Cheesy Zucchini Bake

This year we decided to see if we could grow some of our own vegetables, so we planted a tiny garden. Well, that tiny garden is thriving! I am very excited about it, but I can foresee us getting really tired of zucchini/yellow squash rather quickly. So, I resorted to finding "new" recipes online to battle the blah that is bound to hit our house.

This recipe is extremely easy and surprisingly tasty! I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was delicious! I'm sure you can change out the seasonings/cheese types to your liking (which also makes this a great versatile recipe).

Cheesy Zucchini/Squash Bake
Ingredients
2-4 zucchini/squash (sliced and cut in half)
2-4 T. chopped basil
2 T. green onion
1 t. Cuban or Cajun seasoning
1 t. garlic powder
1 c. Mexican cheese (divided)

Step by Step Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine all of the above ingredients (reserve 1/2 c. of cheese for later)

Best part of this picture?? All of these ingredients came from my garden! Fresh is BEST!

Mix until all of the squash is covered with cheese/seasonings

2. Spray an 8x8 in baking dish with nonstick spray. Dump the veggies in. Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes.

 3. Top with the remaining cheese and put back into the oven for 10 more minutes. (until the cheese has melted)

Roasted Squash and Zucchini

Roasted summer squash and zucchini...just another great side dish! However, I cannot wait to use my own homegrown veggies...but until then, store bought will have to do. Here is a picture of the complete dinner...chicken recipe can be found here

This recipe was originally found on Pinterest, but I made a few changes...

(Original Recipe)

Roasted Summer Squash and Zucchini

Ingredients

1 zucchini, sliced

1 yellow summer squash, sliced

garlic salt

sea salt

pepper

extra virgin olive oil

Step by Step Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

2.Spray a cooking sheet with non stick spray.

3. Line up the slices of squash and zucchini. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Season with garlic salt, sea salt, and pepper.

4. Cook for 12-15 minutes. 

5. Move the veggies under the broiler and heat on High for an additional 3-4 minutes (until the little ones get crispy) Just remember to keep an eye on them!

This pictures is prior to being put under the broiler.

A "NEW" Twist on Zucchini!

I might be weird, but I LOVE zucchini! Usually, I slice it and cook on top of the stove with some Extra Virgin Olive Oil and salt and pepper...but sometimes, you just need a change!

So, when I was looking through my kitchen at things I hadn't used in awhile, I noticed the can of Panko bread crumbs...well why not?

Panko Breaded Zucchini Strips

Ingredients
*zucchini (thinly sliced length wise...about 1/4")
*about 1 c. Panko breadcrumbs
*1/2 c. Italian breadcrumbs
*2 T. garlic salt
*1 egg or 2 egg whites
*salt and pepper
(optional: parmesan cheese)

Step by Step Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 450.
    Spray baking sheet with PAM spray.

2. In a shallow dish, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, Italian bread crumbs, garlic salt, and salt and pepper.
3. Dip zucchini strip into the egg or egg whites.
4. Then, dip the zucchini into the breadcrumb mixture. (this step is incredibly MESSY!)
5. Place on baking sheet.

*You may need to add more bread crumbs...depends on the size of the zucchini being used*
6. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip and bake an addition 5 minutes.

*I wish I would have baked for a shorter amount of time....I baked for 15 minutes and didn't flip...therefore they are a little bit burnt*

I served them with the Sweet and Spicy steak! DELICIOUS!

Sweet and Spicy Steak Recipe...click here!

Grillin' It.... Name of the Game for Dinner

My previous post was about the best salad ever! (grilled romaine) But, I wanted to also share the other recipe I tried. This one was on the Six Sisters' Stuff website. They said it was their Mom's Secret Recipe...and they used the "M" word...(my most hated word ever, MOIST!)...but I looked past that...

It is a very simple recipe. Only 4 ingredients
1/2 c. soy sauce
1/2 t. horseradish
1 can of 7-Up (not diet)
1/4 c. vegetable oil

Marinade for at least 30 minutes.

Well, I am not a fan of hoseradish. I did some searches to see what I could use instead and I mainly found mustard....well, I'm not much of a mustard fan either. So, I just omitted it altogether.

I also used Sprite instead of 7-up. 

I marinated for about 2 hours.

All in all, it was a good recipe. Perfect for needing to throw something together that doesn't require a lot of ingredients. (I had everything already in the house)

The chicken was on the grill on med-high heat for about a minute too long. You want it cooked all the way thru (obviously), but just check it isn't on for too long.

Our chicken was a little bit overdone, but nothing a little bit of ranch dressing couldn't help!

Grilled 7-Up Chicken

Six Sisters' 7-Up Recipe: Six Sisters 7Up Grilled Chicken

In addition to the grilled romaine and chicken...thank you to our neighbors, we got a homegrown zucchini (it was the size of our 5 pound dog!!!), and I made "crab" fries....

Put (part) of the zucchini on the grill

Grilled Zucchini

And, the "crab" fries, followed the fry recipe you can find here: Martha Stewart Fries (Pugh It Style)

The only change was I sprinkled the fries with Old Bay Seasoning....

(sorry the picture is a little bit fuzzy)
Old Bay Seasoned "Crab" fries