CHEESESLAVE

Fig season has sprung here in California. If you’re lucky enough to have a fig tree in your backyard (I used to in my last home), you’re probably busy harvesting and drying your figs before the birds get to them.

Dried figs can feed your family throughout the year. They can be added to granola or oatmeal, or used to sweeten baked goods. And during the holiday season, who doesn’t love a good figgy pudding? My sister makes Christmas pudding every year.

Dried figs are good, but fresh figs are delicious. Roasted, they are even better. Roasted after you drizzle honey on them — pure heaven.

These chocolate chip cookies are not only delectable, they are nutritious and healthy. Sprouted whole wheat flour, non-GMO chocolate chips, sea salt, grass-fed butter and pastured eggs, and natural mineral-rich sweeteners make truly healthy chocolate chip cookies. Hence, they earn the title, Best Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Oatmeal cookies are my father-in-law’s favorite thing in the whole wide world. He can’t live without them. But oatmeal is very high in phytic acid, which prevents mineral absorption. Minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. I developed this recipe for oatmeal cookies in which the oatmeal is soaked in warm water and whey to help break down the phytic acid — so the precious minerals can be absorbed. Soaking also helps to make grains more digestible. This recipe does take more time to prepare than your standard oatmeal cookie recipe — but I feel it is worth it for the health benefits.

Who doesn’t love pie? Apple pie, pecan pie, coconut cream pie… mmm! A savory pie makes a wonderful dinner, especially on a cold winter night. (Check back — I’ll soon be posting a recipe for Steak & Kidney Pie. You could also make Chicken Pot Pie or Quiche Lorraine.)

Be honest. Are you intimidated at the thought of trying to make pie crust from scratch? If so, you’re not alone. Most people think making pie crust is hard. But it’s actually quite easy. You’ll be astonished at how simple it is to make the most delicious, flaky, perfect pie crust.