Pumpkin Cookies ( Sugar Free)

 I make quite a few Sugar Free Cookie Recipes and this one is great For a Fall Gathering of Family or Friends. 

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees.

An Electric Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment.

Plastic Wrap.

A 2" Cookie Scoop.

A Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper.

2 C Almond Flour

1/4 C Coconut Flour

1 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 C Butter, Room Temperature .

1 C Granulated Monk Fruit Sugar.

1 Egg

1/2 C Pumpkin Purée

1 tsp Vanilla

In a Large Mixing Bowl.

Whisk Together by Hand:

Almond Flour

Coconut Flour

Baking Powder

Baking Soda

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Salt

Set aside.

In the Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment:

Cream Together:

Butter

Sugar

Until well blended.

Add:

Egg

Pumpkin

Vanilla

Reduce Speed to Low.

Slowly Add:

Flour Mixture until Well Combined.

Wrap the Dough in Plastic Wrap and Shape into a Round Disk.

Refrigerate for 2 Hours or Overnight.

Scoop the Dough with the Cookie Scoop.

Place on the Sheet Pan.

Bake 9 - 11 Minutes.

Remove from the Oven when the Center is slightly under Baked and they'll 

finish Baking as they Cool on the Sheet Pan for 10 Minutes.

Transfer the Cookies to a Cooling Rack until Cooled Completely.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Cowboy Caviar

 This is a great recipe for a Fall Gathering when asked to bring a Dish to Pass. 

Here's what you'll need:

A Large Serving Bowl.

1 - 15 oz, Can of Black Eyed Peas, Drained and Rinsed.

1 - 15 oz. Can of Black Beans, Drained and Rinsed.

1 1/2 C Diced Roma Tomatoes, Seeded.

1 Large Jalapeno Pepper, Chopped.

1 Yellow Bell Pepper, Chopped.

1/2 C Chopped Red Onion.

1/4 C Chopped Fresh Cilantro.

3 TBS Olive Oil.

2 TBS Red Wine Vinegar.

1 TBS Worcestershire Sauce  ( I use Vegetarian, I don't eat Anchovies).

1/2 tsp Salt 

1/2 tsp Pepper

Tortilla Chips to Serve.

Mix all Ingredients in a Large Serving Bowl.

Serve with Tortilla Chips.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Chiles Rellenos Vegetarian Casserole (with Meatless Ground beef)

 This recipe includes a Plant Based Meatless Ground.

This is one of the Meatless Ground Meats that I use.

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven, 350 Degrees.

A 9" X 13" Casserole Dish Sprayed with a Vegetable Cooking Spray.

A Large Skillet

1 lb. of Meatless Ground  (Non Vegetarians can use Ground Beef)

1 Onion, Diced.

3 Garlic Cloves, Minced.

1 tsp Ground Cumin

4 Large Poblano Peppers, Roasted, Peeled and Chopped.  

NOTE: If you don't want to go through the process of Roasting, Blistering , Steaming and Peeling the Skin of the Poblanos, I would recommend using 4 Large Green Bell Peppers, (trimmed, seeded and cut into strips) and Pre-Cooking them in a Skillet with a small amount of Water until they're softened and then remove from the heat and set aside to Cool. When they are completely Cooled, Chop the strips into smaller pieces before adding them to the Recipe. Honestly, I don't think you could tell the difference between the two types of Peppers when the casserole is Baked. I liked the finished Texture and Flavor of this Casserole.

1 tsp Chili Powder.......not Chile Powder.

Salt and Pepper to Taste.

1 C Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese.

4 Eggs

1 C Milk

1/2 C All Purpose Flower 

1 tsp Baking Powder

Salsa or Enchilada Sauce for Serving.

In a Skillet on Medium Heat:

Sauté Onion and Garlic until softened.

Add:

Meatless Ground Beef

Cumin

Chili Powder

Salt and Pepper

Cook until the Beef is Browned.

Stir to Combine Well.

Add:

Chopped Poblano Peppers.

Stir to Combine Well.

Remove from Heat and Set Aside.

Batter Instructions:

In a Medium Mixing Bowl:

Eggs, Whisk well.

Add:

Milk 

Flour

Baking Powder

Whisk until Well Combined.

In the Prepared Casserole Dish:

Half of the Meat Mixture, Spread evenly.

Sprinkle with Half of the Shredded Cheese.

Add Half of the Egg Batter evenly over the Top. Do not Mix.

Repeat the Layers with the remaining Ingredients in the same order.

Bake Uncovered 35 to 40 Minutes, until Golden Brown and Set in the Center.

Remove from the Oven and Set aside on a Cooling Rack for 5 Minutes.

Top Individual Servings with Salsa or Enchilada Sauce.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Zucchini Casserole

I have many Zucchini Recipes and this is my latest favorite.

I added this Picture so you know to use Grated and Not Shredded. This is Fine and almost a Powder Texture.

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 375 Degrees.

An 8" X 8" Baking Dish, Sprayed with a Vegetable Cooking Spray.

A Large Skillet

1/2 C Diced Onion

1 TBS Olive Oil

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

4 Cups of  Diced Zucchini, unpeeled. (2-3 Medium Zucchinis)

1/2 tsp Dried Basil

Salt and Pepper to Taste

2 Large Eggs

1 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese 

1/2 C Sour Cream

1 C Bread Crumbs, divided.

2 TBS Butter Melted for the Topping

In the Skillet on Medium Heat:

Oil, until Hot.

Add:

Zucchini

Onion

Sauté about 5 - 7 Minutes.

Add:

Basil

Garlic Powder

Salt

Pepper

Stir to Combine Well

Set Aside to Cool while you prepare the Filling.

In a Large Mixing Bowl:

Eggs, whisk well.

Add:

Sour Cream

Cheddar Cheese

Parmesan Cheese

1/2 C  of the Bread Crumbs

Fold In:

Zucchini Mixture, Stir to Combine Well.

Spoon into the Pan.

In a Small Mixing Bowl:

Remaining 1/2 C Bread Crumbs

Melted Butter

Mix Well.

Sprinkle Evenly Over the Top of the Mixture in the Pan.

Bake Uncovered 25 - 30 Minutes until Golden Brown.

Remove from Oven and Set Aside to cool for 10 Minutes.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

 

Spinach Artichoke Dip

 I've tried several Spinach Artichoke Dips, Homemade and Purchased but this has become my favorite.

We were at an event at our daughter's house and one of her friends brought this Dip. It was a Hit. I loved it and asked her if she would share the recipe. Thanks you Cindy!

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the Oven to 350 Degrees.

A 1 Quart Casserole Dish sprayed with a Cooking Spray.

8 oz Cream Cheese

1/4 C Sour Cream

1/4 C Mayonaise

1 tsp Minced Garlic

2/3 C Finely Shredded Parmesan Cheese

1/2 C Finely Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Pepper to taste

1-   14 oz. Can of Artichoke Hearts,  Drain, Squeeze Artichokes to remove excess liquid, Chop.

1 - 6 oz. Bag of Frozen Spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain excess liquid, Chop.

In a Mixing Bowl:

Cream Cheese

Sour Cream

Mayonnaise

Garlic

Parmesan Cheese

Mozzarella Cheese

Pepper

Stir to Combine Well.

Add:

Spinach

Artichokes

Stir to Combine Well.

Spoon into the Casserole Dish and Spread Evenly.

Bake About 20 Minutes until Heated Through and Cheese is Melted.

Serve with:

Tortilla Chips

Pita Chips

Bagel Chips

Crackers

Toasted Slices of French Baguette Bread

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Tex - Mex Street Corn

 This is an adapted version of Mexican Corn in a Cup.

Here's what you'll need:

A Serving Bowl

A  Large Cast Iron Skillet

2 TBS Vegetable Oil

2 lbs Frozen Corn

1/2 Cup of Crumbled Cotija Cheese

2 TBS Mayonnaise

2 TBS Butter

1/2 tsp Chili Powder (Not Chile Powder)

3 TBS Lime Juice

Cilantro for Garnish

Place the Oil in the Skillet on the Stove on Medium Heat until the Oil is Hot.

Add the Frozen Corn

Cook it, stirring often until it begins to Brown.

Add: Butter and stir until Melted and well combined.

Remove from Heat and set aside to cool completely.

Transfer the cooled Corn to a Serving Bowl.

Stir in Mayonnaise and Lime Juice, Mix Well.

Top with Sprinkled Chili Powder and Crumbled Cheese.

Garnish with Chopped Cilantro.

Enjoy! 

Peace in the Kitchen!

Sicilian Eggplant Caponata

 I spent 2 weeks in Sicily in 1971 with 2 German Friends. We had an incredible time.

This is a traditional Sicilian Appetizer Recipe and it's delicious.

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 425 Degrees.

A Sheet Pan

A Large Non Stick Skillet with a Cover.

1 lb. of Eggplant. (2 Medium or 1 Large). Peeled and  Chopped  into 1/2" Pieces equal to 5 C.

3 TBS Olive Oil, divided.

1/2 tsp Sea Salt, divided.

1 Small Onion, Chopped (about 1/2 C)

1 C Diced Red Bell Pepper

2-3 Stalks of Celery, Finely Chopped, at least 1/2C.

1 1/3 C of (Cut in Half) Pitted Green Olives.

1/4 C of Capers, (rinsed and drained).

2 C Tomato Sauce

1- 6 oz. Can of Tomato Paste

5 TBS of Red Wine Vinegar.

1 TBS Granulated Sugar ( I use Sugar Free Monkfruit Granuated Sugar)

Fresh Ground Pepper to Taste.

Fresh Chopped Basil (about 1/2 C)

Directions:

On the Baking Sheet:

All of the Eggplant.

2 TBS Oil.

1/4 tsp Sea Salt.

Toss and Coat Well.

Spread it into an Even Layer.

Bake 35 - 45 Minutes until Browned.  (Mix it Half Way through)

Remove from the Oven and set aside.

In the Preheated Skillet on Medium Heat:

Remaining TBS of Oil.

Add:

Onion

Celery

Bell Pepper

Remaining 1/4 tsp Salt.

Sauté until Softened about 3-5 Minutes.

Add:

Roasted Eggplant

Capers

Olives

Tomato Sauce

Tomato Paste

Cover and Reduce Heat and Simmer for 5-8 Minutes.

Remove the Cover and Add;

Vinegar

Sugar

Cook for another 2 Minutes.

Add additional Salt and Pepper to Taste.

Add:

Basil

Stir to Combine Well and Remove from Heat and Set Aside to Cool.

Transfer to a Covered Bowl and Refrigerate until Cooled.

Serve with your favorite Crackers and Pita Chips.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!