Cottage Cheesecake

We just made this cake three times in tree weeks.  It's. So. Delicious.   And gluten free.  And low sugar/carb.  And made of real-food ingredients, if you know what I mean.

Adapted from All Recipes.

 Crust:
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup oat groats (rolled oats work too)
1/3 cup almond meal
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt

Spread the pecans, oats and almond meal on a baking sheet and toast in a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes or until fragrant. Put the toasted nuts and oats in a food processor and chop finely. Add olive oil and salt and process until dough forms. Transfer dough to the springform pan and, starting in the center, press dough with your fingers working it into a crust that covers the bottom of the pan. Put the crust back in the oven at 375 for 10 minutes until it is lightly browned on top. Cool thoroughly.

Filling:
4 cups of cottage cheese
3 eggs Zest of 1 lemon
Juice from half the lemon
1 tbsp corn starch
1 tbsp vanilla
1/2 cup raw honey
1/4 tsp sea salt

Turn the oven to 325 degrees. Fill a pan with water and place it in the bottom shelf of the oven to raise humidity. Oil the sides of the springform pan working carefully not to disturb the crust on the bottom. Whirl all ingredients in a food processor for 1 minute or until very smooth.  Taste it to make sure it's smooth. Let the filling rest for 5 minutes to let let air bubble to the surface. Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake for 40 minutes on a rack above the water bath. Turn the oven off when the filling is just set but still pale. Let the cake cool down with the oven. It will continue to cook as it cools.  Delicious chilled.

Sunflower Sprouts

Chewy Almond Brownies

Adapted from the Brownies recipe at Elanaspantry.com. Made for my friend's engagement brunch!

1 jar of creamy roasted almond butter -16 oz

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate

1 tbsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9"x9" baking pan with oiled parchment paper. Mix ingredients thoroughly. The batter will be stiff. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, pressing it into the corners with an oiled spatula. Bake 30 minutes or so until set in the center. A toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs. Cut brownies when cool.

Pecan Cheese Crackers

16oz shredded sharp cheddar
12 tbsp butter, room temperature
2 eggs
2 cups chopped pecans
3 cups whole wheat flour
Black pepper to taste
Smoked paprika to taste
Sea salt to taste

Pulse pecans and flour in a good processor until nuts are finely ground. Beat cheese and butter together until combined. Beat eggs in. Add nuts, flour, and plenty of freshly ground pepper and combine until you have a pliable dough. Roll dough into logs and chill until firm.

Slice logs into 1/8" thick slabs and arrange on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with paprika and sea salt. Bake in a 350 degree oven until golden. Let crackers cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to paper-towels to blot the extra oil.

Winter Garden

Oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary and parsley are still green.

Matcha Sables

Recipe to follow...

Drying Herbs

Sage...