Mexican Slaw

Last night was my last night with my crockpot. It has sold and someone is picking it up today. This is quite sad for me and I can't imagine 2 weeks without one. So as a last hurrah I made our "go to" chicken tacos which allowed me to use my last can of green chillies. And as an accompinament I found this coleslaw on Food Network which we have enjoyed a few times now. Perfect as a side or to add some crunch in a taco. 

Coleslaw with Cumin-Lime Vinaigrette

Recipe courtesy Bobby Flay

Dressing

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

2 cloves garlic, chopped

Few dashes hot sauce

1/2 cup olive oil

(I added a touch of sugar)

3 carrots, peeled and shredded

1 medium head green cabbage, shredded 

(I did half purple, half green)

1 red bell pepper, julienned

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, toss with the dressing and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Banana Chip Cookies

Amelie and I needed a break from packing today so we made these delicious (and slightly healthier than normal) cookies. My friend Chaiss brought them to Bible study probably 2 years ago and everyone loved them. I've been meaning to make them ever since. They are definitely worth a try! 

If you can't find whole wheat pastry flour, regular all-purpose white flour will work. If you can't find wheat germ, substitute an equal amount of flour. If all you have is whole wheat flour and plain, use 1/2 of each.  

1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup natural cane sugar (or brown sugar)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup banana chips, chopped
1 cup chocolate chips
2/3 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk together the flour, wheat germ, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, or stand mixer, beat the butter until lightly and fluffy, then beat in the sugar until it is the consistency of a thick frosting. Beat in the eggs one at a time and stir in the vanilla. Add the reserved flour mix but do not mix too much. By hand, stir in the banana chips, chocolate chips and walnuts - mix just until everything is evenly distributed.

Drop 1 heaping tablespoon of dough for each cookie onto the prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart and bake for about 7 - 8 minutes, until barely golden on top and bottom. Resist over baking or they will come out dry and not as tasty. Cool on racks.

Makes about 24 cookies

End of a chapter

It was only about a week and a half ago that we decided to move back to the US and we are in full swing trying to wrap things up. We only have 3 weeks from today until we leave which seems unreal to me. I was hoping the weather would be horrible until we leave so I wouldn't be so sad, but we've had some really nice days lately. But I can't complain! We've been taking advantage of being outside, playing golf (Andrew of course) and enjoying the time we have left with friends. Our first year, Andrew and I tried to see as much as we could around Scotland so I don't feel a mad rush to check things off our list that we've been wanting to do. We just want to do the normal things like coffee at the Cocoa Tree, playing at the beach, and walks on the Lade Braes. But one thing I really did want to do was collect 2 jars worth of sea glass to take home for each of the kids. So on Saturday we headed to Anstruther, where sea glass is plentiful, and collected away. We lucked out on the weather and had a beautiful calm Fall day. We were also the only people out there so it was the perfect way to spend our afternoon. 

Can you see us?