Humus Crusted Chicken

Preheat oven to 450

chicken breasts in baking pan/dish
slather with thick layer of hummus
squeeze fresh lemon juice over this
sprinkle with balsamic vinegar
lay some fresh rosemary on top of all

Bake 30-35 minutes.

I read this recipe in a magazine the other day and decided to try it. We liked it a lot! The chicken breasts we used were huge. They needed the full 35 minutes. If you use medium to small ones, you won't need to bake quite that long.

Coconut Milk Clam Chowder

½ c water
1 bottle (8 oz) clam juice
½ c minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 c diced potatoes
1 t salt
1/8 t white pepper
1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
1 can (8 oz) minced clams
1/4 t paprika

In med saucepan heat water, clam juice, onion, garlic, celery, potatoes, salt, and pepper to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 20 min or until potatoes are tender. Add coconut milk and clams with their liquid. Cook about 5 min until heated through. Sprinkle with paprika.

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

1 c butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 c flour
1 t baking powder
½ t salt
1/4 t baking soda
2 c quick oats
1 c raisins
1 c chopped fresh cranberries
1 T grated orange peel
1 pkg (12 oz) vanilla chips
1 c chopped nuts (optional)
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture. Stir in oats, raisins, cranberries and orange peel. Stir in vanilla chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake 375 for 10-12 min. or until edges are lightly browned.
Note - we omit the raisins and use more cranberries. We usually use dried cranberries. Chopped fresh ones are good, too.