Green Beans are a favorite at our house. This elegant version elevates basic green beans to a whole new level. This dish is great for entertaining because it looks and tastes like you spent a lot more time on it than you actually did. Roasting the green beans assures they will be crisp tender and full of robust flavor. As an added bonus, the extra virgin olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese greatly enhances the natural appeal of this classic side. Green Beans are actually the seed pod of the common bean plant — though I’m not really sure that fact makes them taste better! Names vary according to their characteristics of growth -- string beans, snap beans, pole beans, bush beans or French beans. Green beans are low in calories and carbs but high in nutritional value. They ... [Read More]
Quick and easy
Fritatta with Arugula, Portabello and Feta
A fritatta is cooked slowly over low heat. Omelets are cooked quickly over higher heat with filling placed in the middle of the omelet and folded before serving hot from the stove. Fritattas are often served at room temperature, making them perfect to make ahead for brunches or larger groups. A fritatta is similar to crustless quiche which makes it perfect for low carb dining or “don’t want to make a crust” meals. They are often prepared in well-seasoned cast iron skillets but you can also use a standard 10” non-stick skillet . This savory stovetop fritatta is a delicious Mediterranean combination, easy to make and versatile. The most difficult part is deciding whether you will enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Fritatta with Arugula, Portabello and Feta ... [Read More]
Cauliflower Soup with Goat Cheese, Garlic & Bacon
Cauliflower Soup with Bacon, Garlic & Goat Cheese is lunch time quick . Pair it with a crisp, green salad or crisp crusted rolls for a more filling meal. It also makes a nice, light appetizer when served in small portions and garnished with green onion slices. One of the great things about cauliflower is how well it takes on the flavors of other ingredients. In this case, the tangy goat cheese adds an interesting and delicious dimension to the finished result. If you want more robust flavors, roast the cauliflower and onion before blending. The flavor will be more complex, but be aware the soup will take on a darker brown color as a result. Goat cheese is a good source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. The fatty acids found in goat's milk have antibacterial ... [Read More]
Tuscan Chicken Rice Bowl
A delicious meal, ready to eat in about 30 minutes. You can assemble from scratch which may take a just a few minutes longer at cooking time or freeze ahead of time, thaw overnight and have it ready in a flash for a healthy work night meal. Add a quick salad of spring greens, feta cheese, a few walnuts and blueberries. Look for chicken breast fillets as they are about half an inch thick and will cook quickly and evenly. Most stores will carry them, but if you don't find them make your own fillets. With a sharp knife slice a chicken breast lengthwise into half inch pieces. Look for chopped mushrooms if you have a "fungus-phobe" like Bytes at your house. He'll eat chopped mushrooms with little comment, but objects to the bigger pieces. (We're making progress with that -- lol!) ... [Read More]
Peanut Butter Banana Bars
What do you do with a bag of bananas? Make Peanut Butter Banana Bars! Last time I was at the neighborhood grocery by my sister's house, they had just set out bags of perfect golden yellow bananas. I brought one of the bags home with me. I made Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream and Banana Strawberry Blueberry Smoothies earlier. Peanut Butter Banana Bars were quick and easy to make, no added sugar. Except in the chocolate chips and you could make those sugar free to if you wanted. Or you could substitute chopped walnuts or peanuts instead. The peanut butter adds flavor, but it also gives a nice boost of healthy fat and protein, making the Peanut Butter Banana Bars even more filling and satisfying as a snack or dessert. The mixture will be rather wet, but that is what prevents these ... [Read More]
Butter Fluff Cookies
I liked this recipe for Butter Fluff Cookies because it includes butter and cream cheese and tastes like a rich,fluffy cloud. It is also quick and easy and you can vary it in so many ways. Like this: Variation 1 - 3: Rolled in red sanding sugar before baking, green and red sprinkles mixed into the dough before baking, rolled in tiny green candy balls before baking. Variation 4: Add mini Chocolate chips. (Variation 5 not pictured - Heath Toffee Bits) Variation 6: Chopped walnuts (pecans, almonds also good!) Why did I try variations? Because when I first tasted the mixed cookie dough, I thought it needed pizazz. So I pizazzed. And when I was finished, guess what was my favorite? The plain fluffy cloud. Seconded quite closely by the chopped walnut -- cuz I like ... [Read More]
