A Day in the Garden

When I think of gardening, I think of beautiful landscapes with gorgeous flowers, hummingbirds and butterflies fluttering about and long walks through peaceful surroundings. While I may never achieve a garden of this calibur myself, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the flowers.

What I have learned through the years is that being outside makes me feel a certain level of comfort that I don't achieve elsewhere. Not sure if it is the fresh air or the sunshine, but I really dig it - no pun intended. Living in the Valley of the Sun, I have adjusted my gardening expectations and figured out what works and what doesn't. Delicate flowers don't survive the heat, only the hearty ones do. The little labels on the plants at the garden shop that read 'full sun' - yep, those are the ones for me! 

Our new family promise of eating healthy has prompted the idea of growing our own vegetables. Again, we still need to aware of what will survive and what won't and when to plant, since our spring season here is so very short. Years ago when the kiddos were small, I successfully grew enough lettuce to feed the neighborhood. Haven't been able to replicate that exactly, but I have learned that the secret is raised garden beds. DIY is in my blood and tackling the project of building raised beds for our new garden seemed to be a pretty simple project. Fellow blogger, Ana White, had some amazingly simple plans on her blog and the project took an afternoon.

Now we're growing lettuce and various herbs again! I just love the way everything tastes when it is freshly grown. I have become more creative in the kitchen, incorporating fresh veggies and herbs whenever I can. Who knows, maybe I will sharpen my cooking skills as a result of my gardening.

Cauliflower - all the rage

A few nights ago, my dear sweet friend and I treated ourselves to an afternoon away - first stop - pedicures, next stop - wine and appetizers. I absolutely love spending time being pampered - it doesn't happen often enough (I know, we all say that), but most of all I love spending time with my sweet friend. So, this was quite the afternoon. We shared some amazing laughs and some amazing wine and we were introduced to a very decadent spin on cauliflower. Yes, friends, I said cauliflower. The best way to describe it is a delicious, creamy cauliflower au gratin, but so much more - heavenly.

Over the weekend, I found myself searching for a copycat recipe. Beware, this could be a very slippery slope. I never found THE recipe I was looking for, but oh my, I found so much more! 

Cauliflower Au Gratin

Creamy Cauliflower Au Gratin - yumminess beyond belief. 

Ingredients:                                                           Topping:

1 head cauliflower, cut in pieces                            1/4 cup parmesan cheese

5 Tablespoons butter                                               2 Tablespoons butter

1/4 cup flour                                                           1/4 cup bread crumbs

2 cups milk

1 1/4 cups grated gruyere cheese

1 Teaspoon salt

1/2 Teaspoon pepper

Steam or boil cauliflower until tender but firm, about 5 minutes. Drain and place pieces in 2-quart casserole dish. In saucepan, melt butter and add flour. Cook about 1 minute, until thickened, whisking continuously. Add milk, cheese, salt and pepper, stir until melted and thickened. Pour over cauliflower. Top with parmesan cheese. Mix bread crumbs and melted butter and sprinkle on top. Bake at 375° for 20 to 25 minutes. 

Cauliflower Pizza Crust - compliments of A Sweet Pea Chef

For the pizza crust:

1 large head cauliflower (to make 3 cups cauliflower rice)
1 egg
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp parmesan, shredded
3 oz goat cheese

For the toppings:

For The Pizza Toppings:
1 boneless skinless chicken breast
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
handful baby spinach
3-4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Turn the cauliflower into rice using a food processor.
Grate enough of the cauliflower to produce 3 packed cups of cauliflower rice.
Lay out the "rice" evenly on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Roast the cauliflower to soften it before creating the crust so place this into the oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, tossing every so often.
Once the rice is tender and beginning to turn golden brown, remove the rice from the oven and transfer into a clean, thin dishtowel or cheesecloth.
Wrap up the rice and twist the towel to squeeze any excess moisture out. Be careful not to burn your hands.
Place the drained rice into a mixing bowl, along with the egg, dried oregano, 1/4 tsp,. kosher salt, garlic powder, grated parmesan cheese, and crumbled goat cheese. Mix this together until fully combined.
On a clean, new sheet of parchment paper, pour the rice mixture out and form into a small rectangle.

Keep the dough about 1/3 of an inch thick and try to mold it to be as even and as flat as possible.
Once the crust is fully formed, place back into the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is firm and golden brown.
At this point, top with whatever normal pizza toppings you prefer.
Once you have your toppings, place back into the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, about 6-8 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before slicing into quarters using a pizza cutter.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Walnut & Caulifower Tacos

Ingredients:

INGREDIENTS

1 head cauliflower, small, chopped

1 cup California walnut pieces, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

¾ cup onion, minced

2 teaspoons garlic, minced

½ cup water

¼ cup tomato paste

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin, ground

1 teaspoon oregano, dried

½ teaspoon salt, or to taste

Preheat oven to 475ºF. Coat cauliflower with 1 tbsp. olive oil; place on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF and toast walnuts for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add to pan with cauliflower. Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes more. Stir in water, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt; cook until mixture is thick and excess water has cooked off. Stir in cauliflower mixture.
Spoon mixture into warmed tortillas and top with cabbage, cheese, walnuts and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Walnut & Cauliflower Tacos

Who ever knew cauliflower could be this good?

Living Free

As the weather starts to turn, the days get longer and the sunshine is warmer, something deep inside us changes ever so slightly. For me, I long for days spent in the sunshine in the garden or poolside with our friends, long summer nights and short trips up north to cooler weather. But mostly, it is just a break from the long reality of the school year. Even though the boys are getting older, our family is still on the cycle started long ago in kindergarten - up early for school, homework and projects, studying for quizzes and tests. Sure, there's an occasional day off here and there and both fall and spring break, but nothing speaks to the soul of a child like summer vacation. 

For most of us Phoenicians, we dread the heat of summer. When the boys were much younger, my girlfriends and I would sit and try to scheme up new ways to keep everyone entertained inside - there was the library, the mall, the movies - Good ol' Harkins kids movie passes - and when we were brave enough, we'd pack everyone up for the public pool or SunSplash. Now, most of our kids are entertaining themselves. With video games and SnapChat, streaming shows and group texts, I can honestly say it's been years since the words "I'm bored" were uttered. 

Now, I find it quite the opposite. With the window closing on how many actual weeks are left before graduation, it's the parents now that are trying to find ways to connect - buying just a little bit more time. I'm not embarrassed at all to say, I'm one of those parents. Can I learn to play FortNite or the latest racing car game? Maybe. Am I yearning to have them around the table just a night or two a month to spend some time together? Sure. With all the excitement coming, I want to enjoy, honestly. 

But I find myself wanting to hit pause just a little bit and enjoy the present. Maybe swing a little.

And just like that, it's almost Spring

Did I shut my eyes for too long? How is already almost spring? With each passing year, the time seems to fly by much faster. The kids grow taller every year, I shrink a little bit every year and all those "little moments" seem to be like fleeting butterflies in the wind. In just a handful of weeks I will be watching my oldest walk across stage and collect his diploma and then we will start the whirlwind of preparing for move-in day for college. I still remember him as a little guy, my little guy, who wanted so badly to spend time with me. Now, I stand and look up at him and my heart pangs just a bit. How did he grow up so quickly? And with my second just footsteps behind him, I feel the time racing by. I am nearly dwarfed by both of them, they are so very tall and so, so handsome. Yes, I know I am biased. I am their mother, I have a right to be. My goal this year has been to create some lasting memories. Not that we don't have handfuls of them already, but I wanted this year to be special in some way. 

Yesterday, Lent began. And even though I am all about creating fun times for all of us, I realize I must do some things for myself too. A dear friend invited me to join the 40/40 challenge. 40 straight days of exercise during the 40 days of Lent. Sign me up! So far, this week, we've logged nearly 10 miles of walking and feel great. Early morning sunshine this time of year in Arizona is simply beautiful, so we are soaking it up. Walking during the week and hiking on the weekends. Maybe I'll even splurge and get some new kicks! 

Years ago, the boys and I would decorate for Spring and for Easter. Even though I've been flying solo in the decorating department for quite some time, I see the smiles when they come through the door because they know the chocolate bunny and skittles are right around the corner. Of course, the Easter baskets are a thing of the past, but we still manage to let a few chocolate bunnies sneak by! How about you? Favorite Easter tradition?