Recipes from the Garden

My friend Amy’s beautiful garden and backyard is so inspiring! She has masses of basil and lettuce, blackberry bushes along her fence, and a strawberry patch growing with her kids’ little playhouse in the middle of it! Love it.

At the class I got to taste some good recipes: Dani’s cookies (low sugar and laced with navy beans . . . Sh! Don’t tell the kids!), Amy’s cheddar-stuffed jalapenos, and freshly-made pesto. Yum!

Amy’s Pesto

2 c. firmly packed fresh basil
3/4 c. parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 c. pine nuts/pecans/almonds
1/2 c. olive oil
3 cloves garlic

Blend well in a blender or food processor. Store in fridge 5 days or freeze up to 1 month.

Serving ideas:

Dip for crackers or vegetables
Spread on sandwiches
Pasta: mix with sour cream and add to any hot pasta
Pizza (Cindy H’s suggestion): top with pesto, garlic chicken, red onion, fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, etc.


Amy’s Cheddar-Stuffed Jalapenos

Ingredients:

* 25 medium fresh jalapeno peppers
* 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
* 3 cups (12 ounces) finely shredded cheddar cheese
* 1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
* 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Directions:
Cut jalapenos in half lengthwise; remove seeds and membranes. In a large saucepan, boil peppers in water for 5-10 minutes (the longer you boil the peppers, the milder they become). Drain and rinse in cold water; set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon 2 teaspoonfuls into each jalapeno half; sprinkle with bacon.

Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve warm. Yield: About 4 dozen.


Dani’s Better Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dani usually doubles this.

1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. unsalted butter
1/4 c. white bean puree
1 egg

2/3 c. flour
1/3 c. wheat germ
1/2 c. oatmeal (rounded—a bit more than 1/2 and less than 3/4)1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. baking powder
1/4-1/2 t. cinnamon (opt.)

1 t. vanilla
1/2 to 3/4 c. chocolate chips


Cream beans, butter & sugars. Add egg and mix. Mix dry ingredients separately and then add the wet mixture. Add vanilla and chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 13 minutes or so. Enjoy!