Zucchini Medly and Fritters

Two successful zucchini dishes for dinner tonight. I liked that they were similar enough that I could prep and cook both at the same time without too much of a hassle, but the final dishes tasted different enough that it wasn't boring. Hooray for eating vegetables!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Corn-and-Zucchini-Melody/Detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/The-Best-Zucchini-Fritters-Ever/Detail.aspx

cake truffles

Tanya posted about these on her personal blog here - I think they're really cute and wanted to get the info out for everyone in case someone wants to make something similar this weekend. They'd also be really cute at Christmas in other colors to be little ornaments or something.

The original idea is from bakerella.com and I just spent a little while going through that site. Click on the "cake pops" option in the top left corner, and you will get TONS of ideas on what to do with these things for pretty much every single holiday!

Red Beans and Rice

This is one of our favorite cold-weather foods!

1 lb dried red beans

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp cajun or creole seasoning (we use Tony Chachere's)
kielbasa
rice (about 1 cup per serving)

Rinse the red beans, then put them in a pot of water to soak overnight.

Drain the water, cover the beans with water again, then put them on to boil. Once the beans are boiling, turn down to a simmer.

Add the onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning to the pot early on so it can cook down. (You can also add celery and/or a bell pepper.) Cook the mixture for about an hour to an hour and a half. Slice the kielbasa and add it about 15 minutes before the beans are done.

Meanwhile, cook the rice in a separate pot.

Serve the beans over the rice, and drop on a few drops of Tabasco sauce.

It takes a while to make, but it's worth it, and we usually have leftovers for days!

Brownie Muffins

I realize that there is no such thing as "guilt free" treats - espeshally brownies - but these have very little guilt - taste amazing - and are SOOOO easy!

http://www.recipezaar.com/Ww-Brownie-Muffins-the-Longmeadow-Farm-281279

Tomato Bisque

I found this one on Recipezaar (#49957). Yummy and great with grilled cheese sandwiches! My hubby, who HATES tomato soup, loved this and requested I make it again.


Tomato Bisque

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme, hearty
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper, more to taste
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (optional)

Directions

1. In a medium pot, heat the oil.
2. Add the onion and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until tender and lightly browned on the edges, about 7 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and thyme; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add the tomatoes, broth, honey, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil over high heat.
6. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until reduced by a quarter and thickened, about 15 minutes.
7. Using a standard or immersion blender, puree about half the soup; it will still be chunky and thick.
8. Return it to the pot and stir in the cream.
9. Heat gently and adjust the seasonings.
10. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with the parsley if using, and serve immediately.

Southewest - chicken, black bean soup

Who would have guessed cinnamon would be so yummy in soup - but it is AMAZING!

http://www.recipezaar.com/Southwest-Chicken-Black-Bean-Soup-43728