Orzo Pasta with Garbanzo Beans

1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
1/4 cup olive oil
3T lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
15 oz can garbanzo beans
2T chopped fresh oregano (or a little less dried)
Feta cheese
salt and pepper

Sautee garlic over medium-low heat in the olive oil until tender, being sure not to let it brown. Lower heat, and add lemon juice, oregano, salt, pepper, and garbanzo beans. Meanwhile, cook orzo in abundant salted boiling water until tender and drain. Place orzo in serving bowl, and pour sauce over, then toss to coat. Crumble in as much feta as you want before serving.


If you want to use dried garbanzo beans, let them soak in lots of water overnight, then drain the next morning, and cook them with lots of water in your crock pot on low for about 6 hours. They should be firm, and not mushy. The beans will have a weird, clear skin on them that you'll need to try and get off. Rolling small amounts of the beans around in a dishcloth works pretty well.

Hot Milk Sponge Cake

This is a yummy, LOW FAT cake!! We're having it tonight with strawberries and whipped cream made from powdered milk. Mmm!

2 eggs (stand at room temp. for 1/2 hour)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 T butter


Grease 9x9 inch baking pan, and set oven to 350F. Stir together flour and baking powder and set aside.

Beat eggs on high in a medium bowl for about 4 minutes or until they are thick. Gradually add the sugar, beating on medium for 4 to 5 minutes, or until ight and fluffy. add the flour mixture, and beat on low until just combined.

In a small saucepan heat and stir milk and butter until butter melts, then add to batter, beating on low until combined. Pour batter into pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Luscious Lemon Bars

I am totally not ashamed to assert that these are probably some of the bestest lemon bars you will ever eat!

For Crust:
1 C butter melted (don't use margarine, it's just not the same!)
Dash salt
½ c sugar
2 c flour

Combine and press into greased 9x13” pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350.

For Filling:
2c sugar
¼ c flour
4 beaten eggs
7-8T lemon juice (fresh squeezed lemon juice is best, but concentrated is good, too)
2 ¼ T cornstarch (add in after everything else is mixed)

Combine and pour onto crust. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 until firm but not dry. Cool completely and sprinkle with powdered sugar (or not) and cut into squares. Enjoy gooey lemony goodness!

Whipped Topping from Powdered Milk

I've been using my food storage powdered milk for everything except for drinking. Bryninn and I made this to go with our strawberries the other night, and it's pretty good!

Mix 1/2 cup powdered milk with 1/2 cup cold water. Beat to soft peak stage (4 minutes at medium-high). Add 1/2 teaspoon lemon or vanilla extract, and beat 6-7 minutes at the same speed. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and beat for one minute at medium-high and enjoy!

Coconut Rice Custard

1 13.5oz can unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup plus 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup long-grain white rice
3 cups half-and-half (I used powdered milk, and added a little more powder to make it creamy)
5 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 325F. Bring coconut milk, water, and 1/4 cup of the sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in the rice, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed (about 20 min). Meanwhie, warm the half-and-half in a small saucepan over medium heat, but do not allow to boil. Whisk together the eggs, vanilla, and remaining sugar, and pour the warm half and half into the eggs mixture, whisking constantly. Skim off any foam that rises, and stir in the rice. Transfer to an 8x8 baking dish, then place that dish into a large roasting pan or baking dish and put in the oven. Add enough hot water to the larger pan to reach halfway up the sides of the smaller dish. Bake until custard is set (about 1 hour). This is good served warm or cold!