Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:
1 package whole wheat pasta
1. olive oil
1 T. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. cauliflower puree
1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/2 t. salt
1/8 t. paprika
1/8 t. pepper

Instructions:
1. Steam cauliflower about 15 minutes and then puree in a blender for about 2 minutes. Add a little water if needed for a smooth, creamy texture.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander.
3. While the pasta is cooking, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the oil, then the flour, and cook, stirring constatnly, until the mixture resembles a thick paste but has not browned, 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Add the milk and cook, stirring every now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cauliflower puree, cheese, and seasonings, and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the macaroni and serve warm.

Source:
Jessica LeBaron

Notes:
The cheese sauce is so yummy, and a healthier alternative to our other cheese sauce that we also like to serve over vegetables and baked potatoes.

Lettuce Wraps

Every time I've made lettuce wraps, I've been missing this or that ingredient or I've been combining a few different recipes and so they always turn out slightly different. But here is a basic recipe that can be added upon:

Ingredients:
1 lb. chicken
2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 t. crushed red pepper flakes
1 bunch green onions
1 c. shredded carrots
1/4 c. soy sauce
3 T. honey (squeezed out about 3 times around the pan)
1 head iceburg lettuce
salt
pepper

Instructions:
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper and stiryfry until mostly cooked through. Remove from pan and shred with a fork.
2. Put shredded chicken back in the pan and add remaining ingredients. Stir-fry until it reaches desired doneness (usually only needs 5 minutes or so). Add honey and soy sauce last to form a glaze.
4. Serve wrapped in lettuce

Alternate versions/expansions:
I've also used hoisin sauce, Asian sesame oil, or water chestnuts for a more authentic taste. I've sometimes omitted the carrots or had to use dry ginger or refrigerated ginger when I didn't have fresh ginger on hand. I've used regular onions instead of green onions. I've done these with chicken or beef. When I didn't have enough honey once I added a little corn syrup and brown sugar. These can easily be adapted as desired for your taste!

Source:
Jessica Lebaron (basic recipe)
All Recipes.com--Asian Lettuce Wraps

Homemade Pizza (another dough recipe)

Ingredients (dough):
1 T yeast
1 t. white sugar
1 c. warm water
2 1/2 c . flour
2 T. olive oil
1 t. salt

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. in a mixer, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm wat er. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. Stir in flour, salt, and oil. Beat with dough hook until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or rollinto a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan or pizza stone sprinkled with cornmeal. Spread with desired toppings and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Source:
Jessica Lebaron

Notes: This is only slightly different from my other pizza dough recipe... but it is still another great choice. Here are a some suggested pizza toppings--
BBQ Chicken Pizza: BBQ Chicken (we often use leftovers, red onions, bbq sauce--instead of marinar sauce, mozzarella cheese, cilantro  (sprinkle chopped cilantro on after cooking).
Hawaiian Pizza: ham, pineapple chunks, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce
Pepperoni Pizza: pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce

Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients:
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c. vinegar
1 T. brown sugar
1 t. paprika
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 c. ketchup
1 t. salt
1 t. prepared mustard
1/4 t. black pepper

Instructions:
Stir all ingredients together until well-mixed. Serve with chicken, beef, or whatever else you like to eat with barbecue sauce!

Source: Fix it and Forget it Recipes for Entertaining

Notes: This sauce came from a recipe for a barbecued chuck steak (just add 1 1/2 lb boneless chuck steak to the sauce, cut  into one-inch strips and cook on low for 3-5 hours), but I use the sauce recipe any time I need barbecue sauce I don't have a ready-made bottle in my fridge.

Turkey Burgers

Ingredients:
3/4 lb ground turkey
1/3 cup Monterey Jack cheese
2 scallions or green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients and form into patties.
Grill until it reaches desired doneness.
Serve on buns with tomatoes, lettuce, and whatever other toppings you like.

Source:
Weight Watchers

Notes:
I don't always have green onions or Monterey Jack cheese on hand, but these taste good with any kind of cheese or onions. So much more moist and tasty than plain turkey burgers.