Easy Picadillo

Easy Picadillo
1 lb ground beef
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1- 14.5 oz can salsa-style chunky tomatoes
1 c canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c golden raisins

1. In a medium pan, cook beef and pepper over medium heat until beef is browned, about 8-10 minutes; drain.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Guiltless Oatmeal Bites

Guiltless Oatmeal Bites
3 over-ripe bananas
1/3 c applesauce
2 c oats
1/4 c milk
1 t vanilla
1 t cinnamon
1/2 c of at least one or two of the following: raisins, craisins, chocolate chips, or coconut

1. Preheat oven to 350* and lightly grease a 9x13 pan.
2. Mix all ingredients together and pour in to pan; bake for 45 minutes. Once cooled, cut into bite-sized pieces and serve.

Stollen

Stollen is a traditional German cake, typically eaten during the Christmas season.
(I tweaked this recipe from Food Network)

Stollen
For the Fruit:
1 c mixed dried fruit (I used dried pineapple and cranberries)
1 c raisins
1/4 c dark rum (or orange juice)
For the Sponge:
1 pkg (or 2 1/4 t) yeast
1/4 c warm water
2/3 c warm milk
1 t honey
1 c flour
For the Dough:
1/3 c honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c butter, softened
zest of 1 lemon
1 t salt
1/2 nutmeg
1/2 c chopped almonds, toasted
3-4 c flour
For the Filling:
2 T butter, melted
2 t cinnamon
3 T sugar
For the Topping:
1/2 c powdered sugar

1. Prepare Fruit: Combine the mixed fruit, raisins, and rum; cover and set aside; shake every so often to coat the fruit with the rum.

2. Prepare Sponge: In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast in to the water to soften; add the milk, honey, and flour. 3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise until light and full of bubbles, about 30 minutes.
4. Make dough: In stand mixer bowl, add the fruit mixture, honey, egg, butter, zest, salt, nutmeg, almonds, and 2 cups of the flour to the sponge; using the paddle, beat the mixture on medium low speed for 2 minutes.
5. Gradually add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time until the dough begins to pull away from the side of the bowl (or in my case, until you start to see flour hanging out at the bottom of the bowl, not getting mixed in).
6. Change to the dough hook; continue to add flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough just begins to clean the bowl. Knead 4 to 5 minutes on medium-low.
7. First rise: Put the dough in an oiled bowl and turn to coat the entire ball of dough with oil; cover with a kitchen towel and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
8. Shape and Fill: Turn the dough out onto a slightly greased surface; divide the dough in half and roll each half into a 7x9-inch oval.
9. Brush the melted butter over the top of the ovals; combine the cinnamon and sugar, and sprinkle over one half of each oval, lengthwise.
10. Fold the dough in half lengthwise and carefully lift onto cookie sheet lined that's been lightly greased or lined with parchment paper; press lightly on the folded side of the dough to help the loaf keep its shape during rising and baking.
11. Second rise: Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 45 minutes.
12. Preheat oven to 375*; bake for 25 minutes. Immediately place loaves on a cooling rack.
13. Sprinkle heavily with powdered sugar just before serving.

Mediterranean Orzo

Mediterranean Orzo
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
2 T fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 t (or 2 cloves) minced garlic
1/2 t dried oregano
1/2 t salt, plus more as needed
1/4 t pepper
1/2 t sugar
1 c orzo
1/4 c packed, or 1/2 c loose, golden raisins
1/4 c chopped black olives
1/4-1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
1/4 c thinly sliced fresh basil
1/4-1/2 c crumbled feta cheese

1. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar in a medium bowl.
2. Fill medium pot about 2/3 full of water and bring to a boil; add salt (I used about a tablespoon) and bring back up to a boil.
3. Add orzo and cook a little past al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Drain orzo well; while still hot, add to dressing and coat well.
5. Let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally; stir in raisins, olives, onions, and basil.
6. Add feta and toss lightly. Serve at room temperature.