Smitten Kitchen's Flatbreads with Honey, Thyme, and Sea Salt

I have been sadly neglecting this blog, but not for any lack of experimenting in the kitchen.  I have been busy trying new recipes right and left, utilizing our delicious, fresh produce from the CSA.  Unfortunately may of the delicious recipes I've tried have been straight out of the Appetite for Reduction cookbook, so I can't share them here--but I would highly recommend the cookbook!  I'm beginning to really appreciate vegan cooking and the recipes have a lot of flavor (sometimes a bit TOO much flavor, but I'm learning to adjust the quantities of her spices).

A new adventure for this week is from the smittenkitchen.com blog: Flatbreads with Honey, Thyme, and Sea Salt.  Doesn't that sound amazing!  I'm also eager to try the smittenkitchen recipe for homemade ricotta cheese.

Tortilla Pinwheel Wraps

Definitely a crowd pleaser at parties!

TORTILLA PINWHEEL WRAPS

from Cathy

Makes approx, 48 pieces

Directions:

1. Mix cream cheese, green onions, and Ranch salad dressing mix. 

2. Spread on a tortilla.  Be sure to get all the way to the edges.

3. Sprinkle with other toppings.

4. Roll the tortilla tightly and wrap in saran wrap.

5. Refrigerate over night (or put in freezer for several hours) & slice.

Spinach Wraps

16 oz cream cheese

4-6 chopped green onion

4-5 spinach tortillas 

4 oz chopped black olives

10 oz can chopped tomatoes (drained)

Vegetable Wraps

16 oz cream cheese

1 envelope Ranch salad dressing mix

2 green onions, finely chopped

4-5 flour tortillas 

1/2 c celery, chopped

1/2 c red bell peppers, chopped

1/4 c olives, diced

1/4 c carrots, shredded

Orzo With Feta And Olives

This is a great summer dish and a popular addition to potlucks. Be careful not to add too many red pepper flakes or it will be spicy! You can also add halved cherry tomatoes for variety.

ORZO WITH FETA AND OLIVES

Serves 6.

Ingredients

1 ½ c orzo
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
¼ c olive oil
3 T pine nuts
½ t red pepper flakes
¾ c feta cheese, crumbled
¾ c black olives, sliced
1 c cherry tomatoes, halved
½ c parmesan cheese, shredded
¼ c fresh basil leaves, chopped

1) Cook orzo.
2) Steam broccoli.
3) Put orzo and broccoli in a large bowl.
4) Pour oil and nuts over orzo. Mix to coat.
5) Add feta, olives, tomatoes, parmesan, and basil. 

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!

These are the best kind of chocolate chip cookie--soft and chewy!  There are two* tricks to their perfection:

1. Margarine and brown sugar.  Reading the cookie section of CookWise (all about the chemistry of cooking), I learned that different fats melt at different temperatures, which greatly affects the consistency of the cookie.  Butter melts quickly in the oven, making cookies spread.  Shortening and margarine melt at hotter temperatures, so the cookies don't spread as much in the oven. Brown sugar absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, maintaining the cookie's softness over time.
2. Baking time.  It is easy to overcook cookies. You should take them out before they LOOK done.  12 minutes usually is perfect for me.  \

*I hear that the third trick for perfectly shaped cookies is to use a cookie scoop.

MARY'S MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
from Kelly
Makes 3 dozen.

Ingredients
1 c margarine
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 T vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
2 c chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F.
2. Mix margarine & sugars until creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Fold in flower, salt, baking soda, and chocolate chips.
5. Form balls and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake 12-15 minutes until edges just begin to brown.  Do not overcook!

Mexican Layered Bean Dip

Mexican Layered Bean Dip 
from Cathy

Makes 2 dinner plates or 1 platter.

Ingredients
1 large can refried beans
½ pkg. taco seasoning
½ small carton sour cream
½ small carton avocado dip
1 can sliced black olives
½ small can green chiles
Chopped green onions
Chopped tomatoes
Cover with shredded cheddar cheese
Tortilla chips

Mix together beans and taco seasoning. Spread on a plate. Layer other ingredients on top. Serve with chips.