Bacon Parmesan Asparagus

Not many things shock me anymore.  I've either seen it, heard it, or done it.  We sat down last night to a lovely dinner of Chicken Florentine Quesadillas and Asparagus.  It was a typical night in a small apartment.  My husband on the couch and me on the floor with my plate on the coffee table.  This is the way we prefer to eat...not conventional, I know.  But, hey, we're not a conventional family.  My toddler, who had already eaten his dinner, was happily playing with the Shrek 3 DVD box.  As I was eating, this darling child came over and helped himself to my asparagus.  I was already sticking out my hand for what I knew would follow, I call this the "ick, yuck, and spit it out" response.  However, the exact opposite happened!  He looked at it, stuck it in his mouth, chewed and...wait for it, wait for it....SWALLOWED!  The most shocking part of it all?  He reached for more.  Yes, my friends, I DO BELIEVE there is a vegetable GOD out there.  Last night, he smiled on me.  Glory!

Squash Casserole

Southern cooks rock.  My number one reason for saying this?  Because we can get our families to eat vegetables!!! Yes, we may add butter and cheese and such...but they've got their mouths full of what would be otherwise untouched vegetables.

What you'll need:

3-4 large fresh yellow "summer" squash (washed) and sliced 1 inch thick
1 large white onion (roughly chopped)
1 cup mild cheddar cheese
2 oz cream cheese (cut into pieces)**optional**
12 TownHouse crackers (crushed)
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350°.  Spray 8x8 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

1.  Slice squash 1 inch thick.  Chop onion.  Boil for 8-10 minutes or until squash is tender and onion is transparent.  Drain and transfer to baking dish.
2.  Top squash and onion mixture with dollops of cream cheese.
3.  Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
4.  Top with crushed crackers and drizzle with melted butter.
5.  Bake for 20-30 minutes or until heated all the way through and the cheese & crackers are lightly browned.

Catalina Green Beans

These ROCK!!!  If you have trouble getting your family to eat vegetables, give these a whirl!!