Cauliflower Bites

/

I realize I was just lamenting about the cold, but it really feels like Spring out there lately!  It’s been so sunny and pretty warm for Northern Minnesota!  I keep seeing Easter things everywhere I go.  I ended up giving up shopping for Lent.  I’ve never been a big shopper; I’m very careful with money and am too tired by the end of the day to go to the store. :). So, what I was really trying to address was the random internet searching of things, grabbing extra stuff at Target or somewhere else that I really don’t need, and just thinking about “needing things” that, in reality, I don’t need at all.  I’ve used the time to unsubscribe from a lot of emails.  In the past, I’ve found myself seeing some sort of deal in my email, scrolling through whatever website for any length of time, and then not actually buying anything.  The purchasing has never been as much of a problem as the looking and thinking about purchasing things I don’t need.  I haven’t gone to the store for anything but groceries since the start of Lent and it’s been really nice.  If I think I might want or need something it’s a simple “nope, I don’t.”  I’ve tried to focusing on addressing the mental and emotional side of accumulating stuff.  Such as asking myself, “What are the times when I most want to buy something new?” And, “What am I actually feeling during those moments?” When my house feels chaotic and messy (as often happens with three kids under 5), I find myself thinking what else I could have to organize better, or what toys would occupy the kids better, or what plant or book would make me feel more peaceful.  It’s so easy to numb the heart of these times with superficial things.  What I actually need is to find peace in the crazy, purpose in boring, and fulfillment from what actually matters in life.  We have a few more weeks of Lent, so we’ll see what else I have to learn!

Cauliflower Bites

25 min, serves 6

Ingredients:

1 cauliflower, chopped and blended (leaves about 2 cups)

2 eggs

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 t salt

2 T green onion, diced

1/2 c almond flour

Butter or olive oil for frying

Directions:

  1. Chop cauliflower and blend it to an even, somewhat smooth consistency.  I do this by blending the cauliflower chunks in water and straining out the water.
  2. Put the cauliflower in a cheesecloth and wring out the extra water.  You should have about 2 cups of cauliflower to use.
  3. Place cauliflower and the rest of the ingredients in a medium bowl.  Stir together until everything is fully combined.
  4. Heat butter or olive oil in a nonstick skillet.  Shape the cauliflower mixture into small balls and flatten slightly with your hands.  Fry for about 5 minutes on each side, so that both sides are nicely browned.
  5. Serve as an appetizer or side dish with any meal!

Turkey & Spinach Breakfast Patties

/

Let winter break begin!  I am feeling pretty pumped about having the next week off.  Many people have asked what we are doing and I very happily reply, “nothing.”  Yes, someday it would be nice to run away to Florida or somewhere warm during this winter break, but for now I really enjoy slow days at home, making pancakes, drinking coffee, and playing games with the kids.  B picked up some books for me at the library that I will try to get though this week: The Duluth Grill Cookbook, The Minnesota Farmer’s Market Cookbook, and a book about kombucha.  I”m excited to get some cooking inspiration, especially since I just started a round of Whole30.  Winter is starting to feel long, so I’m trying to make sure I have my habits in check.  Winter can be tough to endure as it is, neglecting to take care of myself only makes that worse.  However, I must say this is not my primary aim in life.  I am also trying to focus on being present with my family and friends, ignoring the piles of snow clothes scattered around the house and the soup pot that still isn’t clean from two days ago.  Winter is a time to slow down and rest, paying attention to what really matters in life.

Turkey & Spinach Breakfast Patties

35 min, serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 1/2 T olive oil plus some for frying

1/2 c chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 handfuls of spinach (about 2 packed cups)

1 lb ground turkey

1 egg

1/2 t mustard powder

1/4 t pepper

1/2 t salt

1/4 t thyme

Directions:

  1. Heat 1 1/2 T olive oil in nonstick skillet
  2. Add onions and garlic and sauté for several minutes until nicely browned, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add spinach and stir while cooking until the spinach is completely wilted.
  4. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  5. Meanwhile in medium bowl, place turkey, egg, and all the spices.  Once the onion mixture has cooled, add it to the bowl.  Mix all the ingredients with your hands until everything is evenly incorporated.
  6. Heat additional olive oil in nonstick skillet.  Shape the turkey into small round patties no more than 1/2” thick.  Let fry about 5 minutes on each side so that the patties are nicely browned and the turkey is cooked all the way through.  (It should not have any pink)