Fresh Pesto

I've made this one a ton and it is delish! Perfect to have in the refrigerator and put a bit on pasta or even on salad. I don't usually put in the tomatoes since some people don't like them, but it sounds good. It will last for a month or more in the fridge but you can freeze it in cube shapes and have some throughout the year. I have a lot of fresh basil and parsley so it is the best!

6 cloves Garlic
4 cups fresh Basil or 1 cup dried Basil
1 cup fresh Parsley
6 Tbs. raw Nuts (pine almond, hazelnut pumpkin)
1 cup or more of Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. each of Real Salt and Pepper
2 Tbs. sun dried Tomatoes

Combine all ingredients in a food processor (with an S-blade) or in a blender. Blend until smooth.

To Die For Blueberry Muffins

So, I tried this recipe this morning and it was really good! I substituted buttermilk for the milk, however, as I had some extra and buttermilk makes everything better;-) It was a bit dry so I added about 1/8 of a cup more of the buttermilk. Super good and the crumb topping is not flour-y at all the way some are.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
3. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/To-Die-For-Blueberry-Muffins/Detail.aspx

Tomato, Avocado, Feta Chicken

While I'm at it I might as well add this other favorite summertime grilled chicken recipe. It's one we kinda made up so the amounts aren't really exact. We typically use one avocado/tomato for the two of us.

Topping:

Mix together equal amounts of chopped tomatoes, chopped avocados and crumbled feta cheese. Add salt, pepper and lime juice to taste.

Grill or bake chicken breasts. Add topping and serve. Yummm.

Spice-Rubbed Chicken with Black Bean Salsa

This recipe was kinda tedious with all the chopping of veggies, but it was really good (and healthy- only 325 calories per serving). Sheldon and I love grilled chicken with a salsa topping and this is a great addition to our recipe book.

Salsa:

1 large tomato, diced
1/2 cup diced cucumber
1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
3 T. finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime, juiced


Chicken:

4 (5 to 6 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Olive Oil


Dry Rub Mix:

2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cayenne


1. For the salsa: In a large bowl combine tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, beans, cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

2. Preheat grill to medium (300-350 degrees F). Brush chicken lightly with oil. Rub chicken with dry rub mix. Place chicken on grill. Grill 6-8 minutes per side or until an instant read thermometer registers 165 degrees F. Serve with black bean salsa.

Serves 4

Baked Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Style

A good way to eat your veggies. Asher loved it and he's super picky. Should make about 6 servings.

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
about 20 oz. marinara of your choice
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook your squash. I prefer to microwave it because it is just WAY faster. Cut squash in half and scoop out the seeds and fibers with a spoon. Before microwaving be sure to pierce a few holes in the squash skin with a large knife, skewer or an ice pick to allow steam to escape. Place squash halves, cut side up in a large microwave safe dish with 1/4 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and pierce the wrap in a few places to allow steam to escape. Microwave on High power for 10 - 20 minutes or until the skin gives easily under pressure (using an oven mitt.) Let it cool for about 10 minutes.

2. Using a fork, scrape the pasta-like insides out onto a large plate or bowl.

3. In a casserole dish layer half of the spaghetti squash strands, half the marinara, and half the mozzarella cheese. Repeat for a second layer using the remaining squash, marinara and mozzarella cheese. Top with Parmesan cheese.

5. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until Parmesan cheese melts.

Homemade Marshmallows

Here is the famous marshmellow recipe by Marth Stewart. These things are so good! They work really well with Fondue. I am going to make some for the holidays and give them to friends along with some homemade cocoa mix. If you're feeling adventurous you can also add some peppermint extract. Mmmm mmmm.

Ingredients
Makes 24

Vegetable oil, for brushing
4 envelopes unflavored gelatin (3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons)
3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1.Brush a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with oil. Line with parchment, allowing a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Brush parchment with oil; set aside.

2.Put granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 3/4 cup water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cook, without stirring, until mixture registers 238 degrees.on a candy thermometer, about 9 minutes.

3.Meanwhile, put 3/4 cup cold water into the bowl of an electric mixer; sprinkle with gelatin. Let soften 5 minutes.

4.Attach bowl with gelatin to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. With mixer on low speed, beat hot syrup into gelatin mixture. Gradually raise speed to high; beat until mixture is very stiff, about 12 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Pour into prepared dish, and smooth with an offset spatula. Set aside, uncovered, until firm, about 3 hours.

5.Sift 1 cup confectioners' sugar onto a work surface. Unmold marshmallow onto confectioners' sugar; remove parchment. Lightly brush a sharp knife with oil, then cut marshmallow into 2-inch squares. Sift remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar into a small bowl, and roll each marshmallow in the sugar to coat. Marshmallows can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days.
.

Recipe found on the Martha Stewart website here.