Baked Margarita Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients:
  • 1 large spaghetti squash
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 large Roma tomato, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tsp. each salt & pepper
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
 Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 
  2. Using a large knife or a cleaver, slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise down the middle. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and center strings. 
  3. Drizzle the two halves with olive oil and then sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. 
  4. Place the squash, open side down on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Remove from the oven, check to see if the squash is soft and easily comes up with a fork into a spaghetti like texture. 
  6. If it’s too hard to remove, cook for another 10 minutes. 
  7. Remove from the oven, scrape and fluff the stringy squash with a fork. Leave the squash in the skin. 
  8. Turn the oven up to broil. 
  9. Add the tomatoes and fresh basil into the squash, stir and top with the mozzarella cheese. 
  10. Place in the broiler for 3-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. 
  11. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving the squash.
Recipe and photo source: Hoopfinity's Happenings
December 07, 2013
This recipe promises to taste like a hash brown casserole. There is controversy as to whether sour cream is "on program." If this recipe doesn't sit right with you, don't make this a weekly dish or don't make it at all.
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Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin
Ingredients
  • 1 medium spaghetti squash 
  • 2 tablespoons butter 
  • 1 small yellow onion, cut in half and very thinly sliced 
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes - more if you like it spicy 
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
  1. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds. 
  2. Place in a covered dish with a ¼ inch of water and microwave for 10-12 minutes. 
  3. In a medium sized skillet over medium heat, add the butter, onions, red pepper and thyme and cook until the onions are slightly brown in color. 
  4. Salt and pepper to taste. 
  5. Using a fork, scrape the insides of the squash and transfer to a small bowl. 
  6. Combine the squash, onions, sour cream and half the cheese together and mix well. 
  7. Transfer the mixture to a buttered baking dish and top with remaining cheese. 
  8. Place into a 375ยบ for 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown on top.

Photo and recipe source: Dandy Dishes
December 07, 2013
To make these beautiful cupcakes: Make your favorite meatloaf recipe, fill muffin tins with the meatloaf, and then bake. When the meatloaf is cooked, place each "muffin" on a plate and then "frost" the tops with your favorite mashed cauliflower recipe.
Meatloaf Cupcakes
December 07, 2013
Another yummy recipe from contributor Chris.
Cauliflower Carrot Herb Mash
Ingredients
  • 1 head of cauliflower, washed and cut into florets
  • 3 to 4 small to medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 sweet onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt and pepper
Directions
  1. Place cauliflower and carrots in a steamer basket in a large pot, season with salt and pepper, steam until soft (about 10 to 12 minutes, test with fork).
  2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in non-stick skillet on medium heat.
  3. Saute onion, garlic, and herbs until onion is translucent. Salt and pepper, set aside.
  4. Place steamed cauliflower and carrots into a food processor. Add the onion mixture and 1 tbsp oil. Process until smooth.
  5. Garnish with additional fresh thyme or rosemary.
  6. Enjoy!

December 07, 2013
Salt & Pepper Wings
Ingredients
  • chicken wings
  • olive oil
  • minced garlic
  • sea salt
  • pepper
  • chili powder
Instructions
  1. Toss chicken wings in olive oil, minced garlic, sea salt, pepper, and chili powder.
  2. Bake at 375 for an hour.
  3. Enjoy!
December 07, 2013
Caper Baked Chicken
Ingredients
  • 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (halves)
  • 1 lemons juice
  • black pepper (ground, taste)
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1/4 cup steak sauce
  • 4 oz capers (liquid reserved)
 Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  2. Arrange chicken in an oven proof clay pot or medium baking dish. 
  3. Coat with lemon juice, and season with pepper.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, steak sauce, 2 tablespoons capers, and 2 tablespoons caper liquid. 
  5. Reserve remaining capers and liquid for another use. Pour the butter mixture over the chicken to coat.
  6. Cover and bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. 
  7. Drizzle with remaining liquid from the baking dish to serve.
Recipe and photo source: All Recipes
December 07, 2013
Ready for some new recipes? Me too! But where are those new recipes when we need them, like when we're in the grocery store? Today's new recipe is butternut squash fries. A recipe I posted back in 2013 and over the years it's become one of favorite winter dishes.
Butternut Squash Fries
I've learned to create a shopping list for 2-3 days of meals on an app on my iPhone. This inspires staying on program, especial on those days I'm hungry and want to eat something quick. Plus, this allows me to get in and out of the store faster. That said, there are still many days you could spot me sitting in the grocery store looking through this blog for recipes.

Ingredients
  • 1 Medium Butternut Squash (about 3 cups)
  • 1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/4 Tsp. Sea Salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°

Line a baking sheet with foil; top with a wire rack for baking and set aside.

Peel the squash with a potato peeler or cut skin off with a knife. Remove  the pulp and seeds and then discard. I find it easier to cut the ends off of the squash and then cut all the squash into smaller pieces. I slice away the pulp and seeds when the squash is small, but you can scoop them out after you cut the squash in half.

When cutting the squash, keep in mind that you'll want to have long thin slices about the size of regular fries; don't make these pieces too short or thick.

Place your sliced fries into a baking sheet, lightly drizzle oil over, toss the fries to coat fully.

If you want to spice this recipe up, this is the time to add the ingredients in the ranch seasons recipe below.

Give everything a good toss until each piece of squash is well coated with the mixture.

Place the squash in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 40-50 minutes or until starting to brown on the ends.

Once they are nicely caramelized, or cooked to your preference, remove from the oven, add salt (optional), and allow to cool slightly.

Butternut Squash Fries with Beef Pot Roast
Dry Ranch Seasoning

This seasoning spice recipe is more than you will use in this one batch of fries. The idea is to have this seasoning mix ready for any time you needed it. An alternative is to sprinkle a little of each ingredient on top of your fries after you add the oil and before you put them in the oven.

Ingredients
  • 2 Tbsp. Parsley
  • 2 Tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 2 Tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1 1/2 Tsp. Dill
  • 1 Tsp. Salt
  • 1/2 Tsp. Pepper
Directions

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or empty spice jar.

Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

Related

December 07, 2013
This yummy chili recipe comes to us from contributor Chris.

Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 1/2 lbs Italian sausage, casing removed
  • 2 large onions, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
Directions
  1. In a soup pot, brown ground beef, sausage, onions, and garlic over high heat 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently.
  2. Add remaining ingredients; mix well and bring to a boil. 
  3. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Top with all your favorite chili toppings from shredded cheese to chopped onions and sliced jalapeno peppers.
This is a perfect recipe to keep on hand in the slow cooker on those afternoons or evenings when everybody is coming home and eating at different times.
December 07, 2013