Homemade Hamburger Buns

Ingredients

1 cup water

2 TBSP. honey

1 TBSP. yeast

1 tsp. salt

1 egg

2 TBSP. melted butter

3 1/4 cups flour ( I used 2 cups whole wheat, 1 cup all purpose flour)

optional - oats or sesame seeds

Directions

- Pour warm water into medium sized bowl, add in yeast and honey. Let sit for 5 minutes making sure the mixture starts to foam.

-Add in salt, egg, and melted butter.

-Slowly mix in the flour using an electric mixer. (I only added three cups of flour to the bowl, then used the 1/4 cup flour to sprinkle on the counter and my hands to finish kneading the dough). Shape dough into a ball. Dough will be pretty sticky! Try not to add more flour!

- Pour a very small amount of olive oil, like 1tsp. into bottom of bowl, and place dough inside. Lightly coat the ball with olive oil and cover bowl with a light dish towel. Let rise about 45 min. or until doubled in size. 

-Gently punch down dough, and divide into small balls. This recipe makes about eight regular sized buns, but I wanted mine thinner (we usually buy the sandwhich thins for our burgers). So I divided the dough into smaller balls (about the size of a golf ball, which made 11 buns). U can flatten the dough into a large circle using your hands, or take a rolling pin which is what I did.

-Place the buns onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and let rise for another 30 minutes or so. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

-Brush buns with melted butter and top with sesame seeds etc.

-Bake in oven for 10-15 minutes. Until lightly golden brown.

-Slice and Enjoy!!!

*recipe adapted from frugallivingnw.com*

Rustic Strawberry Peach Tart

I got this recipe from sallysbakingaddiction.com. She seriously has the best recipes, and this one did not disappoint! When I first saw the recipe I was a little intimidated, but I was so wrong! It was so simple and the end result not only looks amazing, but tastes great too!

Ingredients:

Filling

2 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

2 Tbsp. granulated sugar (I only used 1 Tbsp. sugar)

1 tsp. vanilla extract 

Crust

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold, unsalted butter, cubed

1/4 cup ice water, plus more as needed

1 egg beaten for egg wash

additional sugar for sprinkling 

Directions:

1. Filling- Mix peaches and strawberries together in bowl. Add sugar and vanilla and toss well to coat. Let fruit sit and soak in its juices while you make the crust. 

2. Crust- In medium bowl whisk flour, sugar and salt together. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your hands. I used the bottom of a wire wisk. Continue until the mixture resembles course, pea sized crumbs. 

3. Add 1/4 cup ice water and stir with fork until flour is moistened. Add up to 2 Tbsp. ice water if mixture seems dry. Gently knead the mixture until dough is formed. Shape the dough into a ball and flatten into a thick disc. Wrap in plactic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour. 

4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. 

5.  On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into a 12 inch circle. If needed you can use a pizza cutter to help trim the circle. Transfer dough to baking sheet.

6. Spoon the fruit (not the juices) into the center of the dough. Leave a border about 2-3 inches around the sides. Gently fold the edges up over the fruit, overlapping the dough as needed. Pour most of the remaining juice over the fruit (too much will make the crust soggy). Brush the crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 25-35 min. until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

ENJOY!

Homemade Hummus

After buying hummus at the store and reading the ingredients, which basically consists of chick peas, tahini paste (sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices I figured I mine as well make my own! This recipe is really simple and hummus is something you make to your own liking. Meaning they're no exact ingredients or directions. You can add anything to your hummus depending on what you like; roasted garlic, avocado, sun dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers etc. 

Ingredients:

1 can chick peas

4 Tbsp. olive oil (varies depending on the consistency you like)

Juice from half a lemon

1 1/2 Tbsp. of toasted sesame seeds (I added this in place of tahini paste)

2 Tbsp. minced garlic

2 Tbsp. plain greek yogurt (optional) *I added this for a more creamy texture, hummus recipes don't usually contain yogurt*

cilantro

Sriracha 

salt and spices to taste

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a food processor (I used my Ninja) until you reach your desired consistency.

*If you have tahini paste use that, I just didn't have any. Again all these ingredients you can add more or less of, it's really just a personal preference!* Hope you Enjoy!

Soft-baked Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl Cookies

Ingredients: Makes about 2 dozen cookies

Chocolate Cookie Dough

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. milk

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Make chocolate dough. Cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. In seperate bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix into the wet ingredients. Then mix in the milk and fold in the chocolate chips. 

Make peanut butter dough. Cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Mix in the peanut butter, egg and vanilla. Slowly mix in the baking soda, flour, and salt. Do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips. 

*Chill both doughs for 1-2 hours*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Measure 2 Tbsp. of peanut butter dough. Roll into ball. Repeat with Chocolate dough. Smoosh the two balls together and roll into 1 large ball. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Cookies will look a little underdone, but allow them to cool on cookie sheet.

recipe from sallysbakingaddiction.com

Chocolate Almond Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 stick softened butter  (1/2 cup)

3 overipe bananas

1/2 cup vanilla greek yogurt

2 large eggs

2 cups all purpose flour (I used whole wheat flour for 1 cup)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped almonds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour bottom of loaf pans. Beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add yogurt, eggs, and bananas until well incorporated. Slowly stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips and chopped almonds. Pour into 2 8x4 loaf pans or cupcake pans. Bake 25-30 minutes for cupcakes and 50-55 minutes for loaf pans. 

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Ingredients: 

3/4 cup (1 1/2 stick) unsalted butter-room temperature 

3/4 cup brown sugar

14 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup chopped peanut butter cups (additional for topping)

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Cream butter and sugars in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add in egg and vanilla. In seperate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add in flour mixture to other bowl. Stir in chocolate chips and peanut butter cups. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop rounded cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8-10 min. 

Homemade Tortillas

These tortillas are so good and so easy to make! Pretty similar to Cafe Rio's!

Ingredients

2 3/4 cup unbleached flour

1 1/4 tsp. table salt

1/4 cup olive oil

1 cup water

Directions

Mix flour and salt in large bowl. Add in olive oil and water. Mix well until dough forms. Separate dough into balls, about the size of a golf ball. Warm pan on stove to med high heat. Roll out balls on lightly floured surface. Cook tortillas on one side till they are golden brown and bubbles start to form, then flip. 

*Makes about 10 small tortillas*

Recipe from: homegrownandhealthy.com

Quick Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients: *Makes about 18 rolls*

1. 1 3/4 C. warm water

2. 6 TBSP sugar

3. 1/2 C. oil

4. 3 TBSP instant yeast

5. 1 1/2 tsp. salt

6. 2 eggs

7. 5 1/2 C. flour

Melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon

Directions:

Mix together #1-4. Let sit for 15 minutes, then add next 3 ingredients. Mix together and roll out into a rectangle, about 1/2 inch in thickness. Spread with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough and cut each individual roll about 1 inch in thickness. Place cut side down on greased cookie sheet or in greased muffin tins. Let sit 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly, then frost. 

Frosting: Mix powdered sugar w/ small amount of milk or cream. Should be consistency to drizzle on rolls. 

* I'm not a huge fan of powdered sugar frosting, I would suggest making a cream cheese frosting instead*

-Recipe from my mother in law-

Homemade French Bread

I've been wanting to learn how to make some things in the kitchen that I've never made before, homemade bread being one of them. This recipe is super simple and my mother in law was kind enough to share it with me. 

Ingredients: *Makes two large loafs*

2 TBSP dry yeast

1 TBSP honey (sugar works fine too)

1/2 C. warm water

2 C. hot water

3 TBSP sugar

1 TBSP salt

5 TBSP oil

6 C. flour (unsifted)

1 egg white 

Optional: sesame seeds/ seasoning etc.

Directions: 

1. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 C. warm water w/ 1 TBSP honey. Let stand for 10 minutes

2. In large bowl combine 2 C. hot water, sugar, oil, salt, and 1/2 the flour. Mix well. Stir in dissolved yeast. 

3. Mix in remaining flour.

4. Stir dough, then allow to rest for 10 minutes.

5. Repeat 4 more times. (If you have a mixer turn it on for about 5 seconds, then rest dough for 10 min.)

6. Roll out dough into 2 rectangles. Take the long side of the rectangle and roll up the dough and pinch ends. 

7. Place side by side on greased cookie sheet. Take knife and diagonally cut three small cuts across the top of each loaf.

8. Baste with egg white/sprinkle with sesame seeds etc. 

9. Let loafs stand for 30 minutes/ Preheat oven to 400 degrees

10. Bake for 25 minutes. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I LOVE cookies, how can you not? Chocolate chip cookies with milk are definetly one of my favorite things. I think I ate all those cookies in the picture in one sitting, minus the one I saved for Thayne.....and the sad part is I'm not exagerating. 

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup salted butter (softened)
1/4 cup canola oil (I used vegetable oil)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups choc. chips

DIRECTIONS:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-Cream butter, oil, and sugars
-Add eggs, beat until fluffy
-Add baking soda, baking powder, salt, vanilla, and flour
-Fold in chocolate chips
-Roll cookies into 1 inch. balls, place on cookie sheet
-Bake for 8-10 min.

RECIPE FROM twotwentyone.net

                                                                 HAPPY EATING!

Thai

Have you ever had Papa Murphy's Thai Chicken Pizza before? So good! Which is surprising coming from me since my go to pizza is ALWAYS pepperoni. Anyway this is one of Thayne's favorite pizza's so I decided to make it at home. I found this recipe online and it was SO good. Better than Papa Murphy's, but hey I could be biased. :)

And if you don't have a pizza stone, GET ONE! I will never, ever, ever, ever make a pizza without one again. The pizza turns out so much better, and I think I got mine at T.J. Maxx for like ten bucks. Best ten bucks I ever spent. Now my obsession with T.J. Maxx, thats a whole other story... 

>>Makes one large pizza>>

Crust
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon dry yeast

Sauce
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce

Toppings
1 large chicken breast grilled and thinly sliced
1/2 a small zucchini thinly sliced
2 green onions chopped
2 Tbsp. diced red onion
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2  cup shredded cheddar cheese
crushed red pepper flakes
additional sweet chile sauce for drizzling

Additional-cornmeal

Directions
For the crust, place warm water and salt into bowl. Add a cup of the flour and the yeast then stir. Add remaining flour and stir/knead into a sticky dough, adding additional water if needed. Let dough rest, covered with a clean towel for at least 10 minutes or up to 45.

Preheat your pizza stone in oven for about 20 minutes at 500 degrees.  Roll out pizza dough. LIBERALLY sprinkle your pizza peel (easily transfers pizza onto pizza stone) with cornmeal. Place dough on pizza peel. Spread chili sauce over prepared crust. Then layer the grilled chicken, half the zucchini slices, mozzarella cheese, rest of the zucchini slices, green onions, red onions, and cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and drizzle chili sauce over top. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until browned on top.

                                                                          Enjoy!

recipe adapted from tammysrecipes.com