Mashed zucchini

I got the idea to make mashed zucchini when I made zucchini noodles. With a vegetable peeler I took off long strips of zucchini for the noodles then I got to thinking what could I do with the core. I hate to waste a good vegetable!

I cut up the cores and sauteed them in a bit of butter and a pinch of salt and pepper till very soft.

I added a couple of ounces of cream cheese and blended it up in a bowl with a stick blender, adjusting the seasonings. There you have it, mashed zucchini! If it's to thick add a bit of cream I've also tried it with garlic and parmesan. A great substitute for mashed potatoes. I wonder how it would taste with some sour cream. I'll post the zucchini noodle recipe idea tomorrow.

Late night visitor

Isn't this the cutest little cricket! It was waiting at the back door when I put the dogs out for the last time in the evening.

Crickets are said to be a sign of moving forward in your life. They can only jump forward not backwards or sideways.

Zucchini rounds (oven fried)

All I did is sliced a zucchini in rounds, dipped it in beaten egg and then in parmesan, arranged them on a parchment lined cookie sheet, take care to not over crowd or they'll just steam, baked them in a hot 425 oven, if they look like they're browning to fast you can turn down the temperature. Dip in mayonnaise or sf ketchup.

Carne asada

This is a Sunday staple in our house. We get bbq meat from a small butcher in town every week or so.

I sprinkle pappys 50% less salt seasoning over the meat sometimes lemon or lime juice too and grill quickly over high heat. Serve with some avocado and my easy salsa recipe here

Chocolate cheesecake mousse

I wanted something chocolaty and creamy... fast!

This is what I came up with, my daughter and I shared this bowl of yummy goodness. Starting out with 3 ounces of cream cheese softened and a couple squares of lindt 85% chocolate bar melted a few seconds in the microwave. Adding a few drops of stevia liquid, a splash of vanilla, a tablespoon sugar free vanilla torani syrup, and a splash of cream. Blend everything up with a stick blender top with a few shavings of the 85% lindt chocolate. Chocolate crisis  averted, whew!

Hot wings

Hot, spicy, and delicious! These are so good!

I like to use frozen wings because they're economical and convenient. Defrost the wings on a cookie sheet lined with foil and parchment. I place the wings unseasoned in a hot 425 oven. Then start on the hot wing sauce, melt together in a small sauce pan a stick of unsalted butter, one cup of Franks hot sauce, 2 teaspoons of tabasco, and a couple handfuls of small red chilies powdered in a coffee grinder or 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper. Add more or less chilies, garlic or any flavoring you want. When the wings in the oven are browned and a bit dry put them in a bowl and add some hot wing sauce and toss. Serve with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.

Sweet baked zucchini

With the abundance of zucchini coming from my garden I'm trying to prepare it in as many different ways as I can. In mexican cuisine squash is often used for dessert so I decided to give it a try low carb style.

I cut a large zucchini in quarters and nestled it in a baking dish. Then melted half a stick of unsalted butter in a small saucepan adding a teaspoon of molasses, 4 tablespoons of erythritol, 2 tablespoons of sugarfree pancake syrup, a few grains of salt, cooked on medium till thickened, adding a teaspoon of vanilla. Poured it over the cut zucchini, baking in a hot oven for an hour, brushing or spooning the sauce as it cooks. If the liquid is to thin boil it down on the stove then pour over the top.