Broccoli Cheese Soup

Ingredients: 
 1/2 C butter 
1 onion, chopped 
1 lb chopped fresh broccoli (you can use frozen as well) 
3 cans chicken broth (43.5 oz) 
1 lb processed cheese (such as Velveeta) cubed 
2 cups milk 
1 tablespoon garlic powder
 2/3 C cornstarch 
1 C water 
1/2 C cheddar cheese, plus more for serving 

  Instructions: 
-In a stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion in butter until softened. Stir in broccoli, and cover with chicken broth. Simmer until broccoli is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. 
 -Reduce heat, and stir in cheese cubes until melted. Add in cheddar cheese. Mix in milk and garlic powder. 
-In a small bowl, stir cornstarch into water until dissolved. Stir into soup; cook, stirring frequently, until thick.

German-Chocolate Fudge Bites (Healthy!)

Healthy German-Chocolate Fudge Bites

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup pitted dates (120g)

• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1/16 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder (or raw cacao powder)

• 2 tbsp shredded coconut

• 1/3 to 1/2 cup raw pecans (I've used walnuts, as that's what I've had on hand both times)

• optional: feel free to add some chocolate chips (I usually add about 2-3 Tbs of mini choco chips)

• Makes 10-14 balls (so I doubled it last time I made these!).

Directions:
Blend all ingredients together very well. (She recommends using a food processor, I used my vitamix.) Squish the dough together. (I put the dough to a ziplock plastic bag then smushed it together in the bag. It’s much less messy this way!) Roll into balls, cookie-cuttered shapes, or bars… or you can even use it for a pie crust! (I've only tried it in the ball form so far).

Notes:

I love these because the ingredient list is basic and healthy and they totally satisfy my post-partum sugar and chocolate cravings!! Dates are a great base for desserts like this - the sweetness and moisture they provide is perfect. This lady's website is awesome and I'm sure I'll be trying more from her! UPDATE (4.30.14: I have made these many many times now. I've also used almonds and they work great and we usually have on hand more than other nuts. I have found it works best if I add the nuts to my vitamin first and blend and then add the cocoa, coconut, salt and blend and then add the dates in portions until the mix starts to get sticky.)

Picture and recipe from: http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/02/08/german-chocolate-fudge-bites/

Two Minute Mug Brownie

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 1 Tbsp milk or water

Directions:

Add all the ingredients in a mug or a small sauce bowl (microwave safe of course!) Then throw in the microwave for about 50 seconds! Add some whipped cream to the top to really make it good!

Notes:

GIRLS!!!!! This is my FAVORITE treat when I am just craving a little chocolate treat but I don't want to make a mess.  It always hits the spot! I make this whenever I just need a little 5 minute break from everything, and then eat it in my little corner.  It's definitely my go to.  Anyway I thought I would share.  I had an idea to make it with yogurt instead of milk and oil, so I will try it and maybe adapt it later.  Hope you like it!

- Adapted from http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/09/13/two-minute-mug-brownie/

Italian Green Beans

1/3 C chopped onion

3 cloves garlic minced

3/4 t salt

1/2 t pepper

1/2 t basil 

1 t italian seasoning

1 C mushrooms

1/3 C oil

Saute in pan and add to cooked green beans.

Lion House Crescent Rolls

2 T yeast

2 C warm water

1/3 C sugar

1/3 C Crisco

2 t salt

2/3 C nonfat dry milk

1 egg

5 to 6 C flour

About 1/2 C melted butter

Mix yeast and water and let stand 5 minutes.  Add sugar, Crisco, salt, dry milk, egg, and 2 C flour. [ I make these rolls with my Bosch ] Beat together till smooth.  Add the remaining flour 1/2 C at a time, beating well after each addition. [ This usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, I usually use about 5 1/2 C flour, you want the dough to be a little sticky].  Place in a greased bowl; cover and let rise till double in bulk.  Divide into thirds.  Roll one third out into a circle.  Take a pizza cutter and cut in half and then in pizza triangles.  Roll up starting at the bigger end into a crescent.  Place on a greased cookie sheet with the point on the bottom.  Brush tops with the melted butter.  Let rise until double.   Bake at 400 for 8 to 12 minutes, until golden.

Ham Sauce

MUSTARD SAUCE                                          HALF RECIPE

4 eggs                                                    2 eggs

¾ C sugar                                               1/3 C plus 1 T sugar

1 T unflavored Knox gelatin                        1 ½ t gelatin

1 ½ T dry mustard                                    1 ¾ t mustard

¼ t salt                                                   1/8 t salt

½ t turmeric                                            ¼ turmeric

1 C water                                                ½ C water

½ C vinegar                                             ¼ C vinegar

1 C heavy whip cream                               1/2 C heavy whip cream

In top of double boiler thoroughly combine sugar and gelatin; stir in seasonings.  Beat eggs.  Add water and vinegar to eggs.  Stir into sugar mixture.  Cook over boiling water, stirring constantly, until mixture is slightly thickened.  Cool.  Fold in Whipped cream.  Pour into mold.  I usually make the half recipe.

Baked Pasta and Broccoli with Cheesy Creamy Cauliflower Sauce

Baked Pasta and Broccoli with Cheesy Creamy Cauliflower Sauce

Ingredients
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small head cauliflwer, cored and chopped (about 3 cups)
6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
4 medium shallots, roughly chopped (or sub about 1/2-3/4 cup diced onion)
Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
4 cups skim milk
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (I did just under that, between 1/8-1/4)
6 ounces Pecorino cheese, grated (about 2 cups- could sub fresh grated Parmesan)
1/2 pound medium multigrain pasta shells or bowties
1/4 pound sliced smoked ham, chopped (about 1 cups) (optional)
1 medium bunch broccoli, trimmed and cut into florets (3-5 cups)
optional: 1/2 cup toasted whole-wheat panko (Japanese bread crumbs) for serving.

Instructions
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add cauliflower, garlic, shallots, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until softened but not brown, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Sprinkle with flour; stir to coat well.

Gradually stir in milk; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; gently simmer until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes.  Transfer all to a blender, and puree with nutmeg and half the pecorino until smooth, about 2 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Cook pasta until slightly tender but not fully cooked, about 5 minutes.  (Note:  If you like your broccoli pretty tender, add it to boiling pasta water for a couple of minutes before draining)  Drain well; return to pot.  Add ham, broccoli, and cauliflower sauce; toss to combine.  Transfer to an ovenproof 3 1/2 quart baking dish.  Sprinkle with remaining pecorino, and bake until bubbling in center, about 30 minutes.  Heat broiler, and broil until golden brown on top, 1-2 minutes.  Divide among dishes, top with breadcrumbs (if using), and serve immediately.

Notes:

I left out the ham to make this vegetarian and it was still very filling and satisfying. The sauce is creamy and cheesy and I love that it's made with a whole head of cauliflower!! The three boys as well as the hubby quite enjoyed it. I used parmesan cheese, as it's what I always have on hand, but I'm sure the Pecorino flavor would be even better. My thoughts for next time: instead of sauteeing and simmering the cauliflower/onion/garlic, I think I will just try tossing in olive oil and roasting for 20 minutes at 450F. I love how roasting brings out flavors and I think it would be easier as well. So that's my plan for next time. I expect we will make this after Christmas to use up some leftover ham! My oven must be hot, as I only needed to cook it at 400F for 25 minutes and the top was perfectly crispy and golden brown.

Recipe and picture from: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/01/baked-pasta-and-broccoli-with-ham-and-cheesy-creamy-cauliflower-sauce/