Buffalo "Meat"balls

Source: epicurious.com

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped
• 1 (15-ounce) can white beans, rinsed, drained
• 4 ounces button mushrooms
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup hot pepper sauce, preferably Frank's
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives, divided

1. 1. 1. Arrange a rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with oil.
   2. 2. Pulse garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. Add celery, beans, and mushrooms and pulse until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in egg, panko, and 3/4 tsp. salt. Using your hands, roll tablespoonfuls of bean mixture into balls. Transfer to prepared baking sheet, packing them snuggly. Roast veggie balls, turning halfway through, until firm and cooked through, 25–30 minutes.3. 
   3. 3. Meanwhile, cook butter, hot sauce, and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Stir until smooth; set aside.
   4. 4. Make dip: Whisk sour cream, buttermilk, blue cheese, pepper, 1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. chives, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Top with remaining 1 tsp. chives.
   5. 5. Transfer veggie balls to a large bowl. Toss with hot sauce mixture and serve with blue cheese dip alongside.
2. Do Ahead
   1. Veggie balls can be formed, not cooked, 1 day ahead; cover and chill.

Cauliflower Salad

Source: Sandy's Kitchen

4 cups cauliflower in bite size pieces 
6 hard-boiled eggs
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
3 tbs of yellow mustard
3 tbs of chopped dill pickle
1/8 cup of chopped onion (uncooked)
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1. Steam cauliflower until tender; let cool completely.
2. Peel eggs, rinse and separate yolks into a bowl. Then mash the yolk and cut the whites into small bite size pieces then blend together. 
3. Mix all together and enjoy!

Three-Cheese Mac & Quinoa

Source: pilbooks.com/cookbooks
Makes 8 servings (slightly modified by Aimee)

12 oz. macaroni
1 cup quinoa
4 TB butter
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1. In large pot, cook macaroni according to package directions.  Drain & return to pot.
2.  Place quinoa in medium saucepan with 1 3/4 cups water. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover & simmer 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Let cool a little and stir into macaroni.
3. Melt butter in small saucepan. Whisk in flour. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened. Stir into macaroni mixture along with cheddar & Jack cheeses.
4. Transfer to oiled 13 x 9 pan and top with parmesan & panko.  Broil over high heat until browned; serve.

Kale Salad with Apples & Cheddar

Source: NYtimes.com/recipes

3 cups finely chopped kale, packed
3 TB slivered almonds
1 large apple (such as Gala), finely diced
2 oz. sharp white cheddar, finely diced
2 TB lemon juice
5 TB olive oil
3 TB grated Parmesan
salt & pepper to taste

Combine kale, almonds, apple, & cheddar in large bowl. Whisk together lemon juice & olive oil; add to the salad & toss well. Top with Parmesan and serve immediately.