Veggie Bites

I made these yesterday for myself.  I thought it would be a fun snack that was fairly healthy that I could grab and go.  I never expected two of my kids to actually like them, too.   (These are the same kids that won't eat zucchini or cauliflower... haha).  AND, their friends liked them, too.  Took them to the beach and let everyone try them.  I had around 70 in my container when I went to the beach and I was expecting to bring most of them home.  I haven't counted, but I know that two rows are completely gone so we ate at least 50 between all of us.   Everyone loved them and asked for the recipe.  It's nice when something that tastes good is actually fairly healthy, too.  They said that they could not even tell that the one had cauliflower in it.

On the Zucchini bites…  It called for fresh Parsley which I did not have.  So, I put dried parsley in.   You know the tubes of spices that you keep in your fridge?   I also added a squeeze of the Italian herbs from the tube as well.   These would be great with a little ground sausage in them, too.

Zucchini Bites

2 c. grated zucchini
2     eggs, lightly beaten
½    yellow onion, finely chopped
½ c.     sharp cheddar or Parmesan, grated
½ c.     bread crumbs
¼ c.     fresh parsley, finely chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste

Makes approximately 24 mini-muffin sized bites
2 bites = 3 points plus (weight watchers)

1.    Preheat the oven to 400ºF.  Spray a mini-muffin tin with non-stick spray, set aside.
2.    Grate the zucchini and then place in a dish towel to squeeze out the excess water- like when using frozen spinach; if you skip this part, the middle of the zucchini tots will be really soggy while the outside gets crispy and no one wants that.
3.    In a large glass bowl add two eggs and beat lightly with a whisk. Then, add the zucchini, onion, cheddar, bread crumbs and parsley and combine them with a wooden spoon.
4.    Using your hands or an ice-cream scoop, fill each muffin cup just to the top. Bake  for 15-18 minutes or until the top is browned and set.
These would be great served as a light bite at a dinner party or on a buffet table. If you want to mix up the flavors try using shallots instead of onions.
Making this batter takes less than 15 minutes. Baking times is 15-18 minutes.



On the cauliflower bites, I can’t remember if I set the timer for 30 or 35 minutes, but I took them out when I still had 8 minutes left on the timer because the pepperoni was started to get black on the edges.  So, the cooking time is off.  I would probably set the timer for 20 or 25 minutes and then check it from there.

Mini Cauliflower Pizza Bites

Ingredients
2 cups     Cauliflower (about 1/2 head of cauliflower)
1/4 cup   Egg whites (or 1 large egg white)
1/8 cup   Low fat cottage cheese
1/4 cup   Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp    Dried oregano 1
1/2 tsp    Dried basil 1
1/4 tsp    Garlic powder
1/4 cup   Mini turkey pepperoni’s (or regular size turkey pepperoni cut into quarters) 2
Optional           Topping: Additional pepperoni’s to place on top just before cooking

The estimated total time to make this recipe is 40-45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425. Line 14 mini muffin cups with silicone liners, or foil muffin liners with paper liners removed. Spray liners with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Wash cauliflower, and cut in half, (save the rest for later). Break cauliflower into segments, and place in food processor. Pulse until it reaches a rice-like texture.  (Or grate)
Place cauliflower in microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. (Do NOT add water or cover).
Remove cauliflower from microwave and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir to combine. Place back in microwave for 2 minutes. Mix again.
Scoop cauliflower mixture into muffin liners, dividing evenly between the 14 mini liners. Fill to the top, and press filling down so it’s compact in liner.
Place muffin tin in the oven and bake muffins for 30-35 minutes, or when top starts to become golden brown. Remove from the oven, let cool completely before popping the muffins out of the liners. Serve warm with pizza sauce for dipping!

1 Or you could use 1 tsp Dried Italian Seasoning.
2 Turkey pepperoni's are often found next to the bacon in your local grocery store.