Hummus

Every now and then we discover a treat that is tasty & healthy.

Makes: 1 1/2 cup
Prep Time: 10 minutes


Ingredients:
1 can of garbanzo beans
1/4 c diced red peppers
2 tsp Tahini
2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 c grated Parmesan (optional)
juice of  a half lemon
salt & pepper to taste

• Drain beans reserving 1/4 cup of juice
• Place all ingredients in a blender/food processor 
• Blend/process until smooth
• Serve with a veggie platter and pita bread

Scallop Fritters

These wonderful little apps were inspired by my friends Monday dinner nights, where the theme was Under the Sea.

Servings: 12 or 2 fritters per person
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c Flour
1 1/2 c Corn Meal
1 Tbsp Baking Powder
1/2 c Grated Romano and or Parmesan Cheese
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Paprika
1/2 c Green Onion, chopped
1/2 c Red Pepper, chopped
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 lb scallops coarsely chopped
1 tsp Lemongrass
Vegetable oil

• In a large bowl whisk 1st 7 ingredients
• Stir in onions and peppers, set mixture aside
• Add eggs to a small bowl. Whisk in lemongrass and fish sauce
• Add eggs & milk to flour mixture
• Stir in Scallops, cover and refrigerate for a 1/2 hour
• Preheat oil in a large skillet with 4 inch sides or deep fryer
• Drop tablespoons of fritter mixture into hot oil and fry for about 6 minutes or until fritters are golden brown
• With a slotted spoon place fritters on a plate with paper towels
• Serve with a garlicky aioli and lemon wedges

Pizza Dumplings

These little dumplings make great appetizers. There is no wrong filling choice. You can use sausage, ground meats, diced chicken, steak or pork, seafood or make them vegetarian.

Makes: 20 dumplings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup pizza sauce
1/3 cup grated Romano or Parmesan
2 tsp oregano
1 1/2 tbsp fresh basil, minced
1 cup prepared, ground chicken sausage, room temperature
10 oz fresh mozzarella cut into 20 identical pieces
1/2 cup mascarpone
20 won ton wraps
1 bowl of water, room temperature
Wax Paper
Olive Oil

• Preheat conventional oven to 400 degrees
• Butter a large cookie sheet with 1/2 inch sides
• In a medium bowl mix pizza sauce with Romano, oregano & basil. Set aside.
• Place a won ton on waxed paper
• Place 1 piece mozzarella, 1 tsp mascarpone, 2 tsp sausage, 1 tbsp pizza sauce

• Brush sides of won ton with water
• Press opposite corners of won ton together
• Twist top of won ton with wet fingers

• Place on cookie sheet
• Repeat steps 4 through 9
• Brush each with olive oil
• Bake for 12 minutes

ENJOY!

Freezing Herbs - Basil

Herbs are expensive! I'm either overpaying for not enough of them in a grocery store or buying them in bulk at a wholesale warehouse and purchasing way more than I will get a chance to use prior to them spoiling. Either way it's a waste of money or food. So I have started freezing fresh herbs in ice cube trays. The trays are awesome  because most of them make 1 oz cubes, perfect for baby food, herbs and concentrated liquids.

In the above picture I process about 8 ounces of fresh basil leaves and a 1/2 cup of olive oil. Then I spooned it into the tray. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and freeze. Once frozen pop the herbs out of trays and place in a  freezer bag or freezer safe, air tight container.  I use olive oil because when adding basil to a recipe, I'm typically adding olive oil as well. However, if you'd rather not use oil, pour a tablespoon of water into each section of tray, process basil or fresh parsley, spoon into trays, cover with plastic wrap and freeze.

Fried Chicken Leg Sandwich

Bite Cafe' serves this sandwich on french bread. It's awesome!!!!

Recipe makes 2 sandwiches

Ingredients

2 Fried Chicken Legs with bones removed

1/4 cup coleslaw

2 tsp Tabasco

2 Hamburger Buns or Rolls toasted

 Dill Pickles

Spread coleslaw and 1 teaspoon of Tabasco on each bun

Divide chicken between buns

Top with pickle 

Serve & Enjoy!

Lobster Ravioli

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Blueberry Pancakes

I love blueberries! They are awesome in everything from smoothies to oatmeal to sauces. In the following pancake recipe I make my normal lemony, fluffy pancakes and place the berries in each pancakes individually.




(This picture came from Allrecipes.com/ Todd's Blueberry Pancakes)



Servings: 4 (2 pancakes per serving)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
4 Tbsp Sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 large egg
1 cup milk
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1 cup blueberries
Cooking Spray

• In a medium bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and sugar
• Form a well in the middle of flour mixture
• Pour egg, milk, lemon juice and vanilla in well and stir, making sure to scrap sides of bowl, until mixture is smooth with only a few lumps, about 20 strokes.
• Pour mixture into a 2 cup liquid measuring cup or use a ladle to pour batter
• Preheat large pan or griddle on medium heat.
• Spray pan with cooking spray
• Add batter to pan 1/4 cup at a time
• Drop berries into pancakes one at a time (this way you get a blueberries in each bite)
• When pancakes are light brown flip.
• Remove from pan when pancakes look fluffy and edges are cooked.
• Serve with your favorite syrup and enjoy!

I like mine with sour cream mixed with raw agave and topped with pecans. YUM!