Fig & Olive Tapenade

Fig & Olive Tapenade
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Appetizer
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 1 c. dried figs, chopped
  • ½ c. water
  • ⅔ c. Kalamata olives, chopped
  • ⅓ c. toasted walnuts, chopped
  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Combine figs & water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil & cook until tender, and liquid has reduced.
  2. Remove from heat & stir in the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, thyme, & cayenne.
  3. Add olives & garlic, & mix well. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
  4. Cover & refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend.
  5. Unwrap cream cheese block & place on a serving platter. Spoon tapenade over cheese, & sprinkle with walnuts. Serve with slices of French bread or crackers.

Photo Courtesy of Meal Makeover Moms on Flickr

Jillian Michael Brownies

Carrie Says: These were modified slightly from the original recipe.

Jillian Michael Brownies
 
Author: 
Nutrition Information
  • Serves: 16
  • Serving size: 1
  • Calories: 82.8
  • Fat: 2.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16.2 g
  • Fiber: 1.2g
  • Protein: 1.3 g
Recipe type: Dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • ⅔ c. mild honey
  • ⅓ c. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ c. white whole wheat flour
  • ¼ tsp aluminum free baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ c. unsweetened apple sauce
  • ¾ tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large egg
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8" square pan with olive oil. Set aside.
  2. Place the honey in a large glass measuring cup. Microwave on high power until the honey is runny & just bubbling, 45 to 60 seconds. Add cocoa & stir with a fork until well combined. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, place the flour, baking powder, baking soda, & salt. Whisk until well combined.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, oil, egg, & vanilla. Whisk together until well blended. Add honey, cocoa mixture & whisk until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the liquid mixture & stir until no traces of flour remain. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake until the surface looks dry around the edges of the pan & a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it, about 25 minutes. Do not overbake. Place the pan on a cooling rack & let cool completely before slicing into 16 squares.
  6. Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

 

Photo Courtesy of yum9me on Flickr

Fudge

Fudge
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 12 oz. Carnation milk
  • 4½ c. sugar
  • ½ stick real butter
  • 24 oz. chocolate chips
  • 16 oz. Hershey's candy bars
  • 1 large glass jar marshmallow creme
  • Nuts (your choice, optional)
Instructions
  1. Break the Hershey's candy bars into small pieces. Put all ingredients into a very large mixing bowl.
  2. Bring to a boil the sugar, milk, & butter & boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
  3. Pour hot mixture over chocolate, Hershey's, & marshmallow mixture; stir until melted.
  4. Put part of the fudge in an 8" square buttered glass dish & add nuts of your choice to the remainder.
  5. Put the remainder in a 9"x13" buttered glass dish.

Photo Courtesy of theilr on Flickr

Michelle’s Classic Salsa

Michelle Says: Use real apple cider vinegar – the flavored stuff is not the same.  Make sure to have plenty of tortilla chips on hand, as the salsa is even better fresh than canned!  Wear rubber gloves when handling the peppers.

Michelle's Classic Salsa
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Condiment
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 12 c. tomatoes
  • 6 c. onions
  • 2-10 jalapeno peppers (to taste)
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 2 c. green bell peppers
  • 3 tbsp non-iodized salt
  • ¼ c. sugar
  • 1 c. apple cider vinegar
Instructions
  1. Chop each ingredient with a food processor, being careful not to chop too finely or chop by hand. Mix all ingredients together.
  2. Test for degree of "hotness" by adding chopped jalapenos one at a time.
  3. Pack in hot, clean canning jars; seal & water bathe can for 25 minutes for pints & 30 minutes for quarts.

Photo Courtesy of Cowgirl Jules on Flickr

 

Burnt Sugar (Caramel) Cake

Marilyn Says: You can substitute 2½ c. Softasilk cake flour for the sifted regular flour.

Burnt Sugar (Caramel) Cake
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 2⅓ c. sugar
  • ½ c. water, boiling
  • ½ c. shortening, softened
  • 1⅓ tsp salt
  • 3 eggs
  • 2⅓ c. sifted flour
  • 2½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ c. cream
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 3 c. sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
  1. Melt 1 c. sugar in heavy skillet over low heat, stirring constantly. Heat until melted to a golden brown syrup, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add boiling water & stir over low heat until lumps are dissolved. Pour into measuring cup ¼ c. of caramel mixture & add enough cold water to make 1 c. of liquid.
  2. Cream together the softened shortening & remaining sugar until fluffy. Beat in thoroughly eggs. Sift together the flour, baking powder, & 1 tsp. salt. Stir in alternately with caramel mixture. Pour into two 9" layer pans or 13"x9" oblong pan & bake 35 minutes in preheated 350°F oven.
  3. Heat together remaining caramel mixture, cream, & butter to make the burnt sugar frosting. Beat in the powdered sugar, salt, & vanilla extract.

 

Photo Courtesy of Personal Creations on Flickr