Once upon a time there was... Hellenistic Chicken

We found a recipe called Greek Chicken.  Being experts in Greek cooking, we don't really think its very Greek.  However, it is generally Mediterranean-ish, so we've re-branded it Hellenistic Chicken.  Whatever you call it, it is delicious.

We try to give credit to our sources as best we can, but this is another instance of we found it online a long time ago and haven't been able to re-google it back.  So if you know where it came from, we'll be happy to give credit.

Once upon a time there was... Passover Cheesecake w/ Fruit Sauces

It' always difficult to find good Passover desserts with all the ingredients you are not allowed to use. There are only so many macaroons you can eat...

(...but an unlimited amount you can play basketball with...)

(...and slam dunk!)

That's why we were so excited when we discovered the Passover Cheesecake recipe - every bit as delicious as regular cheesecake because all that changes is the crust. This recipe comes from Philadelphia Cream Cheese (which is really the only kind of cream cheese we use because the other cream cheeses are stupid and come from inferior places - go phillies!)

Once upon a time there was... Italian Pesto Chicken

This dinner is super impressive.  There is something about food that's rolled up that says "look how fancy I cook and how obviously skilled I am".  So if you are trying to impress someone or just like food thats pretty to look at, give this one a try.  This recipe is adapted from Jean May's cookbook titled "Chicken".

ingredients
2 chicken breasts
2 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 c white wine
3.5 oz chopped tomato (fresh or canned)
2 Tbsp pesto

Once upon a time there was... Penne with Fresh Pesto, Ricotta, and Tomatoes

Well Castle Farm Cookbook readers, here's a great use for our fresh pesto! Since you've made the pesto ahead of time, this dinner is super quick and easy for a weeknight. We found this recipe online a few years ago and can't find the original source.

Once upon a time there was... Pesto

A fresh homemade pesto is so simple and yet so delicious.  It's also extremely versatile.  We had planned to show you many different uses for it this week, but then we ate it all - so instead there will only be two pesto-based recipes.  You'll have to wait until next time we make it to get more.  Don't worry, you won't have to wait too long! Our pesto recipe is from Williams-Sonoma's Italian.

Once upon a time there was... Hamantaschen

Today is Purim - the celebration of the Jews escaping the evil Haman. Haman wore a funny looking triangular hat, so to celebrate/make fun of him, we eat delicious triangular Hamantaschen cookies! This recipe is from Cal's Jewish mother and makes about 30 cookies.

ingredients

2 eggs

3/4 c sugar

1/2 c vegetable oil

2 3/4 c flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla

1 jar dessert filling

Cal's tip: The exact dessert filling is very important! Jams and jellies will not work, and we havent had good luck with anything but this brand:

We also recommend making this recipe three times - a good excuse to make many flavors of Hamantaschen!

Once upon a time there was... Chicken Satay Lettuce Wraps

Wrapping food in lettuce just makes it seem so much healthier. "Yes waiter, I'll have the large soda, fries, and bacon double cheeseburger - but could you sub a lettuce wrap for the roll? I'm on a diet. " That's my kind of diet.

So now take an already pretty healthy meal, like chicken satay, and wrap it in lettuce, and you've got a super healthy dinner! Cornelius and I didn't invent this concept, but we did invent this exact variation. It's a mess to eat, and it's time consuming to make - but it is also delicious and healthy! (it's wrapped in lettuce, isn't it?)