Our new almost healthy snack

So, sometimes after I have run the Sahara Desert Marathon ... no, wait.  Sometimes after I nurse a baby at  3 am, and I FEEL like I've just run the Sahara Desert Marathon, and I'm super thirsty and super hungry in the middle of the night, I need a tall glass of water and a snack.  Sometimes I also need to sneak some broccoli into my daughter's diet.  (on the days she decides she hates it, which are interspersed with the days she says she loves it).

I searched for a healthy broccoli bread.  I kept getting "Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Biscuits".  Are they healthy?  This is my I-don't-think-so face.  But, they do contain veggies, and my kids are not struggling with weight problems.  So in a pinch, I'll pretend there is NOT a stick of butter in the recipe.

I got this from http://healthyandgourmet.blogspot.com, and then adapted it a bit.  There are lots of versions online, though.

Cheddar-Broccoli Biscuits

Makes about 2 dozen

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cold

1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp milk

2 cups shredded cheddar

2 cups chopped broccoli

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix the butter into the flour so until the butter becomes the pea-sized. (You can also do this in a food processor, using the pulse mode.)

2. Empty the flour mixture into a large mixing bowl, and add all of the milk. Stir with a rubber spatula to bring the mixture, together to form a ball. Add the broccoli, grated cheddar, and pepper flakes (if using) and using the spatula or your fingers, incorporate well into the dough.

3. On a floured surface, flatten the dough to about 3/4 inch thick. Using a round 2 1/2 " cookie cutter, cut out the biscuits and place on baking sheet, spacing evenly apart.  

(I also just molded them together and plopped them on the cookie sheet, and they worked out great.  Less symmetrical, but great!)

4. Bake at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool before serving, although these taste so much better when still warm.

We don't do red pepper around here, and I skimped quite a bit on the cheese.  You can of course use lower fat milk or cheese to help.  But hey, if you're puttin' in a stick of butter, why bother?  They are good, though!  Definitely have a broccoli smell and taste.  You're not necessarily being stealthy with the broccoli here, but the cheddar makes the broccoli go down easily!