OATMEAL RAISIN AND MACADAMIA COOKIES

I adapted this recipe from an ifood.tv recipe.

1/2 cup butter, softened

 1/2 cup organic brown sugar

 1/4 cup granulated sugar

 1 egg, cage free

 1 teaspoon Mexican vanilla

 3/4 cups flour

 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

 1/4 teaspoon salt

 1 1/2 cups organic oatmeal

 1/2 cup organic raisins

 1/4 ground flaxseed

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut

 1/2 cup macadamia nuts

 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. 

Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. 

Add combined flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well. 

Stir in oats, raisins, coconut and nuts. 

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. 

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. 

Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet then remove to wire rack.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

I adapted this recipe from Emeril Lagasse.

Ingredients

1 Butternut squash, about 2 pounds

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped garlic

1/2 cup thinly sliced carrot

1/2 teaspoons southwest spice mix or ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2-3 small finely minced jalapeno peppers

2 cups chicken stock

1/4 cup heavy cream

6 slices of bacon , cooked crispy

Directions

Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Peel the squash and cut into 1 inch pieces. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. 

Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until they begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the carrot, southwest seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, and then add squash, jalapeno peppers, and chicken stock.

 Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15- 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Remove from the heat and puree the soup using a food processor. Puree until smooth. Return to the heat, add the cream and adjust the seasonings. Serve with a little crumbled bacon.

Garden Photos January 2012

I have broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, various peppers, swiss chard, green onions and some herbs growing in my garden.
I planted sweet peas but they didn't make it.  And I never got around to planting spinach or lettuce.  Though, I might try plant some this week.

broccoli

swiss chard

cauliflower

cabbage

cilantro

broccoli