Vegetarian Archives - Busy Moms Helper

Picnic Perfect Pasta Salad

April 15, 2019 by Stephanie Kirkos Leave a Comment

Happy Wednesday! This is Stephanie from Steph in Thyme.
Today, I’m sharing a simple, yet crazy delicious pasta salad that’s perfect for a summer picnic.
So perfect, I have no other choice but to call it Picnic Perfect Pasta Salad.

After the long weekend, I still have picnics on the brain. All I want to eat is food fresh from the grill along with an array of diverse sides running along the length of an outdoor table. That’s not too much to ask, right?

I love summer not for the warm days or trips to the beach, but for the large potluck gatherings and picnics. I love exploring recipes I wouldn’t ordinarily make at home for CJ (the husband) and myself. Cooking and baking for a crowd is so much more fun.

All picnics need a pasta salad, a scoop of carby goodness on the side of the plate (or, my entire plate) to energize the lawn games and activity until the sun sets. Creamy mayo-based pasta salads, glorious as they are, can feel so heavy. It’s also tricky to keep them chilled outdoors, especially on a warm day.

A tangy peanut dressing lightly coats the pasta, giving it that “must have more” essence – but without the guilt. This dressing isn’t loaded with lots of peanut butter or even added oil. It consists of creamy peanut butter (only three tablespoons for the entire pasta salad), gluten-free soy sauce, lime juice, unseasoned rice vinegar, water, and red pepper flakes. Blended until smooth, it’s a flavorful and mayo-less way to mix things up at your next picnic.

If you’re attending a picnic with gluten-free guests, this pasta salad is an excellent addition to the buffet table because everyone can eat it. And those who aren’t gluten-free won’t notice a difference.

I prefer to use Fusilli pasta for this salad because I find it easier to eat. In addition to holding the sauce better, preventing it from pooling at the bottom of the bowl, the spirals and ridges make it easier to piece the Fusilli with your fork. And the pasta stays on the fork, too! Penne, with its smooth surface, tends to slide or fall off the fork, especially with sauce coating it. Elbows and smaller pasta will work, as long as you have spoons on hand.

I mentioned that gluten-free soy sauce is used in the peanut dressing. Soy sauce actually contains wheat and is one of those hidden dangers for those following a gluten-free diet. Now, if you’re going to a picnic where gluten isn’t an issue for any of the guests, you can certainly use regular soy sauce as well as regular pasta.

The peanut sauce adds tang, but the medley of fresh veggies bring color and texture. Red bell pepper and cucumber, thinly sliced scallions, shredded carrots, cubed avocado, and shelled edamame.

I love the contrast between the crunchy vegetables and the creamy soft avocado, especially when it’s perfectly ripe. The edamame give this salad a boost of protein, so if all you want to eat at the picnic is this pasta salad, it’s at least a well rounded meal.

I would love to hear from you! What’s your favorite picnic dish? Are you known for any particular potluck recipe?

Print Recipe

Picnic Perfect Pasta Salad

Ingredients

For the salad:

12 oz gluten-free or regular Fusilli pasta cooked and rinsed
1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
1 cucumber seeded and diced
2 scallions both white and green parts, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shelled edamame
1 avocado seeded and cut into 1/2 " cubes

For the peanut dressing:

3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp gluten-free or regular soy sauce
1 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the bell pepper, cucumber, scallions, carrots, edamame, and avocado. Set aside.
Add the peanut dressing ingredients to a blender, blending until smooth.
Add the rinsed and drained pasta to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the peanut dressing over top. Toss to combine, adding additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Serve immediately, or store in the fridge for a few hours prior to serving.

Kale, Cabbage, and Carrot Fall Slaw

October 6, 2015 by Stephanie Kirkos

Hello! This is Stephanie from Steph in Thyme, and today I’m sharing a recipe for a hearty slaw perfect for fall. Loaded with kale, purple cabbage, carrots and tossed in a tangy shallot vinaigrette, this easy Kale, Cabbage, and Carrot Fall Slaw is a nutrient dense and colorful side dish.

Just because fall is here doesn’t mean we have to bid adieu to slaw. One of my favorite fall/winter variations embraces deep colors and flavors of seasonal vegetables – curly kale, carrots, and purple cabbage.

To save time and whip up this side dish quickly, I turn to my food processor to finely chop all the ingredients. A few pulses does the trick to evenly chop the vegetables while also leaving enough texture so the slaw isn’t mushy.

I have found that one bunch of curly kale, one small head of purple cabbage, and 4-6 medium carrots are a good ratio of both color and flavor. Of course, you can tweak the ratios per your taste preference and according to the size veggies you purchase.

The shallot vinaigrette is light and tangy, adding a zippy flavor to the deep and earthy flavors of the vegetables.

1/3 cup of olive oil seems like a lot, but this is a dense salad. 1/3 cup stretches the vinaigrette enough to completely coat the ingredients without drowning them.

I chill this slaw in the fridge for 1-2 hours before serving to allow all the flavors to meld. This slaw is tasty as a side to pretty much anything and is even delicious added to salads for additional texture and flavor.

Bon Appétit!

Hearty and healthy kale, cabbage and carrot slaw with a tangy vinaigrette. The perfect slaw for fall l Steph in Thyme for Busy Mom's Helper

Print Recipe

Kale, Cabbage, and Carrot Fall Slaw

Prep Time20 mins

Servings: 8 -10 servings

Ingredients

For the slaw

1 bunch curly kale ribs removed, finely chopped
1 small head purple cabbage core removed, finely chopped
4-6 medium carrots peeled and finely chopped

For the dressing

1 shallot minced
2 tsp gluten-free dijon mustard
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Rinse the kale and shake/pat dry or dry using a salad spinner. Remove the tough inner ribs. Working in batches, pulse a few times in a food processor until finely chopped (not minced into super tiny pieces, enough to have texture). Pour the chopped kale into a large bowl.
Remove the tough outer leaves of the head of cabbage. Slice in half and trim away the white, tough inner core. Slice into chunks and load into a food processor, working in batches depending on the size of your food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Add chopped cabbage to the bowl of kale.
Peel the carrots and trim the ends. Slice into 1" pieces and pulse in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the carrots to the bowl of cabbage and kale.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the minced shallots and dijon mustard. Add the red wine vinegar and whisk to combine. Very slowly pour in the olive oil, whisking vigorously as you do so, to emulsify the vinaigrette. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour over the slaw.
Toss slaw and dressing until combined and well coated. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to allow all the flavors to meld. Toss and adjust salt and pepper seasoning before serving.

Game-Day Smoky Eggplant Dip

September 30, 2015 by Stephanie Kirkos

Hello, and Happy Fall! This is Steph from Steph in Thyme, and today I’m sharing a healthy, yet still super delicious, approach to Game-Day snacking. This Smoky Eggplant Dip is hearty and rich in flavor, perfect for the change in seasons and when the munchies strike watching weekend football.

Another name for this dip is Baba Ganoush, a traditional Levantine dish. The base is eggplant baked, boiled, or grilled whole so the inside “meat” is soft with a deep smoky flavor.

I prefer to grill the eggplant, first pricking it all over with a fork. Set both eggplant on the grill, close the lid, and let them cook for about 30-40 minutes, rotating with tongs occasionally. You want the eggplant to blacken and collapse, like it’s about to fall apart. Once completely collapsed, open up the eggplant and scoop out the soft and tender meaty innards.

No grill? No problem. You can cook the eggplant under the broiler instead, rotating occasionally with tongs until they look like this below.

Tahini (aka sesame paste), lots of lemon juice, even more garlic, and salt and pepper finish off the dip. The result is an appetizer with a very hearty texture and rich, deep flavors.

The dip tastes best after it chills for several hours, the flavors melding and opening up to a whole new level.

Garnish the dip with chopped fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil and serve with warm pita triangles, fresh veggies, or hearty crackers. It goes quickly, so you may want to make a double batch!

No grill? No problem. You can cook the eggplant under the broiler, rotating with tongs until evenly cooked. The method can be different, but the result the same - eggplant that's blackened and collapsed.

Print Recipe

Game-Day Smoky Eggplant Dip

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Servings: 6 -8 servings

Ingredients

2 medium eggplant 4 lbs total
1/4 cup tahini
Juice of 1 lemon
2 cloves garlic crushed
sea salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp chopped parsley
drizzle olive oil as garnish

Instructions

Rinse both eggplant and pat dry. Prick each eggplant all over with a fork.
Pre-heat grill over medium-high heat. Place the eggplant whole on the grill and close the lid. Cook for 30-40 minutes, rotating occasionally with tongs to eggplant cooks evenly, or until eggplant are blackened and collapsed.
Remove eggplant from grill and let sit for 15-20 minutes until cool enough to handle.
With your fingers, open the eggplant and scoop all the soft insides into a bowl. Mash the cooked eggplant "meat" with a fork until mashed and no large chunks remain.
Add the tahini, crushed garlic, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to the eggplant and stir until well combined. Make sure to season well with salt, adjusting amount to taste.
Cover the dip and chill for several hours to let the flavors come together and open up. Adjust seasoning as needed after it chills, i.e. add more lemon, tahini, salt and pepper. Some like this dip more lemony, some with more tahini (me!) Adjust to your particular taste.
To serve, scoop the dip into a serving dish. Sprinkle topped parsley over top and a drizzle of olive oil.
Serve with warm pita bread, fresh veggies, or hearty crackers.

Healthy Spiralized Zucchini Noodles with Mushroom Marinara

September 9, 2015 by Stephanie Kirkos

Hello, Friends! This is Stephanie from Steph in Thyme, and today I’m sharing another of my favorite spiralized recipes – Spiralized Zucchini Noodles with a Mushroom Marinara. It’s a healthy, gluten-free, delicious Meatless Monday meal ready in less than a half hour. Who is ready to spiralize??

A few months ago, I shared a recipe for Spiralized Zucchini Noodles with a Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce. Quick and light, this easy spiralized recipe was perfect for hot days as we moved into the summer months.

With fall on the horizon, a slight chill fringing the air, the simple roasted tomato sauce is swapped for a heartier, “meatier” sauce. Chock full of fresh mushrooms, this warm and filling meal is a tasty transition meal between summer and fall.

A full pound of cremini mushrooms are used in this tomato sauce, the meaty nature of the mushrooms creating an earthy sauce thick and filling, but still healthy and delicious.

Zucchini noodles, created with a handy kitchen gadget called a Spiralizer, are a creative and very healthy (and sneaky) way to increase your vegetable intake. If you’re curious about spiralizing and want to learn more, I have lots of spiralizing resources and recipes for you.

This quick and easy meatless meal is very customizable. Looking for a richer sauce? Add a 1/4 cup of red wine to the simmering pot. Craving a spicier kick? Add a 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper. In the mood for something slightly more creamy? Add Parmesan cheese, both to the sauce and on top of your bowl of zucchini noodles. Whatever you’re craving, it’s a meal you can make your way.

Spiralized Zucchini Noodles with Hearty Mushroom Marinara l Steph in Thyme for Busy Mom's Helper

Print Recipe

Spiralized Zucchini Noodles with Hearty Mushroom Marinara Sauce

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time25 mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 medium zucchini spiralized into spaghetti noodles
1 tbsp olive oil divided
1/2 yellow onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
16 oz sliced cremini mushrooms
24 oz jar of your favorite marinara sauce
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper optional, for heat
1/4 cup red wine optional, for richness
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Wash and trim the ends off all zucchini. Spiralize each zucchini into spaghetti size noodles (Blade C for most spiralizers). If you don't have a spiralizer, peel the zucchini with a julienne peeler.
Heat half the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add half of the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add all of the sliced mushrooms and toss lightly to coat. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, until the mushrooms soften, but still have texture.
Remove lid and pour in the marinara sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes, until the sauce begins to boil and is heated through. Add red wine and crushed red pepper, if desired. Reduce heat to simmer as you prepare the zucchini noodles.
In a separate saucepan or skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the remaining garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add in all the zucchini and toss with tongs to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until zucchini begins to soften but still has texture and bite (they overcook and turn soft fast!) Remove from heat.
Divide the zucchini noodles amongst four bowls. Top each bowl with a hearty servings of mushroom marinara. Garnish with Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.

Gluten-Free Summer Quinoa Salad

August 10, 2015 by Stephanie Kirkos

Happy Monday! This is Stephanie from Steph in Thyme, and today I am sharing a healthy side dish for your next supper or picnic. This Gluten-Free Summer Quinoa Salad is filled with sweet and savory flavors for a light, refreshing, and healthy summer side.

My aunt made a variation of this quinoa salad a few years ago at a Labor Day picnic. I’ve never been the biggest fan of fruit in salads, preferring a purely savory plate. Load up the veggies, but add in fruit? Heavens, no!

Well, all that changed with this Summer Quinoa Salad. I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved the sweet and savory flavors together in one bite. The sweetness of the seedless grapes and ripe blueberries contrast nicely against the tangy crumbled feta, crisp cucumber, and savory vinaigrette.

The fresh fruit also adds color and texture to the dish, each bite chock full of ripe fruit and creamy feta. For a bit of crunch, I recommend adding a few tablespoons of pine nuts or walnuts.

Quinoa, the base of this salad, is one of the healthiest foods on the planet, first cultivated over 5,000 years ago by the Incas who considered it “the Mother of all Grains.” Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, rich in fiber, and high in protein (in addition to numerous other health benefits).

Red and white quinoa have slightly different textures – white quinoa creamier and softer, red quinoa maintaining more of a bite after cooking. I often combine the two together for a blend of textures and colors. For added flavor, I always cook the quinoa in broth versus water.

The vinaigrette is oh so simple – red wine vinegar and dijon mustard whisked together with olive oil, salt, and pepper. That’s it!

(If you’re following a gluten-free diet, check to make sure that the mustard you are using is gluten-free. The vinegar in mustard may have been distilled from gluten grains, posing a reaction risk).

This salad is delicious served chilled or slightly warm (my preference). So healthy and simple, but rich with flavor and texture. Grab a fork and dig in!

Summer Quinoa Salad with sweet and savory flavors of crumbled feta, blueberries, and grapes in a tangy vinaigrette l Steph in Thyme for Busy Mom's Helper

Print Recipe

Gluten-Free Summer Quinoa Salad

A delicious and refreshing quinoa salad with crumbled feta, fresh grapes, blueberries, and cucumbers tossed in a simple vinaigrette.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time30 mins

Servings: 6 -8 servings

Ingredients

Quinoa Salad

1/2 cup uncooked red quinoa
1/2 cup uncooked white quinoa
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup crumbled feta
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup halved green seedless grapes
1/2 cup halved red seedless grapes
1/2 cup seeded diced cucumber
3-4 tbsp pine nuts optional

Vinaigrette

2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp dijon mustard gluten-free, if needed
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and broth. Heat over medium and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Transfer quinoa to a bowl and fluff with a fork. Set aside to cool.
In a small bowl, whisk the red wine vinegar and mustard together. Slowly pour in the olive oil, whisking vigorously as you do. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
Place the blueberries, feta, cucumber, and grapes in a large bowl. Pour the cooled quinoa over top. Add the vinaigrette and toss gently to coat and combine the ingredients. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.
Serve immediately, or cover and chill in the refrigerator prior to serving.

Notes

You can certainly adjust the quantities of fruit, adding more or less according to preference and taste.

Spiralized Zucchini with Roasted Tomatoes

April 8, 2015 by Stephanie Kirkos

Hello, everyone! This is Stephanie from Steph in Thyme, and I’m so excited to be here sharing approachable gluten-free recipes with you as a member of the 2015 Busy Mom’s Helper Team!

Just because a weeknight dinner needs to be quick and simple doesn’t mean it can’t be healthy or packed with flavor. This Spiralized Zucchini with Roasted Tomatoes is ready in under a half hour and more wholesome and healthy than traditional spaghetti and meatballs. Don’t worry, you can still twirl the noodles on your fork!

Given this is my first guest post, I feel compelled to share something very personal. I’m slightly obsessed with my Spiralizer. I received a Spiralizer a year ago as a birthday gift, and it changed the way I eat vegetables. This easy-to-use kitchen tool transforms vegetables – such as zucchini, sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets – into beautiful noodles of various sizes. My vegetable intake has certainly increased thanks to this handy gadget. One of my favorite uses is fresh zucchini noodles in place of pasta, although the possibilities are endless (including hearty casseroles and sandwich wrap filling).

There’s a time for simmering homemade sauce – or gravy, depending on where you stand in the terminology debate. Like, Sunday afternoons…not busy weeknights. This short-cut recipe is one of my favorites, and frankly, I prefer it over the traditional sauce I grew up with (oh boy, hope my mom isn’t reading this). On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss grape tomatoes, thinly sliced shallots, and whole garlic cloves, then generously season with salt and pepper. After 20 minutes in the oven, the tomatoes have blistered and softened, the flavor and sweetness more concentrated.

Then, the fun part. With a fork, smash everything on the baking sheet until it forms a lovely, saucy mess. After the smashing fun, stir everything together until it forms a robust sauce. The final result evokes the essence of summer, when tomatoes are sun ripened and so sweet you could eat them raw and unseasoned. This sauce, with the sweetness of the roasted tomatoes and shallots balanced by the roasted garlic, is one I can eat straight with a fork. I sometimes do, then remember the zucchini noodles (zoodles?).

The zucchini noodles only take 3-5 minutes to cook in a skillet. Faster than pasta! All you really want to do is get the zucchini noodles hot, rather than cooking through, otherwise the noodles turn wet and a bit mushy. I’ve cooked them too long way too many times, which also results in a lot of excess liquid in the pan and on the plate. We cannot have our sauce diluted! The noodles are best al dente style, softened slightly, but still with bite and texture.

Feel free to top the bowl off with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. If it’s not Meatless Monday, it will pair nicely with grilled chicken or shrimp. Hope you enjoy!

Spiralized Zucchini with a Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce l Gluten-Free and Vegetarian l by Steph in Thyme for Busy Mom's Helper

Print Recipe

Spiralized Zucchini with Roasted Tomatoes

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time30 mins

Ingredients

2 pints grape tomatoes rinsed and patted dry
2 large zucchini spiralized
1 large shallot sliced thin
3 cloves garlic peeled and left whole
1 tbsp + 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil divided
Salt and pepper to taste
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Place the grape tomatoes, shallot slices, and whole garlic cloves on a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over top, then season generously with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
Roast the tomatoes, shallots, and garlic cloves for 20 minutes, until the tomatoes blister and start to burst open.
Remove baking sheet from oven. With a fork, smash the ingredients together, including the garlic cloves, on the baking sheet. Stir together and season with 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes, if desired.
Heat remaining 1 tsp olive oil in a medium sized skillet over medium high heat. Add the spiralized zucchini noodles and cook for 3-5 minutes, until noodles are heated through but still have bite and texture (think al dente).
Divide the zucchini into four bowls, and top with the sauce. Garnish with cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.

Salsa Verde

February 5, 2015 by Danielle

Who else here is a huge fan of dips? I love grabbing a bag of chips and some delicious dip for snacks, or even when I’m too hurried for lunch some days! There’s so many good recipes out there, but one of my favorite dips is this creamy Salsa Verde!

I originally shared my Creamy Salsa Verde back in 2013, and although I’m still a big fan of that particular recipe, I’ve made some changes so it’s now near perfection! We were craving this so bad the other week that we whipped up a batch, all excited…and realized we had NO CHIPS. Ugh! So Hubby drove to the store right then, even though it was like 9pm, and grabbed a couple bags. when you want a dip fix, you WANT a dip fix!

Ingredients

3 Tomatillos (remove husks and rinse off the sticky stuff)
1 Ripe Avocado
3 tsp. Garlic, minced
1/4 White Onion, diced
3 tbsp. Lime Juice
3 tbsp. Cilantro
2-3 tbsp. Honey or Agave
1/4 cup Jalapeno flavored Tabasco Sauce (more or less, based on preference)
Pinch of Salt

Directions

Cut your tomatillos into fourths and add them, your garlic, onion, lime juice, cilantro and honey into a blender and blend well.
Remove the pit from your avocado and scoop the good stuff into the blender. Add your Jalapeno Tabasco, adding more for a ‘hotter’ flavor and less for more ‘mild’. It’s easy to add more if you decide it’s too bland, so just add a bit to start then add a bit at a time until you reach your desired taste!
Blend until desired consistency and enjoy!

What are YOUR favorite types of dip to go with your chip of choice?

Healthy Afternoon Snack: Sweet Strawberries & Rice

January 4, 2015 by Danielle

These deliciously amazing recipes are written by me on behalf of Minute® Ready to Serve Rice. All ideas and opinions are my own.

How many of you start dragging about mid-afternoon? I surely do, and need a little pick-me-up to help me keep chasing my kids, getting work done, laundry….the list goes on. Basically, I need energy all day long, as all you busy mama’s can understand! Luckily I can whip up this super delish Healthy Afternoon Snack: Sweet Strawberries & Rice really fast, enjoy every bite, then get right back to my day. Plus, I’m sharing a great breakfast idea that’s as fast as can be, plus totally filling and tasty!

I love strawberries. If I had to pick a favorite fruit, although I love most of them, I’d have to say strawberries are right at the top. Sweet and tangy flavor, and they go with so many things! So it’s only natural that I want them for my healthy afternoon snack as often as I can. I want something filling, too, so mixing the fruit in with some of this quick Minute® Ready to Serve Rice cup makes it absolutely perfect!

Ingredients

1/2 – 1 cup Strawberries, diced (washed & no stems)
1 Minute® Ready to Serve Rice cup
1/4 – 1/2 cup Milk
Sprinkle or so of sweetener of choice (honey or sugar works great)

Directions

Cook your Minute® Ready to Serve Rice cup per package directions (remove lid, cook for 60 seconds, stir – that’s it!).
Mix in your diced strawberries, milk and sweetener.
Enjoy this flavorful, filling snack in hardly any time at all!

I love that each Minute® Ready to Serve Rice cup is a perfect, portable solution for a quick mini-meal or snack because you can eat it on-the-go, straight from the cup. In just 60 seconds, you have fully cooked rice that you can enjoy as-is (moist & tasty!) or use in your favorite quick recipes! Stir in some ‘plus ups’, like strawberries here, and make it your own! For more Stir-In ideas, see HERE.

If you’re looking for a wholesome option, Minute® Ready to Serve Rice provides easy portion control since it’s conveniently packaged in two individual single-serve cups. Grab one and go! Hubby loves taking these to work, since he can just quickly heat it and take it to his desk with no hassle.

As promised, I’m also sharing this ‘rushed morning’ breakfast to help your hustle in the A.M. be a bit more pleasant! All I do is take a Minute® Ready to Serve Rice cup and cook it as directed, meanwhile cooking an egg. When they’re both done, mix them together and add some chopped ham bits, a little bit of salt and pepper, and a dash of soy sauce. Fried rice that’s amazing, plus crazy fast!

This especially comes in handy on those mornings when we’re so busy with the kids and getting ready for the day, breakfast for ourselves completely slips our minds! Hubby can take one to work quickly, and I can make mine fast then give the kids attention. Totally saves us from starving for hours, spending a ton of time, plus it’s really filling to start the day off right!

Visit http://bit.ly/1xCMDae for recipes, including Stir-In recipe ideas, and more information about the Minute® Ready to Serve Rice family of products.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Minute® Ready to Serve Rice.

Cheese Filled Zucchini Bites

May 19, 2014 by Danielle

Lately I’m going through a zucchini phase. It’s not that I use to hate zucchini…I’ve always liked it, but lately I absolutely LOVE it! Like, I get giddy when I see they’re on sale for 99 Cents per pound! Plus, you can do so much with them, and have it turn out super delicious. These Cheese Filled Zucchini Bites are no exception!

When I find zucchini on sale, I buy a whole bunch, then cook them up in different ways for the week. Such as these Lemon & White Wine Veggies, or just saute them in a pan with Worcester sauce. One we tried this past week that was totally delish were these Cheese Filled Zucchini Bites!

Ingredients

8 tbsp. Whipped Cream Cheese
1/2 tsp. Garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. Italian Seasoning
1/8 tsp. Salt
Tiny Sprinkle Onion Powder
2-4 tbsp. Olive Oil
3-4 Small Zucchini

Directions

In a bowl, mix the first 5 Ingredients (all except Olive Oil and Zucchini) together until well-combined. Refrigerate at least 1 hour
Remove the ends from the Zucchini, then slice length-wise into 1/4 inch slices. Discard the very edge slices with mostly skin on them.
Brush both sides of the slices with Olive Oil, then cook in a pan over medium heat until zucchini is tender.
Allow zucchini slices to cool. Spread 1/2 tbsp. of the cheese spread on each slice, then roll up and secure with a tooth pick. Serve and enjoy! Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.