Easy Zucchini Au Gratin by Louise

 

Ingredients

• 3-4 whole fresh zucchini Sliced 1/4-1/2 inch thick into slices. Unsliced, mine weighed 3 pounds.
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1/4 cup half & half
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Divided into 2 portions.
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place the sliced zucchini on a flat surface with towels or paper towels. Sprinkle both sides of the zucchini with salt.
• Allow the zucchini to sit for 30 minutes. This will sweat out the excess moisture of the zucchini. Skipping this step will result in a watery dish. After the 30 minutes. Blot and wring out any excess moisture.
• While the zucchini rests, prepare the filling for the dish. 
• Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl, add the garlic, the cream cheese, half & half, Parmesan, and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir. Add in the onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Taste the sauce repeatedly, heat, and adjust the flavor to taste as needed.
• Stir periodically until the cheese has melted.
• Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Arrange the zucchini in rows throughout a 9×13 baking dish. Drizzle the cheese sauce throughout.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar and the mozzarella on top.
• Bake (uncovered) for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. 
• Cool before serving.

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins, by Louise

Ingredients

• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups oatmeal flour (okay to grind regular oatmeal in a food processor)
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 6 tbsp olive or avocado oil
• 2/3 cup no sugar maple syrup
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups almond milk (or any milk)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cup shredded zucchini, squeezed of all liquid*
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl combine oat flour, buckwheat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl whisk together butter, maple syrup, applesauce, egg, milk, and vanilla.
4. Slowly incorporate the dry mix into the wet. Stir in shredded zucchini and chocolate chips.
5. Divide batter evenly into 24 small muffin cups, 12 large, or 2 greased loaf pans.
6. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until tops spring back and no wet batter remains when picked with a toothpick.
7. Allow to cool for 20 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Will keep up to 3-4 days in an airtight container or freeze individually for up to 3 months.

*Roughly one medium-large zucchini. Place in paper towel or a dish towel and squeeze to remove all liquid. Do not skip this step!

Mindy's favorite slow cooker vegetarian chili

Ingredients:

2 cups of mixed dried beans (navy, black, great northern, pinto, whatever you have hanging around in your cupboards)
1/2 cup lentils
1 red pepper, seeded and diced
1 green pepper, seeded and diced
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 - 28 oz. can of stewed or diced tomatoes (or 3 large fresh tomatoes, diced)
2 tablespoons oregano
2 teaspoons cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse black pepper or Mrs. Dash
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
4 vegetable bouillon cubes (or 4 teaspoons vegetable broth base)
1/4 pound salt pork (optional for "truly" vegetarian)
water, for soaking and cooking

Instructions:

1. Rinse beans and pick over for nasty ones or stones.
2. Cover beans with about 5 cups of cold water and soak over night (or at least 6 hrs.) in your 6-quart slow cooker crock.
3. Add bouillon cubes, tomatoes, both peppers, onion, garlic, and seasonings -- stir.
4. Add cold water to cover ingredients, if needed.
5. Cover, cook on low setting for 6-8 hours.
6. Halfway through cooking process add lentils and top with more water, if needed.

Louise's Stuffed Shrooms

2 Lg portabella mushrooms
4 oz. low fat cream cheese
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 C Shredded Mozzerella

Directions:

1. Cut stems out of washed mushrooms.
2. Mix softened cream cheese with parmesan cheese and garlic salt.
3. Fill mushroom caps with mixture.  Top with Mozzerella Cheese.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender.

SO yummy and good for you too!

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Ingredients:

1 (approx 2 lb) head of green cabbage, cut into 1" thick slices
1.5 tablespoons olive oil
2 to 3 large garlic cloves, smashed
Louise's Rub
spray olive oil OR non-stick cooking spray

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 F and spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Pull outer leaf off cabbage, cut cabbage from top to bottom (bottom being root) into 1" thick slices.
2. Rub both sides of cabbage with smashed garlic.
3. Use a pastry brush to evenly spread the olive oil over both sides of the cabbage slices.
4. Finally, sprinkle each side with a bit of of my special rub or use sea salt and cracked black pepper.
5. Roast on the middle rack for 30 minutes. Carefully flip the cabbage steaks and roast for an additional 30 minutes until edges are brown and crispy.
Serve hot and Enjoy!

Sauteed Kale with Bacon and Balsamic

Serves 2
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

1 large bunch of kale (about 3/4 pound)
2 bacon slices, chopped
2 teaspoons Balsamic vinegar, or to taste

1. Cut stems and center ribs away from kale leaves and coarsely tear leaves. 
2. In a large heavy saucepan of boiling salted water cook leaves 5 minutes and drain well in colander. 
3. In pan cook bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp. Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon fat from pan. Add kale to bacon and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until heated through.
4. Toss kale with vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

Quinoa/Kale Patties

2 ½ cups cooked quinoa, cooled
4 cups kale or spinach, cleaned, deveined, & chopped small
3 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp sea salt
1 small yellow onion, diced 
½ cup chives, chopped
½ cup Parmesan, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup finely ground bread crumbs (use gluten free breadcrumbs to make this dish gluten free or pork rinds to lower carbs)
2 Tbsp olive oil plus more for frying

1. Combine quinoa, eggs, Parmesan, chives and salt in medium mixing bowl.
2. Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in skillet on medium heat then sweat onions and garlic, approximately 3 minutes. Add kale to skillet and cook until kale is bright green and soft.
3. Add kale mixture to quinoa mixture, then add breadcrumbs and stir to combine.
4. Place large clean skillet on medium heat and add enough oil to coat bottom of pan.  Form patties using ½ cup of quinoa mixture and place patties in skillet being careful not to overcrowd the pan. 
5. Fry until golden brown on each side, approximately 5 minutes per side.
Remove patties, drain on paper towel and serve. 
6. Makes: 10 patties

Note: okay to use frozen chopped spinach, thawed in the microwave.

Crustless Zucchini Quiche

2 lg or 3 sm zucchini (grated or chopped)
1/4 cup dried chives
1 teaspoon onion powder
5 eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 cup grated feta cheese
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup oat, ww, or brown rice flour (or a combination thereof)
paprika or Louise's Rub

1. beat eggs
2. add remaining ingredients (except for paprika)
3. pour mixture into a greased casserole dish 13"X9"
4. sprinkle with paprika or rub 
5. bake @ 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until a knife tests clean.

NOTES: Okay to substitute broccoli or spinach for zucchini

Louise’s Best Food Rub

1/3 Cup Paprika

1 Tablespoon Sea Salt

1 teaspoon Black pepper

1 Tablespoon Mrs. Dash

1 Tablespoon Ground Mustard

1 Tablespoon Ground Sage

1 Tablespoon Granulated Garlic

1 Tablespoon Granulated Onion

1 Tablespoon Mustard Seeds

1 Tablespoon Celery Seeds

1 Tablespoon Dill Seeds

1 Tablespoon Dill Weed

2 Tablespoons Splenda, sugar, or Truvia

1. Mix all ingredients and store in a tightly covered container. You'll want to keep some in a shaker next to the grill and the stove. Keeps indefinitely but won't last long.

2. I use this on roasted vegetables as well as meats and fishes.

Stuffed Pumpkin

Stuffed Pumpkin
By Louise

1 medium sugar pumpkin
1 lb. hamburger
1 lb. ground pork
1 onion, chopped
6 stalks of celery, chopped
2 teas. salt
1/4 teas. pepper
1/4 teas. cloves
1/8 teas. cinnamon
1/8 teas. nutmeg
1-2 cups dried bread cubes

1. Clean out pumpkin (reserve seeds and toast with a little butter and salt for a yummy treat).
2. Make stuffing by cooking the remaining ingredients (use a little broth or water if too dry) in the order given.
3. Place stuffed pumpkin in a pyrex baking dish and bake at 350 until nicely browned.

NOTE:  A great Halloween Meal served with crusty bread and a salad.

Stuffed Cabbage

Stuffed Cabbage

Recipe By : Louise

Serving Size : 6

Categories : Main Dishes Beef, Casserole, Vegetables
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1 head cabbage
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound sausage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup cooked rice
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon allspice
2 tablespoons onion flakes
1 small can tomato sauce
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1. Remove twelve large leaves from cabbage. Blanch one minute and drain. Mix ground beef, sausage, rice, salt, pepper, thyme, and allspice. Divide into twelve parts and shape each into a log two inches shorter than a cabbage leaf. Place one meat log lengthwise on each cabbage leaf. Fold one side over meat, then fold ends over, and finally fold remaining side. Place, seam side down, in a single layer in large, shallow baking dish which has been lined with extra blanched cabbage leaves.
2. Mix onions with tomato sauce and spread over cabbage rolls. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, until meat is cooked through.

Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Bread
Recipe By : Louise
Serving Size : 24
Categories : Quick Breads
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3 eggs
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup nuts -- chopped
2 cups zucchini -- coarsely shredded
1 cup seedless raisins (OR -- choc. chips, dried cherries, dried pineapple, etc. -- be creative)
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1. Beat eggs until light. Gradually add sugar. Sift dry ingredients together. Add to egg-oil-sugar mixture and beat until smooth.
2. When well blended, stir in remaining ingredients. Place batter in two buttered loaf pans (8-1/2" x 4-1/4"). 3. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.
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NOTE: Makes excellent muffins too!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Recipe By : Louise
Serving Size : 12
Categories : Cakes Desserts
---------------------------------
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup butter -- softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons orange peel -- grated
2 cups zucchini -- shredded
1 cup nuts -- chopped
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Glaze
------
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar -- sifted
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon orange peel -- grated
1 tablespoon butter -- melted

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1. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Cream butter or margarine. Gradually add sugar, beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in sifted dry ingredients, alternately with buttermilk. Stir in vanilla, orange peel, zucchini and nuts.
3. Bake in a 10" tube pan or two loaf pans at 350 degrees for one hour. Turn out on rack, let cool for 15 minutes, and glaze.
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GLAZE: Beat together powdered sugar, orange juice, orange peel and melted butter.

My Favorite Coleslaw

My Favorite Coleslaw
Recipe By : Louise
Serving Size : 6
Categories : Salads Vegetables
------------------------------
1 cabbage head
1 tablespoon chives, freeze-dried
2 tablespoons salad vinegar
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise -- * see note
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
paprika -- optional
green bell peppers, slivered -- optional
red bell peppers, slivered -- optional
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard -- optional
1/4 teaspoon celery seed -- optional
1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
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* Use only real mayonnaise, not salad dressing. This coleslaw must be allowed to blend flavors in refrigerator for 2 hours or more (overnight is best) for best taste.
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1. Shred cabbage in VERY thin strands. Sprinkle evenly with vinegar, minced onion, fresh ground black pepper and sugar. Put into airtight bowl or plastic bag and refrigerator for 1 hour or more.


2. Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, dry mustard (if desired), horseradish and salt. If using green and red sweet peppers, sliver them before adding to sour cream mixture. Add celery seeds at this time also if you are using them. Add this mixture to chilled cabbage and shake in plastic bags or stir gently to mix thoroughly. Place back in refrigerator for 2 hours or more.
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NOTES : This is very good for leftovers also. The secret is to make sure it is crisp and cold and never let it set at room temperature. Just before serving, sprinkle with paprika for color if desired.

Spaghetti Squash - Preparation

Spaghetti Squash - Preparation
Categories: Low, Fat, Vegetable
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In answer to how to prepare spaghetti squash, I found this in the June, 94 issue of Southern Living:
The flesh of spaghetti squash, when cooked, comes out like strands of  cooked spaghetti and makes a great light stand-in for pasta lovers.

Prepare squash by cutting in half lengthwise and removing seeds. Pierce skin several times with a fork and follow one of the cooking methods below.

To bake, prepare squash, and place, cut side down, in a large baking pan. Bake at 350 oF for 45 minutes or until skin is tender and strands may be loosened easily with a fork.

To microwave, prepare squash, and place, cut side down, in a baking dish. Add 1/4 cup water; cover with plastic wrap, folding back a small edge of wrap to allow steam to escape. Cook on HIGH 7 to 10 minutes.

To boil, prepare squash, and place, cut side down, in a Dutch oven, add water to a depth of 2 inches. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until tender. Drain.

Cool cooked squash. Using a fork, remove spaghetti-like strands of pulp. Discard shell.

Yield: 1 medium spaghetti squash equals about 4 cups cooked.

Stuffed Peppers

STUFFED PEPPERS

Dedicated to Suzy & Mark

Recipe By : Louise

Serving Size : 12

Categories : Beef, Rice, Vegetables

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6 lg Green Peppers

1 lb Ground Beef

1/2 c Chopped Onion

16 oz Can Tomatoes -- undrained & cut up

1/2 c Long-Grain Rice
1/2 c Water
1 t. Salt
1 t. Worcestershire Sauce
2 tb. Dried Parsley
1 + 1/2 t. Dried Basil
Spaghetti Sauce
1/4 t. Garlic powder

1/4 t. Black pepper
2 Beef Boullion Cubes

1 t. Thyme

1 egg, lightly beaten

Grated Cheese (Optional)

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1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Cut green peppers in half; discard seeds and membranes. Chop enough to make 1/4 cup, set aside. Cook the green peppers, uncovered, in boiling water for 5 minutes, invert to drain well.

3. In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion and the 1/4 cup chopped green pepper until meat is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain off excess fat. Add undrained tomatoes, uncooked rice, water, salt, Worcestershire sauce, dash pepper, parsley, basil, bouillon, and remaining spices. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until rice is tender.  Cool and stir in egg.

4. Stuff peppers with meat mixture. Cover tops with spaghetti sauce and bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes.  Top with grated cheese, if desired.