Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Squash-tastic Shepherd's Pie

So with round two of the blizzard I'm finding a lot of free time on my hands, which means more time for cooking. This time it was Ben's turn to cook dinner. He chose another Hungry Girl recipe which I hadn't tried before. It turned out so delish!

Ingredients:
  • 3 1/2 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 1 lb raw extra-lean ground turkey
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • dash of garlic powder
  • dash of onion powder
  • dash of black pepper
  • 3/4 cup fat-free gravy
  • 1 1/2 cup frozen mixed veggies
  • 1 tbsp light whipped butter or light buttery spread
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place the squash in a large microwave-safe dish with 1/2 cup of water. Cover bowl and cook squash in the microwave for 12 to 14 minutes, until squash is soft.

Meanwhile, in a medium pan over medium heat, cook onions until slightly browned (2 to 3 minutes).

Add the turkey, minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to the pan. Stir well. Cook until meat is browned.

Drain any excess liquid from the pan. Place meat/onion mixture in a casserole dish. Pour gravy evenly over the mixture. Spread the mixed veggies on top and then set dish aside.

Once squash is cooked, drain excess water and mash well. Add butter and salt to the squash and then mix thoroughly. Layer the mashed squash on top of the veggie layer. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes (until crust looks slightly crispy).





Peel Peel Peel


Beautiful squash and plenty leftover for squash fries!


Time to zap in the microwave


Lean ground turkey with onions (blah I hate onions, but I sucked it up)


Our crust didn't end up very crispy, but it was still really good!



I'm ready for leftovers night :)



AHHHHHHHHHH!!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Snowpocalypse 2010

So the blizzard is officially over and now it's shovel, shovel shovel! I took a break to make a healthy snack for the Superbowl. Spicy Roasted Chickpeas! YUM! I didn't take any personal photos b/c I am too lazy to upload right now. But here's the recipe and a photo from Noble Pig. She insists on lime wedges, but I think they are just as delish without them.

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
Adapted from Best Holiday Appetizers

2 15-ounce cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
Lime wedges

Rinse chickpeas in a colander. Drain them well, shaking the colander to remove as much water as possible. It's okay to take out a bit of aggression on the peas, they won't mind.

In a medium sized bowl, combine rinsed chickpeas, olive oil, salt and black pepper. Mix well to coat the chickpeas. Spread the chickpeas out on a foil lined baking sheet, one large enough to hold chickpeas in a single layer.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or until chickpeas begin to brown, shaking pan twice during baking.

Remove chickpeas from the oven. In a small bowl, combine chili powder and ground red pepper. Place the mixture in a small sieve to sprinkle over the cooked chickpeas. Bake another 5 minutes or until a dark, golden-red.

Eat 'em up!

-------- SNOW PICS!!!! --------


The house is under all the snow!


Our neighbors' 3 year old... look how high the snow is on their deck!


Knee deep in the driveway


Waist deep on the cart path!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Curbing My Sweet Tooth

As you have probably figured out, I have a huge sweet tooth and am always looking for healthy ways to curb it. Thank goodness for Hungry Girl! She always has great alternatives. Here's what I stocked my freezer with last night to keep me and Ben dessert-ed through the impending snow storm!

Ingredients:
Carmel Corn Rice Cakes (they were out at the store so I got the chocolate ones)
Cool Whip Free

Just spread 1/4 cup of the Cool Whip Free on one rice cake and plop another on top and stick in the freezer for at least 1 hour. Voila! "Ice Cream" sandwich cookie at just 130 calories!


These should keep us satisfied for a few days



Our backyard from Tuesday's snow... can't even imagine what it will look like on Saturday! eek!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Sorry I'm Not Sorry

I've been in Key West! Here are a hodgepodge of random photos I took... enjoy. (I will update most likely next week since I'm moving Ben up here this week and will be super busy).


Just some Mallory Square performers

A six toed Hemingway kitteh

A typical Key West doll house looking home

I could look at this sunset every day for the rest of my life

Need a dollar? Go to Willie T's

Simonton Court Bed & Breakfast

Blue Moon

A Key West landmark

A chat at Mallory Square

Obligatory flower shot

Taken in the courtyard of the largest private residence on Key West

Key Lime Pie on a stick covered in chocolate

So that's what it looks like in the light!

Sunset sailing plus wine tasting

Another Hemingway cat

Sailing

The friendliest little pug ever

Only in the keys

One of my favorite shots of the trip

Or maybe this one....

Beautiful scenery

The porch of our cottage

<3

Beautiful girl

Rockin' my new $10 shades

I couldn't take enough pics of this sunset

My camera has some great settings that really brought out the colors of the sunset.

One of our cottages in Simonton Court

All you need to know

We rode bikes all over the island

Walking along Duval St.

These guys are everywhere!


Slide show of my scenery shots (no people)