Chocolate Zucchini Cake

I got this original recipe off of allrecipes and changed it a bit to fit my needs better.

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp aluminum free baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 Tbls ground flax seed
4 Tbls water
(you could use two eggs in place of the flax and water)
1 cup Succanot
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup coconut or olive oil
3/4 cup apple juice concentrate, thawed
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup water (could use milk, or almond milk)
3 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini
1 cup shredded carrots

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. mix all dry ingredients together, then add the wet. Lastly add the zucchini and carrots and mixed until just moistened. Bake for 35-45 min or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

Serve plain, or add this simple frosting recipe from Robyn, at greensmoothiegirl.com

1/2 cup powdered succanot (if you don't have powdered succanot just put succanot into a coffee grinder and make it)
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup water

My boys at this up like crazy! They loved it and I didn't mind so much letting them eat it!

Black Bean Tacos

So I was trying to figure out dinner on Sunday and I didn't want to brown hamburger! (I know I am lazy) So I decided to try inventing a meat free taco. It ended up being really tasty and my girls even liked it! so here goes...

2 cans Black Beans drained & rinsed well
1 can Mexican tomatoes (I also added some fresh tomatoes)
Dry Onion Flakes
Pampered Chef Southwest Seasoning (Taco spices)
Lots of Garlic Salt
& lots of cumin

Mix it all in a frying pan and simmer and cook for awhile, then drain out all the extra juices, apply to taco shells with shredded cheese and waalaa you are done!

Lion House Tomato Bisque

My mom gave me this recipe and it's really good, especially with grilled cheese sandwiches. Go easy on the sugar though. I thought 1/2 C. was too much, but my mom puts in more than 1 C. Also, this makes a lot, so I'd suggest halving the recipe.

4 cans Tomato soup
2 cups Chicken Stock
1 Cup Beef Stock
12-15 Roma Tomatoes
1 Bunch Fresh Basil or 2 Tbsp. Dry Basil
1 Cup +/- Sugar (balances acidity of tomatoes)
2-3 Cups Cream (or Half and Half) (fat keeps the soup from curdling)
Salt/Pepper To Taste

Roast tomatoes in 350 degree oven until the tops begin to blacken. (Approximately 1 hr.)
In a large pot combine soup, chicken and beef stock. Place the roasted tomatoes and basil in a blender and puree until smooth. (Tip: may want to cover the lid with a towel to avoid ‘blowout’ when hot tomatoes are pureed.) Add the puree to the soup pot and let simmer. Add the sugar until slightly sweet. (Don’t be stingy with the sugar; it may take more depending on your tomatoes.) Finish with the cream and then season to taste with salt and pepper. You’re looking for a slightly sweet creamy flavor, but not marinara sauce.

Greek Pasta with Tomatoes and White Beans

I actually got this recipe from allrecipes.com. We tried it tonight and we all loved it.

Ingredients

• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes
• 1 (19 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 10 ounces fresh spinach, washed and chopped
• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente.Meanwhile, combine tomatoes and beans in a large non-stick skillet. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes.Add spinach to the sauce; cook for 2 minutes or until spinach wilts, stirring constantly.Serve sauce over pasta, and sprinkle with feta.

I substituted the feta with some regular cheddar because I didn't have feta.