Lentil Salad

Ingredients:
dressing
2 tbsp. olive oil
3 tbsp. lemon juice
4 green onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced (or garlic salt)
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
salt and pepper
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

salad
2 cups lentils, cooked
1-2 tomatoes, diced
1 cup cooked ham, diced (optional)
green pepper rings

Directions:
Combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl. When well mixed, add warm lentils, tomato and ham. Stir to combine. Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with pepper before serving.

Pistachio Chicken

Ingredients:
handful of shelled pistachios (I use salted ones)
fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts
olive oil

Directions:
In a food processor, pulse the pistachios until finely chopped - some small pieces and some "pistachio flour." Pour this onto a plate. Dredge chicken breasts in the pistachios and pan-fry in a little olive oil until cooked through.

I have found it works best to pound your chicken breasts to about 1/4" thick - that way the pistachios and chicken cook at an even rate.

Taco Soup

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef (I always use ground chicken, because it's healthier)
1 onion
a few cloves of minced garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can rotel tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can black beans
1 packet taco seasoning

Directions:
Brown the beef (chicken), with the chopped up onion and minced garlic. Put the beef in the crockpot with all the other ingredients (usually I drain everything). Fill up the pot with water and cook on low for a few hours.

You can add chili powder, if you want it spicier. It's good to garnish/serve with sour cream, cheese, and crushed tortilla chips. (Although I think it's fine without.)

Curried Apple Chicken

Ingredients:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 1/2 cups plain croutons (I just tear up some bread)
½ cup apple juice
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
½ cup celery, sliced
½ cup raisins (I actually never put these in)
1 large cooking apple, chopped
½ cup onion, chopped
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp curry powder

Directions:
Mix everything but the chicken in a bowl. Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray. Place chicken in the dish and cover with the mix. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes or until done. (This can also be done in a crockpot.)

Bellinis

Ingredients:
1 bag frozen peaches
1 can frozen peach daiquiri mix
A few cups champagne (add one cup at a time until a smooth consistency)

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Hot Apple Cider

Ingredients:
1 gallon apple cider
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp. whole cloves
1 tsp. whole allspice

Directions:
In stockpot or slowcooker, blend cider and sugar. Stir till sugar is dissolved. Place cinnamon, cloves, and allspice in a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners and tie with a string to form a small bag. Cut off excess and add spice
bag to cider. For stockpot, heat and simmer 5 minutes. For slowcooker, cover and cook on low for 2 to 5 hours. Remove spice bag before serving.

Can float orange slices on top.

Notes:

• can add 4 cups dry red wine for Wassail.
• can use 1/2 gallon apple cider and 1/2 gallon cranberry juice, proceed as above.

Ginger Glazed Salmon

Ingredients:
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. dijon mustard
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes
1 salmon fillet (about 1 1/2 pounds)

Directions:
Preheat broiler to high. In a bowl, combine sugar, mustard, soy sauce, ginger and pepper. Coat a broiler-proof pan with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange salmon fillet in pan and make shallow cuts diagonally across the salmon. Brush with sugar mixture. Broil 6 inches from heat for about 10 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Note: can also grill

Cuban Black Beans

Ingredients:
2 (10 ounce) cans black beans, drained of liquid or 2 cups cooked black beans
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Directions:
Fry the onion and pepper in a little oil. Add the garlic and saute a little. Introduce a little of the bean liquid until all previous ingredients are soft. (I used chicken broth.) Add the beans with the remaining liquid. (I kept splashing in chicken broth as needed.) Add spices and simmer about 30 minutes. Add the vinegar just before serving. These are quite good when served over a bed of rice seasoned with just lime.