SOME LOVELY RECIPES

 soft, moist, and gooey cinnamon buns

you need a bread machine to make this one, but really it makes it even easier - you don't have to mix anything! these were seriously devoured in about five minutes at a staff meeting at school. the best recipe ever.

  Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1/2 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 cups bread flour
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoons bread machine yeast
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
• 1 teaspoon milk
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a bread machine pan, place the milk, beaten egg, melted butter, water, vanilla pudding mix, bread flour, sugar, salt and yeast in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select the Dough cycle.
2. When cycle is finished, remove the dough, and knead for 3 to 5 minutes. Roll out to a large rectangle.
3. Mix together the softened butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread over dough. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts and raisins, if desired. Starting with the widest end, roll the dough into a log. Pinch to seal seams. Cut into 1/2 inch to 1 inch slices, and place in a greased 9x13 inch pan. Place in a draft-free space, and allow to rise until doubled.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. To make frosting, mix the milk, confectioners sugar, softened butter and vanilla in a small bowl. Spread over warm cinnamon rolls.

the most spectacular guacamole.






















this guacamole was literally gone in one sitting, the best ever. amy and i got the recipe from this lovely, older woman at the french hair salon she works at on grand avenue. she casually spouted the recipe to us off the top of her head and made sure to tell us to buy the blue, organic chips or else the guac was hardly worth it. i recommend making this in bulk because it goes so fast. one of the cleverly simple recipes i've ever followed! 

ingredients:
2 avocados
3 cloves of garlic (chopped)
2 green onions (chopped)
small handful of cilantro (chopped) 
a pinch of salt (to taste)
half a lime squeezed

cut avocados in half and scoop out the middle. combine all other ingredients and mix. keep one of the avocado pits in the container to help keep the green color from turning brown.




homemade cranberry tea
















straight from my mother's basket of recipes. we always made this tea around christmastime but it really is good all year round. makes the entire house smell amazing too.

ingredients:
1 package of cranberries
6 oz can of OJ
6 oz can of lemonade
4 cinnamon sticks
1 tbsp. cloves

simmer for 30 minutes:
cinnamon sticks
cloves
1 quart water
(i usually double this recipe, depends on how many people you are serving)

add package of cranberries - continue to simmer until all have 'popped'. strain. add 1/2 cup sugar, OJ, & lemonade.  this makes a concentrate. serve 3-4 parts water to 1 part concentrate or to taste.