Feta Dip with a kick

 Looking for a nice party pleaser or a cheese dip to eat throughout the week? I really wasn't, but I stumbled across this recipe and immediately wanted to try it. I knew my folks would like it since the jalepenos gave it a little bit of a kick, perhaps more than just your average cheese dip. The crumbled feta gives it a nice texture in your mouth and the garlic and lemon zest really gives it a nice flavor.

"Crazy Feta"
Recipe from How Sweet It Is
Yields 2 cups

Ingredients:

2 bricks of feta cheese, 8 ounces each
3 whole jalapeno peppers
1/4 cup olive oil + 1 tablespoon
1 bulb garlic
the juice of half a lemon
the zest of half a lemon
salt and pepper

Lemon-Ricotta Poppyseed Pancakes

I had these pancakes yesterday morning and they were so good I decided to make them two mornings in a row so I could take pictures this time. The recipe doesn't call for milk, but instead ricotta cheese! I found this recipe while searching Martha Stewart Recipes. I cut this recipe in a third since I didn't need 16 pancakes and I even had a little bit leftover to put in the fridge to make another morning. I also heated up a handful of mixed berries with a pinch of turbinado sugar in a small saucepan while I was cooking the pancakes for a nice compote.

Lemon-Ricotta Poppy Seed Pancakes
(originially from here)

Makes 16 pancakes

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs, separated
• 1 1/2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Zest of 2 large lemons
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• Vegetable oil, for griddle
• Maple syrup, warmed
• Berries, for garnish