Black Bean Salsa

Another from Todd - it is very tasty!

"We’ve been loving this quick and easy dip!"

• 1-2 tomatoes
• 1 can black beans - drained
• 1 avocado - chopped
• 1/2 bunch green onions
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 to 1/2 bunch cilantro

• Dressing:
• 1/4 cup Olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tsp cumin

• Add all ingredients and mix.

One new trick I learned - leave the avocado pit in the salsa and it won't turn the avocado brown...nice!

Peanut Butter Snowballs

One of Josie's favorites. And, I kind of think that it isn't all that unhealthy, at least until you get to the powdered sugar...We usually triple the batch as it makes so few! Last night I made a triple batch and it made around 80. (I know, that's a lot...but we travel with our candies to many houses during the holidays). I try to make them uniform in size...but well, that never quite works.

3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter (when tripling - I use 1 1/2 cup of crunchy and 3/4 of creamy)
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup powdered milk
3/4 cup quick cook oats
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (yeah for the genius who finally put this on the shelves!)

powdered sugar

Mix together and form balls. Roll in powdered sugar and keep chilled.

One thing to look out for with this one is that sometimes the peanuts inhibit stickiness - just keep rolling and sort of pick out a few of the nuts.

Sponge Candy

Woot! I have finally tried to make what is one of my favorite candies! (Next year I'll tackle toffee!) JJ was convinced I was going to blow up the kitchen. Had I actually succeeded at that, my wish for a new kitchen would have had to come true! But, sadly, the kitchen is in tact and the candy turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself.

1 cup white sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 T vinegar (I used apple cider, but I think white would work too)
1 T baking soda
1 lb chocolate bark / candy coating

Butter a 9 x 13 pan (I overdid this part and it released well, but there was a grease to the bottom of the candy that I wiped off with paper towel)

* Bust out your candy thermometer...

Cook sugar, corn syrup & vinegar. Stir only until sugar dissolves. Heat without stirring to 300º - 310º or a small amount forms brittle threads in cold water.
Remove from heat and stir in soda - sprinkle to avoid clumps and stir like crazy. Pour into pan, don't try to spread. Cool completely.

Melt chocolate. Break candy and dip into chocolate and cool

A few thoughts - I was able to use a pretty small, but heavy pan. It didn't expand as I thought it would.

Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

These are yummy! At first, we thought there wasn't enough mix to support all the extras - raisins, cranberries, and white chocolate chips. In the end I actually added a little more flour and oatmeal. I may tweak it a little more in the next attempt.

1 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups AP flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 cups quick-cook oats
1 cup raisins
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1 TBsp grated orange peel
1 12oz pkg vanilla chips

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs - 1 at a time, beating well after each (this part we forgot!)
Beat in vanilla.
Combine flower, baking powder, salt, and baking soda and gradually add to creamed mix. Stir in oats, raisins, cranberries, and orange peel. Stir in vanilla chips.

Drop by tsp 2" apart.
375º 10 - 12 minutes

A few thoughts: I used 1/2 cup fresh cranberries because the dough didn't seem like it could support full cup. In future, I will add all. Also, it was first time cutting fresh berries and wasn't quite sure what to do with the tiny seeds - didn't seem to bother recipe tho!
I also turned the oven to 365º and went 11 minutes, we must have a hot oven!

Hope you enjoy these!

Saffron Orzo

Here’s a good basic orzo recipe I like:

Saffron Orzo:

• 4 cups chicken stock

• 1 teaspoon saffron threads

• 1 pound dried orzo

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 lemon, juiced

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

In a large pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, bringing the stock to a simmer. Add the saffron, stir, and allow the saffron to bloom - about 5 minutes. Return the heat to medium and the stock to a boil, then add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain orzo and transfer to a large bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parsley. Toss to combine.

Yield: 6 servings

Stuffed Pasta Shells

Proven to be another favorite at the Liebenow house

1/2 lb ground beef, or Italian sausage

1 package frozen spinach, drained and chopped

1/2 lb cottage cheese

3 cloves garlic - chopped

Juice from 1/2 lemon

1/4 cup Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated

Jumbo pasta shells (~18-20)

Salt & pepper

1 tsp oregano

1 beaten egg

Spaghetti sauce

Swiss & or Mozzarella cheese

Cook approximately 18-20 jumbo pasta shells, drain and place in cold water.

Brown Gr. Beef, - drain. Mix together the following: Spinach, cottage cheese, garlic, lemon, juice, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, and egg. Add ground beef.

Drain chilled shells. Stuff shells with mixture. Arrange in cooking pan. (Pyrex) Cover with approx. 1 Tbsp spaghetti sauce per shell. Cover with swiss of mozzarella cheese. Dust with oregano. Bake at 350 for 1/2 hour.

Grilled Sweet & Hot Garlic Shrimp

Awesome and quick response! The following posts are a few recipes from Todd & Mary. I'm still not sure this is the best way to do this kind of collection, but I'm working on it

;) This one sounds so delish!! We'll have to try it soon!


Grilled Sweet & Hot Garlic Shrimp

24 fresh shrimp, peeled & de-veined

1/8 lb butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp lime or lemon pepper

1 tsp Soy sauce

1/2 cup sweet chili sauce

Fresh cilantro to taste as garnish

Juice of 1 lime

Melt butter, add garlic, and saute. (don't burn it, though)

Remove from heat, and add remaining ingredients. Mix well.

Can then either brush onto shrimp skewers for grilling, or add shrimp to saute pan, and continue to cook until done.

*Great on salads with fresh raspberries, bacon bits, slivered almonds, topped with fresh strawberry dressing.

*Try as tacos or fajitas. Red bell peppers, cheese, romaine, and sour cream rolled in flour tortillas. Yummy!