Taralli

Ingredients:

4 cups (1 lb, 500 grams) flour
1 tsp (10 grams) salt
2/3 cup (150 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup (200 ml) dry white wine
optional spices:
1-2 tsp fennel seeds or cracked black pepper


Method:


-In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
-Add the oil and wine, and mix with a fork until the dough forms into a rough mass.
-Dump the dough onto a wooden board and knead it for about 5 minutes, until it is smooth.
-Cover the dough and let it rest, along with your arms, for 15-30 minutes.
-Pinch walnut-sized pieces of dough, roll first between your hands, and then against the wooden cutting board, so that the dough forms a thin rope, about ½ inch (1 cm) in diameter and 4” long (10 cm).
-Shape each rope into a ring, and seal the edges together by pressing lightly, then set aside the taralli rings on a wooden board and cover with a towel.
-In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to boil.
-Put 6-10 of the taralli into the boiling water, and when they float to the surface - this will only take 30-60 seconds - remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a cloth to dry and cool.
-Put the cooled taralli on baking sheets and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes, until golden.
-Remove and cool on racks.

-Store in a closed container to keep them crisp, and serve with an aperitivo – they are the a nice accompaniment for the rest of that dry white wine – or pile them into a breadbasket at dinner.

Oatmeal Balls

NO BAKE!

1 cup (dry) oatmeal
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Roll into bite size balls. 
Refrigerate to set. Enjoy!!

Microwave Chocolate Cake

For 2 servings:

• INGREDIENTS:
• 8 tablespoons flour - make sure you measure it right - or the cake is a lie!
• 8 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1 egg
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 6 tablespoons oil
• 6 tablespoons chocolate chips

Spray PAM inside both mugs before microwaving.
Blend or mix all together, place in mug, and cook in microwave for 5 minutes.

Top with icing, whipped cream or ice cream.

French Toast

For 8 slices of bread

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
•  2/3 cup milk
•  pinch salt
•  2 eggs
•  1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•  3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
•  2 tablespoons white sugar
•  8 thick slices bread

Add all in blender or whisk! Cook with butter on medium. 

Pierogi!

• Dough:
•  3 egg
•  1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
•  3 cups all-purpose flour
•  1/4 teaspoon salt
•  1 tablespoon baking powder
• 
  
• Potato Filling:
•  3 tablespoons butter
•  1/2 cup chopped onion
•  2 cups cold mashed potatoes
•  1 teaspoon salt
•  1 teaspoon white pepper
•  grated cheese
• 
  

Sauerkraut Filling:

 2 tablespoons butter

 1/3 cup chopped onion

 1 1/2 cups sauerkraut, drained and minced

 salt and pepper to taste

• Directions

-To prepare the sauerkraut filling, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the drained sauerkraut and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then remove to a plate to cool.

-For the mashed potato filling, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir into the mashed potatoes, and season with salt and white pepper.

-To make the dough, beat together the eggs and sour cream until smooth. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder; stir into the sour cream mixture until dough comes together. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until firm and smooth. Divide the dough in half, then roll out one half to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into 3 inch rounds using a biscuit cutter.

-Place a small spoonful of the mashed potato filling into the center of each round. Moisten the 

edges with water, fold over, and press together with a fork to seal. Repeat procedure with the remaining dough and the sauerkraut filling.

-Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pierogies and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until pierogi float to the top. Remove with a slotted spoon.

Serve with chives and melted butter over the cooked pierogies and sour cream.

No Bake Frozen Oreo Cheesecake

For crumb base 

(mix ingredients together and place it on base of pan with parchment paper)

2 tbsp melted butter

2 tbsp sugar

1-1/2 cups Oreo crumbs

************************

For cake 

(mix batter together and freeze)

1 can of Eagle brand condensed milk

2 bricks of cream cheese

Vanilla extract

Cocoa powder (put as much as you want - max 1/2 cup)

Fold in 1 cup whipping cream

Optional: espresso (max 1 shot) 

Sweet Salad Dressing

- 3/4 cup nut (any type)

 -1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces

 -2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

 -1 tablespoon poppy seeds

 -1/2 cup white sugar

 -2 teaspoons minced onion

 -1/4 teaspoon paprika

 -1/2 cup white wine vinegar

 -1/2 cup vegetable oil

*Jamie Oliver recipe

mix together and serve!

Oatmeal Crisp Dessert

Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, melted (canola or veg oil may be substituted)
3 cups apples - peeled, cored and chopped (can substitute with any fruit)
1/2 cup white sugar or less
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon


Method

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
-Lightly grease an 8-inch square pan.
-In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, oats, flour and butter. 
-Mix until crumbly. 
-Place half of crumb mixture in pan. 
-Spread the fruit evenly over crumb mixture.
-Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon and top with remaining crumb mixture. (white sugar and cinnamon can also be sprinkled on top of the dessert instead of on the fruit layer)
-Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown.