Levain Oatmeal Raisin (or Chocolate Chip) Cookies

These are show-stoppers when you swap the raisins for chocolate chips.  That pinch of cinnamon is a bright addition to the chocolate chip version.  They are huge.  I usually can only eat half of one max. Thanks you, A Bountiful Kitchen.

Ingredients

·       1 cup butter unsalted, cut into tablespoons*

·       1 1/4 cup light brown sugar

·       1/2 cup granulated sugar

·       2 large eggs

·       2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

·       1/4 cup cornstarch

·       1 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats

·       1 teaspoon baking soda

·       1/2 teaspoon sea salt I like to use 1 teaspoon

·       1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

·       1 3/4 cup raisins (OR CHOCOLATE CHIPS!!)

Instructions

1.    Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees or 400 convection with rack in center of oven.

2.    In the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl, place cut butter. Mix on low until butter is broken up.

3.    With the mixer on low, add sugars. Blend until there are no visible chunks of butter, about 1 minute on low or medium low.

4.    Add eggs and mix until smooth on low or medium low.

5.    Stop mixer and add flour, cornstarch, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

6.    Pulse the mixer until the wet and dry ingredients are incorporated. This will take about 10 pulses of the mixer (quick on -off motion) . Then mix on low until the flour disappears.

7.    Mix the raisins in using the pulse motion again.

8.    Using a kitchen scale, measure out 6 oz portions, do not compact the dough or use a cookie scoop, the cookie is meant to have a rough shape! Stack the cookie high so it will still be thick after baking.

9.    Place the cookies on a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan 4-5 per sheet.

10. Bake for 6-7 minutes or until the cookie is barely set and golden on top. C's note: It usually takes me longer.  I look at the crevices of the cookie and wait until they are not wet looking anymore-they've lost the shine-and then pull them out.  It is a very careful process to get it just right because it is such a large cookie.

11. Remove from oven and let sit for at least 30-60 minutes to allow the cookie to set up.

Recipe Notes

-The butter should be barely soft.I can see an indentation when I push my finger into the side of the butter, but the butter will not totally collapse. Either leave the butter on the kitchen counter for about 30 minutes before using or microwave the butter. I remove my butter straight from the refrigerator and microwave it for 18-20 seconds, My microwave is not very powerful, most microwaves will probably need about 10-12 seconds to achieve the right result!
-The size of the eggs will determine the amount of moisture in the cookie to some degree. I recommend using large or extra large eggs. The extra large eggs from Costco are HUGE, so you may need to add a bit of flour 1-2 tablespoons if the dough is wet and sticky after mixing all ingredients together. Fold in the extra flour with a large spoon or spatula.
-sea salt is recommended but not absolutely necessary. I like the flavor of sea salt as opposed to table salt. The next time you have both sided by side, pour a little in your hand and taste the difference!
-You may substitute 2 cups of chocolate chips ( I recommend dark of semi sweet chocolate) for the raisins. C's note:  I only use 1 3/4 cups and they turn out great.

Kalua Pork Sliders with Pineapple-Mango Slaw

Recipe by Our Best Bites

These look like little parties in a bun with the colorful confetti slaw and the taste is amazing. I might double the dressing for the slaw or at least the more flavorful bits.  It is really good as-is though.

Slaw
2 cups shredded purple cabbage (cut shreds into about 1″ pieces)
1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
1 rib celery
1/3 cup sliced green onions
3 heaping tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/2 cup diced mango
1/2 cup diced pineapple

Dressing
3 tablespoons mayo
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 tablespoon sugar
1 heaping teaspoon orange zest
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1-2 dozen Hawaiian Rolls
1 Kalua Pork Roast, about 3 lbs (Click Here for the Recipe)
optional: bbq sauce

Note:  Since you’re putting the slaw on a small bun, make sure to dice everything relatively small so you get a little of everything in each slider!

Combine all slaw ingredients and gently toss.  Whisk dressing ingredients together.  Add dressing to slaw and toss gently until everything is lightly coated.  Chill for 15 minutes.  Slice Hawaiian rolls in half, top with shredded Kalua Pork and a generous spoonful of slaw.  Top with other half of bun.  (If desired, you can squirt just a wee bit of bbq sauce over the pork.  I don’t like to use a lot because it takes away from the simple smoky flavor of the pork, but if you have a sauce you really love, it’s pretty good in there.)

Yield depends on how full you make them. I would estimate 1 1/2 dozen very generously filled sliders and 2 dozen moderately filled ones.  If you try these, let me know how many you got in a comment!

Grilled Vegetable Flatbread Pizza

The perfect lunch-when you have an extra minute, or have a "Make Your Own Pizza Night" with this as a recipe for Mom and Dad and all the regular pizza ingredients for the kids.  Thanks again, Our Best Bites.

Ingredients

·       2 8-9 ounce Flatbreads

·       Nonstick Olive oil or canola spray

·       1 zucchini small-medium, sliced diagonally in thin pieces

·       3 slices red onion horizontally sliced, keep rings intact

·       1 Pinch Kosher Salt

·       Black Pepper

·       4 Tablespoons Pesto

·       4 Tablespoons Ricotta Cheese part skim

·       1/2 Teaspoon Garlic minced

·       2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice fresh squeezed

·       2 Tomatoes sliced thin

·       4 Ounces Mozzarella Cheese fresh, sliced thin

·       2-3 Tablespoons basil fresh, chopped

·       2 Teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar

Instructions

1.             Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2.             Place flatbreads on a baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes.

3.             Remove from the oven.

4.             Heat a large indoor grill pan (or outdoor grill) to medium heat.

5.             Lightly spray one side of the zucchini and onion rings and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

6.             Grill the zucchini and onions oil side down for 3-5 minutes or until grill marks appear.

7.             Spray the other side with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, flip the vegetables and cook an additional 3-5 minutes.

8.             While vegetables are cooking, combine pesto, ricotta, garlic and lemon juice in a bowl.

9.             Spread the mixture on baked flatbreads, layer the zucchini, onions, tomatoes and mozzarella on the flatbreads.

10.          Return the flatbreads to the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

11.          Sprinkle with basil and balsamic vinegar and serve.

Black Bean and Mango Quesadilla

Black Bean and Mango Quesadillas
Recipe by Our Best Bites

(You should really click that link to see just how delicious this recipe really looks...and is)

Ingredients
1  cup diced mango (about 1 medium/large mango, 2 small ones)
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup diced red pepper
1-2 tablespoons finely minced jalapeno pepper
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon coriander
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper
1 1/2 tablespoon water
1-2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
4-6 small/med flour tortillas

Instructions
Preheat a non-stick griddle or skillet to medium high heat.

Combine mango, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl.  Sprinkle with a couple pinches of salt and a few cracks of pepper.  Gently stir to combine and place in fridge to chill.

Place beans, water, cumin, coriander, onion and garlic in a microwave-safe bowl and stir.  Cover with plastic wrap and prick plastic with a fork to vent.  Microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes (microwaves vary) until beans are hot.  Use a fork to lightly mash beans, leaving some beans still in tact.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Lightly brush pan with a little oil and place tortillas on it.  Sprinkle tortillas with pepper jack cheese (I use a generous 1/4 cup on 6-inch tortillas) and cook until cheese is melted and tortillas are toasted and golden brown.

Remove from heat and divide bean mixture between tortillas, top with mango salsa and fold tortillas in half.  Use a pizza cutter to cut into wedges.  Serve with sour cream if desired.

Sheet Pan Fajitas

Guys... Just made these for the fam + Mike's brothers and they were a MAJOR hit!

Thank you Our Best Bites!

1 1/2-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and sliced
1 large onion, sliced
2 large bell peppers (or 3 small/med ones), sliced
**I added half a head of cauliflower to add bulk since I was feeding so many people and it was delicious.**
3–4 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 limes for squeezing
handful of cilantro

optional for serving: sour cream, guacamole/avocado, tortillas, rice and beans, etc.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Have a large sheet pan ready (cover with foil or parchment for easy clean-up). 

Place sliced chicken, onions, and peppers in an extra large mixing bowl.  Drizzle on oil and all seasonings. Toss to coat.   

Spread chicken and pepper mixture out evenly on baking sheet and place in oven.  Bake for 20-30 minutes (closer to 20 with convection) until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.  If desired, place under broiler for a quick minute to brown. 

Remove from oven and if desired, sprinkle cilantro over everything and give it a big squeeze of fresh lime juice (you might not need fresh lime if you used True Lime, but I say never enough lime.)

Serve with tortillas and traditional fixings, or over a bed of salad or veggies or rice and beans, etc.