Gingerbread Spice Muffins, Apples, Raisins, Walnuts - Dairy-Free

Dairy-Free Gingerbread Spice Muffins with Apples, Raisins and Walnuts

Here's a yummy gingerbread spice muffin with apples, raisins and walnuts! I think you’ll find the gingerbread spice in these dairy-free muffins a real delight. The muffins calls for Thompson raisins, but you could substitute Sultanas or even dried cranberries if you wish.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Easy and Delicious Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Here’s a chicken noodle soup recipe that will warm your soul. 

For this recipe, I bought a pound (453g) of deboned chicken breasts, cut it into small pieces, and stir-fried it ahead of time. 

If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes into the recipe.

Za’atar Squash Dip

Za'atar Squash Dip

Here’s a nice roasted squash dip with the seasoning Za’atar. It’s great served with fresh veggies, pita bread, or as a spread in a sandwich.

Za’atar Squash Dip

Makes about 1 cup

1 small butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup canned garbanzo beans, rinsed
2 teaspoons Za’atar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Halve the squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Brush olive oil on the inside of the squash and season with salt and pepper. Place on parchment flesh down and roast for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the squash is soft and can be pierced with a small knife.

Remove from oven and cool.

Scoop out enough to measure 1 packed cup of roasted squash. Place into a small food processor.

Add the remaining ingredients and blend to a consistency you like for dipping.

Serve with fresh veggies, crackers, or pita bread.

Other Dips To Try

Guacamole with Cilantro

Green Goddess Dip

Hummus

Nasi Goreng - Indonesian Fried Rice With Green Beans and Red Cabbage

Nasi Goreng with Fried Egg

Nasi Goreng is an Indonesian fried rice dish topped with fried eggs. The secret to great fried rice is to use cold cooked rice!

Nasi Goreng uses a sweet soy sauce called Kecap. It’s not always widely available, but it is easy to make, which I’ve done in this recipe. Since the cooked rice and Kecap can be made ahead of time, this is an easy dish to throw together at the last minute.

If you want to add more protein you could add cooked pork, cooked chicken, or even tofu.

Ginger Spice Sugar Cookies

Ginger Spice Sugar Cookies

I love a good ginger cookie…especially when it’s rolled in sugar.

This recipe has a whole lot of spice, plus crystallized ginger for added ‘yum’. 

I’ve made them a few times; the first time with fresh ginger (because I didn’t have ginger powder) and it turned out just fine. So if you want, substitute the ginger powder with 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger. 

Hopefully, these cookies disappear right away, but if not, they are easy to freeze.

Ginger Cookies

Chewy Coconut Macaroons

Chewy Coconut Macaroons

Mixing coconut with sugar and egg whites is always a good thing in our house. These  are super-fast to make and will be gone by the end of the day!  These coconut cookies are perfect for serving when friends arrive unexpectedly because they're quick to make.

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

These are fun cookies to make and you can get the kids involved to make the indents in the middle of the cookies. I use raspberry jam, but you can use whatever jam you like or have in your refrigerator.

To dust the cookies with icing sugar, simply put some icing sugar into a small mesh sieve and sprinkle over the cookies. It’s not necessary, but makes the cookies look festive.

Ginger Squash Coconut Muffins

Ginger Squash Coconut Muffins

This recipe is delicious! These muffins are similar to zucchini muffins, except they are made with butternut squash. They also have fresh ginger, coconut and pecans. The pepitas sprinkled on top add a nice crunch to the muffin. And if you’re wondering, pepitas are hulless pumpkin seeds and is Spanish for “little seeds of squash.”

Red Lentil Soup

Red Lentil Soup

Here’s a nice red lentil soup for the chilly fall/winter days ahead. It’s an understated but tasty soup to serve with a nice loaf of sourdough bread.

Shepherd’s Pie with Squash

Yummy Shepherd's Pie with Squash

Here is a nice shepherd’s pie recipe adapted from the one in Doris’s Greenspan’s, “Everyday Dorie, The Way I Cook.” cookbook I’ve made it a few times now, and it’s been smashing every time. I especially like the squash in the filling, and of course, the mashed potatoes on top.