Fun with Food

One of my unofficial New Year's resolutions was to try at least one new recipe each week. I plan a two week menu, and shop every other Friday for my groceries, so I figured this would be an easy task to accomplish.

For dinner last night, I made Beef and Cheese Turnovers (recipe below). This is a new recipe for me, but it comes from the kitchen of my mother-in-law. One of the great gifts she has given me has been her recipes printed on 4X6 index cards. I have enjoyed cooking meals for Austin from his past. He liked the recipe, which makes makes me happy. He thinks I am a good cook, and I appreciate that. This is a really easy recipe, and reminds me of a Chalupa that you can order from Taco Bell.

Another new recipe I did today is Haystack Cookies. This is a cookie made from raw ingredients that you process in the food processor, then dehydrate on a food dehydrator (or even in the oven). They are still dehydrating, so I haven't tried them yet, but the raw product was delicious. I am excited about these cookies because there isn't any flour, and you don't destroy the nutrients because they are cooked at such a low heat for a length of time. Yum-o!

Now for the recipes.


Beef and Cheese Turnovers

2 C. flour (I use 1 cup wheat, and 1 cup white)
2 ts. baking powder
1/2 ts. salt
1 C. water
1 1b. beef (I used sausage)
1/4 lb. mushrooms
1 sm. onion, diced
2 C. shredded cheese ( I used cheddar)
1 ts. dill weed
1 ts. seasoned salt
1/4 ts. fresh ground pepper

Mix first three ingredients; add water and mix; set aside.
Cook meat; add mushrooms, onion & garlic, cooking til vegetables are done.
Add remaining ingredients to meat mixture.
Divide dough into 8 portions; roll each into a circle.
Divide meat equally among dough circles; fold over & seal edges.
Fry in small amount of oil on both sides til lightly browned.
Serve with sour cream and hot sauce if desired.

Yield: 8 turnovers

Haystack Cookies

1 1/2 C coconut, finely shredded
1/2 C soaked raisins
5 large dehydrated pineapple rings, re-hydrated or 5 sweet 3/4" slices fresh pineapple
1 C soaked almonds. Soak for 12 hours in pure water, rinse under faucet. Can peel almonds for a lighter more delicate taste
1/4 ts. powdered ginger
1 ts. cinnamon powder

In a food processor with the "S" shaped blade, puree almonds, pineapple, raisins, coconut and spices.
Form into 1" balls, roll in coconut.
Place on sheet, and flatten with a spoon.
Dehydrate 8 hours at 110 degrees. Cook 4 hours, flip, then cook 4 hours more.
Can cook in the oven or a food dehydrator.

Enjoy!