Creamy Balsamic Dressing

1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. mayo
1/8 c. balsamic vinegar
pinch salt
pinch sugar

Combine these using a whisk, blender, or just put them in a tupperware and shake well!
This dressing is great for pasta salad. Makes approx 1/2 c. dressing.

Sri Lankan Style Chickpeas

I've been trying to include more chickpeas in my diet, and found this great recipe. I didn't have lemon juice or cilantro, which would have made the dish even better. I liked this dish so much that I immediately made another batch for lunch tomorrow, but left out the green chili (my mouth was on fire!) and added a pinch of chili powder.

Sri Lankan Style Chickpeas

Roasted Artichoke, Chickpeas & Garlic Salad

Definitely want to try this recipe from blogger Ecurry. Looks unique and sounds delicious.

Roasted Artichoke, Chickpeas & Garlic Salad

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Here's a delicious recipe for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls from a blog called The Cook's Collection.

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls


These were quite a bit of work, but well worth it. I made them the night before and did the final rise in the refrigerator overnight. I drizzled a little glaze (see recipe) on top after I baked these rolls, but might omit it or try a cream cheese glaze next time. The recipe glaze was a bit too sweet for my family's taste.

Pumpkin is a brilliant addition to cinnamon roll dough. I usually think the cinnamon roll dough is a little bland, but the pumpkin dough had an amazing flavor. This recipe is definitely worth filing in the "special occasion" box! I can't wait for a holiday or brunch when I'll have an excuse to make it again.

Healthy, Fluffy Banana Pancakes

1/2c. wheat flour
1c. white flour
1 Tb. baking powder
scant 1 Tb. sugar
scant 1 tsp salt
1 1/4c. milk (plus a little more for thinning)
1 egg
3 Tb. melted butter
2 Tb. ground flaxseed (optional)
1 banana

Makes 8-10 pancakes

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and make a well in the center. Combine wet ingredients in separate bowl, then pour into the dry ingredients. Stir until mixed, but do not over mix batter. Add more milk to thin the batter if needed.

Grease a skillet (I used a little butter) and cook pancakes over medium. When batter starts to bubble, add sliced banana on top, then flip pancakes. I needed to add a little more butter when I flipped the cakes to prevent them from burning.

Enjoy with maple syrup, or my personal fave: applesauce.

Coconut Cupcakes

And this is what I made with the other half can of coconut milk!  These are the best cupcakes I've had in a long time.  Maybe the best ever.  And I didn't even frost them.

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/coconut-cupcakes-with-seven-minute-frosting

Coconut Drumstick Curry

This recipe was great.  I didn't have any drumsticks, so I used okra instead.  Only change I'd make would be to add an entire can of coconut milk instead of 3/4 can.

Here's a link to the blog where I found it: http://dustandcolor.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/coconut-drumstick-curry/