Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce

What an incredible long weekend it has been - sunshine, a road trip, a wedding celebration, visits with friends, morning coffees on the deck and great food. Do we really have to go back to work tomorrow? BLAH!

Tonight I made spaghetti squash with with a ground chicken and tomato sauce. Nice and light -- perfect since my husband ran off to soccer just after we ate.  No sides needed for this healthy meal!  We are huge fans of spaghetti squash in this house (mentioned here as well).

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash
splash of olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 onion, chopped
1/2 lb ground chicken
1/2 jar tomato sauce
salt & pepper to taste
1 handful fresh spinach
Parmesan cheese to garnish

Method
Cut squash in half lengthwise and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet flat side down. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. While that is cooking throw the chicken on a frying pan over medium heat with olive oil, salt and pepper.  After a few minutes add garlic and onion in with the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked through (about 8 minutes), add spinach and tomato sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes and remove from heat.  Once squash is done cooking use a folk to remove the squash from its skin. Serve pasta sauce over the squash and garnish with Parmesan cheese.  YUMMMMMY!

Pizza Dough Balls

Happy Mother's Day!

*I started to write this post the day after Mother's Day and am just now getting around to posting it.  It's been a crazy busy week yet again.

We hosted a Hubby Birthday/Mother's Day/New Home Open House dinner on Sunday and had family for dinner.  I made lasagna, caesar salad and garlic bread.  It was a meal that I made ahead of time so I was able to visit with family on the deck while it cooked in the oven. 

I had fresh pizza dough in the fridge that was meant for lunch on Saturday with my Mom but she broke her foot and was unable to travel this way for Mother's Day weekend. Poor lady (Don't worry! I went home to see her!).  I decided to use the dough to make pizza dough balls.  It was SO easy and they were a huge hit!  I will be making these again for sure. I f'n love pizza.

Ingredients

Fresh pizza dough, separated into 18 pieces

18 small cubes of mozza cheese

18 slices pepperoni

1 can pizza sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon of assorted herbs/spices (oregano, basil, parsley, thyme, garlic powder)

2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese

Method

Place a cube of cheese and a slice of pepperoni in the middle of a piece of dough, wrap and press seams together.  Place seam side down in a greased glass pie plate.  Repeat 17 more times!  Mix olive oil and herbs/spices and paint over the top of the dough balls.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-22 minutes.  Serve with warmed up pizza sauce for dipping.



Weekend Omelets

I think most people would agree with me when I say that weekends are sacred.  They are a time to regroup, relax, complete things on the never ending to-do-list, and spend quality time with loved ones. I am far from a morning person, but my absolute favourite time of the weekend is sipping on coffee in the morning with my husband.  It is pure relaxation.  It was especially satisfying this weekend since it was our first weekend in our new place and we are working on establishing new routines and rituals.  To accompany our mugs freshly ground Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee (scored it here) I made big ol' omelets. Delish!

Yield: 1 omelet

Ingredients
2 whole eggs
1 egg white
**Toppings will vary depending on your tastes
onion, chopped
Spinach, chopped
cheese, grated
red pepper, chopped
spicy salami, cubed
salt & pepper
butter

Method
Over medium to high heat, melt butter in a medium frying pan. Beat eggs, salt and pepper together.  Pour into pan once butter is bubbling. Sprinkle toppings on one side of eggs.  Lower heat to medium, and cook egg until it's just about cooked through. Flip the omelet in half and cook a few more minutes until egg is cooked.
Enjoy!

French Fries

French fries are where it's at. Unlike pizza I am fairly picky when it comes to the fries I like.  They need to be seasoned properly and cannot be mushy at all.  I obviously prefer the deep fried fast food ones, however I know this isn't an option on a regular basis.  My students and I were discussing our favourite foods this past week and I was amazed at how many of them believed the frozen fries that are purchased from the grocery store to be a healthy option. Most had no idea that they are in fact pre deep fried and assumed because they bake them at home they were good for you. I wish. I found this on the McCain Foods website (I couldn't seem to location nutritional information but this will do);

FAQ: Are your frozen French fries already fried?

Yes, some of our products are par fried in vegetable oil. Par frying is a hot, fast, frying method that prepares the product for the cooking instructions as noted on the package. All of our products require additional preparation/cooking prior to eating; they are not considered Ready to Eat.

(More information found here)

I make homemade potato wedges every so often (here & here) but this week I made fries instead, and I have to say I like them better then the wedges. This girl can't resist a crispy fry. If you have a french fry lover in your house I totally recommend these. I served them with my homemade chicken fingers (here). Enjoy!

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients
2 large yellow potatoes
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Method
Wash potatoes and dry them thoroughly with a dish rag.  With skins on, cut into long pieces (about the width of your pinky finger). Put in a medium sized bowl and toss with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Coast with seasoning salt (or any of your favourite spices/herbs).  Bake at 400 degrees on a parchment lined cookie sheet for about 30 minutes, flipping once half way through.

KD

Our night before moving meal. Amazing....

Nana

Phew!! I'm happy to say we are moved into our new home and are slowing working on making it a home. What a whirlwind the last week has been.  7 days ago my family lost my lovely 95 year old Nana who I introduced you to here.  She will certainly be missed.  I think I got the cooking bug from her.  I remember her always cooking up something in her kitchen...I can picture her now...

I'm exciting to start building memories in our new home.

Home sweet home.