Baked Zucchini Parmesan + Cooking with Friends

 

Zucchini Parmesan | @Susan Salzman | www.theurbanbaker.comI love little bites. Often I have some sort of little bite waiting for the kids when they come home from school. Bacon Hash is always well received (love seeing their expression change when they smell the bacon from the street – their tired walk turns into a running sprint). Hummus and veggies gets the nod as well as homemade salsa, guacamole, and chips. But their new favorite are these little zucchini Parmesan bites.

Teaching a Cooking Class | @Susan Salzman | www.theurbanbaker.comMy girlfriend Jeni and I donate a cooking class to our schools auction each year. For years a few of the woman have been asking if I would consider teaching a regular class. I love the idea of cooking with friends and of course I was up for it. However it took us a while to find a date that worked for everyone. After many emails and several conversations a date was set and our theme became “Little Savory Bites, Sweet Treats, + Cocktails”.

Sharing a meal with friends | @Susan Salzman | www.theurbanbaker.comMy favorite people signed up to enjoy an early December morning to simply do something for ourselves. Most of us work, we all have kids, and finding time to just hang for no real occasion at all(someone’s birthday, a school meeting, etc.) was the goal of the event.

Coffee Jello Shots + #Glutenfree Beignets - A great way to start the morning | @Susan Salzman | www.theurbanbaker.comAs they walked through the door, gluten free Beignets, chocolate spread, and coffee jello shots await. While the ladies settled in and became comfortable doing something solely for them, I organized and prepped (most of the prep and organization was done prior – but I still had much to do) and listened to their conversations.

Prep, Food, + Good Friends | @Susan Salzman | www.theurbanbaker.comThe biggest bonus to the day was I did not bring my camera. However, my friend, Christiane did. We met in Photography school years ago and she is one of my creative soul sisters whom constantly inspires me. She has photographed my kids numerous times and just last year shot my son’s Bar Mitzvah. Although she is a professional photographer, shooting lots of weddings, product, and events, our Bar Mitzvah was her first. And certainly not her last, as she has shot a dozen since and is quickly becoming the “it” photographer on the Westside.

Food + Friends | @Susan Salzman | www.theurbanbaker.comThis was more than a group of friends coming together to cook and eat good food. We all shared how we nourish our families. I learned that most people don’t spend Sunday’s prepping for their week and now, I feel it’s my job to teach easy tools on how to maximize one’s time through meal planning. This is something that I have innately done since even before having a family and something that comes easy to me. However, it doesn’t to most. And come the new year, I will be launching, here, simple strategies on how to meal plan, pantry storage, freezing ahead, and only buying what one needs for the week, thus spending less at the grocery store.

Zucchini Parmesan - A New Favorite | @Susan Salzman | www.theurbanbaker.comI make these zucchini Parmesan bites often. Zucchini is not an expensive vegetable. Aside from putting it in soups, sauteing it with onion and shallots, I have come up with a dish that almost my whole family will eat. This is one of those dishes that I can prep in the morning(my favorite way to cook), cover and leave it in the fridge, and when ready to bake, I pull it out of the fridge 30 minutes prior so it comes to almost room temperature. Utilizing fridge and pantry staples(gluten free flour blend, or AP flour, bread crumbs, Parmesan, salt, eggs) doesn’t require purchasing anything fancy or expensive.

Lunch with Friends | @Susan Salzman | www.theurbanbaker.comThe meal was well rounded. Many of the vegetables and herbs I pulled from my garden and every recipe was one that used basic items that can be found in most kitchens. This tart was served for lunch (I used Aran’s recipe with a few tweaks), my spicy peanut kale salad (will post soon), potato kugelettes, homemade applesauce, chicken tikka skewers(recipe to come) served in endive with a bit of hummus, sweet and sour mini meatballs, and an Apple Sangria.

Molly | @Susan Salzman | www.theurbanbaker.comNo one left hungry and there was enough left overs to feed my family for dinner that night. Even Molly got a treat or two (or three). Getting together with friends, sharing the kitchen, swapping cooking stories, and most of all laughter is exactly how I would chose to spend any weekday morning…beats cleaning the house and paying bills!

 

Baked Zucchini Parmesan Bites


Ingredients

1 cup gluten free flour blend (or flour of your choice)
1/2 teaspoon Celtic sea salt (plus more for sweating)
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup gluten free bread crumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten
4 medium size zucchini’s
1/2 cup marinara
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions

• place two large kitchen towels on your work surface
• brush two rimmed 11″ x 17″ baking sheets with olive oil. set aside.
• cut zucchini, on a diagonal, about 1/4″ thick. place on kitchen towels.
• sprinkle generously with Celtic sea salt. let sweat for 30 – 45 minutes.
• preheat oven to 425*.
• place 1 cup of flour, Celtic sea salt, and white pepper in one dish. place beaten eggs combined with 3 tablespoons of water in another dish. and in the third dish, combine the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
• blot moisture from zucchini. dredge one zucchini circle in the flour. shake off excess. coat each side in egg wash. and lastly, dredge in breadcrumb parmesan mixture. place on prepared baking sheet.
• repeat until all zucchini has been coated.
• bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until zucchini circles are a nice golden brown (I rotate pans back to front and top to bottom mid way through baking).
• remove from the oven and turn oven up to broil. place a teaspoon of marinara on each circle and top with a sprinkling of mozzarella.
• place in the broiler and cook for about 30 seconds or until cheese begins to bubble.
• serve warm.
yield: 4 servings

The Urban Baker / SusanSalzman.com

More Baked Savories around the Web:
Parmesan Potato Bites â€“ Baked by Rachel
Dukkah Crusted Baked Brie â€“ Gourmande in the Kitchen
Tomato Parmesan Tarts â€“ Eat Drink Love
Zucchini Sticks â€“ The Urban Baker

Showing 38 comments
  • Reply

    What fun! Sounds like it was a great success.

    • Susan
      Reply

      It was a fun day, Sylvie. I think we should put our own group together and create some good eats!

  • Amanda
    Reply

    How cool!! Great pictures.. and what a fun afternoon! Maybe you will be able to expand this concept in your future??? 😉

    • Susan
      Reply

      Thanks, Amanda! Yes, will be elaborating on this concept not only here, but via workshops and classes. So excited about all that is on the horizon! Happy New Year to you and your adorable family!! xx

  • Maria
    Reply

    How fun and I love the recipe too!

  • HeatherChristo
    Reply

    That is so fun! I have done these classes before (every year for my kids school and my nieces school) they are always fun- and these look so delicious!

  • Tammy
    Reply

    Sounds like a fun and inspiring get together class!!

  • Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
    Reply

    I can only imagine how fun this class was! I look forward to your meal planning tips in the new year. Thanks so much for the link love 🙂

  • Yvette @ Muy Bueno
    Reply

    Looks like a very fun event! And that recipe sounds tasty and simple. Love it!

    • Susan
      Reply

      So simple, Yvette! And so satisfying! Happy New Year!

  • marla
    Reply

    Susan all of this is so fun! Awesome that you taught a class + a great, healthy recipe idea too!

  • Reply

    I’d like to attend cooking class like yours, it sounds so optimistic. Plus cooking with friends is the best way of cooking.

    • Susan
      Reply

      You are so right, Marta. Cooking with friends always makes the food taste way better!

  • Brooke @ Food Woolf
    Reply

    Not only does this look like a MUST MAKE recipe, this story shows me how in your groove you are. Teaching becomes you! You exude talent and are a natural host, teaching people how to cook in your home looks like a home run! Thanks for sharing this inspiring moment in your life!

    • Susan
      Reply

      Thanks, Brooke. Happy New Year and hope to reconnect with you in 2013!

  • Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
    Reply

    I love little bites as well, it means I can sample more flavors than those found in one main dish. These little zucchini bites look perfect for New Year’s:) I love that your group got together, what a wonderful little respite away from hectic lives! xx

  • Kim
    Reply

    I’m sure it was lots of fun to teach a culinary class. Love the baked zucchini parmesan!!!

    • Susan
      Reply

      Kim – the best part was cooking with friends!

  • Allison [@AllisonnTweets]
    Reply

    Coffee jell-o shots?! GF beignets?! I would be in heaven. It sounds like this was an amazing time. I bet the house smelled amazing.

    • Susan
      Reply

      Happy New Year, Allison! Cheers to you!

  • Jessica
    Reply

    Nice photos and recipe! Thanks for sharing, I’m so glad I found your blog.

    • Susan
      Reply

      Thanks, Jessica. I am glad you found me as well. Stopped by your site and it is a wealth of inspiration!

  • Cubicle
    Reply

    Wow, that looks delicious! Much easier than trying to make a whole casserole of a parmesan yourself. I think my hubby would love these too! Thanks!

  • Liz
    Reply

    Great meatless dish! But I love Molly just as much!

    • Susan
      Reply

      Thanks Liz! Yes, Molly is a keeper!

  • Megan @ MegUnprocessed
    Reply

    Brilliant! Great concept! Love the pictures! It captured the joy and excitement in each moment. Awesome!

    • Susan
      Reply

      Thanks Meg! It was a great day – I need to get back into doing stuff like this! xx

  • Jenni
    Reply

    This looks like a great meal! I like that it isn’t a whole giant casserole, too! Very fun!

    • Susan
      Reply

      It’s a little bit of work but so worth it!!

  • Serena
    Reply

    What a wonderful time! I can’t wait to try making the Baked Zucchini! YUM!

    • Susan
      Reply

      Thanks, Serena! Please let me know how it turns out! xx

  • Reply

    This looks like such a fun idea and I love your photos! What a great food line up!

    • Susan
      Reply

      Thanks Lane + Holly! I miss having time for days like this. It reminds me that I need to recreate this and get together with my girl squad and have some fun! xx

  • Heather
    Reply

    I love this for my gluten-free buddies. We will devour this!

    • Susan
      Reply

      Hi Heather! It could also be made with traditional flours but this tastes almost more delicious with the GF flour blend!

  • Angela
    Reply

    What a GREAT thing to donate at a school fundraiser! I’m going to keep that idea in my back pocked! 🙂

    • Susan
      Reply

      Thanks, Angela! Yes, my friend, Jeni and I dontated a cooking class each year. The bids would open at 12:00am on a certain day and 12:10am – it was sold out. It was so fun and so validating! Have a great weekend! ss

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  • […] work was done, Angela and I sat down to lunch with one of my favorite salads along with a batch of Zucchini Parmesan Bites. Now that I have kale growing in my back yard, this salad can be found on our dinner table a few […]

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