Ranger Cookies

I adapted this recipe from the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook. I was looking for a good oatmeal cookie recipe that I could add dark chocolate and shredded coconut to. I think any "add-ins" can be used (nuts, dried fruits, chocolate, etc) totaling 2 or 3 cups to keep the dough's consistency right.

1/2 c butter, softened
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 1/4 c flour (I used my home-ground wheat flour)
1 c rolled oats (I used a 9-grain mix)
1 c shredded coconut
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 c dark chocolate chips (I used Dove's single origin chips)

Preheat oven to 375. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda; beat until combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Add the flour. If you don't think your mixer can handle it (my 6-qt Kitchenaid does just fine) use a wooden spoon to stir in coconut, cranberries, and chocolate chips (or whatever add-ins you're using).

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 8 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack; cool. Makes about 32 cookies.
And of course, the cutest taste-tester/helpers ever:

Garlic Butter Spread

During high school I worked at a not-to-be-named take & bake pizza chain ;) The garlic butter they spread on the cheese bread is so yummy! Now that I live in Houston, where this pizza chain is nowhere to be found, I had to break out my Top Secret recipe to get my fix.

1 c butter, softened
1 T minced garlic
1/4 c grated parmesan cheese
1 T garlic salt
1 t italian seasoning
1/1 t ground black pepper
1/4 t ground paprika

Combine in a small bowl, mix until smooth. Refrigerate. Serve on bread or cook your chicken/steak/shrimp in it!

Broccoli Salad

6 c broccoli, broken into bite size pieces
1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 small red onion, finely chopped
2 c shredded mozzerella cheese
1 c sunflower seeds
1 c dried cranberries

Dressing:
3 T apple cider vinegar
3/4 c sugar
1 1/2 c mayonnaise

Toss all salad ingredients together in a large bowl. In a small bowl (I usually use a liquid measuring cup), combine vinegar and sugar. Stir until dissolved, then add mayo. Whisk until smooth, then pour over salad. Toss and serve. This is best eaten the same day it is made. If you save it and refrigerate it, the dressing makes the bacon soggy.

Raw Food "Cookies"

Mike works in New Mexico one week out of every month, so he flies in and out of Durango, Colorado twice a month. While he's there, he often visits a market called Nature's Oasis. They sell products from Turtle Lake Refuge which are delicious! He brought me home some "Phat Nettle Oaties" after his last trip, and I couldn't resist deconstructing and making my own!

1/2 c rolled oats
1/3 c walnuts, chopped
1/3 c dried figs, chopped
1 T honey
1 T tahini
1/4 t cinnamon

Throw everything in the food processor and chop until it's uniformly crumbly. It won't look like it will stick together, but it will. Shape into racquetball-sized cookies. Eat right away, or wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled!

Kimchi Burgers

1/2 cup drained kimchi, chopped finely
1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
4 hamburger buns or leaf lettuce to wrap around burger

Combine ground beef, kimchi, soy sauce, and pepper. Form into patties (about 4). Grill or pan fry. Serve!