Alfredo Zoodles

I heard about zoodles somewhere and rather than looking up how to make them, I made up my own way. I think they are incredibly delicious and easy enough to make. For those who don't know, they are zucchini noodles made by taking a vegetable peeler and peeling strips of "noodle" off the zucchini. This is my basic one person serving of them.

3 T butter plus 1 T olive oil
1 or 2 cloves finely chopped garlic
2 large or 3 small zucchini (or yellow squash), ends trimmed and peeled into strips with veg peeler
about 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese (loosely packed)
1/4 cup heavy cream or half and half (might need a little more than this)
lots of fresh grated black pepper
salt to taste
fresh basil (about 1 or 2 T chopped) or dried basil about 1/2 tsp or italian seasoning 1/2 tsp

1. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil. When hot, add the garlic and saute for about a minute, stirring.

2. Add the zucchini strips and saute, stirring frequently, for about 5 to 7 minutes or until tender.

3. Stir in the cream/half and half and the parmesan cheese. Let cook, stirring some, for another 2 minutes or so until warmed through and cheese is melted and blended in.

4. Season to taste with plenty of black pepper, some salt, and herbs as desired. Serve nice and hot.

Palak Paneer

This is loosely based on how I made Palak Paneer, aka Indian spinach and cheese, not too long ago, but the recipe isn't perfected yet. Putting it here so Mike can try to make it.

What you'll need

2 Tbsp butter or ghee or coconut oil

3 bags chopped frozen spinach (not sure the ounces on these) (update: four 12 or three 16 oz bags work for this)

2 onions, chopped

6 cloves garlic

1 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped

2-3 chili peppers such as jalapenos, seeded or not to your tastes (Mike, when I made it last I did 3 jalapenos, 2 without seeds and one with seeds)

1 package paneer cheese, which I believe is 16 oz. or equivalent homemade, cut into cubes

3-4 tsp garam masala

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp coriander
1 tsp ground cardamom

1/2 tsp turmeric

a few cups water

1/2 cup heavy cream

2-3 tsp salt
pepper

1. Melt butter/ghee/oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onions and saute until translucent.

2. Meanwhile, with your super duper handy little food processor, chop the chili peppers, ginger, and garlic together. When the onion is ready, add this hot gingery mixture to the pot and cook for a minute or two.

3. Now stir in your spices and let them cook for a minute (I find it is easiest to put all the spices together in a bowl before hand and add them all at once so nothing burns).

4. Add 1 1/2 cups water and stir well. Add your frozen spinach. Cover the pot and cook until the spinach is thawed completely. If it looks like you need more water to reach the consistency you like, add some. Mike says about 2 to 2 and 1/4 works for him.

5. Take your trusty and indespensible immersion blender and start going at it with the thing. Vroom vroom. Get it as smooth as you like. Now let all this cook together at a light simmer for 7 minutes or so. Do it on about medium or medium low heat and stir occasionally. I just picked 7 out of my arse. Five will do in a pinch.

6. Now you can add your cubed paneer. Continue to simmer for about 7 more minutes or until you think it's done.

7. Take it off the heat, stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. You're going to need a lot of salt - all that spinach! But be careful (Mike) not to over salt it.

Now you have to eat it, what a chore. Poor you.

I really feel bad for you.

Cheesy Biscuits made with Coconut Flour

I've adapted this recipe from Heavenly Homemaker's Coconut Flour Cheddar Drop Biscuits. It's a low carb and gluten free recipe. You can make it with either butter or bacon grease. These are fairly eggy, with a slight dried coconut texture and hint of coconut flavor that is barely noticeable. I've served the butter version to my parents and they loved them even though they aren't on any special diet. Mike is now infatuated with the bacon grease ones. This recipe can be halved (I doubled Heavenly Homemaker's recipe because Mike goes through these really fast). These goes really well with breakfast.

1/2 cup melted butter or bacon grease (really recommend bacon grease!)
2/3 cup coconut flour
8 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup mixed shredded cheese such as sharp cheddar and mozzarella (you can add more cheese if you like)

You can add other seasonings to these as well, like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, or herbs.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Farenheit.
In a large bowl, whisk together everything but the cheese. Make sure there are no lumps. This will take a few minutes. It should look thoroughly blended. Then, with a spoon or your hands, mix in the cheese. Form batter into 12 biscuits, placing on a parchment lined baking sheet as you go. Bake for about 20 minutes or until starting to turn golden brown in spots. Enjoy!