Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Chicken Carbonara (made with cauliflower)

Whenever I am sick I always crave pasta, sometimes it's a baked ziti type pasta I have on the brain, but many times it's the nutty, smokey bite of a yummy chicken carbonara I have a hankering for.  I mean who doesn't love bacon, chicken, mushrooms, cheese....yuummmmm....


This version is really easy and make ahead friendly!  I cook the cauliflower and the chicken ahead, then it's just a matter of cooking the bacon and tossing everything into a sautΓ© pan for a few minutes! This on is NOT dairy free, obviously, but still much better than the original!

What you need...
2-3 bags frozen cauliflower
1-2 grilled chicken breasts, chopped into bite sized pieces
3-4 slices of uncured bacon
1/2 bag sweet peas, about 1 cup
3-4 garlic cloves, diced
1/2 shallot or sweet onion, diced
1/2 pint cremini mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup smoked gouda, chopped into small pieces
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
dash of fresh pepper

Steam the head of cauliflower for about 10 minutes in the microwave.  Add 1/3 cup water + cauliflower to covered glass container, cook until fork tender.  Carefully remove and mash with a potato masher. Allow steam to rise off for about 30 minutes so that it does not become mushy!  Refrigerate until ready to use or continue while the steam is coming off!

Cook bacon over medium heat or until crispy, remove and drain on a paper towel.  Break into bite sized pieces.  Drain most of the fat renderings in the pan, leaving only about 1 tablespoon.

Meanwhile combine gouda, ricotta and pepper in a small bowl, stir to combine. Set aside.

Add garlic, onion and mushrooms to the sautΓ© pan with bacon renderings and cook on medium high heat for about 2 minutes until softened.  Add mashed cauliflower, set heat to high and stir to combine.  Cook for about 3-4 minutes, tossing every now and then, until cauliflower is warmed through and beginning to gently brown at the edges.

Turn heat down to medium, add, chicken, peas, bacon and cheese mixture and stir while cooking.  Continue to cook for about 2 minutes or until well mixed and creamy! Serve hot!

What you need...

Steam cauliflower for 10 minutes...

Gently mash and allow it to cool uncovered for about 30 minutes...

Cook bacon over medium heat...

Remove, drain and break into bits...

Drain off bacon fat, leaving only about 1 tablespoon in the pan...add onion, garlic, mushrooms...


saute for about 1-2 minutes on medium high heat...


stir together half & half, parmesan, gouda, pepper...

Add cauliflower to the mushroom mixture and sautΓ© on high heat...

Stir to combine and continue cooking for about 3-4 minutes of until cauliflower is heated through and  beginning to gently brown at the edges...

Add cheese mixture, peas, chicken and bacon crumbles...

stir to combine and continue cooking for about 2 minutes...

until it's nice and creamy....

Serve hot!


Monday, June 8, 2015

Action Packed Snack - Greek Yogurt with Grapes, Cherries and Berries

My oldest child is built on this....well, this and Edy's Butterfinger Ice Cream.  The whole time I was pregnant with him I ate this almost every single day.  It is a great snack and held up nicely as something I could make ahead and take to work.  The balance of protein, fat and good carbs in this has excellent staying power too!!!

*Be careful not to buy the flavored Greek yogurt because those usually have some form of sugar added to them too!



What you need...
Greek Yogurt - I use 2% Fat Fage
drizzle of honey
Green grapes, washed
Red grapes, washed
Bing Cherries, pitted
Blueberries, I like the frozen ones
1 tablespoon, slivered almonds

Add the Greek yogurt to a bowl, top with a drizzle of honey.  It doesn't take much since e you will get the sweetness of the fruit!  Add a small handful of each of the grapes, cherries, blueberries, able 1/4 cup.  Stir to combine and top with almonds! Serve!

This is so easy and fast if you keep a container of washed grapes and pitted cherries in the fridge for quick prep!

What you need...

Yogurt, drizzle with honey...

Add grapes, cherries and berries...

stir, top with almonds and grub!