Cauliflower and Broccoli Gratin

This is a recipe a got from a lady at church.  She brought it to a potluck and it was a hit.  Very delicious! -Kristin

5 cups cauliflower
5 cups broccoli
2 cups milk
1/4 cup and 1 Tablespoon butter, divided
1/3 cup flour
2 teaspoon dry mustard
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
dash of cayenne
1/2 cup Panko crumbs
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• Preheat oven to 425 and grease a 9x13 pan.
• Cook cauliflower and broccoli in salt water for about 3 minutes or till almost tender.  Remove from heat and drain.  Then put the veggies in the 9x13 pan.
• Microwave milk for 2-3 minutes till steaming hot but not boiling.
• In a saucepan melt 1/4 cup butter and whisk in the flour until smooth.  Cook 30 seconds, whisking continually.
• Whisk in the hot milk and return to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened.  
• Whisk in the salt, pepper and cayenne.
• Pour the milk mixture over the vegetables.
• Top with cheese.
• Melt the remaining 1 Tablespoon of butter and mix in the Panko crumbs.  Sprinkle over the cheese.
• Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes.

Zucchini Patties

This recipe is for anyone, zucchini lover or not!  Very, very, yummy!  A great way to use up all that garden zucchini!  -Kristin

1 large zucchini, shredded
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup Panko crumbs
1 minced, garlic clove
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 Tablespoons oil

• Combine all, except the oil, and press into patties of desired size.
• Heat up a griddle or frying pan and add the oil.
• Fry up the zucchini patties until lightly browned on both sides.

Lemonade Cookies

A delicious, lemon bar like sugar cookie!  That is the best description for these.   I got this recipe from my friend Donna who's grandma would make these for her.  I was skeptical of the result of these but so happy with how they turned out.  My family raved about these!! These are best served chilled.  -Kristin

2 sticks butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup lemonade concentrate
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt

Extra lemonade concentrate to brush on warm cookies

• Cream the butter and sugar together.
• Beat in the eggs and then the lemonade concentrate.
• In a separate bowl whisk together the dry ingredients and then beat them in.
• Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
• Right when they come out of the oven brush the tops with lemonade concentrate and sprinkle with sugar.  Cool and store in fridge.

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Pancakes

Not only is my family a huge fan of pancakes we also are huge fans of serving them with peanut butter and syrup on top.  So when I found this recipe I knew it was going to be a hit.  I changed this original recipe a bit from Heavenly Homemakers Blog.  -Kristin

2 cups whole wheat white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
5 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 cups milk
2 eggs

• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Set aside.
• Microwave the butter and peanut butter together until it can be stirred together easily.
• Pour melted butter and peanut butter, along with the milk and eggs into the flour mixture. 
• Whisk until well mixed.  
• Cook the pancakes on a buttered griddle or skillet.

Crock Pot Shredded Mexican Chicken

I adapted this recipe from Good Life Eats.  The results of this recipe were so fantastic!  This was awesome on tortillas and served on rice (especially with this recipe for  Black Bean and Corn Salsa served with it).  -Kristin

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon coriander (optional)
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup (packed) cilantro leaves, chopped
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 large onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil

• Heat the oil in pan. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes. 
• Add the cumin, chili powder, coriander, paprika and garlic and saute two more minutes. 
• Deglaze the pan with the chicken broth making sure to scrape up any browned bits. Turn off and set aside.
• Put the chicken in the slow cooker and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  
• Pour the lime juice on top of the chicken and add the cilantro and the diced jalapenos.
• Pour the onion and garlic mixture over top.
• Cook on low for 5-7 hours, or until cooked through and tender. (different crock-pots cook at varying heats so go off of the time that is normal for yours)  
• Remove chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred.
• Stir the chicken back into the cooking liquid.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

This is a great dip for chips, on its own or as a topping to Mexican style entrees.  If you are not a big fan of cilantro don't add as much or try leaving it out all together.  You can't go wrong with these ingredients...it will be delicious either way! -Kristin

1 (15 ounce) can yellow corn, drained
1 (15 ounce) can white corn, drained
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chillies, drained
1 bunch finely chopped cilantro (or desired amount)
5 green onions, finely sliced
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup lime juice
1 avocado, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

• Mix all ingredients together.

Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Salad

This is a recipe that was recommended to me from a friend.  The recipe is adapted from a Penzy magazine.  It is delicious and I just love the flavor combo!  A guide to cooking quinoa is found here on the blog Quinoa. -Kristin

1 mango, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup diced green onions, white and green parts
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 Tablespoon oil
2 Tablespoons red wine vinigar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian Salad dressing mix, mixed with 2 teaspoons water
2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled (about 3/4 cup dry)
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

• Mix together all ingredients.