita pockets.
Zatziki Sauce lasts at least a week covered in the fridge.

Leahs Rice and Beans with Italian Sausage

I was low in funds, and looked through my cupboards and decided to try my hand at rice and beans. I looked at many recipes, and this is my own spicy version of what I came up with. This can easily be made in a slow cooker/crockpot as well. This made more than I expected, so halve the amount for a family of four. This quite frankly could have fed more than 8 people. Great to use as a hearty side dish too next to say some grilled chicken.

This is a super great dish to serve when you need your food to stretch, I must say. No wonder there are so many variations of this incredibly hearty and comforting dish!

Ingredients:

1 sweet green bell pepper - cut into 1inch chunks
1 jalapeño finely diced
1 large onion, diced
2 cans red kidney beans, rinsed of their canned juices
5 garlic gloves minced
1 Italian dry sausage such as soprasatta, skin removed, sliced thin and halved.
1-1/2 cup rice
3-1/2 cups water/chicken stock
2 tablespoons 'better than bullion-chicken flavored' is using water - which is what I did and prefer than using canned chicken stock.
fresh cracked pepper
olive oil

Directions:

In a large pot, pour enough olive oil to coat the bottom.
On medium heat, add diced onions and sliced sausages. Sautee till onions are wilted and starting to be translucent.
Add both peppers and garlic, let cook one minute.
Add beans and rice.
Add fresh cracked pepper, and additional spices you might like - such as cumin, old bay, hot sauce, etc.
Stir till all ingredients are combined.
Then add water/chicken stock/better than bullion - you might need to add additional water, since you want enough water to be at the same height as all the ingredients in your pot.
Cover with lid and put heat onto high.
Let come to a boil, then put down on lowest setting and cook for 25 minutes or until all water has evaporated.
Serve up with a sprinkling of freshly minced parsley and/or chives. I made an amazing twist of GroupRecipes.com's Foodie: Reciperules' cornbread (link provided) which I used fresh jalapeño versus the chilies and canned corn versus the cream corn as specified in her recipe. It was literally the best tasting corn bread I ever did make.
Photo shown is my dish served along with GR's own Recipesrules' Cornbread Mile High and Moist recipe that I made to go along with the dish: http://www.grouprecipes.com/61838/cornbread-mile-high-and-moist.html

Homemade Lavender Honey Bread

I made up this recipe yesterday, and until I tasted it, it convinced me I had to share this new recipe. Nice twist to your ordinary white loaf, I let my bread machine make the dough, then I let it rise twice...couldn't be easier. The smell in the kitchen and of the bread when baking is amazing and adding edible lavender makes a nice flower touch and look is extra pretty too! Makes a wonderful brunch bread or a twist to french toast!


Ingredients:

• 3-1/2 cups bread flour (though I used unbleached Heckers regular flower with great results)


• 2 teaspoons Rapid-Rise Yeast - its a super active dry yeast (its packaging is bright yellow and pink)


• 2-1/2 tablespoons honey


• 2-1/2 tablespoons olive oil.


• 1 teaspoon salt


• 1-1/3 cup warm water (120 degrees)


• 1/2 cup lavender


• Cookie sheet and parchment paper


• Clean dish towel


• Olive oil greased deep bowl

Directions:

1. Prep time is just a guesstimate, since each bread machine takes it's own time to make just the dough - mine takes 1 hr, 20minutes.


2. My bread machine requires the yeast to be added last, if your requires the yeast to added first, then do it in that order then add the flour and lastly the 'wet' ingredients.


3. *********************************************


4. Select the dough cycle on your bread machine.


5. Add warm water, then add honey, olive oil, salt.


6. In separate bowl, measure out flower and add lavender, mix till combined.


7. Add flour with the lavender, then make small well, and add yeast.


8. Turn on bread machine.


9. Be ready once bread machine has finished its dough cycle, turn out dough onto floured surface.


10. Let sit for ten minutes, knead for five minutes then shape into ball and place into greased bowl. Gently grease top of dough ball with additional olive oil.


11. Cover with clean tea towel and let rise until doubled in size in a warm spot on your kitchen.


12. Depending upon temperature in your kitchen, this can take anywhere from 25 minutes to 2 hours.


13. I have gone shopping, do the laundry whatever, Multi-task my foodies, multi-task!


14. If you have a gas stove, you can 'cheat' and place the bowl with the dough in your oven and let it rise there, it will rise more quickly.


15. Once doubled, punch bread and knead two minutes. Stretch or roll out dough slightly to form a rectangle, then roll up into a log.


16. Please bread dough on the diagonal onto parchment paper on the cookie sheet, making sure to tuck ends under and that the bread rolled up has its seam underneath.


17. Put back into oven or in a warm spot in your kitchen to let double in size.


18. Preheat your oven 375 degrees.


19. Place bread into oven to bake for 25-30 minutes.


20. Bread is done when it sounds hollow when knocked on.


21. Let cool before slicing. Enjoy with jam, butter and/or with honey.

I had some this morning, toasted and served it up with butter and raspberry jam - delicious!

Leahs Homemade Lavender Honey Bread @ Group Recipes