Cheesy Broccoli Bites

 

cheesy broccoli bites

Category:  Side dish, about 50 minutes

Ingredients:

o   8 oz bacon (cooked and crumbled)

o   ¾ cup sour cream

o   2 T mayonnaise

o   2 T ranch dressing mix

o   4 cups broccoli florets

o   1 cup shredded cheese

 

 

Instructions:

1.     Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2.     Spread the broccoli out in a 9” x 13” baking dish.

3.     In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream, mayo, and ranch flavoring.

4.     Pour the sour cream mixture over the broccoli as evenly as possible.

5.     Top with the cheddar cheese.

6.     Bake for 30 minutes.

7.     Top with the crumbled bacon.

 

 

 

 

Notes:

I don’t actually buy Ranch dressing mix – just use some seasonings and lemon juice to taste.  If you don’t have bacon, it will still taste fine.  Don’t skimp on the cheese, and I usually double the sour cream mixture to have enough for my extravagant tastes.

 

Eating well is a form of Self Respect.

Honey Sweetened Chocolate

 

honey sweetened chocolate

Category:  Snack, about 20 min

Ingredients:

o   1 cup cocoa butter

o   1 cup cocoa powder

o   ½ cup honey (to taste)

o   1 tsp vanilla

o   Pinch of salt

 

 

Instructions:

1.     Melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler.

2.     Remove from heat and add cocoa powder, vanilla and salt.

3.     When it is about the same amount of thickness as the honey, stir the honey in.

4.     Make sure that all of the ingredients are well incorporated and smooth.  Do not let any water get in your mixture.

5.     Pour the chocolate into your desired containers.

6.     You can harden at room temperature or in the fridge.

 

 

 

Notes:

You can vary the flavor any way that works for you.  I usually use a large glass measuring cup to melt the cocoa butter (set it in a sauce pan) and then use the measuring cup to mix the other ingredients in – this makes it easy to pour out the final product and reduces dishes.  Molds are fun, but often I’ll just use a silicon loaf pan.  This chocolate will have a honey flavor to it, so consider that when experimenting with other flavor additions.

 

Eating well is a form of Self Respect.

Coconut Oil Fudge

 

coconut oil fudge

Category:  Snack, about 20 min

Ingredients:

o   ½ cup coconut oil (melted)

o   ½ cup cocoa powder

o   ½ cup nut butter of choice

o   ¼ cup maple syrup

o   1/8 tsp salt (to taste)

 

 

Instructions:

1.     Combine ingredients in a small pan over medium heat.

2.     Whisk until smooth.

3.     Pour into pan or molds.

4.     Place in fridge and let set for at least two hours.

 

 

 

Notes:

This chocolate is really easy and has a mild coconut flavor (depending on the amount of refinement).  It is smooth and a bit oily.

 

 

 

 

Eating well is a form of Self Respect.

Leftover Turkey Casserole

 

leftover turkey casserole

Category:  Main dish, about 45 min

Ingredients:

o   4 T butter

o   ¼ cup flour

o   ½ tsp salt

o   ½ tsp black pepper

o   1 cup prepared gravy

o   1 cup milk

o   1 cup shredded cheese

o   3 cups cornbread (cut into 1” chunks)

o   3 cups turkey meat (cooked and chopped)

o   ½ cup frozen peas

o   1 cup chopped carrots

o   1 cup chopped green beans

 

 

Instructions:

1.     Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2.     Melt the butter on medium heat in a medium sized saucepan.

3.     Add the flour to the pan and whisk together well for one minute before adding in the salt & pepper, gravy, milk, cheese.  Whisk until smooth.

4.     Add the cornbread, turkey, peas, carrots and green beans to a 9” x 13” pan and cover with the gravy mixture.  Cook for 20-25 minutes covered, then 10 minutes uncovered.

 

 

Notes:

This is excellent for using up Thanksgiving leftovers.  You can really customize it – using whatever bread type thing you have around (stuffing works).  A bag of mixed veggies from the freezer makes it easier.

 

Eating well is a form of Self Respect.

Sweet Potato Crust Quiche

 

sweet potato crust quiche

Category:  Main dish, about  1 ½ hours

Ingredients:

o   2 medium sweet potatoes (peeled & sliced)

o   5 oz fresh baby spinach (sautéed)

o   ½ cup milk

o   ½ tsp salt

o   ¼ tsp pepper

o   4 eggs

o   2 egg whites

o   1.5 oz feta cheese (crumbled)

o   Cooking spray

 

 

Instructions:

1.     Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2.     Coat a pie pan with cooking spray, then fill the bottom of the pan with a layer of sweet potato slices.  Fill around the edges of the pan with sweet potato slices cut in half (round side facing up).  Once the entire pan is covered, coat with cooking spray.

3.     Bake for 20 minutes, then turn oven up to 375 degrees.

4.     For the filling, combine milk, salt & pepper, eggs and egg whites in a bowl. 

5.     Arrange spinach in the crust, then pour the egg mixture over.

6.     Sprinkle with feta cheese.

7.     Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.  Let stand five minutes before serving.

 

 

Notes:

You can use a mandolin to slice the sweet potatoes (if you are very careful and can avoid self-injury).   A 8”x 8” square baking dish will work instead of a pie pan.

 

Eating well is a form of Self Respect.

Anti-Inflammatory Chocolate

 

anti-inflammatory chocolate

Category:  Snack, about 20 minutes

Ingredients:

o   1 cup cocoa butter

o   ¼ cup maple syrup

o   ½ cup cocoa powder

o   1 tsp vanilla

o   1/8 tsp salt

o   1/8 tsp black pepper

o   1/8 tsp chili powder

o   ¼ tsp ginger

o   ½ tsp turmeric

o   1 tsp cinnamon

 

Instructions:

1.     Melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler.

2.     Stir in the maple syrup.

3.     Add other ingredients and mix very well.

4.     Pour the chocolate into your desired containers.

 

 

 

Notes:

I usually use a large glass measuring cup to melt the cocoa butter (set it in a sauce pan) and then use the measuring cup to mix the other ingredients in – this makes it easy to pour out the final product and reduces dishes.  Molds are fun, but often I’ll just use a silicon loaf pan.  This chocolate is nice and smooth, with a mildly spicy flavor.  You can just use vanilla and salt if you prefer, but it won’t be inflammatory (or as tasty).

 

Eating well is a form of Self Respect.

Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes

 

pineapple upside down cupcakes

Category:  Dessert, about 50 minutes

Ingredients:

o   1 can pineapple chunks (cut smaller and drained well)

o   1/3 cup brown sugar

o   1/3 cup butter (melted)

o   1 cup flour

o   ¾ cup sugar

o   ½ tsp baking powder

o   ¼ tsp salt

o   ¼ cup butter (softened)

o   ½ cup pineapple juice (reserved from can)

o   1 egg

o   ½ tsp vanilla

 

 

Instructions:

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 12 muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray.

2.     Mix melted butter and brown sugar.  Pour this evenly into the muffin cups.

3.     Arrange the pineapple on top of the brown sugar/butter mixture evenly.

4.     In a large bowl mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

5.     Add the softened butter and pineapple juice.  Mix until smooth.

6.     Add the egg and vanilla and mix until well combined.

7.     Divide the batter evenly amount the muffin cups, pouring over pineapple.

8.     Bake for 23-2 minutes, until an inserted toothpick is clean.

9.     Remove from oven and cool for five minutes.

10.  Invert the cupcakes.

11.  Top with sweetened whipped cream and maraschino cherries.

 

Notes:

This recipe works with substituting gluten free flour, monkfruit for sugar, and coconut sugar for brown sugar, although it will taste slightly different.

 

Eating well is a form of Self Respect.

Cheddar Biscuits (Red Lobster)

 

cheddar biscuits (red lobster)

Category:  Bread, about 30 minutes

Ingredients:

o   2 cups flour

o   1 T sugar

o   1 T baking powder

o   2 tsp garlic powder

o   ½ tsp salt

o   ¼ tsp chili powder (optional)

o   1 cup buttermilk

o   ½ cup butter (melted)

o   1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

o   3 T butter (melted)

o   1 T Italian seasoning

o   ½ tsp garlic powder

 

 

Instructions:

1.     Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone.

2.     In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, 2 tsp garlic powder, salt, and chili powder.

3.     Add buttermilk and ½ cup butter, mix until moist.

4.     Gently fold in cheese.

5.     Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop the batter evenly onto the baking sheet. 

6.     Back for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.

7.     For the topping, whisk together the 3 T butter, Italian seasoning, and ½ tsp garlic powder.

8.     When the biscuits are done, brush the top of each with the butter mixture.

 

Notes:

This recipe works with substituting gluten free flour, and monkfruit for sugar.  Usually cooks for even longer.

Eating well is a form of Self Respect.