Not many Clouds at the Baby Shower

Is that a baby in the womb that I see in the shape of the cloud? .......(from yesterday's post, 'Clouds got in the Way'). There weren't too many clouds at the baby shower but there were eight pregnant women!
When I first walked in, I couldn't believe my eyes - and thought it might be catching!

We were given a safety pin as we arrived, the game being that you could take anyone's pin from them if they said the word 'baby', and the one who collected the most was Winner. As you can imagine, many pins were exchanged.

There was lovely energy as these beautiful young women discussed details of new motherhood and prepared for the exciting event.

As most pregnant women are keen to keep fit and keep the weight as low as possible, I have included an old favourite Finger Food recipe - Zucchini Slice. As muffins are more today than the 'slice' which sounds a bit Women's Institute, I have renamed it Zucchini Muffins.

You can substitute the zucchini for pumpkin, sweet potato or other veges, or even a combo and adjust the seasoning to suit your taste. And of course it wouldn't be a Clara recipe if it didn't include fresh herbs - in this case parsley/basil/ or your favourite. Can be served hot or cold, as a side dish or with a salad as a main meal. Serves about 6 as a light meal with a salad.

Zucchini Slice/Muffins
550g or 1lb zucchini
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
130g / 4oz lean bacon (after fat and rind has been removed) or leave out bacon if you like.
75g (1 cup, lightly packed) grated tasty cheddar cheese
112g (3/4 cup) self-raising flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 large eggs
1/3 cup oil (olive oil is the healthiest, and I use less)

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C / 355 F
Finely chop bacon, fry bacon and onion for about 5 mins (I leave out the frying step)
Line an 18cm by 28cm baking dish with baking paper, or spray 2 medium muffin tins with oil or line with cup cake papers.

Wash zucchini, remove ends and finely grate. Squeeze handfuls of grated zucchini over sink to remove excess liquid (this prevents the slice from being too wet).

Combine grated zucchini, cooled onion and bacon mixture, cheese, flour, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Use a fork to beat eggs and oil together in a small bowl. Add egg and oil mixture to the other ingredients and stir to combine.

Pour mixture into baking dish or muffin tins and bake for about 45 minutes.

Avocado Dip - fresh vegetables are welcome addition to the finger food table.
2 avo – chopped or mashed
2t lemon j
¼ c Tzaziki dip or greek yogurt
Chopped Mint or basil added at the end
Serve with vege sticks and /or Lebanese bread toasted – Lebanese cucumber, carrot, celery, capsicum
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