Balsamic Glazed Brussel Sprouts with Gorgonzola

Balsamic Glazed Brussel Sprouts with Gorzonzola

10 oz. brussel sprouts, *fresh (frozen do not cook as well)

1.5 T EVOO 

1 T brown sugar

2 T balsamic vinegar

1/2 T red pepper flakes

gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Preheat oven to 400 F.  Line a baking sheet with tin foil.

Combine all ingredients except for cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes (they will be somewhat charred).  Top with gorgonzola cheese and serve hot.

Cheesy Cauliflower Squash Bake

Cheesy Cauliflower Squash Bake

1 cup steamed cauliflower

1 cup steamed butternut squash

1 cup 2% shredded cheddar cheese

6 oz plain non-fat Greek yogurt

1 egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Grease a square casserole dish OR 4 small ramekins.

Combine cheese, yogurt, and egg in a bowl.  Make sure cauliflower and squash have cooled, then add to mixture.  Fold until combined. 

Empty into casserole dish or ramekins.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes until bubbly.

*Serve as a side dish or over brown rice.

Presto Pesto!

 Gnocchi a la Pesto

Love pesto? Make it yo-self!  Combine fresh basil leaves, a few cloves of garlic, grated parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and good quality olive oil in a food processor and voila!...fresh pesto. If you are a curious cook like me, try swapping a few ingredients.... Trade the basil for italian parsley or spinach (much different flavor!), the parmesan cheese for feta, and even the pine nuts for macadamia nuts or walnuts!  These changes will provide a world of different flavors to your pesto!  Other suggestions for the green stuff?  Try arugula or peas as your base!

Apple chips

Bad apple? Turn mushy apples into tasty apple chips! 

Slice into 1/8 inch thick slices and bake @ 400 °F for 10 minutes!

Pumpkin soup...better late than never

Leftover pumpkin? Make soup! 

2 c pumpkin, 2 c milk, 1/2 t ea.nutmeg & ginger, 2 t cinnamon, 1 T b sugar. Heat n serve!

Pizza Crust...using cauliflower!

Flourless Pizza Crust

1 cup steamed cauliflower, cooled

1 T Italian seasoning

¾ c shredded 2% cheese

¼ c flaxseed mill

1 egg, lightly beaten

coarse ground cornmeal

Preheat oven to 450°. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray.  Sprinkle lightly with cornmeal.

Puree cauliflower in a food processor until smooth, mashed potato-consistency.  Empty into a bowl and add remaining ingredients. Stir with a fork to combine. 

Press mixture into prepared cake pan.  Bake for 12-13 minutes.  Add sauce and toppings and broil until bubbly!

Spicy Roasted Chick Pea Snack

These are like corn nuts...only better! 

Spicy Roasted Chick Peas

1 can chick peas, drained

2 T EVOO

chili powder, salt, garlic powder, cumin, red pepper flakes to taste

Preheat oven to 400°.  Line a baking sheet with tin foil or parchment paper.

Rinse chick peas.  Dry with a paper towel.  Toss chick peas in a bowl with oil and spices. 

Spread onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes.

*Note: Watching your sodium?  Omit the added salt!