Sundried Tomato Bruschetta

OK this is not a healthy appie but I was asked for the recipe so here it is. I make this differently every time I make it and there are no exact measurements. Just mix up to your taste.

For about 4-6 slices of bread, measurements are approximate
3-4 sun dried tomato slices, (marinated in oil), chopped.
2-3 olives, chopped (any kind, green are fine)
1 green onion, chopped
1-2 tbsp pesto
1-2 tbsp parmesan cheese
1-2 tbsp cream cheese

I sometimes also add any of the following if I have them:
1-2 chopped mushrooms
1-2 chopped marinated artichokes
Chopped fresh or dried herbs


Thinly slice a baguette on the angle, brush one or both sides with a little oil from the sundried tomato jar, and toast briefly in the oven. Then spread the mixture on the toast slices and broil for a minute or two. If I have any, I sometimes grate long strips of parmesan cheese on top before I broil it..

If you make this and add sometime different, comment below and let us know what worked for you!

Kelownagurl's Falafel Recipe

I have tried a number of recipes, including the packaged mix, and this if the version I like the best, so far.

1 - 19 oz can of chick peas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 carrot, grated
1 big handful of parsley, chopped (abt 1/2 c )
Juice from 1 lemon (abt 2 tbsp)
1-2 tsp cumin
1/2 - 1 tsp coriander if desired
1 tsp salt
1-2 tsp olive oil (if desired - I use a little water to thin it instead)
1 Tbsp flour (may be adjusted depending on humidity)
1 tsp baking powder

Most recipes call for 1-2 cloves of garlic, crushed but my stomach doesn't like garlic so I skip that.

Other than the chickpeas, most of the ingredients can be increased or decreased slightly.

Put chickpeas, onion, carrot, and parsley in food processor and process for about 30 seconds until chunky. Add lemon juice, cumin, salt, flour, baking powder and process to mix. Add a little olive oil and/or water if the mixture is too dry.

Form into patties and fry in a little oil, on medium heat until golden brown on each side. The recipe said to fry them in 1/4 inch of olive oil but I used a non-stick pan with just a glazing of oil. Also, lately, I've been dropping them by tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper and baking in 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, until sort of firm. They break apart pretty easily but they taste great. :)

You may have to play around with the amount of water you add until you find the right consistency. This mixture should be chunkier than hummus.

Serve hot or cold, with tzatziki. May be eaten in a pita with raw veggies and tzatziki.

You can also spread the "raw" falafel mixture onto toast or use like you would any hummus.

KG's Hummus

OK there are lots of good hummus recipes out there but several people have asked, so here's mine. First off, you will notice there is no garlic. Raw garlic and I do not get along so I don't put any in and I'm happy that way. Roasted garlic would be nice but I rarely have any laying around so... Feel free to added a clove or two of crushed garlic if you like.

Ingredients

1 540 ml (19 oz) can of chick peas, drained, save some liquid
1-2 T of tahini (in a pinch you can also use peanut butter but it's better with tahini)
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2- 1 tsp cumin (to taste)
Salt (and pepper if desired)
(Most recipes call for olive oil but I don't use any and don't miss it.)


Method

Dump chick peas, tahini, lemon juice, cumin, and S&P into food processor. Add 1-2 T of reserved liquid. Process until smooth, adding more liquid if needed.

Can be eaten with pita, raw veggies, or my favourite, a spoon.

Store in fridge if you don't eat the whole thing at one sitting. :)

If you want to use dry chickpeas, COOK THEM FIRST! (Right Gordon? ;)

Quite a few calories, but I figure they're good ones.

Whole Grain Veggie Salad

I made this for dinner tonight, taking ideas from a number of different recipes I found.

Earlier today, I cooked 1 cup each of cracked wheat and barley. Simmer each in boiling water (cracked wheat about 12 minutes, barley about 20 minutes)until tender but chewy then drain and cool.

To assemble salad, measurements are very approximate.

1/3 cup cooked barley
1/3 cup cooked cracked wheat
1/2 cup chick peas (drained and rinsed)

Add chopped vegetables to your taste. Today I added:

* red pepper
* green onions
* avocado
* fresh chopped herbs (parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, basil)

I also added a large handful of dried cranberries and walnuts.

Drizzle with a little olive oil and the juice from 1/2 lemon

Add salt and pepper to taste.

This recipe is so adaptable. You could any kind of cooked whole grain, raw or cooked vegetable, cooked beans, dried fruit and nuts, fresh herbs.

YUM!!!

Pork Tenderloin

1 pork tenderloin
6-8 large mushrooms
8-10 baby potatoes
1/3 bottle red wine
1/2 - 1 cup beef stock (or water and oxo)
Montreal Steak Spice
6-10 cloves of garlic
garlic salt if desired
1-2 T olive oil

I made this tonight and it was pretty good so I want to write it down quickly before I forget.

Cut a pork tenderloin into about 5-6 chunks. Sprinkle with Montreal Steak Spice, garlic salt, and thyme. Heat a little olive oil in a large pan and brown meat on all sides.

Toss in about 6-8 large mushrooms, halved or quartered.

Pour some red wine in and let it simmer for awhile, scraping the bottom. Add 5-6 cloves of garlic.

Add more wine and/or a little beef broth as needed.

While it simmers, partly cook (boil) some new red potatoes. Drain well. Toss into pan. Add more thyme to taste.

Cover and cook in oven at 350 for about 20 minutes. Uncover and cook for another 20 mins or so till the liquid boils down a bit and thickens.

Next time, I would like to take the potatoes out near the end, toss them with a bit of olive oil and thyme, and cook them a little longer to brown them a bit more, make them a bit crispy.

Anyway, this recipe could be tweaked a lot, but it was pretty darn good for a first attempt on a busy school night.

This recipe served 3 of us for dinner.

Chicken Chili in the Crockpot

4 chicken breasts, cut in pieces
1 19 oz large can of black beans
1 14 oz can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 14 oz can of tomato sauce
2 cups of salsa
1 package of taco seasoning
Other seasoning to taste (I added cumin)

Mix ingredients in crockpot. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for ?? hours.

Shred chicken in your bowl when you serve it if you want.

Tastes good with a dollop of low fat plain yogurt (or sour cream).

Can add all sorts of other stuff. Different beans, different kinds of canned or fresh tomatoes, additional seasonings, onions, mushrooms, celery, corn.....

Goat Cheese Terrine

This is a recipe from the Whitewater Cooks at Home cookbook. Fabulous cookbook, I strongly recommend you buy it.

Beat until fluffy and smooth (mixer or spoon):

8 oz (250 g) soft goat cheese (I bought mild, unripened)

Spread half the cheese on serving plate, cover with:

¼ cup chopped oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained

½ cup pesto, store bought or homemade

¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

1 tsp freshly ground pepper (I didn't use this)

Spread the rest of the cheese on top.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and press down gently to compress the layers a bit. Refrigerate until just before serving.

When you’re ready to serve, sprinkle with:

¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

2 tbsp balsamic crema or balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted

I made mine right on the serving dish but you can also use a 6" tart pan with a removable bottom. When ready to service, just invert onto a plate and remove the pan bottom/sides.