Spaghetti Squash

I've always been slightly scared of cooking squash. They seem so tough and difficult to deal with... However,

a cup of baked butternut squash has 82 calories, 2 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein. It also has 85 mg of calcium and 580 grams of potassium. A cup of baked spaghetti squash has 42 calories, 2 grams of fiber, and 1 gram of protein in addition to 33 mg calcium and 180 mg potassium. A cup of baked acorn squash has 115 calories, 9 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein, plus 90 mg calcium and 900 mg potassium. Squash is very healthy!

So, tonight I set about baking some spaghetti squash. 

Spaghetti squash, after baking

Instead of cutting the squash before cooking it, I baked it whole (pierced a few times with a sharp knife) at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes. Afterwards I let it cook for 10 minutes, then cut it in half and removed the seeds and pulp with a spoon. I used a fork to scrape the squash to get long, spaghetti-like strands.

Remove the seeds and pulp

Then, I heated up a skillet over medium-low heat. I sauteed the "spaghetti" with some butter, garlic salt, pepper, and basil.

A bit crunchier than regular spaghetti. All in all, pretty good and a lot less scary. :) ~ Susan

Flat Out Pizza

I had/have an absolutely horrible headache today, so I didn't feel like making a fancy dinner... although, to be honest I rarely do. I've decided that I'm an "assembler" as opposed to a cook - I like to put a bunch of things together and eat them as opposed to cooking or baking. I think that's fine (hopefully my husband does too) but sometimes it's hard to keep from turning to processed foods. I like things that are fast, but healthy.

Here's what I threw together:

A Flatout Wrap topped with some tomato paste and organic mozzarella cheese. I stuck it in the oven for a couple minutes and waited for it to heat through and the cheese to melt. I used parchment paper to make for easier clean-up.

I steamed some spinach and threw it on top. Viola! Spinach pizza.

I wondered if it would be even better with the spinach underneath the pizza, so I made another pizza for my husband:

I guess it was, because he ate some of it before I could snap a photo. :)

Do you have any crazy quick dinner ideas?

~ Susan

Tomato Pasta

I have been working longer hours than usual, so when I get home I am EXTREMELY RAVENOUS!!! As such, I have been making super-quick, extra-easy dinners.

Here's one of my current favorites:

• one box of pasta (I always use either whole wheat, or high fiber pasta)
• one carton of grape/cherry tomatoes
• olive oil
• a couple tablespoons of orange juice

 Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 400F and begin boiling water for pasta.
2. Drizzle tomatoes with some olive oil. Roast until wrinkly.
3. While tomatoes are roasting, cook pasta.
4. When the tomatoes are done, scrape them and their juices into a bowl. Stir in a couple tablespoons of orange juice.
5.  Toss pasta with the tomato/orange juice mixture.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Enjoy!

Tonight I ate this with some roasted asparagus and a side salad.

~ Susan

Today's smoothie: pineapple, mango, and orange juice