Zucchini Tots

And again, more Zucchini.  This zucchini happens to come from what was left of my zucchini for the Zucchini 'Bread' Oatmeal.  These tots are super easy, better for you than tater tots and super delicious...I did not get a better picture because they were devoured before they really came out of the oven.  I won't continue to bore you with my zucchini stories, but I can tell you, if you find a great deal on zucchini, buy it.  It is so versatile and delicious!

Zucchini Tots

• 1 C. grated zucchini
• 1 egg
• 1/4 onion, diced
• 1/4 C. grated cheese of your choice
• 1/4 C. bread crumbs
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 
2. Grate the zucchini and then place on a dish towel.  Use this towel to wring out ALL the excess water that is naturally in the zucchini.  (If this step is skipped, the middle of the tots will be 'soggy' while the outside will be crispy, which kind of defeats having a 'tot').
3. In a medium sized bowl, combine all ingredients and stir until well mixed.
4. Spray mini-muffin pan with non-stick spray.
5. Spoon batter into the pan and press the batter down into each pan to make sure the batter will cook together and the tot will come out in one piece.
6. Bake in oven for 15-18 minutes or until the top is browned and set.
7. Remove from pan.  If the tots are sticking, use a plastic knife and slide it around the outside edge of each tot to loosen it from the pan.

Inspiration courtesy of: http://curiouscountrycook.blogspot.com/2012/03/zucchini-tots.html

Zucchini 'Bread' Oatmeal

ZUCCHINI!!!!  That is really going to sum up the next few posts of mine...I went to the farmer's market the other day, right after going for a beautiful, though a bit longer than I had planned run in Garden of the Gods and of course found zucchini super cheap.  One of the great things about zucchini is that it does not really have a distinct taste, and kind of like tofu, picks up the flavors that it is cooked with, so oddly enough, like zucchini bread, you do not taste the zucchini in the oatmeal.  So, to not bore you with anything else about zucchini...

Zucchini 'Bread' Oatmeal

• 1/2 C. instant oats
• 1/2 C. water
• 1/2 C. grated zucchini
• 2 T. favorite protein powder (optional)
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• (optional) sprinkle of raisins, cinnamon, granola, almond butter, etc...

1. I a microwave safe bowl, combine the oats, water, grated zucchini, protein powder and cinnamon.  
2. Stir thoroughly.
3. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until oatmeal is steaming hot.  Watch carefully to make sure there is enough water in the bowl.  (The amount of water varies due to adding the zucchini, which adds its own liquid to the recipe) If oatmeal starts to thicken too much, add more water, stir and continue cooking until hot and desired consistency is reached. 
4. Top with your favorite optional toppings and enjoy.

Inspiration courtesy of: http://www.myfoodnfitnessdiaries.com/2011/10/12/wiaw-what-i-ate-wednesday-5-three-new-recipes/

Cornmeal Waffles with Salsa and Eggs

It has been some time since the last post...life...well, nature kind of got in the way on this one, and not always  nature in a good way.  My family included 4 of the 32,000 people evacuated in Colorado Springs due to the Waldo Canyon Fire, and then at the end 4 of the 3,000 people still evacuated due to the destruction of the fire.  Fortunately, we are back in our house with little to no damage done to our house save a little smokey/campfire smell that is lingering, a bit of ash near the windows and doors of the house, 2 dead echinacea plants and 1 dead cilantro plant.  After 346 homes being lost in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood, I am excited to say that that is our biggest problem...unfortunately the same cannot be said about so many wonderful families in the area and my heart goes out to them...if you are one of those families reading this blog, I am truly sorry and please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

This photo was taken at Coronado High School as the fire jumped the ridge and raced for Mountain Shadows creating the fire storm that swept through the neighborhood.

With all the evacuations and such in place, a big question going around is: if you were to be forced to evacuate with the possibility of your remaining items being destroyed, what would you take with you? Let me know...the answers to that question have been so interesting and though provoking.  

Makes 2-3 waffles

Cornmeal Waffles with Salsa and Eggs

• 1 C. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 C. cornmeal
• 1 1/2 t. baking powder
• 1 t. sugar
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper
• 2 T. melted butter
• 2 T. plain non-fat yogurt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/4 c. buttermilk
• 3 T. minced chives
• 2 T. fresh minced parsley

To serve with waffles (on top)

• eggs
• salsa
• minced chives

1. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and stir thoroughly.  Add wet ingredients and stir until just combined...don't over mix.
2. Cook the batter in a waffle maker according to manufacture's instructions
3. While the waffles are cooking, cook the eggs in a non-stick pan according to your favorite style of eggs.
4. Serve warm waffles with salsa, cooked egg and freshly minced chives.

Inspiration courtesy of: http://annies-eats.com/2012/02/29/cornmeal-chive-waffles-with-salsa-and-eggs/