Italian Spaghetti Squash and Lentil Soup
Posted: October 11, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: farmers market, lentils, soup, spaghetti squash Leave a comment »Finally I am back with an edition of Farmer’s Market Tuesday!
It has been really warm in Maryland lately but we have a lot of rain in forecast and Fall + rain = soup in my book.
I love all squash in the fall and I usually make the spaghetti variety as yep, spaghetti. Tonight I wanted to try something different and man did it work out!
What you will need:
- 1 small to medium spaghetti squash
- 1 large can of fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 cups veggie broth (or chicken/beef)
- 1 onion diced
- 1 clove of garlic pressed
- 2 tsp dried thyme or fresh to your taste
- 2 sprigs of rosemary de-stemmed or 1 tbsp dried
- dash of hot pepper flakes
- 1/2 bunch kale
- 1/2 cup uncooked lentils
- pepper (no salt needed due to tomatoes and veggie broth)
I started by cutting the squash in half lengthwise and roasting it for 45min in the oven. While it was roasting I cooked down the onion and garlic then added everything but the rosemary, thyme and kale. 45min late pull out the squash to cool and add the herbs and kale to the pot to cook for a few min while you pull out the spaghetti.
Now, the squash can be really hot and I don’t like waiting so I usually wear an oven mitt to get things going. Add the squash to the lentils and stir before serving.
I seriously have not made something this good since I made butternut chili before the wedding.
The herbs really came out in this and I loved the addition of a different squash.
I just wish I could have slurped up some of these “spaghetti” noodles!
What is your favorite way to eat spaghetti squash?
Back To The Stove
Posted: September 27, 2010 Filed under: dinner | Tags: kale, lentils, recipe, spaghetti squash 1 Comment »It has been awhile since I have made anything that took time and serious effort. Let’s be honest, since Nick has left I haven’t really had to think about what to cook because I like everything I buy!
I have been eating a lot of these.
Homemade cornbread, bean spread, eggplant and avocado. They were good while they lasted, but I wanted something more. Something I had to stand over the stove to make, but not for too long 
Spaghetti Squash with Lentil Kale Sauce
- 1 spaghetti squash baked for 40min at 375 and scooped out
- 1 head of kale – I used Dinosaur kale this time!
- 1 can of no salt added deiced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup lentils (uncooked)
- 1/2 onion
- 1 clove garlic
- Olive oil
- oregano
- tomato sauce
- S&P
- nutritional yeast
- Bake squash
- Cook lentils
- sauté onion and garlic in oil in the bottom of a large pot
- wash kale, tear and add it to the pot
- add tomatoes and sauce
- add lentil
- scoop out squash
- top with sauce mixture
- sprinkle with nutritional yeast
Deliciousness. I have 3 servings leftover…I guess that is what I get for only having one mouth to feed.
In closing, some Sissy pictures for Katherine!
She does this by herself. I love her.
Woohoo Monday is over!
Have a great one 
Snow, Again
Posted: February 2, 2010 Filed under: quina, Tuesday | Tags: bars, beef stronganoff, parsnip, quinoa, spaghetti squash Leave a comment »It’s snowing again! I am really hoping we either get work canceled but no liberal leave! Liberal leave means we have to use vacation time and I am not all about that!
Check out the sunrise I saw this morning driving to work (yes I was driving when I took this, but was not looking!)
The picture doesn’t do it justice, but it was amazing.
Work came and went and there were a few interruptions for food.
Leftover spaghetti squash with mater sauce and the last of a box of kashi crackers.
Around 3:30pm I had a lovely apple and seltzer to finish off the day.
For dinner I had planned on making a healthier beef stroganoff. I used to love the super unhealthy hamburger helper version of this when I was younger. Full of fat and lacking a single veggie. (Just so my mom does not get mad, she never made me this)
Today’s version was from Ellie Krieger’s book So Easy – hint I would like this for my birthday! Ellie’s beef stroganoff.
The only changes I made were:
- regular whole wheat pasta instead of egg noodles
- veggie broth instead of beef
It got a little saucy and I think I would use less veggie broth next time, but the flavor was all there!
I had mine over a pile of peas instead of pasta and a side of parsnip fries.
I really enjoyed this meal and Nick liked it. He didn’t even know there was yogurt in it! He HATES yogurt.
Before I began dinner I decided to make a batch of bars. I had seen Kath make Kelsey’s bars earlier this week, and I used to make her baked oatmeal bars all the time. I felt it was about time I cooked up another batch! Only problem, I was running a little low on oats. What to use? Quinoa and Steel Cut Oats!
I went off Kesley’s bar recipe but sort of 1/2ed it.
- 1 cup dry Quinoa
- 1/2 cup steel cut oats
- 1/3 cup chopped mixed nuts
- 1/4 cup ground flax
- 3/4 cup mixed of chopped dried apricots, cherries and orange cranberries
- shredded coconut ~ handful
- cinnamon ~ good couple shakes
- 1 egg
- vanilla ~ 1 tbs
- 1 cup skim
I baked these for 30min at 375.
These smelled so good in the oven! I cut them into 16 squares .
I had to try one…two for dessert!
These were great! Crunchy and chewy deliciousness! They were no sweet, but I think the dried fruit gave it enough of a sweet touch to not add the sugar. I think I am having a slight love for toasted quinoa lately.
I am sure you could make these with any fruit/almond milk/seeds the possibilities are endless! If you makes these please let me know what you think!
It is still snowing, and sticking!
Time to get ready for Biggest Loser! Woohoo!!!!
Have a great night!
Not So Meatless Monday
Posted: February 1, 2010 Filed under: Monday | Tags: beef stew, kashi, salad, spaghetti squash 1 Comment »Another Mondays bites the dust!
My day went by pretty smooth except having a bit of a problem with a few projects I was review that were claiming to be green. They are really just protected rich people’s backyards.
Lunch was the last of my beef stew and some kashi crackers.
New water goblet! I made these in Boston when my friends and I went to the professional bull rider tour. I was a super fun night and we were able to hangout with the cowboys after!
I hadn’t been drinking I swear! Anyway, honestly it was nice to change up my work glass. Sad I know.
I a keeping this on the short list of things to make!
My afternoon ticked by and I broke into my orange around 3:0pm.
Scoring supplies in the background.
After work I went and picked up and new super expensive bag of cat food for Sissy and saw to ordering 10lbs bags. I also did some core work and a ton of push up and dips. My heart rate actually went up! It was amazing! It felt so good and it was only for a few minutes! After a shower I set to work on bills, budgeting and taxes. Oh so fun! You can see the evidence of my labors in my dinner pictures.
Spaghetti squash with basil tomato sauce, meatless balls and parsley.
I also had a salad of spinach, celery, carrots, avocado and more parsley.
I just realized I broke meatless Monday with my beef stew 
Does it count if it is leftovers? I would have had to freeze it otherwise! I will try and do a better job next week!
Nick and I are settling down to watch Schindler’s List. No we do not like depressing movies, he has just never seen it!
Night All!
Squash It
Posted: December 14, 2009 Filed under: Monday | Tags: bodypump, chobani, clementines, spaghetti squash Leave a comment »We made it through another one and Sissy survived another nail clipping with multiple whines and kicks. Her 7th nail is the hardest and creepiest because it is like a dead nail…picture a deal toenail…yes very pleasing.
Anyway, today was insanely stressful and the level will only continue to increase until January 6th.
I don’t want to talk about it. At least the food was good, but I am missing one of our food days on Thursday for a meeting with the Governor…did I mention him already? I am a bit nervous about it even though I will most likely be sitting in the back and not saying a word.
Back to the food.
More quinoa and chickpea casserole from ED&BV (the rest is going in the freezer), carrots, 2x clementines and I saved the pineapple Chobani for my afternoon snack.
Along with my Chobani I had some pistachios…that were stale, I double checked the package when I got home, expired 3 months ago.
lemon lime seltzer does not go well with pineapple Chobs.
Thankfully the nuts did not make me sick.
After work I headed to the gym for 30min on the elliptical and 60min of BodyPump. It was amazing how much easier it was for me to lift today after not running yesterday.
Once home I threw a spaghetti squash in the oven for dinner, and 30min later, this pooped out!
1/2 the squash with 3 meatless balls and fresh basil from my plant within arms reach.
My money tree is seriously growing quickly.
Along with my squash I made a spinach salad with avocado and balsamic dressing.
Delicious! I love spaghetti squash! Nick even liked the meatless balls but I didn’t tell him they were not made from meat.
I think I am going to get in bed early tonight. I don’t think I got enough sleep this weekend, and I need to be on top of my game until I leave on the 23rd!
Can you believe it is only 11 days until Christmas??? Where did this year go?
Bubbly
Posted: November 23, 2009 Filed under: Monday | Tags: bodypump, rice, sausage, spaghetti squash, squash 1 Comment »Another Monday bites the dust! The best part? Tomorrow is my Friday!!!!
Today was super busy as predicted, but I enjoyed it because I knew I could get everything done AND it would go by fast!
Lunch came in no time flat!
I didn’t go to the grocery store this weekend as to have no food that would go bad over the holiday so today was another something from the freezer!
Leftover spaghetti squash pancake on top of the remaining spinach, all topped with Newman’s own black bean salsa! Ole!
Along with my cake I had some carrot sticks and a clementine. Yum scrum and gone in about 20sec…whoops. I tend to do that a lot with my lunches.
I still felt pretty sick for most of the morning…I thought food might help because the 4 Tums did not, but that only cured my hunger. It was one of those belly pains that hides your hunger??? I think it ended up being a huge gas bubble (TMI?) that had accumulated from me over eating this weekend. OK lesson learned, cinnamon rolls + high fiber lunch = huge gas bubble in one’s insides.
As the bubble chilled out I think I got hungry for my snack? I found that walking around really helped so I did a lot of that today.
Snack Time
apricots, mixed nuts, Kashi H2H (which got kind of squishy?). I really didn’t think my stomach wanted chocolate today when I was packing my lunch…why I thought it would like salsa is beyond me.
Today was BodyPump day…maybe today I finally figured out how to not hurt myself. I did 30min on the elliptical to warm up and was a little late for the warm-up track. I think I might be able to bump up my weights next week, but we will see how I feel tomorrow.
For dinner I wanted something simple and comforting. Que the rice is nice. When I am stick or something happens in my life, all I wanted was rice with salt and butter. I know healthy, but I made me feel so much better! Thanks Mom
I pulled some garlic, spinach and fontina sausage from the freezer, cut up some buttercup squash and cooked up some Arborio rice. Nick proclaimed his his favorite rice ever! I still need to make some risotto from it – it was the reason I bought it!
My belly is full and I am happy to report I am not felling sick anymore…knock on wood.
No need for something sweet. I had an Adora while I was cooking, and I want to honor the belly.
Ok time to go cuddle with my boy and girl. He is leaving tomorrow for North Carolina
Blog World Inspired Dishes
Posted: October 14, 2009 Filed under: Wednesday | Tags: grapes, larabar, latkes, pumpkin bread pudding, spaghetti squash, yogurt Leave a comment »So day one of two part breakfast complete. I am not sure how it worked out caloric equality wise but it seemed to make me not want to chew my arm off when lunch came around. We will see how the rest of the week goes. I am thinking toast tomorrow.
For my second 1/2 today I was planning an apple and PB, but I ended up switching and eating my PM snack of a mini Larabar.
Still not a fan of these…why do I seem to be the only one????
When lunch did come around I ended up with the following…
Pita with LC wedge and leftover cauliflower mash (I still have more!). I also had plain Chobani with orange scented cranberries and a tub of grapes.
The afternoon went by quickly and I didn’t get to have my snack until I was on my way home.
Small apple with Cinnamon Raisin Swirl PB from Peanut Butter & Co. I think I am going to try Mighty Maple next, I hear it is good
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The weather man told me it wouldn’t rain until tonight so I planned on running outside when I got home. I walked out of work and it was 50 and raining I WAS RUNNING OUTSIDE! I layered up and put on my ear warmers and headed out the door. I had planned 6 miles, but missed a turn some place so ended up doing something more like 6.5 with a HUGE hill! I did find $5 on the side of the road, so that was a bonus! Lets just say I am glad I am just planning on doing yoga tomorrow with kickball.
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I made two things I have seen in blog world tonight for dinner and dessert.
Spaghetti Squash Latkes that I saw Meghann making.
In my latkes there was 1 small spaghetti squash, 1/2 and onion, 1 tbs garlic, large handful of cilantro, hot peppers, S&P. My dressing was plain yogurt, lime juice and cumin. I put it all onto of a bed of organic greens and maters.
Nick actually loved these! I had 1.5 and I have 4 extra to freeze and use in a lunch or two this week. I am a huge fan of latkes, and these were a great play on them!
My second blog inspired piece of dinner was dessert!
Krista made a bread pudding that was fall inspired and I wanted to make one too!
I used my leftover pumpkin bread and muffins and my bread base. Then I whipped up some eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and almond butter. Baked for 30min at 350.
I had one large scoop of this and I might be going back for more in a bit…I am glad I found a second use for my pumpkin baked goods. They were dry but still had great flavor and now have a whole new deliciousness to enjoy!
Top Chef tonight! We just found out that you can watch last week’s episode on Demand so I am excited to get to bed early!
Night Y’all!
Biggest Losers in the Office
Posted: September 30, 2009 Filed under: Wednesday | Tags: beans, cantaloupe, clif bar, couscous, salad, shrimp, spaghetti squash Leave a comment »It’s Top Chef night! Do the happy dance. I missed last weeks due to sleep being more important so I am switching times and working 1 week behind. This way I can go to bed. We are smart cookies
So I am not going to bore you with anything about work today except for the fact that I finally moved into my cube! Only a month late! Maybe I will give you some time soon. It is really exciting, ha!
Oh one thing happened today at work that was really cool…our office Biggest Loser club asked me for some nutrition advice for their weight loss group. I was so excited, but I am super nervous! I made sue to let them know I am not an R.D. just well read and have ideals about food. I think I am going to start but asking one thing each of them needs help with/ wants to know about. I will add their questions to the blog, but keep the names anonymous. Thoughts?? Tomorrow is the first weigh in, and they are paired in teams of two just like Biggest Loser!
FOOD! That’s amour!
Leftover spaghetti squash and sauce from last night. Some juicy cantaloupe and a piece of whole wheat Anadama bread. Like my water spotted paper towel.
Yummy parsley on top!
Right before leaving for the day I had the other half of my peanut butter pretzel Clif bar from yesterday and yep a seltzer.
When I got home it was time to get my run on! I went for about a 9-10 mile run. I still need to put it into mapmyrun.com. The first 5 miles were really hard. My right leg was like a rock and not fluid. I was kicking myself for not have a better pre run snack. It seemed to work itself out on my second time around he hill. Don’t worry, I slammed a spiced pear muffin and some coconut water. There wasn’t even enough time for a picture. It seemed to do the trick and I jumped in the shower.
**Note: Why is there no new Top Chef tonight!!!****
I had shrimp, couscous and beans on the meal plan. One problem, I thought I had white beans. No worries I used pinto beans because they have a similar texture. I used a recipe from Real Simple that involves lemon, parsley and onions with the other ingredients.
It came out nice and lemony, just the way I like it!
I also had a side salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and feta cheese with balsamic. Salad plate portion sizes…too bad Nick is not as big a fan of beans as I am and I ended up killing his off
I was still hankering for something sweet so I went to the freezer for a minty treat. Mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwich and an earl grey tea.
Like the bite size pieces? Isn’t everything better bite size? I squished out the ice cream and licked it off around the edges just like old school ice cream sandwiches.
OK well no Top Chef tonight…grrrrr I guess that means early to bed for this girl!
Night All!
Biggest Loser Week 3
Posted: September 29, 2009 Filed under: biggest loser | Tags: apple, bagel, carrot, clif bar, hummus, spaghetti squash, tempeh 1 Comment »It is Biggest Loser night! Who is excited? This girl! Two hours seems to be a little long but when the second hours starts I feel like it just started?!?! It will be interesting to see if they have the “week two slump” in week three because they were pushed so hard last week. OK enough Biggest Loser, wait, hold on, I love the trainer tips during the commercials. Anyone else?
8 hours earlier…I was at work gettin things done loving senior stimulus.
At least I had a stellar lunch planned!
I had some lovely carrot sticks with hummus quartet, sliced small gala apple, and some leftover plantains. AND last but not least…da da da da! I had a WW mini bagel with cranberry apple chutney, almond butter and a 1/4 piece of tempeh. Very nice if I do say so myself!
This lunch was a bit larger than the usual so it held me over pretty well and I ended up only having 1/2 of the snack I planned.
So these bars are most likely my favorite…peanut butter and pretzels?!? hello delicious. I even found a peanut butter filled pretzel in the 1/2 I was enjoying with my usual seltzer.
Like the nail color? It is called “midnight in Moscow” by O.P.I.
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Today was yoga day with Sicily! She seems to like to crawl all around me and lay on my stomach while I do the moves. I wish I could get a picture but that would be really hard to set up the camera and not move her. I did 47min fitness.core.yoga on demand and then yoga.core.strength. That core track is so hard! It is only 8min of hell, but amazing!
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Note: I love Jillian! “Not the brightest bulb!”
Tonight’s menu was spaghetti squash! I love this squash! So unique and interesting the way it comes out looking like pasta. I cooked in the mirco for 8 min on high covered with plastic wrap then thrown in the oven for 30min at 300. If you just put it in the oven it can take up to an hour!
When I used to make this I just used regular tomato sauce and a few turkey meatballs. Now this is what it looks like…
And in the mix. A little less than 1/2 a spaghetti squash, 1 mini meat/lentil loaf defrosted, lentils and brussel sprouts from Sunday, stemmed broccoli, a little bit of organic sugar free tomato sauce, fresh parsley from the garden and some parm crumbled on top. A bit different eh? I also had the rest of my 1/2 of squash after I finished this plate!
I also had a glass of regular unsweetened from my medieval times cup. I went there for my birthday last year with Nick. It was actually really fun when you got into it!
Update: Tracy is crazy! And I really want a cupcake…
I will have to debate this cupcake…or a chocolate raspberry tofu pudding cup!
Biggest Loser is calling…did I mention Tracy is crazy? Anyone else think so?
