Zucchinni & Goat Cheese Cassarole

Zucchini and Goat Cheese Casserole

Such a great and simple main course or side dish.  Using fresh zucchini really adds to the deliciousness~ :)

This recipe makes a small square casserole that will feed 4 (or 2 depending on how hungry you are)

Here's what I used and as always these ingredients can be substituted with what you like:

2 medium zucchini
Goat cheese
Parmigiano 
Package of  baby portabello mushrooms, sliced
1 small sweet onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 half of a pablano pepper, finely diced
 Whole tomatoes (I used the last a small jar I froze last year from the garden)
Fresh basil, parsley, rosemary and oregano
2 tablespoons of coconut oil (you can use olive oil or whatever you have)
Fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil


Slice the zucchini lengthwise about 1/4 inch  thick, lay flat on towel or paper bag, salt each one
Allow to sit 30 minutes or longer until moisture is drawn out of them.

In the meantime, heat pan and add oil.  Add diced onion, garlic, and pablano peppers.  Saute 5 minutes until translucent.  Slice mushrooms (I like my a little thicker) to your liking and add to pan.  Saute another 5 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste.

Add tomatoes and cook about 10 minutes, until sauce starts to thicken.

Thoroughly dry off zucchini.  Oil bottom of small square dish.  Single layer zucchini in dish.  Sprinkle small amount of goat and parm cheese over zucchini.  Add  sauce, repeat again and end with a layer of zucchini on top.

Mix breach crumbs and olive oil and sprinkle on top.  This is optional.

Bake 375 for 25 minutes or until browned and bubbly.

So good.  Enjoy.  Let me know if you try it!!!

Red Quinoa Stuffed Red Peppers with Spicy/Sweet Salsa Sauce

I love quinoa and love experimenting with it.  It is so versatile and a great substitute for meat.  Try this recioe and let me know what you think.

Quinoa stuffing:

This stuffing is the same stuffing I used for the Quinoa burger, so check that out.

After stuffing is made, cut a large red pepper, or 2 small red peppers in half, clean out and add stuffing.

Sauce

2 cups salsa (I used homemade salsa I canned last year.  Use your favorite)

2 tablespoon honey ( I used raw unrefined honey)

Bring to a boil and pour over peppers.  Bake until peppers are tender, about 30-35 minutes.  So good.  Let me know if you try it.

Quinoa Burger on a bed of kale/green leaf lettuce, ground mustard vinaigrette

Quinoa is such a great product.  If you haven't tried it, you really are missing out.   Do some research and you will find that it is full of nutrients and the taste is amazing.

I was experimenting today, and made two wonderful dishes.  Here is the recipe for this one.  The other is red pepper stuffed with red quinoa and spicy salsa, but now here is the recipe for:

Quinoa Burger on a bed of kale with honey/mustard vinaigrette.

Quinoa Burger

1 cup cooked quinoa (I used red, but any variety will do)

1 small onion diced

3 small carrots diced

1 clove of garlic diced

1/2 cup mashed chic peas  (I used some  hummus I made from the other day)

1/2 cup finely chopped kale

salt, pepper, granulated garlic and onion powder

Your favorite fresh herbs, I used sweet basil, thyme, greek oregano, flat leaf parsley and flat leaf celery parsley; just add to your taste.  I used about a teaspoon of each

Mix all ingredients and form a patty.  Heat a pan and add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil (or whatever oil you use)

Add patty to pan and brown on both sides.

Makes about four patties depending on size

Kale Salad

1 cup finely chopped kale

1 cup finely chopped green leaf lettuce

1 large or several diced carrots

1 small onion diced

Tomato

Cucumber (I prefer regular cucumbers rather than the english, they have more meat.  Just clean out the seeds)

Blueberries

Pumpkin seeds

Mustard Vinaigrette

I used a hearty, grainy mustard about 3 tablespoons

1/4 c. apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons oil (I used a lot less oil than is recommended, I prefer more vinegar, but you do what you do)

2 tablespoons honey or agave

salt and pepper to taste

Mix and add to  salad

Plate salad and place burger on to.  SO SO SO Good!!!!  As always, I create to my tastes, feel free to change/add whatever to this recipe.  I KNOW YOU WILL LOVE IT.  Let me know if you try it.