A few favorites...

Thought I'd share some favorites I've come across lately. These are just a few 'staples' I make each week or so:

Spring Asparagus Puree:
1 bunch asparagus
3 handfuls baby spinach
2 cloves garlic
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
juice of 1 lemon (or more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Blanch asparagus for a couple of minutes then add to food processor with remaining ingredients and blend! Easy!
This is great used as a pesto over pasta, as a sauce for pizza, on a sandwich instead of mayo (I've used it on a morning breakfast roll with a wheat tortilla, eggs, avocado and tomatoes-very yummy!), it could also be swirled over soup.... Very versatile and tasty!

Granola Cereal:
4 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup sunflower seeds/sesame seeds (I just put some of both in a 1/4 measuring cup)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut (my husband hates coconut but loves this cereal, I use an unsweetened finely shredded coconut, although I'd prefer more of a flaked coconut myself)
1/2 cup brown sugar (optional, sometimes I just double the honey instead of using the sugar)
1/3 cup vegetable oil (or other oil of preference- coconut or sesame would work well here)
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla

mix dry ingredient in a bowl. mix wet ingredients in a smaller bowl. pour wet mixture into the dry and mix well. Spread over rimmed cookie sheet and bake at 300 for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally (i usually turn the sheet around and stir about every 20 minutes).

This will last us about 7-10 days, we go through it pretty quickly. It's great with soy or coconut milk and topped with your favorite fruits or yogurt.

Bread:This is a great bread recipe!! It makes about 4 loaves (although it says 6- I've only managed to make 4). We make it every other week, and my kids won't eat anything else!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/dees-health-bread/

I make as directed EXCEPT I omit the lemon juice, use flax meal instead of the whole seed, and sub 1/2 cup old fashioned oats for the cracked wheat and sunflower seeds. Turns out great!

Garden Salsa: I know everyone has their own recipe and a favorite they like to use. I don't have an official recipe for mine, I just chop and taste and add more of this or that. I make it quite often and use it with eggs for huevos rancheros, in a tortilla for a veggie taco, in broth for tortilla soup, as a salsa dip...it's so versatile! my basic ingredients are: avocados, black beans (drained and rinsed), onion, peppers (any combo of red, green, jalapeño, etc. I love red pepper especially), corn, tomatoes, cilantro, limes, limes, limes, slat and pepper (i also will add cucumber sometimes). so yummy and my kids love it!