Spaghetti Squash

 

Is it spaghetti or a vegetable? :)

A vegetable! Spaghetti squash is something that I've eaten but I have never cooked myself before. I thought it was a lot of work and not worth it. I was right on one thing, it can be a lot of work becuase you have to cut it, scoop it, bake it, fork it out, put whatever you want on it, and put it back in the shell (this last part is optional). I will say though, it is delicious! It is so much healthier then regular pasta (obviously!) and it really is a great substitute for the taste of it. I didnt miss the pasta at all, which I guess is the point!
You can do so many different combinations of flavors and sauces with spaghetti squash, just like you can with pasta! Here is the recipe I used if you want to try it out:

Asparagus Walnut Spaghetti Squash

What youll need:
Spaghetti Squash (as many as you want)
Olive Oil
Garlic
Lemon
Walnuts (about 1/2 cup, chopped)
Asparagus (a bundle)
Parmesan Chees

Before:
Roast asaparagus in 425 degree oven with olive oil, salt, pepper. When asaparagus is roasted, take out and squeeze lemon over it. Set Aside.

Toast chopped walnuts in a saute pan. Until lightly toasted. Set aside.

What to do:
Take your spaghetti squash and cut it in half lengthwise. Scoop out the inner seeds and discard.
Drizzle olive oil over each half and rub it over the inside of the squash so it is all lightly coated. Then turn all of the spaghetti squash upside down on a baking sheet and roast in a 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes. Then flip squash right side up and cook for 10 more minutes or until the inside is tender. Take out and let cool slightly.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, put 1/2 cup of olive oil and about 3-4 cloves of garlic. Sautee the garlic in the olive oil so that the garlic infuses into the oil. Set aside.


Take one of the halves and a fork and use it to fork out the inside of the squash. It will start to form the "spaghetti" strands. When you have the inside forked out, put it in a bowl on the side. (You can leave some squash in the shell because your putting it back in). In the bowl put some asparagus, toasted walnuts, a spoonful of the garlic olive oil, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and toss together. Once it is tossed, plcae the squash back into the shell you scooped it out of.
Repeat this process for all of the squash halves.


and enjoy!

Kale, White Bean, and Cous Cous Salad

Kale, White Bean, and Cous Cous Salad

What You'll Need:

1 cup Cous Cous (I used pearl cause its big, but whatever works for you)

Kale

1 can of white cannellini beans

olive oil

salt and pepper

goat cheese

What to do:

Cook cous cous according to package and set aside. (You will only need about a cup or so. This is not meant to be a pasta salad, very little) In a large saucepan, sautee kale with about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and salt and pepper. Let sautee until kale becomes wilted. Add can of white beans and sautee again until heated, about 5 minutes more. Take 1 cup of cous cous and put into a bowl, add kale and white beans and mix together. Finally, add goat cheese. You can leave the goat cheese in clumps, some will melt, some wont. (The amount of goat cheese is preference) Serve warm and enjoy!

 

Just in time for Easter Bread

 

Easter is almost here! Try this yummy and beautiful Easter bread that will complete any Easter table!

Italian Easter Bread 

1 package Rapid Rise yeast

1 and 1/4 cups scalded milk, cooled to room temperature

pinch of salt

1/3 cup butter, softened

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup sugar

3.5 cups flour (approximate)

1 egg, beaten

5 dyed Easter eggs (doesnt have to be hard boiled. they will cook in the oven)

sprinkles

Glaze (confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla)

In a large mixer, combine yeast, warm  milk, salt, butter, eggs and sugar. Add about half the flour and beat until smooth with dough hook.   Slowly add the remaining flour to form a stiff dough.   Knead until smooth with dough hook attachment. Place dough into a greased bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let rise for 1 hour.

Form dough into a log and cut dough into 10 equal parts.

For each bread you will need two parts. Roll each of the two parts and then twist together to form a twisted circle. Cover again and let rise for another hour.

Take your beaten egg wash and brush over the doughs, and then add sprinkles, and your egg to the middle of each bread. Cook in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Let cool. Spoon on glaze if you would like.

Enjoy!

 

Tuscan Minestrone Soup

 

Hi everyone, I experimented with this new soup recipe and I thought I would share.

It is a different take on a minestrone soup. A "Tuscan" version that is less tomato based. It turned out really well and I loved it! I served it with a olive oil and garlic crostini. Here's the recipe:

What You'll Need:

About 5 cups of chicken stock or vegetable stock (Two Quarts plus a little more)

2 zucchini (diced)

1 onion (diced)

5 carrots (diced)

2 yukon gold potatoes (diced)

1 red bliss potatoe (diced)

1 head of iceberg lettuce, shredded or roughly chopped

1 big handful of baby spinach

1 can of cannellini beans

Red pepper flakes

1 sprig of thyme

salt and pepper

olive oil

1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese plus a little sprinkle for garnish

Once all vegetables are chopped, saute zucchini, onions, carrots, and potatoes in olive oil(You want enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan and the vegetables, about 1/4-1/2 cup.), salt and pepper until starting to get tender, about 10-12 minutes.

Next add the chicken stock and bring to a low boil.. Then add the iceberg lettuce, thyme, red pepper flakes(amount is a preference, I used a shake) and beans and let simmer for about 15 minutes of so.

Add spinach, and Parmesan cheese last, and bring to a low boil.

Pour into a bowl, and serve with a sprinkle of parmesean cheese on top.

Enjoy!

Mix and Match

Nuts are a really healthy and delicious snack. Nuts are packed with good for you fats that your body needs, not to mention they are so good! I used to only eat almonds, but then I decided, I needed to mix it up! Almonds are really good for you, but I found that so are most nuts and when all mixed up, they are even better! I like to use a variety of nuts, dried fruit, and dark chocolate to change it up all the time, so have fun with it and use whatever nuts you like!

Here are some facts from the Mayo Clinic about what nuts have in them that make them healthy!

• Unsaturated fats. It's not entirely clear why, but it's thought that the "good" fats in nuts — both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — lower bad cholesterol levels.
• Omega-3 fatty acids. Many nuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are a healthy form of fatty acids that seem to help your heart by, among other things, preventing dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to heart attacks. Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in many kinds of fish, but nuts are one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Fiber. All nuts contain fiber, which helps lower your cholesterol. Fiber also makes you feel full, so you eat less. Fiber is also thought to play a role in preventing diabetes.
• Vitamin E. Vitamin E may help stop the development of plaques in your arteries, which can narrow them. Plaque development in your arteries can lead to chest pain, coronary artery disease or a heart attack.
• Plant sterols. Some nuts contain plant sterols, a substance that can help lower your cholesterol. Plant sterols are often added to products like margarine and orange juice for additional health benefits, but sterols occur naturally in nuts.
• L-arginine. Nuts are also a source of l-arginine, which is a substance that may help improve the health of your artery walls by making them more flexible and less prone to blood clots that can block blood flow.

Don't forget even though nuts are healthy for you, they are only healthy in moderation. When eating nut mixes, or nuts in general you shouldn't have more then a handful, becuase it becomes too much of a good thing!

This particulur trail mix is:

Raw almonds

Raw walnuts

Pistachios (shelled)

Pepitas

Craisins

Dark chocolate covered edamame (Trader Joes; not too many of these just sprinkle a few in there for good measure!)

My beautiful Mama

Me and my wonderful Mama, love her!

Good For You Chocolate Chip PB Bites

Everyone tries to stay healthy, especially following new years. But everyone still gets that craving for something sweet and chocolatey. Well my favorite combo is chocolate peanut butter and I came across this recipe for a good for your version of my favorite combination. Before you judge the ingredients, try them first! I guarantee you you'll love them and they will do the trick for when you want something sweet!

Good for You Chocolate PB Bites

1- 15oz can of chick peas, drained and rinsed well

3/4 cup of all natural peanut butter

1/2 cup of brown sugar (light or dark)

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp of pure vanilla extract

A pinch of sea salt

1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Drain and rinse the chick peas very well. and place them in a food processor. Grind them up until it reaches a smooth paste like consistancy.

Place in a bowl with brown sugar, peanut butter, baking powder, vanilla, and sea salt and beat together until it all mixes and makes a cookie dough like texture. Fold in chocolate chips.

Using a little scoop, or a spoon, scoop out little balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or silmat. 

Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Take out and let cool for 2-3 minutes.

Enjoy!

Christis Birthday Dinner

On Friday was my brothers girlfriend Christi's birthday, but since we couldn't see her we celebrated last night! We celebrated with Christi, my brother Dan, my mom and dad, my boyfriend Kenny and I and we had a nice night! We had cheese and fruit platter with spiced nuts, bruschetta, shrimp scampi, and a vintage looking birthday cake! Happy Birthday Christi!