Cute Valentine Ideas

We try to do something different from the everyday store bought cards.  This is our favorite from the past few years. 

No Bake Lemonade Pie using Lemonades from Girl Scouts

Crush 1 package Girl Scout Lemonade Cookies (set back 2 or 3 if you want them on top)
Mix cookies with 1/3 melted butter
Press in a 8 by 8 pan

Mix with a mixer-
16 ounces softened cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
Lemon Juice to taste ( I used the juice of 2 whole large lemons)

Fold in a small tub of cool whip, pour over crust. 
For the top I swirled in a little yellow food color. wink emoticon
Chill for 2-3 hours, garnish with the cookies that you set aside

Faux Potato Casserole

2 1⁄2 cups cooked cauliflower 
1 cup sour cream
3⁄4 cup shredded cheddar cheese 
3 green onions, finely chopped
3 -6 slices crumpled cooked bacon 
salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

Pre-heat oven to 350.
Chop cooked cauliflower into desired size
Mix sour cream, 1/2 of the green onions, 1/2 of the cheese, 1/2 of the bacon, and salt and pepper to taste in medium bowl.
Stir in the cauliflower.
Place in medium baking dish and sprinkle remaining cheese and bacon on top.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Sprinkle the remaining green onions on top just before serving. ( I was all out of them)

Low Carb Brownie Cups

We are on Day 5 of this round of low carb eating and supplements. He is down 10 pounds and I am down 5. I think we can celebrate a little with these low carb brownie cups!

2 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp almond flour
1 tsp coconut flour
1½ Tbsp granulated sugar substitute
¼ tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
1 egg
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp baking powder
1 square Lindt 90% chocolate, chopped
2 Tbsp pecans, chopped (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Melt the butter in a small microwave safe bowl (about 30 seconds in microwave). Add the remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Pour batter into 2 small greased mugs or ramekins. Microwave for 1 minute. (add another 30 seconds if necessary). Serve with whipped cream or sugar free vanilla ice cream.

Recipe was given to me by a friend.  

Thin Mint Brownies

Thin Mint Brownies

1. Make brownie mix according to directions

2. Top with mint buttercream (recipe below) and crushed thin mints)

3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon mint extract
A few drops green food color
1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream

In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Add extract, food color, and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.