"Spaghetti" (sqaush) and Meatballs

The pictures didn't turn out so great on these because we were in a hurry and very hungry! :) Our kitchen smelled SO good. It turned out quite delicious. I would highly recommend it. I think this would be something great to try if you are trying to get your kids (or husbands!) to eat more vegetables.

I haven't had spaghetti squash in quite a while because a few years back I was eating it just about every day for breakfast and got really burnt out on it.

Spaghetti squash...I've missed you...and I look forward to rebuilding our relationship! :)

Paleo Spaghetti and Meatballs:

Meatballs: (approximate measurements)

• 1 lb ground chicken;
• Garlic powder
• 1 egg;
• Almond flour;
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce;
• 1 tsp paprika;
• 1 tsp onion powder;
• Italian seasoning
• Generous amounts of basil paste
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon;
• Coconut oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together (add enough almond meal to make the right meatball consistency…whatever that is?!)
2. Form into golf ball size balls
3. Heat Coconut oil up in frying pan
4. Fry meatballs up (3-5 minutes per side)
5. If you don’t move them around a lot they can get nice and crispy!

Spaghetti Sauce:

This was an experiment.  I’ll have to get measurements next time!

• 1 can of tomato sauce
• 1 small can of tomato paste
• Basil
• Lemon
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Fresh tomatoes from the garden crushed up
• Chives from the garden

Spaghetti Squash:

Cut in half

Scrape out the seeds from the middle

Bake/Cook as directed (usually there is a sticker with instructions on the squash)

Scrape out “noodles”

Serve!


 

"TV Dinner"

Friday night...long week at work...

We decided to do something easy and cuddle up on the couch in front of a movie for dinner. 

Cilantro Chicken Nuggets

(found here: http://paleomg.com/cilantro-chicken-nuggets/)

Ingredients

• 1lb ground chicken or ground turkey
• 1 egg, whisked
• 1 bundle of cilantro, chopped (the more, the better!)
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1/2 cup Coconut flour
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1-2 tablespoons Coconut Oil

Instructions

1. Mix all of your nugget ingredients together: ground chicken, egg, cilantro, scallions, sesame oil, ginger, and salt and pepper.
2. Now heat up a large skillet under medium heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
3. Place your coconut flour in a shallow bowl.
4. Make small balls from your nugget mixture, “nugget sized” and place each nugget in the coconut flour (being sure to only lightly dust the nuggets) then place in your skillet.
5. Use a spatula to slightly flatten out each nugget. It only needs just a little press down.
6. Cook on both sides for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through.

 

Dipping sauce:

• A little honey
• A little Chipotle mustard
• A little Olive oil to thin it out.

Sweet Potato Fries: (Kyle's always turn out better than mine!)

• 1 Sweet Potato (or yam)
• A little Olive oil
• Season (we like to season with Tex Joy!)

1. Cut Fries into 1 inch thick wedges
2. Put on Cookie sheet and drizzle with a couple Tbl of Oil Oil
3. Season to taste
4. Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes. (Flip half way through)

Kyle and I were joking that this was a little like a TV dinner.  We started reminiscing how TV dinners were always a "special treat" growing up and I could probably count on 1 hand how many times I actually had one.  I remember going to the grocery store and we would each be able to pick out our own TV dinner and then we would come home and eat dinner while watching a movie or TGIF.  (Remember TGIF?!) :)  Kyle's experience was about the same.

We were laughing that we actually thought that was a treat growing up and remembering how ridiculous the desserts were that came with the TV dinner and we got inspired to make a little microwave cake to go with our TV dinner.

Microwave Chocolate cake: (I've made this for breakfast a couple times in a pinch!)

Ingredients:

• 1 mashed banana
• 1 egg whisked
• 2 Tbl Almond butter
• 2 Tbl Cocoa powder
• Splash of vanilla
• Add ons:
• A couple Tbl of honey
• Some sugar free/dairy free chocolate chips
• Sliced nuts

Mix all together and microwave 2 1/2 minutes.

EASY! (And surprisingly tasty!)

We served it up with some coconut ice cream and sliced strawberries.

 

Better than any TV dinner I've ever had! :)

An Easy Go-To

Green Chili Turkey Burgers

I was running a little late from work tonight so Kyle made dinner. BTW...thanks babe! I was also pretty hungry because I had went a little too long without a snack. (That happens too often at work these days!) So we went with one of our quick, convenient, go-to dinners - Green Chili Turkey burgers.

What you'll need:
1 pound lean ground turkey (or whatever meat you prefer)
1 large can diced green chilis
1 egg
Some green onion (from the garden)
Tex Joy (or whatever seasoning you prefer to use)

Mix all ingredients together (you know you use your hands for this part...gross!)
Section it off to create 4 patties.
When forming patties - indent the middle just a little so when they expand they stay flat.
Grease pan with a little Olive oil and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes on each side. (Kyle put a little more oil than I typically do...but I'm not complaining!)

That's it! Easy...right?

They go really well with a yummy salad topped with a little mustard dressing. We ate ours tonight lettuce wrap style -a little spicy mustard, some lettuce from the garden and some tomato. Sometimes we'll make sweet potato fries to go with it too.

So simple...so tasty!

I love this meal because not only is it easy - I now have leftovers for lunches (or even breakfast) for the next couple of days! This is a typical Wednesday night meal when we're trying to make something quickly and head out the door for worship services.

Maybe it will make your weekly rotation too?