Monday, April 1, 2013

Cauliflower Poppers and a Weekend Recap!

It was a fun and action-packed weekend. I started it off with Asylum 1 Gameday. This workout really is so much fun! Tennis, football, soccer, swimming, rock climbing, baseball, speed skating - there's a little bit of everything!

After my workout, the big girls and I headed out to get haircuts with my favorite stylist, Joyce. She really does an amazing job, and I love catching up with her!

The girls and I came home, and I got straight to work on cooking and cleaning for Easter. At some point that afternoon I did pause for some Easter egg decorating.


We headed to my mom and dad's house later for our annual Easter egg hunt. All the grandkids were there and so excited to find eggs! I made them stop for a picture before they got started. Aunt Jen is mean like that.

Doesn't our hair look good?!? Thanks, Joyce!
I stayed up until midnight Saturday finishing up my cooking and cleaning and waiting for the Easter bunny to arrive. He had to work late that night at his other real job. 

Easter morning is always so much fun with our kids. They had a blast going through their baskets to see what was inside!


Then we had our obligatory Easter attire photos. Unfortunately, it was raining so we couldn't go outside this year.



After church, my parents came over for Easter dinner. I had a pretty good spread if I do say so myself: ham, homemade sourdough bread, spinach, mashed potatoes, fruit salad, cinnamon apples, macaroni, and cauliflower poppers.

My own Beachbody coach, Sandy, introduced me to cauliflower poppers. They are so simple to make and so delicious! You'll need just a few ingredients.


First you're going to take the cauliflower, remove the stalk, and separate it into bite-sized florets. While you're doing this keep in mind that the cauliflower will shrink quite a bit in the oven.


Now you're going to toss the cauliflower in a little olive oil. However, I really don't use olive oil anymore. I usually just spray my cauliflower with a little Pam instead. It's less greasy that way, and it saves on some calories as well. After you've added your oil or spray of choice, add the salt and pepper.


Next spread the seasoned cauliflower out on a cookie sheet. I like to line mine with nonstick foil.


Now it's time to bake! Put the cauliflower in a 400 degree oven for about an hour. Flip the cauliflower every 15 minutes. You want the cauliflower to brown and even blacken a little. In this case, darker color = more flavor!


These taste a lot like french fries! My kids like them served with ketchup. I love them all by themselves!


Of course, after all the Easter activities wrapped up for the day it was time for The Walking Dead season finale!!! My friend, Whitney, came over to watch with us. Andrea and Milton were causing our blood pressure to go up just a little.


I can't believe we have to wait 6 months for another new episode!

Cauliflower Poppers

  • 2 heads cauliflower
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (or cooking spray)
  • 1-1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper
~Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash and clean cauliflower. Cut off and discard stalk. Cut cauliflower up into small pieces. In large bowl, combine oil, salt and pepper. Add cauliflower pieces and thoroughly coat in oil mix. (OR spray cauliflower with cooking spray, then add salt and pepper.) Put cauliflower on lined baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour, and turn 3 times during cooking. The browner, the better!


Question of the Day

What is your favorite Easter tradition?

3 comments:

Audra Kelly said...

I made cauliflower poppers for my in-laws last week. It's a fave at the McLeod house!
I know this sounds vain--but I love new Easter clothes for church. Ha! :)

Unknown said...

Don't you just love them, Audra?!? The only part I hate is cutting up the cauliflower. It makes such a mess! And I love new clothes for Easter too! However, the dress that baby girl is wearing was worn by all 3 girls for Easter at age 3. It is so neat to have photos of each one in that dress. :)

jenniferwhitebrewer said...

Cauliflower poppers on the menu tonight! Substituting them for tater tots. Excited to try them...I will let you know what the kids think!