Beans

Here are the ingredients:
1 pound dried Great Northern beans
1/2 pound bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 jalapenos, chopped
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt


The first step is to soak your beans overnight. I make sure to fill the bowl with enough water to allow for the beans to expand. This turns out to be about 1 inch of water over the beans.

White chocolate brownies

2 (5 oz. each) bars white chocolate
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Glaze:1 oz. semisweet chocolate
1 teaspoon shortening

Grease a 9-inch baking pan. In saucepan over low heat melt butter and 1 bar white chocolate, stirring until well blended. In large bowl, combine sugar, salt and eggs and beat at highest speed of mixer for about 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add melted candy bar mixture and extracts. Sift together flour and baking powder, stir into candy mixture til just combined. Break up other candy bar and stir in.Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Melt glaze ingredients together and drizzle over cooled brownies.Makes 32 brownies.

Ranch dressing

Ingredients
1 clove garlic
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup real mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup Italian flat-leaf parsley leaves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh dill, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dash hot sauce
1/4 to 1/2 cup buttermilk (as needed for desired consistency)
Directions
Mince the garlic with a knife and then sprinkle on the salt and mash it into a paste with a fork.

In a bowl, combine the garlic paste, mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, dill, chives, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, vinegar, paprika, cayenne and hot sauce. Add the buttermilk to desired consistency and mix to combine, tasting frequently and adjusting seasonings as needed. Chill for a couple of hours before serving, thinning with more buttermilk if needed.