Hail Caesar Salad Dressing

INGREDIENTS:

2 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature

2 tsp dijon mustard, at room temperature

1 Tbsp chopped garlic, (3 cloves)

2 anchovy fillets, drained

½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 to 3 lemons)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

¾ cup organic olive oil

¼ cup avocado oil

½ cup freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese

METHOD:

Place the egg yolks, mustard, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, 1 ½  teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process for 15 seconds. Combine the olive and avocado oils in a glass measuring cup. With the food processor running, slowly pour the oils in a thin stream down the feed tube, as you would to make mayonnaise. Add the grated Parmesan and pulse to combine. This recipe yields two cups salad dressing.  Store in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD

It's that time of year.  Zucchini is over-running your garden beyond your wildest expectations.  Here's a recipe to utilize that gorgeous ingredient that I think you'll really enjoy.

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2  cup cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
5 large eggs
4  tablespoons (1/4 cup) coconut oil, room temperature
1 cup monk fruit/erythritol blend sweetener
1 1/2 cups zucchini, grated and drained/squeezed to dry out
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions
In a food processor combine almond flour and cacao powder.
Pulse in salt and baking soda.
Pulse in eggs, coconut oil, and sweetener.
Briefly pulse in zucchini. (Add 1/2 cup walnuts now if you prefer.)
Transfer batter to a coconut-oil-greased 6.5 x 4 inch medium (preferably glass) loaf pan.
Bake at 350° for 60-65 minutes. Loaf is done when cake tester comes out clean.
Cool for 2 hours.
Serve

Herb Butter Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packs

I used parchment paper between the Salmon and the aluminum foil, because BJH was watching me as I prepared this dinner at the lake. Probably always a good idea, though.  I did add extra time, however, because the extra layer kept the salmon and vegetables from cooking very quickly.

I also used broccoli florets instead of asparagus because that is what I had in the fridge.  Now we make the broccoli this way all the time, with or without the salmon! 

"Best broccoli I ever tasted." - CMH

Enjoy

Ingredients

·      4 boneless skinless salmon fillets, preferably wild caught

·      salt and pepper to taste

·      1 pound organic asparagus, ends trimmed

·      1 lemon, thinly sliced, (plus additional wedges for garnish)

·      ½ cup organic butter, at room temperature

·      3 teaspoons Italian seasoning

·      3 teaspoons minced garlic

·      fresh thyme or parsley, for garnish (optional) 

Method

1.  Season salmon generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Arrange one salmon fillet and ¼ of the asparagus in the center of one 12 x 12 inch piece of foil. Repeat with remaining salmon and asparagus on 3 other pieces of foil. Slide lemon slices under the salmon and asparagus.

2.  In a small bowl mix butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic. Drop large dollops of the herb butter on top of the salmon and asparagus.

3.  Fold the foil tightly around the salmon and asparagus, being sure to seal the ends together tightly so the juices and butter doesn't run out while cooking. 

4. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until asparagus is tender and salmon is flaky.

5.  Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the top and serve immediately.

Grainless Turkey Stuffing

Finding an organic turkey in your regular grocery store is getting easier all the time.  Stuffing the turkey seems to be the problem for most Advanced Plan eaters. I hope this recipe helps you, whether you've prepared multiple turkeys over the years, or if you've never been the chef for a festive holiday dinner before.

I know this looks like a lot of ingredients and a ton of preparation,  but it really is a matter of chop,  sauté,  season,  and stuff!  When you've done it once,  you'll be amazed at how easy it is.  Read the recipe through,  chop everything,  and have it all at your fingertips before you begin,  and you'll find it a breeze.
Enjoy.


INGREDIENTS

1 to 2 cups each (depending on the size of your turkey) :
Chopped organic celery
Chopped (preferably organic) cooking onions
2 cloves minced garlic (optional)

3 to 5 cups (again depending on the size of your turkey) bite sized cubed pieces of Grainless Rolls.  (I usually cut up 5 or 6 rolls.)

2 - 3 tablespoons grass fed butter
2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil

2 to 3 organic free run large or extra large eggs
1/2 cup grass fed butter

Seasonings to taste
Salt
Pepper
Sage
Parsley

(If you love thyme, add thyme.
If you love rosemary, add rosemary.)

PREPARATION

First, gently melt and then cool the 1/2 cup of butter and set it aside.

Gently melt the  2 - 3 tablespoons of butter and olive oil in your largest sauté pan.  Add the celery, onion and garlic, and lightly sauté over medium heat until they just begin to sweat.  (The celery will become a brighter green.)  Understand that the stuffing ingredients will fully cook when you roast your turkey,  so don't worry. . . Enjoy!

Add the cubed grainless rolls to the vegetable mixture and stir in to combine.

In a small bowl,  slightly whisk the eggs.  Add the eggs to the melted and cooled butter and whisk until combined. 

Pour the butter and egg mixture over the cubed bread and vegetable mixture.  Toss over low heat until everything is combined and the egg mixture is heated through.

Add your spices.  I use salt and pepper to taste, a healthy tablespoon full of dried sage,  and about the same amount of fresh,  finely chopped parsley.  (You could use dried. . . If you do,  use less.)  Again,  the amount you use is largely dependant on the size of your turkey and the amount of your stuffing. Stir to distribute the spices and TASTE.  Adjust seasoning to suit your taste.

At this point your stuffing is ready to go into the turkey.  If you are not roasting the turkey immediately,  DO NOT put it into the bird.  You can,  however,  make this stuffing the day or night before and refrigerate it until you stuff and roast the turkey on the big day.  Stuff both the neck cavity and the large inner cavity of a rinsed,  patted dry  organic turkey.

Happy Holidays!

RAW VEGAN RANCH DRESSING

This is the simplest, tastiest, healthiest Ranch Dressing recipe you will ever find.  You do need a high speed blender, such as a Vitamix or Blendtec, but after that, you need 5 minutes, some cashews and an appetite.  Enjoy.

Ingerdients:

• 1 1/4 cups raw cashews
• 3/4 cup water or coconut water (or a little more) 
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Put everything into a high speed blender.  Blend 'til creamy.  That's it.

Chicken With Artichokes and Mushrooms

Generally speaking, I find it necessary to slightly alter recipes I find online.  I "maximize" them, test them in my own kitchen, take pictures, and then post my results.  The following recipe is a rare and beautiful exception.  Chicken With Artichokes and Mushrooms is my new favourite recipe, but it comes directly from another blogger - the link is below.

The ingredients are simple.  In fact they are simpler than they appear.  The first time I made this dish, I had most of the ingredients on hand, but not all of the dried spices. Since the original blogger mentioned her own swap-outs, I decided to make the essential version without all the spices, and we were all thrilled with the results.  Recipes are like that - they are best when altered to suit your own time, ingredients, and taste! Go for it.

By the way, I am also using the original blogger's photo.  Ours did not last long enough to get a picture.

Here's the link. Chicken With Artichokes and Mushrooms

Enjoy.

Green Juice - You Can't Imagine How Great This Tastes!

I don't know how many of you have seen the film, "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead."  It is a very inspiring story of an Australian man's journey to heal himself from the inside.  To do this, he traveled across the United States armed with a juicer! Along the way, he met many people who also needed a bit of a food intervention and introduced them to the idea of juicing.  Since I saw the film, I have been incorporating this green juice into my nutrition and I LOVE it!  Here's a link to a recipe for the green juice featured in the film by one of the more inspiring characters, Phil Staples.
Yes, I know it's green.  What you need to know is: IT IS DELICIOUS!
Enjoy.

3 Cheese Zucchini Bites

Zucchini is abundant this time of year. These tiny bites make the perfect "amuse bouche" before dinner,  and they would be wonderful to pass around at a backyard party.  When we tested this recipe, the two of us ate every last one, and would have eaten another batch!

Zucchini is one of the vegetables you really want to buy organic. But if you grow your own and don't use crazy toxic pesticides, feel free to enjoy the bounty of your garden!

Enjoy.


Ingredients:

1 cups zucchini, grated
1 egg
¼ cup raw parmesan cheese, finely grated
¼ cup almond flour
2 shallots, diced
¼ cup grated cheese (I used a raw grated mozza/cheddar blend.)
Salt and Pepper

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Grease 1 or 2 mini muffin tins with coconut oil.

2. Grate the zucchini and then place in a dish towel to squeeze out the excess water. You have probably done something like this if you have used frozen spinach. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.

3. In a bowl, combine the egg, onion, cheeses, almond flour, zucchini, salt and pepper.

4. Using a spoon or a mini cookie scoop, fill the muffin cups to the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is browned and set.

Yield 15 - 18 mini muffins

Janelle Bohemier's Caesar Salad Dressing

I have been wanting to post this Caesar Salad Dressing recipe since the very first time I tasted it, at Janelle Bohemier's house on Christmas day, 2010!  I may be slow, but I remember what's important! The recipe is simple, delicious, and can be prepared very quickly with a minimum of ingredients.  By the way, there are no anchovies, for those who care about things like that.
Enjoy.

Ingredients:
1 clove garlic - grated or very finely minced
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 heaping tsp of dijon mustard (check the ingredients - no sugar)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (raw is preferrable - imported Italian is second best)
juice (and I add the zest, too) of 1 lemon
Kosher or sea salt and freshly grated black pepper (optional and to taste)
a few dashes of Worchestershire sauce (also optional - again check for no sugar)

Preparation:
You may blend all ingredients in a high speed blender, as I do.  This results in a dressing that is so creamy, you won't believe there are no eggs or cream in it.
You may also simply shake the ingredients in a jar, as Janelle does.  This is the way I first tasted this dressing, and there is a lot less to clean up.  Equally delicious - you may even prefer it this way.

Last night, I added two tablespoons of organic hemp seeds to this salad, and that was my complete meal.

MEDITERRANEAN ZUCCHINI BOATS

This time of year always means lots and lots of tasty, home grown vegetables, and many of us have an abundance of zucchini that we may not know quite what to do with. This recipe is a side dish that I saw in a Whole Foods while I was working on GOOD FOOD in 2009, and I simply had to include it in the book. The finished product is delicious hot or cold. It probably won't last long enough for you to taste it cold.

Enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 zucchini, approximately 8 – 10 inches long

2/3 – 3/4 cups grape tomatoes, lightly diced

1/3 to 1/2 cups Greek Feta cheese

1/4 cup pitted black olives, lightly diced

1/4 cup pepita seeds or raw pine nuts (optional)

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley

A drizzle of olive oil (optional)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

1) Cut the zucchini in half, lengthwise,

and scrape out the seeds with a

teaspoon, forming a “ditch” for the other ingredients.

2) Cut a slim length of the skin on the bottom of the zucchini, so it will sit steadily on the plate.

3) Combine all the other ingredients and distribute them evenly into the four zucchini halves.

4) Bake until zucchini is just cooked, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

5) You may want to drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil over the finished product.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH GARLIC AND CAPER SAUCE

I was reminded of this recipe, originally created for GOOD FOOD, by Courtney from Nashville. Thanks, Courtney!

Everyone else - Enjoy.

Ingredients:

1 head (about 2 pounds) cauliflower, cut into small florets

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Kosher or sea salt and ground pepper

1 tablespoon organic butter

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon capers (more if you want - I often use half a small jar of capers including the juice)

1 tablespoon caper juice

Preparation:

1) Trim, and cut cauliflower into small florets.

2) Spread in a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet.

3) Drizzle with olive oil; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Toss to combine.

4) Roast, tossing once or twice, until cauliflower is golden brown and tender, 20 to 25 minutes, in a hot oven ( 375 - 400 degrees)

5) In a small skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium to low heat.

6) Gently saute garlic cloves, 2 to 3 minutes.

7) Remove from heat. Add capers and caper juice.

8) Pour over roasted cauliflower, and toss to coat.

"SUNDAY DINNER KALE" - or "KALE THAT KIDS WON'T HIDE UNDER THE PLACEMAT"

While I understand that Kale may not be first on any kid's list of favourite foods, I guarantee that if you can get them to try this side dish, they will like it, and they will eat it themselves (poor cat). If, however, I am wrong, and the kids don't ask for seconds, all the more for you - and you will thank me for that.


When the rest of your dinner is ready, the table is set, and everyone is ready to sit down, get your ingredients lined up in preparation for the quick cooking of this super fast super food. Once the preparation starts, you are literally seconds away from completion.
This recipe should serve two, generously. I am willing to bet that you will double the recipe the next time you make it. Kale is the most nutrient dense green on the planet. Prepared this way, I think it is also the most delicious.



Enjoy.



Ingredients:5 to 6 oz. kale, stems removed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon kosher sea salt
1/3 cup raw walnuts or raw pecans
1 clove garlic, minced or grated
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (eyeball it)
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
1/3 cup imported Italian Parmesan cheese, freshly grated


Preparation:Remove the stems and chop the kale into strips about ¼ to ½ inch wide, wash it, and shake off as much water as you can. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in the widest skillet you own. Add the kale and salt to the pan and cook for less than a minute, just long enough for the kale to lose a bit of its structure. Stir in the nuts and garlic, wait 10 seconds, then grate the nutmeg over the kale, and stir it in. Wait ten seconds again and stir in the lemon juice and zest.
Remove from heat and serve dusted with Parmesan cheese.

That's what I'm talkin' about.

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

I know. The idea of Brussels Sprouts used to make me less than enthusiastic, too. To be blunt, I didn't like them at all. I had heard from so many people that the traditional method of preparation, boiling, was my problem. Well, they were right. This recipe is one that we all look forward to when I prepare it for Sunday Dinner. Chillis, parmesan cheese, and lemon juice make these beautiful little cabbages pop!
Enjoy.

Ingredients:
1 pound Brussels sprouts, rinsed, ends trimmed
1 Tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
1 minced fresh red chilli
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
Kosher or Sea Salt, Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated (raw if possible, or imported Italian) Parmesan cheese
Method:
1) Preheat oven to 350°F. Place Brussels sprouts in a cast iron frying pan (or a roasting pan, but a cast iron frying pan works beautifully for this recipe). Toss in the red chilli and garlic. Sprinkle Brussels sprouts with lemon juice. Toss with oil so that the sprouts are well coated. Sprinkle generously with salt and a few turns of black pepper.
2) Put Brussels sprouts in oven on top rack, cook for 20 minutes, then stir so that the sprouts get coated with the oil in the pan. Cook for another 10 minutes. Then sprinkle with Parmesan and cook for another 5 minutes.
The sprouts should be nicely browned, some of the outside leaves crunchy, the interior should be cooked through.

Valentine's Day Dinner Menus

My friend, Joanne, had the idea to make up a "Maximized Valentine's Day Dinner Menu." I was immediately inspired, and couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it myself. Here are some ideas for a three course menu - all mix and match of course, and all delicious. For each suggested recipe, remember to use quality ingredients - organic if at all possible in the case of the fruits and vegetables, and free range organic, or wild caught in the case of the meats and fish. The recipes can all be found in GOOD FOOD, MAXIMIZED LIVING NUTRITION PLAN, or here within the pages of this Blog. Enjoy.
Appetizer Choices:

Spinach Salad with fennel, pine nuts, sliced strawberries, and Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette

Leek and White Asparagus Soup

Roasted Cauliflower, Garlic, and Leek Soup

Main Course Choices:Crust-less Broccoli Quiche with grilled Asparagus

Lemon Chicken on a Bed of Pureed Cauliflower, with Mediterranean Zucchini Boats

Pan Seared Salmon with Avocado Remoulade and Green Beans
Grilled grass-fed steak with Chimichurri Sauce and mixed vegetables

Dessert Choices:

Strawberry Shortcake

Raspberry Frozen Yogurt

Chocolate Pecan Torte with Strawberry Sauce or Whipped Cream

PUTTANESCA SALSA

One more blog before the year ends, in the hope that you might be able to use it over the holidays. I can think of about one hundred ways to use this salsa. Over fish (pictured here), chicken, or lamb; as an ingredient in an organic sour cream dip; or tossed with Zucchini noodles or Cauliflower "rice." You will no doubt think of other ways once you taste this highly flavorful and extremely versatile salsa. No cooking required!

Enjoy
Ingredients:
1 ½ teaspoons anchovy paste
2 to 3 cloves garlic, grated
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 lemon, zested and juiced
3 tablespoons capers, chopped if necessary
½ cup pitted black olives, chopped
½ cup flat‐leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved, or cherry tomatoes, quartered
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Preparation:
1) In the bottom of a medium bowl, combine anchovy paste, grated garlic, red pepper flakes, zest and lemon juice; and whisk in ¼ cup olive oil.
2) Add capers, olives, parsley, and tomatoes.
3) Toss and season with black pepper (optional).
4) Serve immediately. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

If it lasts that long.

Anne Willan's Home Canned Tomatoes and an Elegant, Easy Cream of Tomato Soup

This is one of the simplest methods for canning fresh tomatoes I have ever heard of. The method is the creation of Anne Willan, a respected chef who has written over a dozen internationally published cookbooks, and is the founder of one of the best cullinary schools in the world, La Varenne, in France. Once processed, the jars of fresh whole tomatoes will last for one year, and can be used for soups and sauces all winter long. Although you will probably use this method next summer at tomato harvesting time, I promised one of the blog followers to post the method over the weekend. (Sorry I am a day or two late.)
Directions:
Pack whole, well washed, unpeeled tomatoes with stems and any leaves removed, into quart/litre jars with a few sprigs of thyme, a couple of bay leaves, and an onion slice or two. Close the sealer lids and set the jars on a rack in a deep canning pot. Add enough water to cover generously. Weight the jars down (with a brick or other weight) so they don't float. This can be tricky. My suggestion is to weight the jars down before adding all the water. One other tip: If you do not have, and can not find, a round rack to fit in the bottom of the deep pot, use a clean kitchen towell or two in the bottom of the pot. This worked well for me after I scoured my town for a round rack.
Bring the water to a boil, and then simmer for an hour and a half until the tomatoes begin to lose their shape and collapse. Let the jars cool in the water so the lids form a tight seal. When done, each jar will look only half full of tomatoes. See the photo.
Elegant, Easy Cream of Tomato Soup
Open one of the jars of canned tomatoes and remove the bay leaves and sprigs of thyme. Put the remainder of the contents into a blender and puree until smooth.
Add the puree to a soup or sauce pan, and add approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup of organic heavy cream (or a combination of cream and unsweetened almond milk) to taste. Bring the soup to temperature, add just a touch of salt, and enjoy one of the freshest tomato soups you have ever tasted.
Note: I used about two tablespoons of cream and approximately 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk. Suit yourself. You won't believe how wonderful the soup tastes.

Portobello Mushrooms with Leeks, Spinach, and Cheese

If you are always on the look-out for a lovely, sophisticated, and easy side dish for Sunday dinner or for dinner parties, you will enjoy this. The recipe is for four portobello mushrooms, although I prepared only half of it, using my unbelievable math skills. Depending on the size of the portobellos, two mushrooms might be enough for four people. Still, one of my favorite cooks always said, "You eat with your eyes first." Serving these whole makes such a beautiful presentation, I was thinking of her while I served our Sunday dinner.
Enjoy.

Ingredients:
2 leeks
4 Portobello mushroom caps
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Kosher or sea salt and black pepper
2 cups chopped fresh (preferably organic) spinach (about 2 ounces)
1 cup crumbled soft goat cheese, or Greek feta cheese (your preference)

Preparation:
Pre‐heat oven to 450 degrees
Leeks are sandy by nature. Their flavor is well worth the preparation. Here’s an easy way to clean them.
1) Trim dark‐green parts from leeks; slice leeks crosswise, and soak in cold water. Swish leeks to help loosen dirt. Repeat with fresh water until you no longer see any grit at bottom of bowl. Lift leek slices out of water, leaving grit behind; drain them thoroughly on paper towels.
2) Place mushroom caps, gill sides up, on a rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with oil and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until caps are just tender, about 20 - 25 minutes.
3) Top with leeks, spinach, and cheese; season again if desired.
4) Bake until spinach wilts and cheese starts to brown, 10 to 12 minutes.

One of my Favorite Lunches - Avocado Halves Stuffed With Tomato and Feta

This is one of my favorite lunches from GOOD FOOD. The presentation makes it beautiful enough for company, and the taste is lovely. The trick is to use just ready avocados. I like to buy them when they are under ripe and very firm, and leave them on the kitchen counter for a day or two until they are just giving way to the touch. I also sometimes substitute a handful of diced grape tomatoes for the whole roma variety.

Enjoy.

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado
1 small ripe roma tomato, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon snipped fresh parsley, or basil, or chives (to your taste)
2 teaspoons raw pumpkin seeds
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1) Halve avocado lengthwise, and remove the pit.
2) Top each half with tomato and feta.
3) Drizzle with lemon juice, and garnish with chives and pumpkin seeds.
4) Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Serves 2

Sun Dried Tomatoes and Other Wonders

I have had to make lots of changes over the past three years. At first it was simply annoying that I felt I could no longer eat my favorite foods. Then, when I realized that Stevia and Xylitol could indulge my sweet tooth, I thought I might actually be able to stick with this new "Maximized" way of living and eating. Little by little, I found ways to alter traditional recipes. Now, at last, I can't imagine eating beef that is raised in a confinement lot or white bread that makes me crave other processed, unhealthy foods. And now, at last, I realize that I can change most, if not all, of my old favorite recipes so they look good, taste good, and are good for me.

One of the changes I have had to make is in condiments and dressings. Nearly all bottled or jarred salad dressings and condiments are packed in canola oil. So when I want to make my "Sundried Tomato Pesto," I have to start from scratch. I am happy to do it because I know I can enjoy it without worrying that it will make me ill. When it is ready, I can use it to spread on my Flax Seed Bread, or rolled in a flattened chicken breast, scewered with a sprig of rosemary and grilled on the bar-b-que. For those of you who follow the Core Nutrition Plan, this pesto is unbelievable thinned with pasta water and poured over whole grain Italian pasta. Do I have your attention?

Sundried Tomatoes in Oil

Once you prepare these, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to six weeks, if they last that long.

Buy dried sundried tomatoes. They are available in many grocery stores, and sometimes you can find them in bulk food markets.

To reconstitute the dried sundried tomatoes, cover them with boiling water, and let stand for two minutes.

Drain and let them "air out" for about ten minutes.

Place the reconstituted sundried tomatoes in a jar, and cover with oil and other seasonings. I like to add a clove of garlic, salt, pepper, and sometimes a bit of balsamic vinegar. As long as your ingredients are "Maximized," suit yourself.

Sundried Tomato Pesto

Into a food processor, add a jar (about 1 cup) of your made-to-order wonderful sundried tomatoes in olive oil, 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, and approximately 1 cup of fresh basil leaves. Blitz, adding a bit of oilive oil, if needed, and about 1/3 cup of freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese. Taste. Add salt and pepper to taste if desired.

Keep this spread at room temperature if using that day over whole grain Italian pasta, or refrigerate for up to two weeks.