Hummus

This is soo yummy!!!

1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) drained and rinsed

1 garlic clove minced

3 Tbsp lemon juice

3 Tbsp Tahini

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp cumin

1/8 tsp red pepper

4-6 Tbsp water, divided

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp minced fresh parsley (optional)

Combine the chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, salt, pepper, cumin, red pepper and 3 Tbsp water in a food processor. Process until smooth. With processor running pour in olive oil. Process until combined. Add additional water by tablespoon until you reach the consistency you like.

Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. For optimal flavor, refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. RIght before serving top with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped parsley.

Serve with pita chips, crackers or veggies.

to make your own pita chips preheat oven to 350. Place pitas on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. then sprinkle with kosher salt. I also like to add parsley, basil, and garlic powder. Bake 8-10 min.

Buttermilk Raspberry Breakfast Cake

The original recipe was for blueberries but I dont like them and I didnt have any so I subbed raspberries. I think it turned out really good.

½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tsp. lemon zest or more — zest from 1 large lemon
7/8 cup* + 1 tablespoon sugar**
1 egg, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 cups fresh blueberries
½ cup buttermilk

* 7/8 cup = 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons
** This 1 tablespoon is for sprinkling on top

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Cream butter with lemon zest and 7/8 cup of the sugar until light and fluffy.

2. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Meanwhile, toss the blueberries with ¼ cup of flour, then whisk together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt.

3. Add the flour mixture to the batter a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk. Fold in the blueberries.

4. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan (or something similar) with butter or coat with non-stick spray. Spread batter into pan. Sprinkle batter with remaining tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick for doneness. If necessary, return pan to oven for a couple of more minutes. (Note: Baking for as long as 10 minutes more might be necessary.) Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

*I used closer to 1 C. of the buttermilk and I also sprinkled the sugar in the raw on top instead of granulated sugar.

Buttermilk waffles with buttermilk syrup

My granny used to make buttermilk waffles. Unfortunately nobody got the recipe before she died :(

So I went searching for a good recipe and a friend of mine shared hers. I AM IN LOVE! They are so yummy. My 10 year old asks for them weekly. Needless to say we always have buttermilk on hand. Even if I dont make the waffles we always keep the syrup in the fridge. It is THAT good.

Buttermilk Waffles

2 eggs

2 C. buttermilk

2 C. flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2-3 tsp sugar

Mix together and cook in a hot waffle iron

Buttermilk Syrup

1 C. buttermilk

1/2 C. butter (1 stick)

1 tsp baking soda

2 C. sugar

3 Tbsp corn syrup

In a LARGE pot stir together and boil for 5 minutes then stir in 2 tsp vanilla.

Homemade cheese its

8 oz finely shredded sharp cheese
1/2 stick unsalted butter at room temp
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1 c flour
2 Tbsp ice water

In bowl of mixer mix cheese, butter and salt until soft and combined. Add flour and mix on low. Slowly add the water and mix until dough forms a ball. Pat the dough onto a disk. Wrap tightly with plastic and refrigerate for at lease an hour.
Preheat oven to 375•. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Divide dough in half. Roll very thin 1/8 inch or less. Cut into one inch square and poke center with chopstick then transfer to baking sheets and bake 15-18 min. 15 was perfect for mine bit watch last few min as they can burn easily.

Benihana rice

I LOVE Benihana chicken fried rice!! I found this recipe and HAD to try it. Its really close to the same taste!!

2 ounces cooked chicken
8 ounces steamed rice
2 eggs
2 tablespoons onion, chopped
2 tablespoons carrot, chopped
2 tablespoons green onion, chopped
2 tablespoons green peas
1 teaspoon sesame seed
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon oil (use for cooking veggies)
2 teaspoons soy sauce (or more to taste)
6 pinches pepper
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp fresh grated ginger
Sesame seeds
Salt to taste


Directions:
- Scramble eggs and chop after cooking.
- Saute chopped onion, green onion, seasoning and carrot Saute chopped onion, green onion, seasoning and carrots in the oil until done and mix with chopped scrambled egg and chicken. 

- Break off chunks of steamed rice and mix with vegetable, egg and chicken. 
- Add sesame seed, minced garlic, ginger, salt and pepper, stirring well. 
- Add butter and soy sauce into the mixture, stirring well until done.

Chicken Curry Soup

2 lb chicken cooked and shredded
1 large onion finely chopped
2 large carrots finely chopped
1 celery stalk finely chopped
3 garlic cloves crushed
1 tsp crushed ginger
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp coriander
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp tumeric
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves
1 bay leaf
1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 c. chicken stock
1/2 C. cream
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot fry the onion, carrots and celery in a bit of olive oil until soft.
add garlic and ginger fry for another min before adding tomatoes and spices. cook 2 minutes. add sugar and stir into spicy mixture. add chicken and stir to coat well. pour in stock and let soup simmer about 10 min or until veggies are cooked.

Caramels

These are the best!!! You can cook them and cut them or dip pretzel rods in them. Either way so yummy!!!

1 c butter
1 c karo syrup
2 c granulated sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Candy thermometer

Put butter, syrup and sugar in pan over med high heat. Stirring until dissolved. Get to a steady boiling point. Boil 4 min WITHOUT stirring. Remove from heat and add milk. Put back on heat and heat to 250* stirring pretty constant. Pour into buttered 9x13 Pam. Refrigerate til set then cut into squares and wrap in waxes paper.