Cauliflower Pizza

Cauliflower. Either you like it or you don't. I do. Most of my family. Not. So. Much. And I get a lot of it in my produce boxes. Roasted, mashed, as rice, or just raw. But now. A new way for the WHOLE family to eat it.....pizza. Was very surprised it passed. And children asked for more.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

1 head of cauliflower...
1/2 cup water
1 egg
1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan or asiago cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp Himalayan salt

1. Place cauliflower head (slightly chopped) in food processor. Pulse till finely chopped.
2. Put chopped cauliflower and water in saucepan. Simmer with lid on for about 30 minutes or till mushy.
3. Allow to cool. Then place cooked cauliflower in a piece of cheese cloth or fine linen dish towel. Drain ALL liquid out of mash. (You will be very surprised how much comes out.)
4. When drained place in a bowl and mix with all other ingredients.
5. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and form your crust.
6. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes or until slightly browned.
7. Top with your favorite toppings and bake again till done.

(Cheese pizza for picky eaters. Veggie pizza with spinach, tomatoes, sweet peppers, purple onion, artichokes, goat cheese and fresh basil.)

Turkey Stuffed Sweet Peppers

Italian Stuffed Peppers

3-4 large sweet red peppers
1 lb ground turkey
1 onion chopped...
3 fresh garlic cloves minced
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1/2 chopped tomatoes
1 cup chopped arugula or spinach
1/2 cup diced fresh mozzarella
Himalayan salt to taste

1. Brown turkey with onions and garlic. Drain fat when cooked through.
2. Add spices, tomatoes, arugula and salt to taste. Simmer 5-10 minutes.
3. Core and remove seeds from peppers.
4. Layer meat and cheeses into peppers.
5. Cover and bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. Top with cheese and bake additional 5 minutes.

Chewy Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Cookies

Rainy days call for cookie making. Have I mentioned this family loves peanut butter?

Chewy Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Cookies

1/4 cup organic butter...
1/3 cup organic peanut butter
1/2 cup milk of choice
1/4 cup local honey
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 free range egg
1/2 tsp Himalayan salt
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cup old fashion oats
1/2 organic semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Whip together everything but chocolate chips.
2. Stir dough with chips and place on cooking sheet and bake at 350 about 10 minutes.

Dark Chocolate Almond Pie

Have I mentioned my love for almonds and dark chocolate? One tiny slice is ALL that you need. I made my almond meal crust. Baked till slightly brown. Then poured the chocolate into the crust. Chill for 4-6 hours before serving.

Dark Chocolate Almond Pie

2 cups organic dark chocolate chips...
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup organic heavy whipping cream
2 tsp local honey
1 tsp almond extract

Melt chips and slowly add other ingredients. Pour into almond meal crust and chill.

Serve with fresh whipping cream, sweetened with honey and vanilla extract and strawberries.

Strawberry Pie

Have you gotten your local strawberries? If not your missing out. I might have already been 3 times.

This strawberry pie was
TO
DIE ...
FOR
The almond meal crust was the perfect accessory. For the filling I used my strawberry chia seed jam. Layer strawberries with jam and serve with some fresh whipped cream sweetened with honey.

Almond Meal crust

1 1/2 cup almond flour
3 tbsp organic butter or coconut oil softened
1 tbsp local honey

Mix together and spread into a pie pan to form crust. Bake at 350 till slightly brown. About 15-20 minutes.

Macaroni and Cheese

Let's face it. If you have young children. Macaroni and cheese is a easy "go to" staple. And it's not meant to be low fat. Or complicated with ingredients. It's just meant to be creamy and comforting. I am not speaking from experience or an...ything

The. Simpler. The. Better.

This is our version:

Macaroni and Cheese

1 16 oz box of organic whole wheat noodles (we like penne)
1 8 oz block of sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
1 stick of organic butter
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
2 cups of organic milk of choice
1 tsp Himalayan salt
Few shakes of garlic powder

Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and set aside. In a large sauce pan melt butter and whisk in flour. Add milk slowly. Bring to a low simmer. Slowly add cheese, continually whisking till smooth. Add salt to taste and a few shakes of garlic powder if desired. Add pasta and mix well. Allow to sit for a moment for cheese sauce to stick to noodles before serving.

Carmel Sauce

I am usually not a huge carmel fan. I like it mixed with other things but not just carmel.

This I could drink.

We had baked apples with dinner so in a desperate need of a sweet, I topped plain organic Greek yogurt with the baked apples ...and drizzled the hot carmel sauce on top. It was amazing.

The possibilities are endless to what can be topped with this deliciousness. And not mention how much better than the store bought. My mouth waters thinking about a fresh honey crisp apple dipped in this.

Carmel Sauce

1 cup organic cane sugar
1/4 cup water
1 stick organic butter
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup organic whipping cream

1. Bring sugar and water to a boil. Careful not to burn but till edges are a light brown color and it looks crystal like.
2. Add butter and vanilla and again bring to a boil. Mix well. And allow to boil till slightly reduced.
3. Add whipping cream and boil again.

Almond Milk

We drink a lot of almond milk and I cook with a lot of almond flour. And almond flour is expensive!! So, this is a super inexpensive, easy, no brainer for me.

Homemade Almond Milk and Almond Flour

1 cup whole plain almonds
3-4 cups of wa...ter

1. Soak almonds overnight. I used a small mason jar.
2. Depending on your taste preference (I variate, but it's always around 3 1/2 cups) add water with almonds and in a vitamix blender or other high power blender, mix water with almonds.
3. Pull cheesecloth or a fine linen dish towel over a bowl and pour liquid through cloth. Squeeze if needed till your cloth if full of meal. That's your milk!
4. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and pour almonds onto paper. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or till slightly dried out. Store in freezer till ready to use. (Makes about 2 cups) See More

French Onion Soup

Hot or cold. Summer or winter.

I  LOVE soup.

French onion is not only delicious and easy to make. But low on the calories too.
...
I topped mine tonight with Ezekiel bread because it was the only bread I had available. Was DIVINE.

French Onion Soup

4-5 sweet onions sliced
5 tbsp organic butter
3 garlic cloves minced
3/4 cup red wine (I always just use whatever we have on hand)
4 cups or preferably homemade chicken or beef stock. Or organic free range.
1 tsp Himalayan salt
1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped

1. I like to make in a cast iron soup pot. Melt butter and add onions and garlic. Cook about 30 minutes. Stirring frequently till slightly caramelized.
2. Add wine, stock, thyme and salt. Simmer on medium for about 30-45 minutes.
3. Serve in ramekins topped with crusty bread and freshly grated gruyere cheese. Put in oven to toast bread and melt cheese. Serve immediately.