Green Smoothie

I adapted this recipe from Annie's Eats and it was yummy!

Yield: 2-3 servings
Ingredients:
1 banana (frozen or not), cut into chunks
1 cup chopped pineapple
1½ cups orange juice
2½ cups baby spinach leaves, rinsed and dried
1-2 tbsp. honey

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until completely smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness with additional honey, if desired. Serve immediately.

Lemon Meringue Pie

I was shocked that my meringue came out so beautifully!

My husband, Neil loves lemon meringue pie.  His grandmother's pie is his favorite.  I wanted to surprise him on his 31st birthday with his favorite pie.  It was a little harder to make that I thought it would be, but I was pretty impressed with how it turned out.  I found the recipe here.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 lemons, juiced and zested (I didn't use zest b/c I was too tired to zest the lemon)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
• 4 egg whites
• 6 tablespoons white sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. To Make Lemon Filling: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water, lemon juice and lemon zest. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in butter. Place egg yolks in a small bowl and gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of hot sugar mixture. Whisk egg yolk mixture back into remaining sugar mixture. Bring to a boil and continue to cook while stirring constantly until thick. Remove from heat. Pour filling into baked pastry shell.
3. To Make Meringue: In a large glass or metal bowl, whip egg whites until foamy. Add sugar gradually, and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over pie, sealing the edges at the crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until meringue is golden brown.

Matzah (unleavened bread)

I made Matzah bread for Sunday school this week.  Our teacher needed some to have a visual for The Last Supper so I volunteered to make it.  I really volunteered because my grandmother used to make unleavened bread every week for her church.  She never missed  a Sunday and made the stuff for years.  I even remember "helping" her sometimes.  It was so easy!  I watched this video for instructions.

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour (Do NOT use self-rising flour)

3/4 cup water

2 tablespoons olive oil

Mix all ingredients together and roll out until flat onto a baking sheet.  Poke holes with a fork.  Bake at 475 degrees for 6-7 minutes or until crisp.  

Hammie Egg Sammies

I found this recipe on Pinterest. It was quick and easy and apparently somewhat healthy. Sadly, I forgot to add green onions and the cheese, but the ham, egg, salt and pepper, tasted just fine.

Ingredients
Eggs
Ham slices (thin)
Salt & Pepper
Green onions (optional)
Shredded cheese (any kind optional)

Directions
Place sliced ham in muffin pan cups.
Put eggs in each ham cup.
Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with cheese and green onions and serve immediately.

Heart Shape Calzones

I love calzones for the versatility. You can throw virtually any type of ingredients inside, sprinkle a little cheese, and bake to perfection. With versatility also come options for presentation. I saw some heart shape calzones on Pinterest and decided to give ‘em a whirl.

I started off with my absolute favorite pizza crust recipe from Martha Stewart. I typically always have some on hand because we are definitely pizza eaters.

Calzone Dough
*freezer friendly

Ingredients
•1 1/2 cups warm (115 degrees) water
•2 packets (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
•1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for bowl
•2 tablespoons sugar
•2 teaspoons coarse salt
•2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for kneading
•2 cups whole-wheat flour (spooned and leveled)

Directions
1.Place water in a large bowl; sprinkle with yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Brush another large bowl with oil.
2.In bowl with yeast, whisk sugar, oil, and salt. Stir in flours with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. Transfer to oiled bowl; brush top of dough with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; let stand in a warm spot until dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3.Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. With floured hands, knead until smooth, about 15 seconds; divide into two balls.
4.Set balls on a plate (they should not touch); freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Then freeze in a freezer bag up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
*If you aren’t freezing, then skip #4 and just use the dough!

Calzone Filling
-whatever your heart desires
-I used marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and ground beef flavored with hamburger seasoning.

Directions
-use a heart shape cookie cutter (or just free hand it)
-spread your marinara, cheese and toppings on one piece of the heart (leave a little room around the edges to seal the calzone)
-place the other heart dough on top and seal the edges with a fork
-brush the top with some melted butter and sprinkle a little salt or garlic salt
-place in a pre-heated oven (400 degrees) for 12-15 minutes

Enjoy! It’s perfect for your special someone on Valentine’s Day!

Granola Bars

This is the second time that I've made these granola bars. The first time they crumbled, but still tasted great. I ate the whole batch as cereal. This time they stayed together a little better, but I'll still probably eat with milk or sprinkled on top of yogurt.

I would like to think this is a super healthy snack because there is no added sugar! I'll be making some more healthy recipes as the new year progresses. I hope all of you have a wonderful new year!

Ingredients
4 cup rolled oats (not the instant)
3/4 cup peanut butter (melted)
3/4 cup honey
1 cup of mixed nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds or any other concoction.

Directions
Mix oats and honey.
Pour in melted peanut butter.
Stir in mix of nuts, raisins, etc.
Press into 9x11 baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
Let cool completely then cut and store in air tight container.

Roasted Garbanzo Beans

We're trying to be a little healthier and I really need a snack substitute. I think this recipe just might work.

Ingredients
One can garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas)
Extra virgin olive oil
Seasoning salt (Cavenders, Tony’s, etc.)
Kosher Salt

Directions
Drain and pat dry the Garbanzo beans
Toss with olive oil
Roast at 450 degrees for 30-45 minutes
Sprinkle with seasoning to taste
Serve immediately

Nice, healthy snack!