Chai Spiced Zucchini Bread

3 1/2c. flour

1c. white sugar

1c. brown sugar

1t. slat

1t. baking powder

1t. baking soda

2t. cinnamon

1t. ground ginger ( we grated 1T. fresh)

1t. nutmeg

1t. cardamon

1 1/2t. grated orange peel

2c. grated zucchini

3 eggs

3/4c. oil

2t. vanilla

1/3c. very strong brewed cooled tea ( 3 bags in 1/3c. boiling water)

1c. toasted walnuts

Combine the dry ingredients, add the wet ingredients and stir to mix, add the nuts and stir again. Divide into 2 greased bread pans. Bake at 350 for about 60min. or till center is clean when tested. Remove and cool!

Taco Salad

Here is one of our favorite summer meals! Taco Salad! To create this salad, we top lettuce with guacamole, cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa, and or pica di gio, ground venison/beef/turkey ( your preference!) and serve it with chips or cornbread!

Garlic dressing

2 clove minced garlic
1/4c. Parmesan cheese
1/2c. Olive oil
1/4t. salt
1/4t. pepper
1/2t. oregano dried
1/4t. thyme dried
1-2T. mayo (opt. we didn't use it)
1T. lemon juice

Blend all the ingredients, and serve over lettuce. Store in refrigerator

Sunflower Seed Salad

Ingredients for 4 serving

-3/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
-1 spring onion
-2 tbsp fresh dill or 1-2t. dried
-1 tbsp fresh parsley or 1t. dried
-1 cucumber

dressing
-1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1 lemon
-1tlb mustard (prepared)
-1 crushed garlic clove
-pinch of salt
-1/2tsp onion powder [optional]

First you have to soak the sunflower seeds for about 2 hours. Then put them in the food processor and grind them up for a few seconds [ don't powder them!] Mix it with the rest of the ingredients[dill, parsley, ] that you chopped up in small pieces and now add the cucumber and pulse till chopped, and combined. Make the dressing combining the dressing ingredients in your blender until its smooth. Add the dressing to your sunflower mixture and toss. Top the sunflower mixture onto the chilled cucumber mixture. Enjoy!

Carrot Juice

Ingredients
-6 to 8 large peeled organic carrots-1 tsp fresh grated ginger-juice of half a lemon-1tsp agave syrup-4 ice cubes
Juice carrots in your juicer and mix with the rest of the ingredients. The leftover pulp can be used to make a carrot cake or salad but you can even give it to your dog, cat, hamster or guinea pig! They will sure enjoy it

Gingerbread Pancakes with Peach topping!

Gingerbread Pancakes

1c. whole wheat flour

1/4 yellow cornmeal

2 T. Honey

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 tsp. ground ginger

1 T. Fresh grated ginger(optional)

1/8 tsp. cloves

1/2 tp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tp. baking soda

2 T. oil

1/4c. molasses

1 c. buttermilk

1 egg

Peach Topping

4 peaches, sliced

1 tsp. cinnamon

3 T. honey

2 T. Butter

Melt butter and honey in sauce pan. Add peaches and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat till peaches are soft. Put on top of pancakes!

In a bowl beat together all wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients stirring just until combined. Drop by 1/4-1/2 c. dollops on prepared griddle. Cook like you would any other pancake!

Greek Night!

Last week we had a whole Greek meal for dinner, including a Greek dessert! It was so delicious......................Esther, me, and our dad LOVE Greek food! Here are the recipes we used:

1 Cucumber skinned and sliced

2-3 Tomatoes sliced

1/2c. Crumbled feta cheese

8 Lettuce leaves torn

1/2c.-2/3c. Hummus

Tzatziki ( recipe below)

Assemble on Flat bread all of the above ingredients

Grilled Flat Bread

1 1/2 cups warm water (105 to 110 degrees F)

1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast

4 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive or canola oil, plus more for bowl

Mix water and yeast in a large bowl and let stand 5 minutes to proof. Gradually pour in 2 cups of the flour and stir to incorporate. Mix for about 1 minute to form a sponge. Let stand, covered, for at least 1 hour.

Put sponge in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, add the salt and oil, then add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a dough. Remove from bowl and knead. Place in a clean oiled bowl and let rise 1/2 hour. Divide dough into 8 balls, and then roll out as desired. Cook on a hot grill for about 3-5min. on each side.

Tzatziki

Ingredients:
1/2 cup plain yogurt (strained)
1/2 cup cucumber (peeled, seeded, and shredded, and strained)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1-2 teaspoons chopped dried dill
1 tablespoon lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Mix everything.