French Silk Pie!

4 oz. baking chocolate
1 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
4 eggs
1 pie crust, baked
8 oz. heavy cream

Melt chocolate in the microwave in a small bowl for 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds.  Beat butter and sugar with a mixer until fluffy.  Once chocolate has cooled some, add it to the butter mixture.  Add vanilla and beat until combined.  Turn mixer to medium speed and add in the eggs, one every five minutes, for a total of 15-20 minutes.  Spread the entire mixture into the baked pie shell.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.  Top with whipped cream and chocolate curls to garnish.

Black Bean Brownies!

1 c. black beans, cooked and rinsed
3 eggs
5 T. canola oil
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. cocoa powder
1/2 c. cornmeal
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. baking powder
4 oz. (3/4 c.) chocolate, chopped roughly

Puree beans in a food processor until smooth.  Add the eggs and oil and pulse to combine.  Add sugar, cocoa, cornmeal, vanilla, and baking powder.  Process until smooth.  Add chopped chocolate and pulse until combined.  Spoon mixture into a greased 9x9 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.  Let cool before cutting into squares.

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites!

1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1 c. flour
1 c. water
1 t. garlic powder
1 T. melted butter
3/4 c. hot sauce
celery sticks
blue cheese dressing

Whisk together flour, water, and garlic powder and toss with cauliflower florets to coat.  Spread cauliflower on a pan lined with wax paper and bake at 450 degrees for 25 minutes.  Mix together butter and hot sauce and pour over the top of cauliflower and mix to coat.  Bake for an additional 5 minutes.  Serve with celery and blue cheese for dipping.

Broccoli Quinoa Bites!

3/4 c. quinoa + 1 1/2 c. water or broth
12 oz. chopped broccoli florets
1 c. shredded cheese
3 eggs
1 t. pepper
1/2 t. crushed red pepper

Simmer quinoa in water or broth for 15 minutes or until fully cooked.  Add broccoli, cheese, eggs, and pepper to the mixture.  Grease 12 muffin cups and scoop the mixture into each cup.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until eggs are set and the tops are golden.