Food: Spicy roasted chickpeas

   Being a vegetarian it's hard to get enough protein. And i'm always looking for a healthy snack. You know when your just craving that salty crunchy goodness, but don't want to regret it latter. These roasted chickpeas are perfect for those moments! 
Ingredients:
1 can of rinsed chickpeas 
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/8 - 1/4 Tsp salt (to taste)
Fresh cracked black pepper 
1/4 Cayenne pepper (more or less depending on how spicy you want) 
1/4 Tsp garlic powder 
1/4 Tsp onion powder 
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper(this allows for much easier cleanup), 
3. Drain and rise the chickpeas, lay out onto a dish rag. Make sure they are bone dry 
4. Pour onto baking sheet, drizzil on oil, then top will all the other ingredients, Remember you can replace, reduce or add more of any ingredients to suite your taste buds.
5. Using clean hands toss the chickpeas in the oil and spices, till evenly coated 
6. Bake for 40-55 minutes, until crunchy and golden brown 
7. Let cool, and store in an air tight container for up to a week 

Food: Brownie Cookies

   Brownies are always tasty, I don't think i've ever met anyone that doesn't like them. Now i found a way to transfer that amazing chocolatiness into cookie form! What could be better? This recipe is so easy, it's unreal. AND it takes about a quarter of the time to bake! (this recipe is not mine, I found it on the Hershey's brownie mix box, but i twiked it a bit). These cookies are on the thinner side, i you like thicker ones, use less liquid
   Ingredients: 
1 Package of brownie mix
2 Eggs
2 Tbsp Olive oil 
3/4 Tsp Vanilla extract 
   Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Whisk together in a medium bowl, eggs, Olive oil, Vanilla
3. Mix the brownie mix into the liquid ingredients, stir until combined, it usually looks kind of runny, but don't worry it will thicken up while baking
4. Grease baking sheets well, these cookies tend to stick easier than other cookies i've baked 
5. Scoop the dough onto the pan, place 2-3 inches apart
6. Bake for 9-14 minutes
7. This step is VERY IMPORTANT! remove the cookies from the pan while there still hot! Dont stack them until their cool, I usually place them on a sheet of parchment paper
   
   Makes 30 cookies 

Food: Homemade Organic Fruit Roll-Ups

   During spring and summer I always crave fruit. I had some peaches laying around that too ripe. Trying to figure out what to due with them I decided to make fruit roll-ups/ fruit leather. Often when I bake I don't really know what i'm making or planing to do, I just figure it out as i go. I did this when making these. This method has gotten me in trouble from time to time, but thankfully it worked out this time. I failed to take many pictures with this recipe, because I was crunched for time, but I think you will be able to figure out what i'm saying, this recipe is fairly simple. 
   Ingredients:
1. 5 Cups of fruit- use what ever types of fruit you like in this recipe i used 3 peaches(skinned), and a mango. Use whatever your in the mood for. 
2. 3 TBSP sugar- more or less depending on your taste
3. 1-3 TBSP juice,water, or other liquids - amount of liquid needed will depend on how jucie the fruit you use
   Directions:
1. Chop the fruit into 1 or 2 inch pieces
2. Add all of the ingredients into a medium or large saucepan, stir using a wooden spoon
3. Let the fruit simmer, the time needed will depend on the type/firmness of the fruits used. take off heat one the fruit is very soft, almost mushy
4. The next step is to smooth the fruit, if you want a smoother roll-up use a food processor to blend fruit, if you want a more thick roll up with pieces of fruit in it use a fork or a potato masher. 
5. Using a mesh strainer, drain out excess liquid 
6. Spread fruit mixture onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet, spread a 1/4 inch thick.
7. Bake at 400F for 30-40 minutes, check to make sure the fruit is no longer mushy, once that has happened its done!
8. Let the fruit cool, cut into strips, roll, and enjoy!




It is about half way done
at this point.


-The output depends on how large you cut the strips and other factors (I got about 8 out of mine)


It's done!

 -Store for up to a week

Food: Homemade Organic Italian Herb Bread

   Well finally I have time to do what I love(baking). May is such a busy month, I don't know if any of ya'll feel it too. I decided to make some really yummy homemade bread. I've found that if you use only whole wheat flour, the bread comes out a bit dry. So I experimented and used half all purpose-whole wheat, and half unbleached white flour. I think it turned out wonderfully!

   Ingredients:
1 1/2 Cups All Purpose- Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 Cups Unbleached White Flour
1 1/2 Tsp Table Salt Salt
2 Tbsp Sugar
1 Packet Active Dry Yeast
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Cornmeal
1 Egg Yoke
1 1/4 Cups Warm Water 
Optional Ingredients:
3 Tbsp Chopped Herbs- Fresh or Dried:Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, etc..(half baked in to bread and half for topping) 
Corse Sea Salt(for topping) 


   








Directions:
1. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 of the warm water and the yeast
2. Pour yeast combination into a larger bowl, add both types of flour, the salt, sugar, and 2 Tbsp of the herb mixture. Add in the rest of the warm water as well.

3. Mix well (I found that using your hands worked better than any utensil), you may need to add a bit more flour, if the dough is still a bit sticky. 






4. Place on a flour dusted surface, and knead until smooth and firm















5. Put the dough in an oiled bowl, roll the dough around a few times, to be coated in oil.
6. Cover with a damp towel, and let rest in a warm place for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, or until it doubles in size




7. Punch down the dough and knead a few times on a floured surface
8. Cut and form the dough into 2 equal sized loafs






9. Place loafs on two separate trays, cover and let rest or 40min
10. Mix the egg yoke and 1 Tbsp water 
11. cut 3 or 4 slits a 1/4 inch thick in each loaf, then brush on the egg mixture
12. top with sea salt and the rest of the herbs
13. Bake for 10 minutes on 425 F, then reduce heat to 400 F, and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes.








14. ENJOY!