Macaroni and "Cauliflower" Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese is pretty much every kids favorite, so when I want to try and sneak in a few vegetables for the day, I always turn to this delicious dish.

 

I originally got a Green Mac and Cheese recipe off of weelicious.com.  It's really tasty, but it definitely is more like Broccoli Mac and Cheese.  So, I tweaked the recipe so that it had a more basic Mac and Cheese flavor with hidden cauliflower.  Then, I added mushrooms and peas, just because we like eating it that way.

 

 

Here are the ingredients I used:

• 10 oz noodles (I used Tirali noodles, just to change it up.  Jumbo twisted elbow noodles are always fun too.)
• 1 3/4 cups whole milk
• 1 cup cauliflower, chopped into large chunks
• 2 Tbsp margarine or butter
• 1 Tbsp flour
• 2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/8 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup mushrooms, diced small (if you are trying to hide it)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook pasta. 
2. While the pasta is cooking, put your cauliflower in a microwavable safe bowl and cover with some water.  Microwave for 3 minutes on high.  Drain the water and place in magic bullet/food processor.  Add the milk.  Blend until smooth. 
3. In a large pot, melt the butter.  Stir in the flour until smooth.  Slowly add the milk/cauliflower mixture and mushrooms.  Bring to a slight boil and reduce to a simmer until the sauce begins to thicken.
4. Drain the pasta.  Add the pasta, gruyere cheese, and peas to the sauce.  Stir and heat through.



 

Even if you don't like cauliflower, you should try this.  The cheese flavor is so strong, you can't even taste it.  Be brave . . . I'm talking to you Donna :)

Green Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

I'm always trying to think of ways to feed Dustin more veggies.  A great way is through is fruity drinks.  He loves juice and smoothies.  So, for his mid-morning snack we experimented with a peanut butter, chocolate, banana, and SPINACH smoothie.

Here is what we did:

• 1 banana
• 2 Tbsp chocolate whey protein powder
• 1 Tbsp PB2 (I ordered mine, but you can find it in some stores and most GNCs)
• 1 cup skim milk or unsweetened almond milk
• 1/3 cup torn spinach (lightly packed)

Put all the ingredients in a magic bullet or blender.  Puree until liquefied.

 

I came on here right after making the smoothie so I could remember what we put in it.  He was done drinking the entire thing before I wrote "1Tbsp chocolate whey protein powder".

 

 

If you're not a big spinach fan, start off with a little less spinach at first or add extra protein powder or PB2.  

Granola Bars with a Hidden Vegetable

Dustin has been really into granola bars lately, but it's hard to find one without too much sugar or unnatural ingredients.  So I tried out a new recipe from this site:  http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/healthy-seed-n-nuts-carrot-cake-granola-bars

 

I made a few changes because I really wanted to make a granola bar with a combination of oats and blueberries.  I read in Mens Fitness that when adding blueberries (which contain a lot of vitamin C) to the phytochemicals in oats, it takes longer for oxidation to take place in LDL . . . whatever that means.  LDL is bad cholesterol and when oxidized, can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. 

 

Now that you have your fun fact for the day, here's how I adapted this recipe.

 



 

In a magic bullet (or food processor), I added 5 Tbsp dried Blueberry flavored cranberries.  I went to buy dried blueberries and the only kind they had contained corn syrup.  If I can find some without I definitely want to try that next time.  The blueberry flavored cranberries still has added sugar, but it also has blueberry juice in it.  Plus, cranberries contain Vitamin C as well.

Then, I added 2 Tbsp Pecans (or walnuts), 6 Tbsp whole grain oats, and 2 Tbsp Plain Almonds.  Blend.

I overly blended mine since these were for Dustin, but you could leave it a little chunkier.

If your using  magic bullet, use the blade on the right.  I didn't read my manual and always try using the one on the left (which does not work for grinding almonds).

Transfer mixture to a medium size bowl and add 3 Tbsp sunflower seeds, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 3 Tbsp wheat germ, 1 Tbsp honey, and 1 Tbsp ground flax.

 

 

Peel and then grate 6 Tbsp Zucchini.   I used the smaller grater.  I didn't squeeze out the juice and our granola bars ended up real moist and soft.  If you don't want that, try squeezing out the juice.



 

 

Add 1/2 tsp vanilla.  Mix well.

 

Spray a small baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and flatten the granola into the pan with your hands.

To get it even smoother on top, I use a large spatula and press down.

Bake at 325 for 30 minutes.  Let cool and cut.

Wrap in plastic and place in the refrigerator until ready to be eaten. 

Here is the recipe again:

Ingredients

• 5 Tbsp dried blueberry flavored cranberries
• 2 Tbsp pecans or walnuts
• 2Tbsp almonds
• 3 Tbsp sunflower seeds
• 6 Tbsp zucchini, peeled and grated
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 Tbsp whole grain oats
• 3 Tbsp wheat bran
• 1 Tbsp ground flax
• 1 Tbsp honey

Directions:

1. Blend the cranberries, pecans, almonds, and oats.  Transfer to a medium bowl.
2. Add the sunflower seeds, zucchini, cinnamon, vanilla extract, wheat bran, ground flax, and honey.  Mix well.
3. Pour into a small baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
4. Flatten with hands and then a spatula to get it extra smooth.
5. Bake at 325 for30 minutes.  Let cool and then cut into serving sizes.
6. Enjoy!

 

Kid Approved

Honey Oat Teddy Grahams

Like most kids, my 17 month old LOVES graham crackers.  He always wants to munch on them and I want to make him happy, despite knowing that our store bought overly processed graham crackers are probably not the healthiest snack choice out there. 

So, after trying out a few recipes and adapting it to what I think is taste good without sacrificing his baby figure, I'm sharing my honey oat teddy graham recipes.  It's not overly sweet, but that could always be adjusted to your tastebuds.  I figured Dustin doesn't know just how sweet life can get yet, so might as well keep him in the dark for now :)

 

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/8 cup wheat germ
• 1/8 cup wheat bran
• 1/2 cup oat flour (I just buy whole oats and put them in the food processor)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 Tbsp skim milk or vanilla almond milk (for a vegan or just tasty option)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Place the rack slightly above the middle.
2. Mix all the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another.  Slowly mix in the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until well combined.
3. If the dough is too sticky, pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. 
4. Roll the dough in between two pieces of parchment paper to about 1/8" thick.  Using a bear cookie cutter (or any shape of your choice) press into the dough.  Place the bears on your lined baking sheet.  Repeat this until all the dough is gone or until you have no more room on your baking sheet.  I had to make mine in two batches.
5. Bake for 9 minutes, remove from the oven, and carefully flip over the teddy bears.  Cook for an additional 8 minutes.  Remove from the oven and transfer the bears to a cool surface.
6. Happy snacking!

*I bought my cookie cutter from Michaels.  It came with 5 other shapes and it was the Noah's Ark themed cookie cutters.  Don't forget to print off your 40% off coupon from their website!  I've also seen these at JoAnne's Fabrics.