Believe it or not, the macadamia nut tree was first grown only for ornamental purposes. Thankfully, someone experimented with the nuts and discovered their butter-like, slightly sweet nature. This bread is so rich you won’t need to butter it.

This recipe appeared in the article Chile-Spiced Brunch Ideas for Mother’s Day on the Burn! Blog.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 large)
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons pasilla chile powder or paste
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup milk
1 large egg
1 cup chopped unsalted, toasted macadamia nuts

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°degrees.
Grease two 6-cup muffin pans.
2. Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and ginger into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the bananas, lemon peel, pasilla powder or paste, both sugars, butter, milk, and eggs. Combine the wet mixture with the dry ingredients. Fold in half the nuts.
3. Divide the batter equally among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with the remaining macadamia nuts. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean. Transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool.

This recipe appeared in the article “Retro-Grilling” by Dr. BBQ, Ray Lampe. Learn more about Dr. BBQ on his website here. There must be a federal law requiring steaks to be served with baked potatoes. Russets are the best baking potatoes, so use them in this dish.

Ingredients

4 medium russet potatoes, scrubbed and dried
1 stick butter, softened
2 tablespoons minced chives
1 tablespoon minced Italian parsley
1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Bake the potatoes in the oven for about an hour, or until they are easily pierced by a fork.  While the potatoes are baking, combine in a bowl the butter, chives, and parsley and mix well.  Remove the potatoes from the oven, cut them in half lengthwise, and score the flesh with a knife.  Top with the chive butter and sprinkle the bacon over the top.

Thanks to the North America Blueberry Association for this recipe. From the article Blazing Blueberries.

Ingredients

2 cups Wild Blueberries fresh or frozen (thawed)
1/2 medium onion (red or white), diced small
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (add more to taste)
1 medium red bell pepper, diced small
3 tablespoons chopped parsley or cilantro
1/4 cup lime or lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

Combine all ingredients, folding in Wild Blueberries last. Refrigerate 1 hour or more to blend flavors. Serve with corn chips or use as a relish with meat and poultry dishes.