BTP Pasta Salad

1 ½ c peas (fresh or frozen)
1 12oz pkg of bacon
1 3.8oz can sliced pitted olives
1 ½ c diced tomatoes
2 tbsp fresh parsley
1 c grated cheddar cheese (or favorite cheese)
1 16oz pkg of light sour cream (can use fat free)
¼ c mayo
1 packet (1oz) of Ranch dip mix.
1lb favorite type of pasta cooked

Dice the bacon and put it into a frying pan and cook it until lightly crispy. In a large bowl add cold pasta, peas,olives, tomatoes, parsley, and cooked bacon. In a small bowl mix sour cream, mayo, and dip mix. Pour into the large bowl and mix until completely coated.

Macaroni and Cheese

¼ c butter
½ c flour
1 quart half and half
1 tbsp chicken bullion
¼ tsp paprika
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp fresh parsley
2 ½ c shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb cooked pasta

Melt butter in a large sauce pan over medium to medium high heat. Add flour until it is all mixed in. Add half and half and whisk it in. Add chicken bullion, paprika, onion powder, and parsley. Whisk until thickened about 10-15 minutes. Add cheese until melted and the pour over parsley. You can add add a little paprika and parsley to the top to garnish it.

Honey sauce for pork chops or chicken

3 Tbsp Orange concentrate
½ c honey
¼ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
1 Tbsp onion zest
2 tbsp olive oil
8 chicken breasts or pork chops
½ tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 tbsp fresh parsley
Coat the meat in olive oil, salt and pepper. Then mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Place meat in a casserole dish and then coat with sauce. Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until juices run clear and meat is done.

Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

1 C butter softened
½ c agave or 1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla
1 c whole wheat flour
1 c all purpose flour
2 ¼ c oat meal
½ c cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 c mini chocolate chips

Mix together in mixer or medium sized bowl sugar, egg, and vanilla. Next add cocoa and oatmeal until well blended. Then add flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until completely mixed in. Add in chocolate chips and stir until blended in. Scoop onto lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cool on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes and then enjoy.

Whole Wheat Bread

1 ½ tbsp yeast
½ c warm water
1/8 c agave or ¼ c sugar
1/8 c olive oil or apple sauce
2 tsp salt
2 ½ c warm water
4 c whole wheat flour
3 c all purpose flour

Dissolve yeast, agave, and ½ c of warm water and let sit about 5 minutes. Next add oil, salt, water, and flour. Kneed until smooth. Let rise is a large lightly oiled bowl for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. Punch down and separate into 2 lightly greased bread loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

Crock Pot Apricot Chicken

¼ c olive oil
3 Tbsp orange juice
3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
8-10 chicken breasts
2 tsp Italian seasoning
3 c chicken stock
1 c apricot preserves
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp salt
4 Tbsp cornstarch
¼ c hot water
Put all items except for the corn starch and water in the crock pot. Cook on low heat for about 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours ( until chicken is cooked). When done remove the chicken. Mix cornstarch and water until dissolved and whisk into the broth. It will thicken up. Spoon over chicken.

Whole Wheat Blueberry Applesauce Muffins

1 C whole wheat flour
¾ C all- purpose flour
1/3 c sugar or just shy of ¼ c agave
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 egg
¾ c milk
¼ c applesauce
¾ c blueberries ( frozen or fresh)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12 2 ½ muffin cups or line with paper baking cups. In a Medium bowl combine sugar, egg, milk, and apple sauce. Next add flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until moistened. Then add blueberries and fold them in. Spoon batter into the baking cups and bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden and tooth pick comes out clean. Cool muffins for 5 minutes. Enjoy.