Memphis Rub for Chicken, Pork or Fish

• 2 tbsps. garlic powder
• 2 tbsps. onion powder
• 2 tbsps. black pepper
• 1 tbsp.  salt
• 2 tbsps. chili powder
• 2 tbsps. cumin powder
• 2 tbsps. brown sugar
• 3-4 tbsps. paprika

Rub fish, chicken, beef or pork with olive oil and rub in seasonings. Can also be used for seasoning soups, butters, chowders, Mexican or other dishes.

Roasted Garlic

  Take 1 or more heads of garlic, cut off the tips of the cloves, but keep whole. Place in an ovenproof dish and pour olive oil over the top of the decapitated head to coat. Put in oven at 350 and bake until tender, about 40-50 minutes. Peel off individual bulbs and squeeze out roasted garlic. Great on everything, with the exception of desserts.

Pesto
1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
1/4 cup olive oil, if you need more, use it, you want a thick sauce texture.
1 cup fresh basil
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
3-4 cloves of fresh garlic

Mix together and blend in a blender until smooth.  Use on pastas, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, potatoes and more.
Pesto is usually made with basil but you can use anything that is fresh and ready in the garden as a substitute.

Salsa
1 pound fresh tomatoes, diced
2-3 fresh jalapeno peppers (medium heat), or Anaheim, (mild), stem, seeds and inner membrane removed, minced.  You could also use one of each.  Also nice roasted.
5-6 small green onions, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2-3 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
1-2 tsp red chili flakes
juice of a 1/2 lemon or lime
salt and pepper to taste

Mix together and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve with chips, fish and chicken.  Can also be used on hamburgers and veggie or cheese sandwiches, in omelets and casseroles.

Herb Cheese
8 ounces cream cheese softened
4-5 cloves of roasted garlic
2 green onions, minced
½ tsp. cracked black pepper
1 tbsp. chives
2 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (can use lemon)
2-3 tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan

Mix together and serve, decorate with fresh edible flowers and herbs.

Best Ever Banana Bread
2 ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs  
1 3/4 cups unsifted all purpose flour 
1 1/2 cups sugar 
1 cup chopped walnuts 
1/2 cup vegetable oil 
1/4 cup plus1 tbsp. buttermilk 
1 tsp. baking soda 
1 tsp. vanilla 
1/2 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 325. Grease and flour 9x5 loaf pan. Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix well. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake until it is golden brown and splits slightly, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Do not double recipe.

Quick Bread Spread 
4 oz. cream cheese      
2 tbsp. softened butter 
1tbsp. honey    
fresh lemon zest to taste   
Combine together in a bowl until smooth, spread on your fruit breads and muffins.

Herbed Olives

¼ cup chopped parsley leaves
1 tsp. rosemary, oregano, ground pepper, marjoram
2 cloves diced fresh garlic
½ tsp. orange or lemon zest, and red pepper flakes
3 cups olives
Olive oil to cover
Mix herbs together in blender or coffee grinder, toss with olives, and cover with olive oil. Let sit for at least 24 hours to meld flavors. Store in glass container in the refrigerator.