Hummus

A delicious dip for vegetables or spread on crackers. Nutritious, inexpensive and healthy; everything you'd love in one easy recipe!

When I first tried Hummus, I didn't know what was in it; I could taste the garlic but not the distinct taste of chickpeas which I actually despised! I read the ingredient list and was literally amazed to find chickpeas as the main ingredient!

1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)

1/2 cup tahini paste

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove (fresh, minced) or more depending on your personal taste


juice of 2 medium lemons

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp cumin



1. In a food processor (or blender) puree chickpeas.

2. Add remaining ingredients. Adjust seasoning if needed, and mix.

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.



Tahini paste: this is sesame seeds ground up, sold in a jar and can be used as a substitute for peanut butter intolerant individuals. This may be found in specialty markets with middle eastern foods, in a grocery store with international foods or organic shoppes. If you cannot find it in your local super market, ask if they can order it for you. One jar is about $4-$7 (depends on brand, type (organic, etc), location (speciality market, etc) but typically makes several batches and keeps for a long time in the refrigerator.

Butterscotch Oat Squares

An heirloom recipe over 100 years old, this was one of my first recipes when I was a budding baker. Easy to make and very delicious served warm with vanilla ice cream. One-dish recipe!

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven: to 375 degrees

1. Combine all ingredients in an ungreased 8x8" (or 9x9") baking pan.

2. Blend thoroughly and pat down with a fork.

3. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden brown and bubbly on the top.

Cut into squares while still warm.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Who can resist a fresh baked cookie? These cookies are a great freezer friendly recipe to have on hand for school lunches or midnight snacks!

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp milk

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup chocolate chips (personal favourite: milk chocolate chips)

Preheat oven: to 350 degrees

1. Cream butter and sugars.

2. Add egg, vanilla and milk.

3. Sift & add dry ingredients.

4. Mix well & add oatmeal and chocolate chips.

5. Drop 2" apart on greased (I use parchment instead) baking sheet.

6. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Cookies are done when they are golden on the bottom; don't look at the tops because you may find the bottoms will burn by the time the top "looks" done.

Store in an airtight (childproof locked cupboard if you want any for the next day!) or in freezer bags.

Delicious cookie, easy to make and a great recipe for a budding baker to try!

Oat Delights

This cookie has many names, but only one great taste. This no-bake treat is great in the summer when heating up the oven is something you want to avoid. Pre measure the dry ingredients before you leave for camping and surprise the gang with a fresh made treat!

Oat Delights / Macaroons / Chocolate Coconut No-Bake Cookies

2 cups white sugar

6 Tbsp cocoa

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup shredded coconut

3 cups instant oats

1. Combine sugar, cocoa, butter and milk in a saucepan; bring to a boil.

2. Add vanilla.

3. Remove from heat and stir in coconut and oats.

4. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Chill.

Tips:

* This makes a lot of cookies, have baking sheets/cookie sheets lined with waxed paper ready ahead of time to drop the heated mixture onto.

* Eat when thoroughly cooled, as the mixture is very hot.

* Store in an airtight container with layers of waxed paper in the fridge (to prevent softening).

* Soak the pot and spoon after it's empty for ease of clean-up.

No-Yeast Pizza Dough

The kids want pizza, you're running low on cash and you're out of yeast to make the pizza dough. This great dough is super fast, no rising time and easy as a pizza pie! The dough is very similar to a tea biscuit tasting crust when finished.

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup milk

6 Tbsp oil

Mix together and spread on a cookie sheet or pizza pan.

Preheat oven: to 425 degrees

Top with sauce, toppings and cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes, watching for a golden crust on the bottom of the pizza.



Topping Suggestions:

Top with pizza sauce (spaghetti sauce works too!)

Herbs, spices and your favourite pizza toppings!


* Use up some left over chicken cut into pieces
* Frozen or leftover: meatballs cut in quarters (heat through easier).
* Leftover hamburger patties cut or crumbled on the pizza.
* Sliced bologna, pepperoni, ham or other deli meats cut up into bite sized pieces.
* Pineapple (drained) and chopped
* Olives (sliced/drained)
* Tomato slices
* Cooked broccoli
* Onions, sliced/diced
* Green peppers, red peppers and other sweet bell peppers; sliced or cubed
* Hot pepper rings
* Mushrooms (canned or sliced, fresh)
* Feta cheese, drained/crumbled (a personal favourite!)
* Spinach (rinsed and ripped)

Top it off with cheese!

Easy crowd pleaser, saves time and money and promotes team work in the kitchen with children having input into toppings and assisting! Remember what ingredients you used, you'll want to name your creation!

Banana Sour Cream Cake

A delicious way to use up ripe bananas!

Topping:

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix and set aside.

Batter:

1/2 cup shortening (I use Crisco in the blue box)

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 cup bananas, mashed (about 2 bananas)

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup sour cream

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven: to 350 degrees

1. Combine shortening, sugar & sour cream until light and fluffy.

2. Beat in eggs, bananas & vanilla.

3. Combine dry ingredients and mix with creamed mixture.

4. Spoon HALF of the batter into a well-greased bundt (or angel food cake tube pan).

5. Cover with HALF of the topping mixture.

6. Spoon remainder of batter onto topping and top with remainder of topping mixture.

7. Bake for 40-45 minutes until cake tests done with inserted wooden toothpick coming out clean.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

One of my personal favourites, sweet and very tasty.

Pineapple topping:
2 Tbsp butter (or margarine)

1 Can pineapple rings, crushed pineapple, pineapple tidbits YOUR choice! (DRAINED)

Optional: Maraschino cherries

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

Preheat oven: to 350 degrees

Melt butter in a 9x13" baking dish in the oven. Arrange the pineapple in the butter and place cherries in the centre of each pineapple ring (if using). Sprinkle with brown sugar and set aside.

Batter:
1/2 cup butter (or margarine)

3/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2/3 cup milk

1. Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl; add eggs and beat well. Add vanilla.

2. Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in a small bowl.

3. Add flour mixture to butter mixture in 3 parts. Stir after each addition until blended. Add the milk mixture in 2 parts.

4. Pour onto the pineapple.

5. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean.

LET STAND 10 minutes.

Loosen edges of cake slightly with a knife and flip onto a cake plate.

Cool and serve with whipped cream or on it's own!

Alternatives:

Substitute cinnamon & apples or peaches for the pineapple.