Hummus

Got this recipe from Family Feast under $75! Seriously, GREAT BOOK! Pick it up on Amazon!

1 15oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 T sesame oil
2 to 3T olive oil
1/4 c lemon juice
3 cloves of garlic (you could use just two)
1 t cumin (this scared me a little, but good!!)
1/2 t salt
1/4 pepper

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender, process until smooth. If mixture is too thick, add a little water to preferred consistancy. Serve at room temperature. Store in fridge for 1 week in sealed container.

My Famous Chicken Alfredo

Olive Oil
1 garlic clove
1 8oz cream cheese
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cut up
1 box of your favorite noodle (ours is rotini)
chicken broth

Cook noodles

While noodles are cooking:

saute garlic in olive oil, add cream cheese until melty, add chicken broth til your desired consistancy, add chicken, heat through (5-10 minutes)

Mix sauce and noodles together

Enjoy with your favorite garlic bread and salad

and then wonder why you don't make this more often!

Homemade Granola

Adapted this recipe from Owlhaven she's the one who wrote the book Family Feasts for $75 a week

Total prep time: 30 minutes

Makes: 16 cups of cereal

In a very large bowl combine:

•9 c. oats
•1 T. cinnamon
•3 c. “goodies”– nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, coconut, and dried fruit all work well. (I used raisins, almonds, and pecans)
Mix well.

In glass measuring cup pour:

•3/4 c. oil
•3/4 c. honey
Be sure to pour the oil in first. This will allow the honey to easily release from the cup. Heat oil and honey in microwave on high for a 2-4 minutes, until hot. Pour honey and oil over dry ingredients. Mix well.Spread onto 2 or 3 large greased cookie sheets and bake at 325 degrees till light to medium brown, 15-25 minutes. Cool and store in sealed plastic containers or ziplocks. It rarely lasts more than 3 days at our house. If your family doesn’t eat it that fast, you can store half in the freezer until you need it.

Banana Nut Waffles

Recipe from here

3/4 cup pecans
2 cups whole wheat white flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 cups milk
1 t lemon juice
2 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix milk & lemon juice, let stand 5 minutes.  (you can use 2 C buttermilk if you have it)

Chop pecans, set aside
Meanwhile, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, pecans, and salt in large bowl. Beat eggs, Add buttermilk, mashed bananas, butter, vanilla and pecans; mix well.

Make waffles!

another new recipe - Balsamic Dressing

I know I already have a great one, but I decided to try a new one, got it from Family Feasts for $75 a week!

1/2 c olive oil (it called for veggie, i used Olive)
1/4 water
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 t dry mustard
1 t salt
1 t sugar
1 t parsely

Put all ingredients in a pint container with a tight lid (remember, you're going to shake it!) Shake Well. Store, tightly covered, in fridge up to 2 months.

I needed a marinade for some chicken on Thursday, so I tripled the recipe, smells wonderful!!