Herb: Epazote

We have this herb growing in our new indoor herb garden- It came with the kit- I had never used or am familiar with this herb. I thought I would find out how to use it- Pigweed doesn't make it sound too appetizing!

Epazote
pigweed, mexican tea


An herb well-known to Mexican and Caribbean cooking. The name comes from the Aztec (Nahuatl) epazotl. It is also known as pigweed or Mexican tea and is frequently regarded as a garden pest. It is most commonly used in black bean recipes to ward off some of the "negative" side affects of eating beans. Much like cilantro, it is referred to as an "acquired taste". The herb is quite pungent and some say it smells like gasoline or kerosene.

Happy Valentine's Day

Buffalo Chicken Dip

* 2 (10 ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained
* 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup Blue Cheese dressing
* 3/4 cup pepper sauce, such as Franks® Red Hot®
* 1 cups shredded white cheese
*Salt, Pepper, and Garlic to Taste
Crumbled Blue Cheese


DIRECTIONS

1. Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and Blue Cheese dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in the shredded cheese. Add Salt, Pepper, and Garlic to taste. Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the Crumbled Blue cheese over the top, cover, and cook on Low setting until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks and crackers.

Today's Task: Baking Ezekiel Bread

Ezekiel Bread

Taste of Home Recipe

I made this Bread recipe this fall and we loved it- I like that it makes 4 loaves at once.

TIME: Prep: 30 min. + rising Bake: 30 min. + cooling
Ingredients:

* 3 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
* 5 cups warm water (110° to 115°), divided
* 1 tablespoon plus 2/3 cup honey, divided
* 2/3 cup canola oil
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 4 cups whole wheat flour
* 1 cup toasted wheat germ
* 6 to 8 cups bread flour

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in 3/4 cup warm water and 1 tablespoon honey. Add the remaining water and honey, the oil, sugar, salt, whole wheat flour, wheat germ and 3 cups bread flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining bread flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Shape into four loaves. Place in 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes.
Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: 4 loaves (16 slices each) .

Scooby Doo Cookies

A Few Photos Christmas 2008