A Sweet Hearts Pistachio Pairing: Mini Gruyere and Bacon Quiches with Leeks, Salted Pistachios, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Sparkling Italian Bitter Orange Soda

When my husband and I were dating 12 or so years ago, I looked forward to our first dates with anticipation, excitement and nervousness. I remember the butterflies in my stomach and the giddiness I felt back then.

Fast forward 11 years and 4 kids later, while the butterflies may be fleeting the excitement and happiness that overcomes me when my husband and I get to spend a few precious moments of uninterrupted quality time together is unyielding. 

As a matter of fact, one of our favorite places to spend a relaxing moment together is in our own backyard. We have created a small, peaceful environment that we both enjoy and can kick our feet up in our pajamas if we please. Weather it be with the Sunday paper and a cup of coffee, a glass of wine and a sweet treat or for a Valentines morning brunch, patio door locked while the kids are occupied with a new movie. We have our own little, special retreat. Just the two of us.

You have to create your own moments, your own special places and traditions. However small, however frugal. All that matters, especially when you have kids or a hectic work schedule is spending a few moments now and then with those you love. Reconnecting and just being still, together. 

Maybe a little Love Potion No. 9 is in order?

A small, simple yet decadent spread of food is just what it takes to create a relaxing and special morning with you and your sweetie. Who wants to stand in line with all the rookies at a 5 star restaurant and pay big bucks for a so-so meal with 190 strangers? Umm, not me. I'll be comfortable and out on the patio with the waterfall on  and these sweet treats with my sweetie pie aka "Fuzzy Wuzzy Snuggly Bear" but don't tell him I told you that!

“I received free pistachio samples from the Pistachio Health Institute mentioned in this post. By posting this pairing I am entering a contest sponsored by Pistachio Health Institute and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.”

As a member of The Recipe Redux Team, this month we were asked to create a food pairings incorporating In Shell Pistachios for The Pistachio Health Institute. 

My pleasure! Pistachios are one of my all time favorite healthy indulgences and while I have always preferred In Shell Pistachios for the frugality of it, I never considered the health benefits.

Pistachios are known as the skinny nut because they are one of the lowest calorie and lowest fat nuts, they are also a good source of fiber.  

Also, people who consumed in‐shell pistachios ate 41 percent fewer calories than those who consumed pistachios without shells. Personally, I think this has mostly to do with the fact that it takes a bit more time to crack open the shells one by one and enjoy them rather than throwing a handful at a time into your mouth quickly.

A Sweet Hearts Food Pairing with In Shell Pistachios:

[Indulgent Category]

Mini Gruyere and Canadian Bacon Quiches with Leeks

Salted In Shell Pistachios

Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Love Potion No. 9

{a.k.a. Sparkling Italian Blood Orange Soda}

Recipe for Gruyere Quiches

Ingredients
5 large, Free Range eggs
1  cup low fat cottage cheese (or Ricotta)
1/4 cup milk (I use almond milk)
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
freshly cracked pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere or Swiss Cheese (mozzarella will work fine)
1 leek, white and light green parts, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped Canadian bacon
Cooking spray


Preheat oven to 375F 

In a medium mixing bowl, lightly beat eggs with a whisk. Add milk, whisk another minute. Add cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, salt and pepper and whisk till combined. Add Gruyere, bacon and leek and stir to combine.  

Spray a muffin tin lightly with cooking spray. Spoon egg mixture into tins just before full. Don't over fill.  

Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown spots appear on top of quiche and the 'jiggle' is minimal.  

Remove from oven and let cool at least 10 minutes before attempting to remove from pan. Using a butter knife, carefully ease the quiche away from the pan. Serve immediately. 

If serving for dinner, prepare a simple salad tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette or with roasted asparagus. 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Cottage Cheese Pancakes {gluten free}

I think these pancakes could fall under the paleo diet guidelines.  Wait, did cavemen eat cottage cheese? Oh well,  I'm pretty sure that cave men ate pancakes. After all they apparently ate muffins, cookies and pie why not pancakes. O.k. so I haven't read up on this new fad. I know it's a pretty basic concept of eating whole foods but as far as trying to figure out exactly what cavemen ate, I'm not sure I really get it. Like coconut for instance? Did cave men eat coconut? Maybe if there were cave men in Hawaii. Coconut is good for you but if cave men didn't eat it then are Paleoians not allowed to eat it either? Why?






These are the random things I think about when I am stalling cleaning the house. I'll bet cave men didn't have to clean their houses errr caves.  The closest to living like a cave man that I get is living with 4 crazy kids running around the house like little neanderthals.

Honestly. Not sure what got me on this subject. Just seeing an awful lot of Paleo recipes out there in the blogosphere. Paleo must be the new gluten free. I'm sure there's some great science behind it.

At any rate, in an effort to reduce our intake of processed carbs/sugars and limit GMO foods in our bodies I have been trying to remake some of our favorite foods without white or wheat flour.

These pancakes turned out to be super easy and tasted great without the wheat flour. Score! Dare I say,

"So easy a caveman can do it!" 

Sorry. Had to.

My mom used to make cottage cheese pancakes for us when we were little. We all loved them. Substituting almond and coconut flour for regular flour adds protein and vitamins. 

Bye Bye wheat belly!

If your thinking cottage cheese sounds really weird in pancakes let me tell you, it's amazing! The pancakes turn out moist and the cottage cheese somehow gets sweet when cooked and tastes very similar to a cream cheese crepe IMO.

Topped with strawberries for extra sweetness and these pancakes will be your new 

favorite healthy breakfast I promise!

*NOTES  I also have used 1 cup spelt flour in place of the almond and coconut flour. Spelt flour is not certified GF but it is a nutritious ancient grain with a deep nut like flavor. Spelt dates back long before many wheat hybrids. Many of its benefits come from the fact that it offers a broader spectrum of nutrients compared to many of its more inbred cousins in the wheat family. It can be used in many of the same ways as wheat including bread and pasta making. Spelt does not seem to cause sensitivities in many people who are intolerant of wheat. 




adapted from my mom's recipe

TIME    15 MINUTES      YIELDS    8-10 SMALL PANCAKES

Cottage Cheese Pancakes {Gluten Free}

Ingredients

4 eggs
1/2 cup plain, fat free yogurt
1 1/2 cups large curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
real butter to coat pan


toppings
chopped strawberries
honey
or real maple syrup


Preheat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
In a medium bowl, beat eggs, add yogurt and cottage cheese. Sift in flours, baking powder and salt.
Using a 1/4 measuring cup, slowly pour batter into hot skillet. The batter will be thin and spread quickly so pour slowly.

Cook for 3-4 minutes on first side until bubbles cover the top. Flip pancakes over and cook 1-2 minutes more. Lower heat if necessary.