Adventures In Cooking

I realized it has been awhile since I have let you in on some of the new desserts and dinners I have been making for the fam.  Since I spend a lot of time in the bathroom these days with what can only be referred to as "all day sickness,"  I am not spending a lot of time cooking.  But, I have still managed to try a few new things and I'll let you in on two of them today.

First up is a new favorite dinner at our house, Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Potatoes.  I am not sure where I came across this recipe.  It was in a book for expecting mothers and had recipes based on what trimester you were in.  I tried to find the title on the internet, but there were like a billion recipes for broccoli and cheddar potatoes.  Here is the recipe for the ones we make.

4 baking potatoes
olive oil for rubbing
1 and 3/4 lb broccoli, separated into florets
2c low fat cottage cheese
1 large tomato, cored and diced
2 and 1/2 c grated cheddar cheese
2 tsp kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preheat your oven to 400.  Bake your potatoes like normal (be sure to poke the holes and rub them with the olive oil).  Bake for 45-60 min until tender.

Meanwhile, bring 2in of water to a boil in a dutch oven.  Stir in the broccoli.  Cover the pot and steam the broccoli until it is bright green and crisp-tender, about five minutes.  Drain and rinse under cold running water.  Set aside.

When the potatoes are done, remove them from the oven.  Do not turn off the oven.  Carefully slice each potato in half lengthwise and allow them to cool slightly.  Scoop the flesh from the potato halves into a bowl, taking care not to tear the skins.  Stir in the cottage cheese, tomato, 1 and 1/2 c of the cheese and the cooked broccoli.  Season the mixture with salt and pepper.

Divide the filling among the hollowed out potato halves.  Cover with the remaining cheese.  Put them back into the oven and bake until the cheese has melted, about 10 minutes.  Serve hot.

For your info:  There will be some leftovers of the potato mixture.  I used this for Molly since she didn't know the difference!  Also, I used more cheese than the recipe called for...who doesn't love a little extra cheese?  Everyone loved these potatoes, even the kiddos.  In fact, we are having them again tonight!

Now for the dessert!  This was a big hit at our get together with my sister's family for the 4th!  It is easy and yummy!

Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Slice

We did make one change and used Oreos instead of Chips Ahoy!.  I still used about 14 cookies and it turned out super delicious. 

Two very easy, very yummy recipes that you can make any night of the week.  Let me know if you have any recipes you think I need to try out!