Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole

 I'm always looking for new side dishes to serve and this one that I found at Better Homes and Gardens sounded good.  I hope ya'll like it.

            

 

Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole
Source: Better Homes and Gardens
Ingredients

1 16-ounce package frozen cauliflower florets
1 16-ounce package frozen broccoli cuts
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-1/4 cups milk
2 3-ounce packages cream cheese with chives, cut up
3/4 cup soft bread crumbs (about 1 slice of bread)
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons margarine or butter, melted  

Directions
1. Cook broccoli and cauliflower according to package directions. Drain well. Place in a large saucepan. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, cook onion in the 2 tablespoons margarine or butter until tender but not brown. Stir in flour, salt, garlic powder, basil, and pepper. Add milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add cream cheese. Stir until cheese melts. Stir into vegetable mixture. Turn into a 2-quart casserole.
3.Toss together bread crumbs, cheese, and the 2 tablespoons melted margarine or butter. Sprinkle over vegetable mixture. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Makes 12 servings.

Make-Ahead Tip: Refrigerate unbaked casserole, covered, up to 1 day, and bake as directed. Or, freeze up to 1 month; thaw frozen casserole in refrigerator overnight, and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through.

 

Well, since we're on the subject of broccoli, I'll share this soup recipe that I got from Spark People with ya too.  Mmm, next to onion soup served in a bread bowl, this is one of my favorites.

 

Broccoli Soup
Serves: 5
A lower-fat version of your favorite creamy broccoli soup.
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons margarine
1/2 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
2 (10 oz.) packages frozen broccoli, thawed enough to separate
2 cups fat-free chicken broth
1 cup nonfat milk
1/2 lb. processed reduced-fat cheese (Velveeta), cubed
salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In medium saucepan, heat the margarine. Add onion, celery and cook until wilted.
2. Add broccoli and broth. Quickly bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until broccoli is tender, about 5 minutes. 3. Puree in blender (will need to do in two batches).
4. In the saucepan, stir together the broccoli puree, milk and cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste, and then heat. If the soup is thicker than you like, add more broth or milk and re-season.

 

 

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This is a copy of my horoscope for today from the Daily OM. 

 

February 12, 2007
Paths Of The Heart
Capricorn Daily Horoscope

You may feel particularly dreamy today as well as ready to embrace fantastical concepts without a moment’s doubt. As a result, your private and career-related choices may be a reflection of your imaginative mind manifesting itself in your everyday affairs. While you may at first fear that you are doing yourself a disservice by maintaining such a high level of idealism, you will likely soon come to see that it is your hope that is allowing you to embark upon these amazing journeys of the mind. If you can channel this creative energy into your obligations today, you may find that you can use your dreams as beacons that guide you toward success as you pursue your worldly goals.

Often, in following the dictates of the heart, we discover that we can achieve our practical, everyday goals in roundabout and seemingly unrealistic ways. Since we nurture hope in our souls and are willing to hold tight to ideals that others may scoff at, we are capable of perceiving avenues of opportunity that we might otherwise have missed. We view our dreams as guideposts that lead us toward the successful outcome of our endeavors and are willing to look beyond our preconceptions when mapping our paths. Our choices are consequently very much unlimited, and we are free to explore entirely new worlds of experience that we ourselves create through our open-mindedness and imaginative approach to achievement. Your belief in the power of your dreams will sustain you as you court success through your diligent efforts today.

I don't know about all that...I was just planning to go to the grocery store before the winter storm, that is suppose to be coming our way, hit.  I hope we don't get slammed like they did in New York.  Ugh! 

By the way, I began my low carb diet, again, last Wednesday.  I've lost about 6 pounds since then.  YEA!  I'm really, really missing my carb saturated food though.  LOL  But at least it is working.

Hopefully, this time I will be able to stay on it until I lose the weight I need to.  Then I hope to begin reintroducing some carbs, but mostly just the healthy ones.  Let me tell you, having a salad twice a day...well, it really gets the fiber that you need back into your system.  LOL

Don't get me wrong, that isn't all that I am eating.  I also have some meat protein with it.  Usually a plain hamburg patty, some ham or a chicken breast. 

For breakfast I can have eggs.  The only thing is I have to be really careful.  Most of the time, when I eat eggs, a few hours later I get these really awful stomach pains.  I've found that if I add enough milk and something like chopped ham, I don't get the pains.  I don't know if I've developed a slight allergy to eggs or what.  But it really stinks because I like eggs.  Mmm, especially sunny side up eggs with wheat toast dipped in the middles.  YUM!  But then, I can't eat bread on this diet anyway, LOL.

Well, if you happen to have any recipes for low carb meal ideas, would ya do me a favor and send them my way?  I'd be eternally grateful.  Thanks!

Have a wonderful day.
Hugs!