Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs!
My best friend is here to visit for the weekend and I can't wait! I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well.

Iced Green Tea Mojito
c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 4 large spearmint leaves, plus more for garnish
• 4 baby arugula leaves
• 2 tsp sugar 
• 1/2 cup brewed green tea, chilled
• 1 oz white rum

Directions

Muddle the lime juice, mint, arugula, and sugar together in a tall Collins glass until the leaves bruise lightly and the flavors release. Add ice until glass is about 3/4 full and then pour in rum and green tea. Stir well and garnish with mint and lime.

Cauliflower Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

c/o Laaloosh

Ingredients

1 medium head of cauliflower, chopped into florets

1 tbsp light butter

1 tbsp half and half

2 tsp garlic powder

1 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup pizza sauce

2oz pepperoni

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8 baking dish with non-fat cooking spray.

Using a vegetable steamer, or the microwave, steam cauliflower until tender. Transfer hot cauliflower to blender or food processor and add in butter, half and half, 1 tsp garlic powder, ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, 1/ 2 of the pepperoni slices, and salt & pepper. Puree until smooth.

Pour cauliflower puree into baking dish. Use a spatula to even out the surface. Top with the pizza sauce, and use a spoon or spatula to spread it evenly over the cauliflower, making sure not to mix it into the cauliflower. Top with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and remaining tsp of garlic powder.

Bake for about 20 minutes.

Let cool for about 10 minutes. Cut into 4 equally sized pieces and serve.

Vanilla Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies

c/o Stephanie Cooks

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3.4 oz. package vanilla instant pudding mix
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat and set aside.
2. Using a mixer, beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add in pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla extract. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
3. Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until slight golden and set. Remove cookies from oven and let cool on baking sheet for two minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.