Zucchini Noodle Spaghetti, Italian Salad and Edwards House Dressing

First off, I apologize for the poor quality pictures.  In the middle of cooking our electricity went off.  Luckily I have gas, so I was able to cook to candle light.  But, by the time it was ready to eat we still had no electricity, so we had to take these pictures in the dark.  I will say, this is THE BEST meal I had all week!  TONS of GARLIC!

ZUCCHINI NOODLE SPAGHETTI WITH MEAT SAUCE

• 1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 LB ground beef or turkey
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed thru a garlic press
• 2 cups spaghetti sauce of your choice (I use Mezzetta brand Napa Valley Bistro.  It is one of the most expensive jarred sauces, but it's taste is superior.  There's no added sugar and it has the perfect balance of tomatoes, olive oil and seasonings....try it!)
• 2 zucchinis
• Parmesan cheese for topping

Heat a skillet over med-high heat. Add 1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil.  When hot, add the onion and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.  Add the ground turkey/beef and cook until no longer pink.  Turn the heat down to low and add the spaghetti sauce.  While the spaghetti sauce mixture heats up make the zucchini noodles.

To make the noodles you will need a spiral slicer.  If you do not have one, you should!  These things are awesome!  Below is a picture of my Joyce Chen Saladacco Spiral Slicer.  Bread Becker carries them and you can also find them online for less than $30.  Follow the package instructions for making "noodles" or "strings".

   

Plate your "noodles", meat sauce then top with Parmesan cheese.

ITALIAN SALAD

This week my farmer's market had these huge, fresh heads of romaine lettuce and I couldn't help but get one. That was the start to this refreshing salad.

In a large bowl combine, in this order:

• 1/2 a head (or so) of romaine lettuce, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 small cucumber cut diagonally, then horizontally to create half moons
• 1 tomato, diced large
• 1/2 purple onion, sliced in thin rings
• 2 to 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Top with the Edwards House Dressing.

EDWARDS HOUSE DRESSING

This tangy dressing is made with 100% Organic, unfiltered, raw Apple Cider Vinegar.  I can't even begin to tell you how amazing Apple Cider Vinegar is for your health.  Vinegar is a fermented food which contains enzymes and a host of macro nutrients.  To read more about vinegar, check this out:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/health-benefits-apple-cider-vinegar.html

On to the recipe:

In a salad making container (which is what I used here) or a Tupperware container with a tight lid combine the following in this order:

• 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning (dried herb mix)
• 3 to 4 garlic cloves, pressed in a garlic press
• few dashes of salt
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Mix well.  Serve over salad.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies...NO Sugar, NO Grains, NO Dairy..and still super TASTY!

I guess you can say I'm on a roll.  This is my third post in three days!  Go me!  Actually, I'm excited about blogging, so excited I've neglected work stuff...like Quick Books.  Oh well.  Hopefully I'll catch up soon.  For now, it's cookie time!  Yes, I did eat one...or two...or maybe even three...oops!  ; )

There are a few ingredients in these cookies that you may not have ever worked with before, especially in baking:

1. Agave Nectar:  I purchase raw, organic agave nectar from a local store called Bread Beckers at only $10 for 44 ounces.  Here's the brand I buy:  http://www.wholesomesweeteners.com/brands/Wholesome_Sweeteners/Organic_Raw_Blue_Agave.html
2. Almond Flour:  I make my own, since the already ground stuff is so much more expensive.  It's easy to make: put raw almonds in a food processor and grind for 15 to 30 seconds or until it's a meal texture.  Do not overgrind or you could possible make almond butter.  If you chose to buy the flour, I've heard Trader Joe's has the best price on almond flour.
3. Coconut Flour:  This is a new one for me.  It has a strong coconut taste.  Use it in small quantities with other flours.  I learned that lesson real quick.  You can buy coconut flour at Harry's/Whole Foods and possibly a local Kroger or Publix, in the organic section...

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup agave nectar
2 eggs
2 cups almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 to 2 cups chocolate chips, based on your likings

If you need to, make your almond flour in the food processor and set it aside.

DO NOT PREHEAT YOUR OVEN YET.  I'll explain why in a minute.

In a kitchen aid mixer or a food processor, combine the peanut butter, agave and eggs until incorporated together.

In a separate bowl combine the flours, powder, soda and salt.  Add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.  mix just until combined.

Then, add the chocolate chips and mix or pulse just enough to incorporate those in, too.

Using a small ice cream scoop or a a large spoon, drop the dough onto a stone or cookie sheet of your choice (don't forget the grease the sheet if you aren't using a stone).

Put the stone/cookie sheet, with the drops of cookie dough on it, in the fridge.  This will help the cookies set well and bake without spreading and flattening.

NOW, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  When the oven reaches 350 degrees, take the cookie sheet out of the fridge and put it in the oven.  Bake for 12 minutes.  When you take them out of the oven you may have to let them rest on the cookie sheet a few minutes before you are able to transfer them to a cooling rack or a piece of wax paper.

I put the remaining cookie dough in the fridge to rest until the first batch is done and I'm ready to bake my second batch.

This will make about 24 cookies.

All Out Burgers

These burgers have sort of evolved over time.  Every time I made them my husband or I would say "hmmm, this or that would be good on the burger, too".  So, here you go, our version of the turkey burger, all decked out!

First, I get the burgers (ground beef or ground turkey, your preference) on the grill.  While the burgers are cooking I cook the toppings on a griddle.  Our toppings of choice:

• grated sweet potato
• uncured turkey bacon
• onions and mushrooms
• "fried" eggs
• jalapeños
• goat cheese
• raw cheddar cheese*
• avocados (not pictured because I already made my kids' burgers and used them on their burgers)

Our final product:

 I chose a little sweet potato, turkey bacon, onions and mushrooms, an egg and a slice of cheddar cheese.  SO GOOD!

Jonathan chose sweet potato, turkey bacon, goat cheese, jalapeños and egg.

You know what really makes these?  The egg on top!  When you cut into the burger some of the egg yolk juices out!  So freakin' good!

*We eat raw dairy.  Soon I'll dedicate a post to raw dairy products.

Carrot Salad, even the kids will eat!

We LOVE this salad and often have it in the refrigerator.  My kids will eat it for breakfast or lunch with some hard boiled eggs.  I use my food processor to grate the carrots, but you can do it by hand.  It'll just take you a while.

First, grate 1 LB of carrots.

Then, transfer the grated carrots to a mixing bowl.  Add the following:

1/2 to 1 cup raisins
1/2 to 1 cup coconut flakes or shreds (I use organic coconut NOT the junk found on the baking isle of a grocery store)
1/2 to 1 cup walnuts, slightly chopped
1/2 cup canned coconut milk* (found with the Asian Foods)  Shake the can before opening.
3 to 4 TBSP honey OR agave (I use raw, organic agave)

Mix all ingredients and voila!  Carrot Salad!

*Canned Coconut Milk-okay to eat?  Here's a little bit about Coconut Milk: Coconut Milk is made by squeezing the meat thru a cheesecloth.  That liquid is called "milk".  Do not confuse this liquid with the liquid found in the center of the coconut.  That's called coconut water.  I've read that coconut milk in a can is not pasteurized, but I can't find the answer from a quality source (like the producers).  Lastly, canned coconut milk also has guar gum in it.  Guar Gum is derived from the guar bean, a legume.  The bean does have to go thru quite a process to become Guar Gum.  I typically do not include processed foods like this in my diet.  But, in this case, I am.  If I think of an alternative to Canned Coconut Milk for this recipe I will certainly try it. Maybe heavy cream???...