Blueberry Cream Cake

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

Crust:

1 + 1/2 cups (6 3/8 ounces)all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 + 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:

1 quart (2 pints) fresh blueberries

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup sour cream

1 egg

1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

fresh whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Butter a 10-inch springform pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine all the ingredients for the crust and beat until combined. It will be very thick like a dough; knead it together at the end. With wet fingers press it into an even layer over bottom of the pan. Top with 1/2 the blueberries, spreading them out evenly.
3. Use the same bowl to eat together the cream cheese, sour cream, egg, sugar, zest and vanilla. Pour over the berries and spread evenly; scatter the remaining berries evenly over top.
4. Bake 1 hour until middle is set and edges are brown. Remove pan to wire rack to cool. Serve at room temperature or chilled with whip cream. Refrigerate leftovers. 

Black Lentil & Chickpea Salad With Mint Lemon Dressing

Yield: Serves 8

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

A healthy combination of fresh vegetables, black lentils, and chickpeas create a delicious hearty salad.

Ingredients:

2 Cups Beluga Lentils, Rinsed & Picked Over
2 Stalks Celery, Finely Chopped
6 Green Onions (Scallions) Chopped
1 (14 ounce) Can Chickpeas
6 Large, Ripe Plum Tomatoes, Chopped
1/2 Cup Coarsely Chopped Fresh Parsley
1/4 Cup Pitted Kalamata Olives, Chopped
Dressing:
Juice from 1 1/2 Large Lemons
Zest From 1 Lemon
3 Tablespoons Fresh Mint
1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Cook the lentils until "al dente" in boiling water, about 20 minutes.
Drain lentils and bring to room temperature.
Use a blender or hand wand to puree the dressing ingredients.
Add the lentils and other ingredients into a large bowl, then pour on the dressing and toss to mix.
Let salad rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, mix again, then serve.