Cheesy Zucchini Bake

After a great harvest of zucchini this year, I was looking for great new ways to serve it to my family.  I found this recipe and it was a hit with the hubby and kids.

Ingredients:
  3medium-sized zucchini, cut in slices or half-moon slices
2-4 T chopped fresh basil (I suppose you can use dry...but truly the fresh makes it taste heavenly)
2 T thinly sliced green onion
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 cup + 1/2 cup low-fat white cheeses (I used mozza Cheese and Parmesan - NOT the dried canned kind either!) divided - reserve 1/4 cup of mixture for topping later.
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F/180C.  Spray an 8" x 8" baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.  Wash the zucchini and cut in slices or half-moon slices.  Wash basil, spin dry or dry with paper towels and finely chop.  Slice green onions.

Combine the sliced squash, chopped basil, sliced green onions, dried thyme, garlic powder, and both kinds of cheese and stir together until the veggies are coated with cheese and the herbs are well-distributed.  Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper.  Put the mixture in the baking dish and bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes.

When the zucchini is nearly cooked through, take the casserole dish out of the oven and sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 cup of grated cheese.  Put the dish back in the oven and bake 10-15 minutes longer, or until the cheese is melted and nicely browned and zucchini is fully cooked.  Serve hot.

Original Recipe found on Kalyn's Kitchen

Brown Sugar Frosting

My friend SL posted this on her blog.  Its a favorite last minute go to icing for me.  I used it twice this summer alone when we had last minute company.  I topped a boxed cake mix (with a couple of added ingredients) with this amazing yumminess....

1/2 Cup Butter
1 Cup Brown Sugar
4 Tbsp Milk
2 Cups Icing Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla

• Put butter & brown sugar in a bowl.  Cook for 2 minutes 
• Add milk and stir
• Microwave again for 2-3 minutes.  It should be boiling now. 
• Add the icing sugar and vanilla and whisk until everything has been incorporated and you no longer see the sugar.
• Resist the urge to stick your finger in the bowl for a taste...if you do, I will be sorry, IT'S HOT!
• Cool for a bit and then pour over cake.  Let it set for a bit.

Flourless Zucchini Brownies

I have to say. just like Healthy Deep Dish Cookie, I made with chickpeas, I was skeptical about these as well.  But honestly, they were delishish AND they met the approval of men, women and children at a summer gathering.  I DID add mint chocolate icing to them ;-)...that might have helped...

These are flourless...can you believe it???

• 1 cup of almond butter.
• 1 1/2 cup of grated or chopped zucchini. I used a shredder and then chopped it up into really small pieces.
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp of vanilla
• 1 tsp of baking soda
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp of nutmeg
• 1 cup of dark chocolate chips.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix everything together.
3. Pour into a greased 9x9 baking pan.
4. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

You can add icing to top or you can serve as is


original recipe found on Delighted Momma

Chipotle Cauliflower Bake

1 head Cauliflower
3/4 cup miracle whip
3/4up sour cream
3/4 tsp chipotle pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 cup mozza cheese, grated

Directions

• Preheat over at 375
• wash cauliflower and cut into small pieces.
• Steam cauliflower (in pot of microwave)
• mix together all ingredient except for mozza cheese
• pour over steamed cauliflower and mix until coated
• Bake uncovered for 30 mins
• 5 mins before its complete, sprinkle grated mozza cheese over the top.