Cinnamon Buns

There is almost nothing better than warm cinnamon buns out of the oven!

Ingredients:
Dough:
4 cups flour
1 package dry yeast
1 cup warm milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
Filling:
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 and 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
Frosting (not shown):
1 stick butter
1 and 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt

Dissolve the yeast in the milk, set aside for five minutes until it appears foamy.
Combine sugar, butter, eggs, and salt, then add flour and yeast mixture. Knead until smooth.
Cover and let rise approximately one hour, or until dough has doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Roll dough out into a rectangle. Dough should be about 1/4 inch thick.
Spread butter over dough.
Combine sugar and cinnamon, generously cover dough.
Starting from the long side, begin rolling the dough up, jelly roll style.

Cut dough into slices, using either a serrated knife or by slipping a piece of dental floss under the roll and pulling the ends together. 

Place buns in a greased springform pan, leaving some space between rolls. Allow to rise another 30 minutes.
Bake 10-15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
While buns are baking, beat together frosting ingredients. Drizzle over warm buns.

ENJOY!

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Chummus

(bottom, center)

Quick, healthy, cheap, and good... what more could you want?

Ingredients:
1 15oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2-3 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste
2 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste)
water- start with 1/4 cup

Place all ingredients except water in the bowl of a food processor fitted with as "S-blade." Pulse while slowly pouring in water until mixture reaches desired consistency.

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Pita Chips

Ingredients:
4 pitas
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon each salt, pepper, dried parsley, garlic, cumin, or other spices of your choice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut each pita in half widthwise, then into triangles.
Combine oil and spices, spread each triangle with oil and spice mixture.
Bake 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through

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Kefta Kebobs

Something different to do with ground beef!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 and 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or hot sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ginger

Wooden skewers

Combine all ingredients. Shape meat around skewers, two "footballs" per skewer. 

Grill on high heat about five minutes per side. Flip carefully to prevent crumbling.

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Sriracha Lime Chicken

Total prep time: 50 minutes
Active prep time: 5 minutes

This recipe takes just five minutes and five ingredients to throw together but packs a big punch of flavor. It's a new family favorite around here!

Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 limes, divided
1 onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup olive oil
1-2 teaspoons sriracha, to taste

Butterfly chicken, place in shallow container or ziplock. Squeeze juice of one and a half limes over chicken. Add onions, oil, and sriracha and let marinate approximately 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350. Place chicken in ovenproof pan, pour onions and marinade on top. Bake for 15 minutes then turn oven to broil and let cook for another five. 

While chicken is baking, take remaining lime half and thinly slice.

Remove from pan and serve with some of the marinade spooned over the top. Garnish with lime slices 

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Polenta Pizza

Total Prep Time: 40 minutes

Active Prep Time: 10 minutes

It was one of those nights... you know- home late, hungry and haven't been to the grocery store for a week or so. Time to throw something together from whatever is lying around. Came up with this, and it tasted great! Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. 

Ingredients:
1 cup corn meal
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup marinara sauce
3/4 cup shredded mozzerella cheese
1 tablespoon shredded parmesean cheese

Preheat oven to 375.
Bring corn meal, water, and salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Whisk until mixture is thickened, approximately five minutes. Pour into 9x13 pan lined with parchment paper.
Bake "crust" for 15-20 minutes.
Remove from oven. Pour on a layer of marinara and sprinkle with shredded cheeses.
Rerutn to oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15 minutes.

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