Sundried tomato hummus

This is a recipe I got from my friend, she always seems to make it better than I do even if I do it exactly how her recipe is. This batch turned out really good. I used my chili powder that I made and it has some chipotle in it so it has a nice smoky flavor. You could use a chipotle in adobo if you like the smoky-ness.

I like to eat this with carrots, celery, crackers or toasted bread. It is a nice snack to have around. Every time I make it I think why have I waited so long to make this again! Sorry about the bad picture, I think santa is bringing me a camera so I wont have to keep using my phone.

2 cans garbanzo beans drained

6 sun dried tomatoes, re hydrated in boiling water

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup oil (I used canola)

Juice of 2 lemons

Spices, as I said I used 1 t of my chili powder. You can put oregano and basil or cumin or whatever you like.

1 t fresh ground pepper

1t or more salt to taste (I think I used almost a T of kosher salt)

Water, enough to make it as smooth as you like I used about 3/4 cup

Throw it all in the food processor or blender and mix until desired consistency.

Never Fail Sugar Cookies

4 cups flour

1 cup butter or shortening

1/2 t salt

1 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

Mix until crumbly and no big pieces of butter are visible

In a separate bowl mix well

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 t vanilla or almond extract

Combine mixture just until a ball forms, do not over mix or it will get tough.

Roll and cut out into shapes, Bake at 350 until set, do not over bake. These are good frosted but today I just put sprinkles on before we baked them.

Peanut Butter Pie

I looked through a few recipes online and looked to see what I had in the cupboard and fridge and this is what I came up with. It was good, not too sweet but still pretty rich.

1 graham cracker crust

Filling
1 8 oz red fat cream cheese
1 cup peanut butter
1 small box instant vanilla pudding
1 cup milk
1/2 8 oz cool whip

Grated chocolate for topping

Mix cream cheese and peanut butter until combined. Add pudding and milk and mix, then add cool whip last. Spoon into pie shell, sprinkle with chocolate and refrigerate. You could use a chocolate crust too.

Easy Candy

Here are a couple of easy candy recipes I have been making. The fudge is almost too easy. Each of these recipes can be doubled without any problems. The pictures are not the best, I just used my phone but one of these days I will be a little less lazy and get the camera out.

Rocky Road Fudge

1 can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

1 bag chocolate chips, I use semi-sweet

3 cups mini marshmallows

1 cup chopped walnuts

Heat the milk in the microwave or a saucepan just until it starts to get warm. Add chocolate chips, stir until melted, you can put back into microwave just do it a little at a time so you don't overcook it. Add marshmallows and walnuts, spread in greased 8X8 pan. If you double it a 9X13 works great. It is kind of thick mixture and you have to press it into the pan. Chill until hard and cut up.

Peanut butter chocolate truffles

1/2 cup peanut butter

3 T softened butter

1 cup powdered sugar

Mix well and shape into balls. (I used my smallest cookie scoop)

Chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Dip in melted chocolate. I used chocolate almond bark but you could use chocolate chips too.

The pretzels are just dipped in white almond bark that I melted in the microwave. If it seems too thick after you melt it you can add shortening to thin it out a little. I like to put sprinkles on for some color.

Sausage and Peppers

This is a quick easy pasta dish that is very versatile. It could easily be made vegetarian by omitting the sausage and adding more vegetables like zucchini or yellow squash, you could also use portabello instead of just white mushrooms. This time I made it with bulk Italian sausage but you could use a smoked sausage and just slice it up.

16 0z Italian Sausage

1 red bell pepper diced

1 small onion diced

1 8 oz container mushrooms sliced (you could use canned)

Diced squash or other veggies

Saute this until the sausage and peppers are really nice and browned.

Then add

3 cloves garlic minced

1 16 oz can diced tomatoes with juice

1 16 oz can tomato sauce

1 t dried oregano

1 t Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

I used a hot sausage but if you use mild you could add some red pepper flakes

Simmer until all veggies are soft.

Banana Bread

This is a little healthier than most banana breads. I have substituted applesauce for some of the oil and sugar and put in half whole wheat flour. Check the label if you buy applesauce, some of it contains a lot of sugar or HFCS.

This makes 2 small loaves or one big one

3 mashed bananas

1 can applesauce

2 eggs

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

Mix well then add dry ingredients

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cups white flour

3 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

Optional 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and 1 t cinnamon

Bake at 350 until golden on top and skewer comes out clean when tested.

Quick Cinnamon Rolls

Quick Cinnamon Rolls

3 T yeast
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 1/3 cup warm water

Combine and let sit 10-15 minutes until foamy

2 eggs
1 t salt
5-6 cups flour, I use half whole wheat

Add to yeast mixture stir to combine or use mixer and mix or knead for 5 minutes.

Roll out and spread softened butter on and add sugar and cinnamon.

Cut into cinnamon rolls (I use dental floss to cut, it does not smash as much as a knife)

Let rise approx 10 minutes and bake at 350

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough/Breadsticks

Whole wheat pizza dough/breadsticks

1 cup warm water
1 T oil
1 T sugar or honey
1 T yeast
1 t salt
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, you can start with 2 and then add more if it is too sticky

Combine first 5 ingredients and let sit 5 minutes. Add flour mix well.
Roll into breadsticks or onto pizza stone. Bake at 350
For the pizza I like to cook the crust for a few minutes before I put the sauce and toppings on.
For breadsticks you can put melted butter, cheese, garlic salt or anything you like. I have made it with pre-made pesto and some cheese on it and that is good too.