"Pin"spiration

Lately I have been on a diet kick, trying to shed some pounds before my wedding in September. I am one that can get bored with things easy; so by week three I am done with steam veggies! I was surfing Pinterest last night looking for a new way to do veggies and I was intrigued by the broccoli fritters and broccoli bites I was finding. Most of the recipes were similar to each other and similar to a meat ball recipe. The broccoli in this case was like the ground meat. Below is the recipe I created for Broccoli Cakes:

Broccoli Cakes

2 c. Steam Broccoli, chopped small

1/2 c. Bread Crumbs

3 Eggs

1/3 c. Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese 

Seasoning of choice (or use flavored bread crumbs)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl, making sure to incorporate all ingredients evenly. Should be a similar consistency to meat balls and should hold together when you form a ball. Then for patties about the width of your palm and 1.5-2 inches thick. Place patties on parchment lines baking sheet. Cook for 25 minutes. After 15 minutes flip and add a small sprinkle of extra cheese on each, if desired. Then cook for the remaining 10 minutes. 

These little guys were the perfect addition to our steak and sweet potatoes!

A little side note, if you don't keep bread crumbs on hand (who does?) just crush up some crackers, or croutons. I had a new package of garlic croutons and it gave the cakes great flavor! I used my Tupperware Smooth Chopper to process the croutons. It took like 10 seconds to have fresh breadcrumbs! 

What other recipes do you know of that can change up veggies in a fun way? I saw cauliflower tots and might try those soon too! Enjoy!

Amy Marie

A Simple Recipe

Whenever you go and buy a cook book these days it seems like there are always weird ingredients that are very hard to find at local grocery stores or you can't even pronounce. Even some of my favorite bloggers are constantly using odd ingredients! Let me tell you, it can be a challenge to get a farm boy to eat new or different things!

With my fresh start at blogger I am going to start a new series ( I suppose thats what you would call it). Each Sunday evening I am going to feature a recipe that is simple, easy and probably from my favorite cook book! Yes thats right, my favorite cookbook is from my home church, St. Louis Catholic Church in Custar, Ohio. All of the recipes in these cook books are from church members, many family and close friends!

My favorite cook books!

Today's recipe is a family favorite and something I crave every time the weather goes warm! This salad pairs perfectly with just about any grilled food or summer cook out.

Potato Salad

6-8 Medium potatoes, boiled and cubed

3-4 Hard boiled eggs, chopped

1/2 c. Miracle Whip

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 T. Mustard

2-3 T Cider Vinegar

1/4 c. Sugar

4 T. Milk

1/4 c. Onions, diced

1/4 c. Celery diced

In a large bowl mix together everything but the potatoes. Mix well. Make sure you are tasting the sauce as you go along, if you like more mustard or a creamier base, add some more goodies! Last just fold in the potatoes until all are coated. Chill and Serve!

Adding the potatoes in last helps keep them in tact a little better. Also if you are in a hurry, just microwave the whole potatoes until fork tender then cube when cooled. 

I actually made this for lunch today and it was so delicious I forgot to take a picture!! Enjoy and let me know what your favorite cook book is!

Amy Marie