Healthier Samoa Cookies

Healthier Samoa Cookies

1 ripe banana (mashed well)

1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened tastes better, but unsweetened works to--a drier cookie)

1/3 cup dark chocolate, chopped

Optional:

1 tsp coconut oil (to help the chocolate melt smoothly)

Flaky sea salt for topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mix banana and coconut.

Scoop balls of the mixture onto the baking sheet. Flatten slightly and use a chopstick to press a hole into the center of each, forming a ring shape.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Cool completely on the pan.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.

Dip the bottoms of the cooled cookies into the chocolate, place them back on the parchment, and drizzle the remaining chocolate over the tops.

Place the freezer for 5-10 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden. Enjoy!

Keep leftovers in the fridge.

Based on this recipe. Makes about 6 cookies.

Doner Kebab Meat

Doner Kebab Meat

1 lb ground beef (or lamb, or combination of both)

3 large eggs

1 tsp baking powder

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 Tbsp garlic powder

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp dried oregano

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

2 Tbsp Tzatiziki (Primal Kitchen or homemade)

1-2 Tbsp oil

Toppings:

Iceburg lettuce

tomatoes

cucumber

red onion

Feta

More Tzatziki

Just combine everything and brown the meat to enjoy as a bowl with toppings.

Or

Combine everything (in a food processor if you want). Divide into six equal portions and roll into balls.

On a piece of parchment paper, lightly oiled, place two meat balls on the oiled paper about 6 inches apart and flatten into circles. 

Lightly oil the tops and place a second sheet of parchment paper on top. Roll or press the meat until both discs are approximately 1/4 inch thick.  Remove the top sheet of paper and roll the bottom sheet with the meat still inside.  Repeat for the remaining four meatballs.

Place all three parchment rolls on a lined baking sheet. Put in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, turning the parchment rolls mid-way.

Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes. Carefully unwrap the meat. (You are hoping for a taco shell shape to fill ...)

Load up with toppings and enjoy.

Based on this recipe.

Indian Chicken (Rotisserie)

Indian Chicken (Rotisserie)

2 Tablespoons oil (bacon grease)

1 onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons ginger, minced (about 1-inch piece)

2 teaspoons garam masala

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 Tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/2 cup coconut milk

2 Tablespoons peanut butter

1 teaspoon sugar

1 cup chicken stock

1 rotisserie chicken, meat pulled off and chopped

limes

In a large skillet, cook the onion in oil on medium low until translucent (about 5-10 minutes). While the onions cook, measure out the seasonings and combine the sauce ingredients.

Add seasonings and tomato paste. Stir and cook until fragrant (about 1-2 minute).

Add the sauce ingredients, bring to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes.

Add the chicken. Cook until warmed through.

Serve with lime wedges.

Allison's Grandma's Cheeseball Recipe

1/4 cup bell pepper

2 8 ounce cream cheese

1 small can of drained pineapple, crushed

2 Tablespoons chopped onion

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

2 cups chopped pecans

Mix all ingredients, except pecans. Chill. 

Shape into two balls. Chill again.

Roll balls in pecans.

From Allison's mom, Beth Carraway Crumpton: This is a (cheeseball) recipe that I got from my mother several years ago. It is a favorite for special get-togethers.

Carmen's Peanut Butter Bars

Carmen says these Peanut Butter Bars don't double well, just make multiple batches if you need a bunch.

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 14 full crackers)

2 cups confectioners' sugar*

1 cup butter, melted**

1 cup peanut butter*** (226 g)

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

4 Tablespoons peanut butter (63 g)

Mix together graham cracker crumbs, confectioners´ sugar, butter or margarine, and 1 cup peanut butter in a medium bowl until well blended.

Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13-inch pan.

Place chocolate chips and 4 Tablespoons peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high, stirring every 15 seconds, until smooth.

Spread mixture over crust.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into 12 (or 32) squares.

*Sift to avoid having to break up lumps

**Melt in a 2-cup glass measuring cup and then use it to melt the chocolate chip/pb mixture

***Carmen uses Winco peanut butter

Things to try:

-using natural peanut butter

-sprinkling with finishing salt

-using dark chocolate

Cinnamon Pie Crust Sticks (Cimmi Cakes)

Cinnamon Pie Crust Sticks (Cimmi Cakes)

For the pie crust:

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), from the refrigerator, grated and placed in the freezer

1/2 cup full-fat sour cream, measured and kept in the fridge until ready to use

2 cups flour (260 g)

1 teaspoon salt

After grating the butter and measuring the sour cream, whisk together flour and salt.

Using hands, work the butter into the flour mixture. 

Add sour cream and work in with a fork. Once it starts to clump, knead with hands until the dough comes together. 

Divide in two, form disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. 

Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

To make Cinnamon Pie Crust Sticks with one disk of dough:

Cinnamon Sugar (1:4 ratio):

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

4 Tablespoons (1/4 cup) sugar

Melt 1/2 stick of salted butter.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

On a floured surface, roll out pie crust to 1/8th of an inch.  

Cut into strips or shapes.

On cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, place the strips and shapes about an inch apart.

Paint with melted butter.

Generously sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar.

Bake for about 8-10 minutes until puffed and golden around the edges.

Remove from the oven an let cool slightly on the pan, then move to cooling racks.

Freezer Meals

Ham and Cheese Quiche

8 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup cheese

1 cup ham

Mix together and pour into freezer bag. Take out as much air as possible when sealing.

To cook:

Thaw completely.

Shake bag gently and pour into pie crust.

Bake at 350 for 40-60 minutes, until lightly browned and center is set.

Cool 5 minutes before serving.