Best of 2016

I slacked off in 2016. But that is understandable. My schedule was so busy, that I had less time to try new recipes. I did try some new, retried several old, and tasty recipes!

Here are some favorite recipes from 2016.

In January, I  kicked off the year,  with some another fun Black-eyed Peas and Collard Greens recipes. This one is a keeper!

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I even tried two roll recipes: Jalapeno, Scallion and Garlic  and Sun-dried Tomato and Jalapeno. Both were so delicious, that I continued to make them throughout the year!

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I attempted the 21-day beach body diet in early 2016, and here’s my version of Bulghur Wheat Upma, designed to meet the container requirement (Disclaimer: I am not a certified Beach Body coach, so use at your own discretion!)

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Another fun recipe in February from the beach body diet was the Brown Rice Paella.

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March was all about Cauliflower Nirvana. Period!

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Come April, I put all else aside for a two week vacation down under. What an incredible trip!

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May is always, typically about Cherries.

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I also experimented with other recipes like Mango Coconut Scones

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And learnt to make Bagels… Sun Dried Tomato and Jalapeno bagels, of course 🙂

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Summertime, to beat the heat, I experimented with many Popsicle recipes, many of them with mango or cherries: my two favorite fruits.

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I maintained a scant patio garden this summer, which was plagued by over zealous squirrels. The most exciting vegetable from my patio garden this year  was zucchini!

August was about Savory Sun-dried Tomato Kalamata Olive and Jalapeno bread.

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Two fun recipes from September included, plunging into Cauliflower Rice and Stir Fried Vegetables.

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And these delicious Cherry Friands!

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And another variation of the Quinoa Bisibele Bath.

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October, I found Mango Chia Pudding, and it was terrific. It has fast become my go-to breakfast items!

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November was incredibly busy. Come December, I did try the Tian.

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But, December is all about the holidays… about Airplane Cookies!

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Have a very Happy New Year!

Hope to see you back here next year!

It’s Time… for Limited Edition Airplane Cookies!

Happy Holidays!

Once a year, I bring out my airplane cookie cutters, scour the web for a good cookie recipe and off I go. This year, Ronit made it all too easy with her Cut out Almond Butter Cookies. The moment I saw it, I knew this was it.

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I made no changes other than to dip some of my cookies in chocolate and add some sprinkles.

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This might be one of my best airplane cookies so far.

See Also:

Tis’ The Season for Airplane Cookies
Airplane Cookies are here!
Time… for Airplane Cookies
Fly me to the Moon

How to eat healthy…the upside down pyramid — The Purple Almond

“Presently, a full two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and childhood obesity has tripled over the past 30 years.” Do these statistics surprise you? This quote is from a wonderful article written by Dr. Joseph Mercola. In it, Dr. Mercola discusses the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) which is filled with highly processed and refined “food”, […]

via How to eat healthy…the upside down pyramid — The Purple Almond

Vegetable Tian

When I saw, Elaine’s variations of Tian, I of course, absolutely, wanted to try it! As you already know, I love gratin and have posted several before.

And zucchini, eggplant and tomato are obviously my favorite vegetables, in addition to peppers!

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Here’s how I made mine…

Ingredients:
2 Japanese eggplant, sliced thin
4 Roma tomatoes, sliced thin
1 medium Zucchini, sliced thin
salt and black pepper
4 slices of pepper jack cheese
3-4 tbsp of Chipotle medium salsa
1-2 tbsp olive oil

Pre heat the oven for 375 degrees

Slice your favorite vegetables. I used eggplant, zucchini and tomato. Drizzle olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

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Layer a baking dish with some sauce. I used Chipotle salsa, Stack with seasoned vegetable stacks and bake for an hour.

Add shredded pepper jack cheese and continue baking for 10 minutes.

Switch to broil and broil on high heat for 5 minutes.

Serve warm with some bread.

See also:

Zucchini and Yellow Tomato Gratin
Eggplant and Tomato Gratin
Roasted Curried Cauliflower Gratin
Curried Cauliflower Gratin
Summer Squash Gratin

Spicy Kale and Pea Uttapam

It’s what for breakfast!

Fly 'n Cook

It is March. St Paddy’s Day. Believe it or not, a snow day in the Mid-Atlantic!

w1I had ample free time, and some left over Idli batter to play with, and green was in my mind 🙂

w4Ingredients
2-3 tbsp Idli batter
1/4 white or yellow onion chopped fine
a handful of frozen green peas rinsed
a handful of organic Tuscan kale chopped fine
1 green jalapeno chopped fine
a few sprigs of green cilantro chopped fine
4-6 cherry tomatoes sliced (optional)…. I love a colorful palate 🙂

Mix all ingredients. Add water as needed to lighten the batter.

w2Place a flat  non-stick pan on the stove on medium heat. Add 1 tbsp oil to grease the pan. Add the mixed batter and spread evenly with a spoon. Add additional oil as needed. Cover with a plate and cook until the side is lightly browned.

w3Flip and cook the other…

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