Faux Potatoes

For all of you low carbers out there....you're going to love this! It's called faux potatoes and they are actually quite yummy.



You will need:

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1/2 stick of real butter
• 2 tablespoons of sour cream
• Sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
• Bacon bits (optional)
• Black pepper to taste
• Salt to taste
• Pressed garlic or garlic powder
• Chives or rosemary for garnish
  

First, steam or boil cauliflower until it is VERY soft (20 - 30 minutes). Put it in a strainer and mash as much of the water out as possible. ***This is a very important.*** Once the cauliflower has been properly drained, add all remaining ingredients until you reach the desired consistency and flavor. Blend with a blender until soft.

7 Cheese Macaroni Bake

Everyone knows that I love pasta and cheese. Put them together and they are even better! Nobody can resist this awesome macaroni and cheese bake, unless you dont like cheese!



You will need:

• 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add macaroni noodles. Cook the noodles until tender--usually about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the excess water.

In a large bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, Swiss cheese, Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese and Provolone cheese. Set aside approximately 1/2 cup for topping. In another bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sour cream and heavy cream. Season with parsley, Italian seasoning and garlic powder.


Combine both cheese mixtures with noodles and mix. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top.


Bake until cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.

Caprese Pizza

This is a fabulous recipe that is super easy, super fast and super yummy! It has become one of our favorites and the boys love to help! Put on your aprons and let's get started!

You will need:

Toppings:

• 3 medium vine-ripened tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tblsp chopped fresh basil (fresh is key!)
• 1 Tblsp olive oil
• 1 cup fresh mozarella cheese-1/4" thick sliced
• coarsely ground black pepper
• rosemary seasoning or italian seasoning (to taste)
  

Crust:

• 1 tsp plus 1 Tblsp olive oil
• 1 package refrigerated pizza crust
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 oz freshly grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a cutting board or plate with paper towels. Slice tomatoes into 1/4 inch thick slice and place on the paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with salt and let stand.

Brush a baking stone or cookie sheet with 1 tsp of olive oil. Unroll the pizza crust onto the baking stone or cookie sheet. Cut into thirds and move the strips away from one another on the baking sheet.

Using a garlic press, crush the garlic into a small bowl and add rosemary seasoning, italian seasoning and 1 Tblsp olive oil. Using a pastry brush or basting brush, brush the garlic mixture over the dough. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the crusts. Bake the crusts for 11-12 minutes or until the bottom of crusts are a golden brown color.

While the crusts are baking, chop basil and combine with oil in a small bowl. With a paper towel, blot the tomatoes. Alternate the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese on the crusts, layering and overlap them for best results. Bake an additional 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Once the pizza comes out, brush basil mixture over the pizza and sprinkle with black pepper.