Sunflower Zucchini Bread

A twist on classic zucchini bread, Sunflower Zucchini Bread {page 405} has protein-rich sunflower seeds baked right into the bread.

This delicious bread has all the components you've grown to love in standard zucchini bread - moist, comforting, slightly sweet, the illusion of health {"Hey, it has zucchini in it, so it's good for me!"}. All of those factors are amped up by the presence of the delightful little sunflower seeds. They add interesting texture and flavor, as well as amp up the nutritional qualities.

The Ninjahusband found the bread a little odd with the seeds in it, but I really liked them. Maybe next time I'll make 2 loaves - one without seeds for him, one with extra seeds for me.

-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl

Caribbean Rice, Squash, and Peas, Zucchini Walnut Fritters, and Roasted Baby Potatoes...

A seemingly odd hodge-podge of side-dishes, Caribbean Rice, Squash, and Peas {page 268}, Zucchini Walnut Fritters {page 385} and Roasted Baby Potatoes with Spinach, Olives, and Grape Tomatoes {page 376} came together to make an easy, satisfying, and delicious meal.

Caribbean Rice, Squash, and Peas was a rice pilaf which included some flavors of the Caribbean, along with black-eyed peas and gems of tender butternut squash. The textures and flavors worked well together, although it was a little bland. Some additional seasonings and liberal addition of salt saved the dish and made it pleasant to eat. A great staple.

In Zucchini Walnut Fritters, I found yet another recipe in this book that is going to grace my table repeatedly. Easy to put together, these little fritters were crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of wonderful flavor. Everyone at the table absolutely loved them, including Supertoddler, Ninjahusband, and the Wondersisters. We all wished that I'd made a double batch, as we were hankering for seconds.

I love roasted vegetables, and Roasted Baby Potatoes with Spinach, Olives, and Grape Tomatoes was a fun variation on the standard. I didn't have the Savory herb called for {speaking of which...wtf is Savory? I'm beginning to think it doesn't exist. I have never been able to find it any ANY store.} I used a garlic and herb seasoning instead. The tomatoes and spinach went really well with the potatoes. I found the olives to be a little overpowering and distracting, but they were good for color, and added an interesting flavor note.

Over all, the dinner was delicious, and came together relatively quickly, despite the number of dishes. It is definitely something I would make again, either in whole or in part.

-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl