National Put a Zucchini On Your Neighbours Porch Day!!

Happy National 'put a zucchini on your neightbours porch day!'

I heard that on the radio this morning.. haha

anywho...

My loves birthday was last friday

and his AWESOME sister, M,

gave him a beautiful bag of her own home grown veggies!

In that bag were 3 HUGE zucchini

which I have heard are the best for making 

Zucchini Loaf.

Then, while we were out for dinner,

M told me she tried a pin she repinned from me

Cheesy Zucchini Rice.

Both her and her hubby D agreed it was 

AMAZING!!!

Yesterday I created both.

and yes, im sharing them with you because they were 

AWESOME!!

Go to your local farmers market and get 2 big-ish zucchinis

and re create this yumminess soon while they are in season!!

Double Chocolate Zucchini Loaf
(Slightly adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-zucchini-bread-i/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=double%20chocolate%20zucchini%20loaf&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe%20Search%20Results)

preheat oven to 350
grease 2 loaf pans

you will need:

2 squares unsweeeted chocolate, melted (I did the double boil method)
3 eggs
1 cup coconut sugar or any sugar you wish (unrefined!!)
1 cup veggie oil 
(next time im going to try half cup melted butter and half cup applesauce)
2 cups coarse grated zucchini (one about the size of your forearm)
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
2 Cups gluten free flour
1 teaspoon of each: baking soda, cinnamon and salt
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

how to:

In a large bowl combine:
eggs, sugar, oil, zucchini, vanilla and melted chocolate
mix well so eggs are broken up

In a small bowl combine:
flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt
add to wet ingredients 
make sure no flour bits are left
add chocolate chips

pour into 2 loaf pans evenly
and bake for 50-60 min or until a toothpick comes out clean

I froze half of one and sent the other off to work with my love.
SO GOOD with coffee.


Cheesy Zucchini Rice
(adapted from http://bunsinmyoven.com/2012/06/28/cheesy-zucchini-rice/)

you will need:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup brown basmati rice
2 cups veggie stock
1 large zucchini coarsely grated
1 cup Daiya Motz cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and fresh cracked pepper
bacon cut into small bits (optional but DELICIOUS!)

how to:

in a large saucepan place butter and olive oil over med heat
add rice and stir until rice smells toasty (1-2 min)
add veggie stock
bring to a boil
then put a lid on it and turn down heat to low
simmer for 30 to 40 min (brown rice takes longer)
until almost all liquid is absorbed
then throw in zucchini, Dayia, parmesan, garlic powder, salt and pepper
stir on low heat until combined well and resembles risotto (5min or so)

top with bacon on your plate for some texture

enjoy!!