Kumquat Martini (Moroccan Punch)

I have Morocco on my brain; could be because we are heading there in a few months.  So when a friend asked me to cater and give cooking classes for her birthday dinner, it should be no surprise that we ended on a Moroccan theme.

We will greet guests at the door with little jars of soup to tantalize their taste buds. Chickpea skillet bread and braised chicken follow later. By the end of the night, everyone will want to join in the Morocco trip.

No party is complete without a signature drink (and every birthday girl should have one.) This drink was born the moment I saw the kumquats at the store. Kumquats are an interesting little fruit that felt Moroccan to me at the time, so I went with it. They are similar to a tiny orange in some ways. The outside peel is bitter, the inside is a little sweet. It makes for a lovely entrance drink that set the tone for the night. And one that I will make again.

For a little extra effect, I made giant cubes of ice studded with mint, kumquats and clove, one for each glass. It completes the look and offers added flavor as the ice ball melts. A total Fat and Happy party extra.

Nutty Snack Bar

Recently I led nearly 20 people through a detox resulting in healthy glowing skin, weight loss, reduction of inflammation, improved digestion and happier attitudes among a plethora of additional benefits. During this detox we gave up all processed foods; it was important to cook most, if not all, of our own food.

Healthy, homemade snacks became important as we noshed on clean foods like carrots, hummus and avocado. Towards the end of the detox I yearned for something that is a little bit like a treat and I wanted a snack I could take with me on the go. That's when I tossed this recipe together and it really hit the spot.

These bars come together in a snap. Use whatever ingredients are in your pantry and cut them to whatever size works best for you. I like to make little bite-sized pieces for when I'm at home, but I cut some into a bar size to take on the go with me. Always remember moderation is key with all foods, these tasty little snacks can become addictive so it's best to portion them out

Great for a work or school snack, perfect for a plane trip or during a long sports day, these Fat and Happy Snack Bars will keep you going without gluten, dairy or refined white sugar.

Poached and Roasted Spicy Cauliflower with Whipped Avocado Hummus

Cauliflower may not be the sexiest vegetable out there but it has its moments; this is one of them.

Poached in a spicy, lemony broth, then roasted till crispy on the edges, kissed with salt and then dredged through a luscious avocado hummus- it is to die for.

The original recipe came from Epicurious but it didn't work for me. I needed to remove all the dairy and wine (damn detox), which comprised a lot of the ingredients. But this gave me the perfect opportunity to recreate this recipe into one that is simply divine and healthy! Dave isn't a cauliflower fan but he gave this two thumbs up; actually thought there was cheese in it because it was so rich and fulfilling. We ate the entire head of cauliflower standing at the counter, with the photo lights still on.

Cauliflower is rich in nutrients (vitamins B's & C, fiber and folic acid) and, even though I don't believe in calorie counting, this in low in them. The olive oil and avocado fill you up with good fat and the chickpeas sneak in protein.

When you bring the cauliflower out of the oven set it right on the table, it sizzles and bubbles and creates this enticing suspense. The tender stems with a just the right amount of crunch from the roasted edges will make everyone go wild!

Serve this Fat and Happy delectable showpiece at your next dinner party and be prepared to share the recipe.

Roasted Butternut Squash Ribbons with Spinach

Inspiration for new recipes comes from many places- old books, restaurants and often from just seeing an image. Such is the case in today's recipe.  To be honest I'm not even sure when or where I saw this particular image, but it has been in my mind for some time.

We roast butternut squash all the time, often in the form of small cubes. So why not make ribbons out of the raw squash and roast the ribbons? I could see the argument the moment I picked up the squash to make the ribbon- it's not so easy to make ribbons out of big, heavy, shapely gourd. However, if you cut the squash into manageable size pieces you will find the ribbons are quite easy to make.

The result is a wonderful mix of tender roasted squash with charred crunchy edges. The spinach, cheese and lemon give the dish structure. This is one of those recipes that is just simple, but really tasty and satisfying. I actually ate my plate standing at the counter; never even made it to the table.

Try roasting some squash ribbons for a fun, stand up kind of recipe. I think you are going to like this Fat and Happy one.

Ginger Orange Carrot Soup

Tis the season for soups; luckily there isn't a vegetable that doesn't love to be in a soup. During the holiday season I specifically look to find ways to save a few dollars on my meals to help offset all the money spent on presents, traveling and key dinner parties. Carrots are cheap, nutritious and loaded with flavor.

Hearty carrots and celery swirl with garlic and ginger while the orange zest adds just a hint of freshness. This Carrot Soup may sound humble, but it's rich, creamy and delicious enough to be the entry course for any elegant meal.

Keep warm, receive great nutrients for a beautiful body and fight cancer with this yummy Fat and Happy Ginger Orange Carrot Soup.

All Natural Gunk Removing Goo Off

If you have ever used Goof Off, Goo Gone or any of those crazy gunk removing substances you can attest to the harsh smells, chemicalized ingredients and the warning labels:

• extremely flammable
• fatal if swallowed
• eye and skin irritant

I don't know about you, but I don't want to don my safety goggles and solvent resistant gloves when I need a little sticky label removed. Nor do I want to use a 'potentially fatal' substance on a jar that I'm saving to put food into.

Mix a little coconut oil and baking soda and you get a superb, healthy substitute that leaves your bare hands soft and smelling great! You could even eat it (not that I'm suggesting you do.) Even the your pets will be safe when you need you use this on or in an area they can reach and lick.

This is another recipe that can be found posted all over the internet, not a Fat and Happy original, but it's too good not to share! It's a perfect stocking stuffer, hostess gift and great-friend present.

Chocolate Mousse Cups: Gluten, Dairy and Sugar Free!

It's that time of year where sugary treats become a staple in our diets. I set out to make a dessert that is delicious but also free from sugar, flour and dairy.

I'm a big proponent of dark chocolate for its healthy properties and I love to use maple syrup in place of sugar. The rest all just fell into place- using almonds to make a dairy-free, protein rich milk and a little coffee and Grand Marnier for a hint of flavor to create a deep, creamy chocolate pudding-like mousse. Really nice.

This is the time to use your cute ramekins or little glass containers. I used a number of different dishes for a more rustic effect. If you are OK with powder sugar, sift a little on top for a finished look. If you are eating dairy, top with a little whipped cream. Or creme brulee the top of each with a bit of sugar and a kitchen torch.

The other thing I really like about this dessert is that you can serve it hot, right from the oven or serve it chilled. The preference is yours. Perfect for a brunch and even better ending a cold night; either way this Fat and Happy treat is one you can eat and without the guilt.

Zucchini & White Bean Guacamole

Another healthy catering gig gave me the opportunity to create a new recipe.

I'm going to climb onto my soapbox for just a moment a remind you all that fats do not make you fat, not when they are healthy fats like avocado. Consumption of fat is needed for the body to work properly (they  raise good HDL cholesterol, lower bad LDL cholesterol, and protect against the buildup of plaque in your arteries and help combat dry skin) so even if you are looking to loose a few pounds, fats should NOT be skipped. That doesn't mean you should go crazy and eat as much (healthy) fat as you want, everything in moderation.

This recipe takes advantage of a classic, guacamole, but it takes it to the next level by stuffing even more nutrients in it using beans and zucchini. Beans area great source of protein and fiber and while zucchini is a mostly water it does offer vitamin A and potassium. Protein, potassium and healthy fats all in one dip with flavor to boot. That is what it's all about, clean eating without giving anything up the flavor.

Whip up a batch and serve as a dip, use a spread on sandwiches or top your salad or taco with this delicious Fat and Happy creation.  You might find eating it with a spoon works too.