Baked Cauliflower

Adapted from Delighted Momma

This is a simple, easy way to make a delicious veggie side dish.  Our main dishes are usually time consuming so I like to find quick healthy side dish options :)

Cut and wash a head of cauliflower, then slice into bite size pieces.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper, then place cauliflower on parchment paper.  Drizzle Sunflower or Safflower oil; not too much, just enough to lightly coat the cauliflower (make sure you don't use Olive oil as it is toxic to cook with due to it's smoke point).  Sprinkle with salt and pepper then cook at 400* for approx 40 minutes or until lightly browned, turning/flipping with spatula every 10 minutes.

Before Cooking

After Cooking

Dip in Ketchup and ENJOY!

Shortbread Gingerbread Cookies

After having an AMAZING cookie at a coffee shop (and of course being unable to find anything like it online) I set out to make my own recipe.  It turned out delicious.... however I learned that shortbread recipes are anything BUT healthy, so proceed at your own risk:

Shortbread Gingerbread Cookies

Cream together:

2 sticks unsalted butter 

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup (white) sugar

1 egg yolk

1 tsp vanilla extract

then add:

2 tbs + 2 tsp molasses

shift together in separate bowl:

2 cups flour

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

Add molasses to creamed mixture then add in sifted ingredients.  Roll out on lightly floured surface, cut shapes, then put them on baking pan and chill in fridge for 15 minutes.  Bake at 350 until edges start to turn brown (approx 13-15 min).  Let cool then brush with icing (recipe below).

Icing:

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tbs milk

1tsp vanilla extract

Mix together, and add milk or powdered sugar as needed for desired consistency.

Chocolate Deliciousness

She promised it would rock my world... and it has done just that!  You have GOT to try this amazing concoction for yourself!

The 'raw' Brownie
adapted from mynewroots.blogspot.com
2 cups whole walnuts
2 1/2 cups Medjool dates, pitted and sliced (these are surprisingly easy to find; I found mine at Fred Meyer in the organic produce section; but buy them whole or they will be dried out)
1 cup cocoa powder
1 cup unsalted almonds, roughly chopped
*Place walnuts in food processor and blend until they are finely ground
*Add the cocoa; pulse to combine
*Add the dates one at a time through the feed tube of the processor while it is still running; you end up with a mixture resembling a pie crust dough
*In a 9x9 Pyrex dish combine the date mixture with the chopped almonds.  Press down until mixture is firmly in place
*Store in the fridge in an air tight container
*ENJOY

These brownies are DELICIOUS.  Seriously.  How much healthier can a 'dessert' get??  Just a BITE satisfies my chocolate cravings.  If you have nut allergies, I recommend substituting the walnuts for quinoa and the almonds for sliced strawberries (but less than the recipe calls for).  YUM.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Grapes

adapted from Whole Living Magazine (the BEST magazine ever...)

12 oz brussels sprouts cut in half (about 4 cups)
12 oz grapes (about 2 cups)
2 tbs butter
1 tbs olive oil

if desired:
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup toasted, chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 350, on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper toss brussels sprouts, grapes, and butter.  Roast until caramelized and tender, about 30-40 minutes.  Drizzle with vinegar (if desired), olive oil, and toss in walnuts (if desired).

This is an AMAZING, simple side dish.  It is even great heated up the next day!

Petite Vanilla Bean Scones

ala Starbucks.  My boys LOVE these scones.  They could literally survive on scones, and only scones for the rest of their lives.  I have to bake a double batch of these to make them last longer than a week.... here is the recipe:

8 cups flour
1 cup sugar
3 vanilla beans
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (8tbs) unsalted butter (cold)
4 eggs
2 1/4 cups of heavy cream
4 tablespoons applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 360* and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
In food processor, combine flour, sugar, scrape the seeds from 2 vanilla beans (by slicing the length of the bean pod then scraping them out), baking powder, salt, and butter (sliced into tablespoon increments to make it easier for your food processor).  Process until just combined (mixture should be crumbly).
In mixing bowl, beat together eggs, heavy cream, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
Combine two mixtures, using your hands to evenly distribute liquid but not over mix.
Pat down on flat surface until dough is about 3/4 in thick. Using a knife, cut into triangles.  Bake at 360 until slightly browned.  Remove from oven and let cool, then frosten.

Glaze:
Start by mixing 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, and seeds of 1 vanilla bean.  Thicken to desired consistency; I prefer VERY thick and layer it on with a knife instead of drizzling.  I find if it isn't thick enough it makes the scones a big soggy.

Enjoy!

To.Die.For.Apple Crisp

No.  Joke.  I HATE apple crisp.  A dessert should NOT have the name of a fruit in the title.  A dessert should be rich, indulgent, and include chocolate.  My husband professes not to like dessert (although, mysteriously 1/2 of the cookies I bake disappear when my back is turned....).  He DOES however admit that he has a weakness for 2 desserts.  TWO.  Seriously?  I couldn't even pick my top TEN.  Anyway, those two desserts are Tiramisu (EW.  seriously: who eats coffee drenched cake?)  and apple crisp.  In the 5 years I have known him, I break down and make tiramisu and apple crisp at least 4 or 5 times a year for him.  After 5 years, I have FINALLY come up with the prefect apple crisp.  Yes, we both LOVE it.  I may even make it MORE than 5 times this year ;)  .

Without further ado:
To.Die.For.Apple Crisp

Toss together in a dish:
5-6 apples, peeled and sliced (I used fuji)
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey
2/3 cup brown sugar

In a separate dish, combine:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup oats
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking power
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup softened butter
crumble together then pour over apple mixture.

Bake at 350 for 45 min.  Then drizzle with caramel sauce.  Serve with ice cream.  YUM.

WOW

I HAD to share this recipe with you.... it was so delicious!

Black Bean Cocoa Quinoa Recipe

ah-maze-ing

I am not a big drinker.  I like red wine, amber ale, and the occasional martini.  However this drink has rocked my WORLD ;)

Here is how to make yourself a LEMON MERINGUE PIE:

2 shots Lemoncello Liquor
1 shot Absolut Citron
2 shots freshly squeezed sweet and sour (recipe below)
1/2 shot of heavy cream

Shake w/ ice and serve.  Enjoy!

Freshly Squeezed Sweet and Sour:
Heat 1 cup of water on stove, stir in 1 cup of sugar until dissolved.  Remove from heat and add 1 cup squeezed lemon juice and 1 cup squeezed lime juice.  Refrigerate until ready to use.