Spaghetti Squash and Vodka Sauce

I discovered spaghetti squash a couple of years ago--it's awesome.  I just love the fact that I can eat a huge bowl of this stuff and not feel like I need to run a marathon the next day to work it off! This can be used just like spaghetti minus all the carbs.  It's chock full of nutrients and only about 75 calories per 8 oz serving.  Oh yea...you can definitely help yourself to seconds!  This a super simple recipe which you can modify and add all sorts of your favorite goodies.  Here are the basics of what you'll need.

This serves 3
1/2 spaghetti squash
Jar of marinara or vodka sauce
6 or 7 mushrooms
1-2 tbsp of sliced sun dried tomato (optional)
5-6 quarters of artichoke hearts (optional)
Other great additions:  spinach or onions

Instructions:
Cut the squash in half and scrape out the seeds.

Once you've scraped out the center, fill a tupperware about 1/4 of the way full with water.  Place the squash flat side down.

Heat on high in the microwave for about 10-12 minutes.  

While the squash is in the microwave, grease a pan with olive oil and toss in sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and mushrooms.  (I was originally just going to sautee mushrooms until I found a jar of sun dried tomatoes and artichokes in the back of my fridge...woohoo!)  

 Once the squash is done, drain the water and scrape the insides with a fork to form spaghetti like noodles.

 Add the squash to the pan, mix everything well and then add your favorite sauce!

ENJOY!!

Lowbrow Chicken Masala

I was wandering through Trader Joe's yesterday looking at the variety of ethnic sauces and marinades. I wanted to try something new and picked up the Simmer Masala Sauce. You never know with bottled stuff...but it wasn't bad...I just added a little more chili pepper to spice it up a bit! If you have a Trader Joe's nearby, this is a seriously easy dinner to whip up in 20 minutes. Here's what you need:
Serves 2-3

1-1 1/2 lb of chicken breast or thigh. (I used thigh)
1 jar of Masala Simmer Sauce from Trader Joe's.
Any kind of rice (I used basmati)
Optional--Naan

I'm not kidding...that's it.

While the rice is boiling, add simmer sauce and 8 oz. of water to a pan. Cube chicken and add to sauce. Let simmer on medium heat for 10-15 minutes. Add chili pepper to taste if you like it a little spicy!

Fresh Tomato Basil & Pasta

I have not had time to run to the grocery store and my dinners have turned into peanut butter and jam on toast. Tonight I found myself in the same predicament until my roommate said, "Please eat the heirloom tomatoes from my garden!" She has fresh basil growing out there too. I knew I had some whole wheat pasta in the fridge. Sweet! A super simple, fresh healthy meal. Please note, that fresh basil and in season tomatoes are what makes this meal so delicious, so make sure to use the real stuff!

Ingredients: (Serves 1)
1 serving of pasta
1 heirloom tomato
1/2 handful of basil leaves
olive oil
garlic salt
pepper
Parmesan cheese

Directions: While pasta is boiling, chop up tomato and basil. Once pasta is done, drain and toss with a Tbsp. of olive oil. Toss with fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Mix in chopped tomato and basil and season with garlic salt and pepper.

Camp Food

Camping is not exactly on my top 10 list of most favorite things to do. My years spent in the Girl Scouts as a child did not prepare me for camping as an adult. Mostly due to my lack of appropriate attire, gear, and general dislike for being cold and dirty--camping has just never been that fun to me. However, my boyfriend, a camping enthusiast decided he was going to change all that and turn me into a camping connoisseur. Even though this Labor Day weekend was a cold and wet one, I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed my new camping experience and can't wait to do it again! For the pansy camping novices like myself, the keys to a good camping experience (in no particular order):

1. Go with someone who knows what they're doing.
2. Find a campsite with showers (at the very least, toilets).
3. If you don't have an oldschool VW bus to sleep in, make sure your tent has a blow up mattress--check for holes before you leave.
4. Layers, layers, layers.
5. Bring a propane stove...no more beans and weenies! You can eat gourmet out in the wild!

Here is some of the yumminess we ate!

Bring some marinated chicken or beef and add your favorite veggies to make delicious skewers.

While skewering, quarter red potatoes, boil for about 10 minutes then season and grill.

Set the potatoes aside and toss green beans, mushrooms, bacon and onions on the grill.

This was so incredibly yummy!


Breakfast was campfire eggs and bacon. Simply cut a whole out of the middle of bread with the cap of one of your seasonings or cookie cutter. Crack eggs into the center and cook until done.


The next evening we added chopped broccoli to the leftovers (potatoes, onions, peppers and meat), tossed in a seasoned pan and heated over the fire. Perfection!


I can't wait to do this all over again!