Appetizers

BACON GUACAMOLE CUPS
from pillsbury.co

Servings 24

1 can refrigerated crescent roll sheets
1 container (8 oz.) guacamole
4 bacon strips, crisply cooked

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 24 mini muffin cups with cooking spray.
Unroll dough on work surface. Press into 12x9 rectangle. With pizza cutter, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows to make 24 squares.
Gently press squares into muffin cups (dough will not completely cover inside of cup. Do not press too much.) Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.
Spoon 1 teaspoon guacamole into each cup.
Cut each bacon strip into 6 pieces. Place 1 bacon piece on each cup.

JALAPENO POPPER PINWHEELS
from pillsbury.co

Servings 24

6 oz. Jalapeno cream cheese spread
1/3 cup bacon, cooked
1 can crescent dinner roll sheets

Heat oven to 375 degrees.
In bowl, mix cream chees...

Homemade Granola and Yogurt

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Makes about 9 cups

4 cups rolled oats
In a bowl, measure out the oats. Add any or all of the following ingredients:
 
1 cup sesame seeds
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut 
1/2 cup flaxseed 
1/2 cup slivered almonds (or other nuts, chopped)

Over a medium-low flame, heat:
½ cup honey
1/3 cup coconut oil
½ cup water
¾ teaspoon salt

Stir with a wooden spoon until well-combined. Pour this liquid over dry ingredients and mix well until liquid is well-distributed. Spread out in a thin layer on a sheet pan and bake at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes to an hour or until evenly browned and crispy. Turn with a spatula every 15 minutes or so so that the mixture browns evenly. During the final 5 minutes or so, add:

Raisins
Dried cranberries
Dried fruit of any kind

Allow to cool and then stor...

Homemade Pasta

This is a basic recipe for the dough for whole egg pasta, used for making homemade tagliatelli, papparadelle and all stuffed pasta shapes.

Use one egg for every two people
2/3 cup all purpose flour or ¾ cup “00” Italian flour

Put the flour and egg in the bowl of a food processor. When it comes together and pulls away from the side of the bowl, remove it to a floured counter and knead for a little while. Try not to add too much flour as this makes the dough tough. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for ten minutes.

Cut the dough into 4 pieces. Using a pasta machine, run the dough through on the widest setting for about 15 times. Then begin to reduce the size of the opening and run through one time on each setting.

Lay the pasta on a kitchen towel and sprinkle with a little flour. Repeat with the other 3 pieces.

Go back to the first piece of pasta and run it through the cutters. Put pasta on a kitchen towel and sprinkle...

Cast Iron

WHERE TO FIND OR BUY CAST IRON
Antique stores and junk stores are great places to find cast iron skillets and other cast iron pieces. You can find Lodge cast iron at the grocery store or places like Walmart and also amazon.com.
COOKING TIPS

New cast iron comes seasoned and ready to use! Just give it a quick rinse and hand dry, and you’re ready to start cooking. Used cast iron might need to be seasoned. Instructions are below.
Use any utensils you like, even metal. There is no chemical coating to damage.
Cast iron can be used on all stovetops, from induction to electric to gas, even on the grill! It also works well on glass top stoves.
Cast iron performs best when heated and cooled gradually, so give it a few minutes to pre-heat before adding your food. 
Cast iron retains heat very well, so using a lower heat setting can prevent food from sticking. And don't forget to use an oven m...