zucchini saltimbocca

For Valentine's Day last week, I wanted to make a special dinner for James. I made his favorite German Rouladen, then stumbled upon a recipe for Saltimbocca of Zucchini that sounded pretty tasty, so I put my own spin on it to make it more paleo-friendly. Now, I know that pairing German + Italian in one meal sounds pretty crazy, but James didn't complain! I also took this to a Crossfit cookout on Sunday, and it was well received, possibly because it was the only veggie option in an array of tasty meats!

I realize it's been FOREVER since I'm posted a recipe, but if James Michael starts napping more regularly, I'm hoping it will give me an opportunity to try more new recipes and blog more. Fingers crossed!

And because it's hard for me to resist talking about him constantly, here's a quick pic of him this week. He's definitely putting on some weight!

Zucchini Saltimbocca

Ingredients

• 6 zucchini
• garlic salt
• black pepper
• proscuitto
• fresh sage leaves
• havarti cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• parmesan
• olive oil
• lemon

1. Cut zucchini into three-inch pieces. For most of my zucchini, I just cut in half. Then slice lengthwise roughly 1/4 an inch.

2. Pair up slices and place side by side on paper towels.

3. Lightly sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper.

4. Add layer of proscuitto to one slice in each pairing. Try to make sure proscuitto doesn't hang over edge of zucchini.

5. Chop up a few sage leaves and place pieces on top of proscuitto.

6. Trim havarti and place on top of sage leaves. Then place lone zucchini atop the stack.

7. In shallow bowl, combine almond meal, coconut flour, 1/4 cup parmesan and dash of salt and pepper.

8. In other shallow dish, beat two eggs.

9. Dredge zucchini stack in egg mixture, then roll in flour mixture.

10. In saute pan, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil, then add zucchini stacks to pan.

11. Saute roughly 2 minutes on each side.

12. Move cooked stacks to tray, sprinkle with parmesan and juice from lemon wedge, then insert toothpick in the middle. Make sure you use fresh lemon juice. To me, this really makes the flavor pop!

really? you're already 6 weeks?

James Michael,
During the past couple weeks, you've really been quite the active and social little man. With the unseasonably warm weather, we've gone on walks in neighborhoods, the Silver Comet Trail and Swift-Cantrell Park.

When you were just a month old, we ventured to daddy's gym, and the jury is still out on how you feel about it. On our first visit, you did great for 30 minutes as mommy warmed up before the workout. But as soon as you heard the two minute countdown until the workout began, you realized you were hungry so you nursed and mommy did the workout afterwards by herself. We made it to the gym three times our first week back, and you're slowly getting used to the lighting and sounds of music and weights dropping. Mommy's still figuring out how to make it to the gym without interfering with your nap schedule, which seems to vary a bit every day.

You also attended the second party of your life when you tagged along to a Super Bowl party. Sure, we only stayed until halftime, but you managed to win the heart of one woman who graciously held you for two hours while you slept so Mama could mingle.

I'm not sure what you think about your new mobile. You watch it like a hawk, but it doesn't make you smile. So far, you really only smile and coo when people talk to you.

Aunt Ellen slept in your room one night as she was passing through town. You showed quite good manners when you were kind enough to start the night off by sleeping an almost five hour stretch. Your paranoid Mama woke up about 4 hours into your sleep stretch and tiptoed into your room to make sure you were breathing--and thankfully you were, but just in a deep slumber.

After your bath, you talked and talked to Aunt Ellen. I think you were telling her how much you love being naked wearing just a diaper. Don't worry little man, this summer you'll have your wish. It's just a little too cold now.

Pop and Meme also stopped by to see you on their way through town. Despite the look on your face here, you were happy to see them and cooed and talked for them too. Now that you've found your voice, you love to talk back to people.

I know I'm biased, but you