Salted Caramel Walnut Butter

Salted Caramel Walnut Butter

Just found this old draft in my folder and thought I would share it, seeing as I have been too busy recently to get a new post up.  Definitely not one of the most healthy things I have created, but way too yummy not to share.  The caramel sauce itself is just a pure indulgence, but the nut butter as a whole is actually a great high protein sandwich or toast spread. Unless you are a total health nut and never let yourself indulge in sweets, ever (which sounds rather unpleasant to me), I am sure you have found yourself topping a bowl of vanilla ice cream with a large melting spoonful of caramel sauce straight from a jar.  Some specialty brands may have simple ingredient lists like this recipe, but most of them are full of corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors.  So at least with this, you know what you are getting and can even use local, organic sources of butter and cream.  I apologize in advance for not having a proper photo of the finished nut butter, and will add one as soon as I make this again, but from what I remember, my family and I ate it up so fast, I actually forgot to get a good photo. Sometimes when something is that tasty it's hard to pause for a picture. And if you want to make the caramel sauce healthier, why not use it as a dip for sliced apples? :)

Strawberry Coconut Banana Pie

Strawberry Coconut Banana Pie

This recipe is about a year old, but by the time I put the post together, strawberry season was long over.  But it's June again, and my backyard strawberry patch is beginning to bloom, so what better time to share this delicious, out of the ordinary, pie recipe.  I can't even remember where I saw my inspiration for this, using fresh bananas in a pie that you bake, which I had never heard of before.  My mom, who is an amazing baker, even thought it sounded weird, but I was convinced it would add a layer of creamy sweetness to the dish.  I must say, I was right.  One of the ingredients, the sweetened coconut flakes, were new to me, something that my sister in law in Canada, where I baked this pie, had bought at Costco.  Hopefully you can find them as well, or just substitute regular coconut flakes and add some sugar.  The pie tastes like a tropical delight and is perfect for a warm summer day, either for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Happy strawberry picking!!

Eggplant Caponata

Eggplant Caponata

This is a dish I cooked back when it was still warm outside and I wasn't eating every meal on my back deck, or on the way to a Spring sporting event.  But now that my garden is beginning to bloom, I thought it was time to share a recipe that I would be happy to make again when I have my own fresh eggplant, tomatoes and herbs to work with.  I like to think of this dish as an Italian version of  a Mexican mole because of the use of cocoa powder.  And of course anything made with chocolate is a favorite of mine!  I also like how versatile it is because not only can it be served hot over pasta, like I did here, but it is also great room temperature and would make a fantastic appetizer on crusty bread while sitting out on my deck this summer as well.  It doesn't take very long to cook, is full of intense flavor, nutritious vegetables, herbs and spices. So try something a little adventurous the next time you are entertaining and incorporate cocoa into the main meal as well as dessert!