Chicken Veggie Meatballs with Pesto Zucchini "Noodles"

I made this tasty little dish for dinner last night.  Isaac went back for seconds and Marin actually had a few bites-- which is a major accomplishment these days. Major.

Now, just to get one thing straight... this is a "paleo" recipe. I'm not normally into this kind of thing, but have been trying to make healthy dinners for Isaac and I (mostly so I won't gain a million pounds while pregnant) and this yummy dish popped up in Pinterest. Thank you, Pinterest. It made quite a few meatballs and I thought we'd have enough left over for dinner another night this week, but Isaac ate them all. They were small meatballs, so I guess I'll give him that. They are actually the perfect size for kids, in my opinion. So if your kids won't eat veggies, like my little one, then this is a good way to secretly squeeze some in! 

There were a few things I didn't have on hand and I used some other ingredients instead. For instance, I only had 1 zucchini and opted to use it for the noodles, instead of in the meatballs. All my changes/substitutions are noted below in bold. They were very easy to make, just for the record. 

Ingredients:
Chicken Veggie Meatballs

• 1 cup zucchini, chopped (about 1 zucchini) (I used half a bag of broccoli slaw I bought at the store in place of the zucchini. It included broccoli, carrots and cabbage, so I also omitted the extra carrots below)
• 1 cup carrots, chopped (about 2 medium carrots)
• 1 cup parsley, coarsely chopped
• 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cup blanched almond flour (I used oat flour, I'm sure any flour would do) 
• 1 egg
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used ground chicken, made it so much easier) 
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 teaspoon chili powder (optional... I did NOT use this)

Paleo Spinach Pesto

• 2 cups fresh spinach (I had a bag of spinach/kale blend. Worked great)
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Zucchini Noodles

• 1 to 2 large zucchini's (I just used 1, wish I would have had 2 for this)
• 1 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Chicken Veggie Meatballs

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. In a food processor, pulse together the zucchini, carrots, parsley and garlic.
3. Add almond flour, egg, chicken and pulse.
4. Then add salt, pepper and chili powder and process until thoroughly combined.
5. Drop tablespoon size balls of the chicken mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
6. Bake 23 to 28 minutes.

Paleo Spinach Pesto

1. In a food processor, add spinach, basil, garlic, salt and pepper.  Turn food processor on and add olive oil while processing.  Pulse until blended thoroughly.  If you need to add more olive oil add 1 tablespoon at a time.

Zucchini Noodles

1. Cut zucchini with a mandoline into "noodles".
2. In a skillet heat 1 tablespoons coconut oil, saut zucchini with minced garlic and salt and pepper to taste until soft or resembles noodles.  Toss noodles with spinach pesto and heat for about 1 minutes.

Chili Relleno Casserole

I made these for dinner tonight, and they were really delicious. I suppose it's easy to please just two people, but Isaac had never had chili relleno's before, and these babies made a big impression. He stated twice, "These are good." Yes, twice. And he even went back for seconds. I was also watching him from the reflection in our living room window as he made his way to the kitchen to drop off his dish, and watched him sneak a few more bites. So, there you have it. It was pretty simple to make too. I served it with Mexican rice. If I would have had refried beans to dish up with it, I could have closed my eyes and thought I was eating a meal at El Farol. 


Chili Relleno Casserole 

l lg. can whole green chilis*

l lb. each shredded cheddar and Jack cheese
3 eggs
3 T. flour
l 5 oz. can evaporated milk
l regular size can tomato sauce**

DIRECTIONS: Rinse chilis, remove seeds, slice them open so they lay flat and drain on a paper towel. Make 3 layers of chilis and cheese in a square baking dish (or use more chili's and use an 8x11 pan). Mix flour and milk together with a wisk. Beat the eggs separately and add to milk mixture. Pour over layered chili and cheese and bake at 350 for 30 min. Remove from oven and add another thin layer of cheese and drizzle the tomato sauce over that. Return to oven for 10 min.

*Had a hard time finding a large can of these, so instead ended up buying three (should have bought four) small cans. They are right next to the small cans of diced chiles (and look just like the small can of chilis, except they say "whole" on the can instead of "diced), if that helps you locate them easier at the grocery store.

**I added the sauce to the blender with 1/2 a can of diced tomatoes (that I already had in our fridge) to make it more tomatoey, and added a dash of olive oil, a teaspoon of minced garlic and a shake of salt. 

Deluxe Grilled Ham & Cheese with Jam

Okay, I know this isn't a real "recipe," but this quick and easy version of the grilled cheese sandwich has changed my view on the American staple. I don't think I can ever eat a grilled cheese sandwich without jam, ever again.

Ingredients:
2 slices of sour dough bread (or more if you're making this for multiple people)
Slices of cheddar cheese (or whichever kind of cheese you prefer)
Several slices of thin cut deli ham
Raspberry or strawberry jam
butter for spreading on bread

We all know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich, so I won't elaborate on the instructions, but before you grill the sandwich, add a big slab of jam to the side of bread that touches the ham. It sort of makes this taste like a Monte Cristo sandwich, which is one of my all time favorites, but this takes 1/10 of the time and is still incredibly tasty. The added grilled fruit burst is delicious!

I discovered this gem when trying to figure out easy things to make after we both got off work. Isaac is one of the most impatient eaters I know. "If you can't make it in 30 seconds, it's not worth waiting for," kind of mentality. So, I've had to learn how to whip up some really quick, easy things, otherwise he makes his own creations (which aren't good). I actually made this for myself one night, after I came home from work and Isaac had been home for a while and had already made himself "cheesy bread"... microwaved bread with slices of cheese on it. Boring. So, I came up with this for myself, and ooohed and ahhed over it the whole time I was eating it. I let him have a bite, being the nice wife that I am, and he wanted his own.  It's just good. That is all. Try it some time if you're not in the mood to make something elaborate, but are in the mood to eat something delicious!

Chocolate Oatmeal Flaxseed Muffins

These are seriously so good, and they taste even better when you know there is a lot of healthy stuff inside.
This blog describes it all:
http://www.pastryaffair.com/blog/chocolate-oatmeal-flaxseed-muffins.html
The only thing I changed is that I substituted coco powder for the espresso powder, in equal amount. Still totally great.

Asian Lettuce Wraps

I made these for dinner last night and boy were they delicious. Then, I warmed up the leftover chicken for lunch today, put it on top of spinach, then added cherry tomatoes and rice noodles and I think it was one of the most amazing salads I've ever had. The juice from the teriyaki sauce made it so you didn't even need dressing. Yum. Make these. Your taste buds will thank you.

Asian Lettuce Wraps: (Just as good if not better than P.F. Changs)
¼ c. water
1 T. cornstarch
½ c. teriyaki sauce
1 – 1½ lb. chicken breast slices
1 can water chestnuts, coarsely chopped
2 T. vegetable oil
Iceberg lettuce leaves
Shredded carrots to taste
Sliced green onions to taste
Rice noodles for garnish

View full recipeWhisk together water and cornstarch in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in teriyaki sauce. Add chicken and water chestnuts; stir to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes. cook and stir small batches of chicken in hot oil in a wok or a large skillet until no longer pink. Serve with rice noodles, shredded carrots and lettuce leaves.

Boston Cream Pie

I've somehow become known for my desserts among our group of friends. So, yesterday I was in need of an awesome dessert to wow them once again. Not only were we having the missionaries over for dinner, but then a bunch of John's dental school friends and their wives were coming over for a little get together for one of the wives who's having a baby soon. It was quite the night to say the least. 

I've had Boston Cream Pie on my mind lately, and when Mom suggested I make that for dessert, I didn't hesitate. Not only is this cake super simple to make, it looks impressive, and tastes even more amazing. I think I just rediscovered my new favorite dessert. And the great thing is, one boxed yellow cake mix makes TWO Boston Cream Pies. The recipe below is just for one cake though.

They all loved it, and I left them impressed once again. Success!

Boston Cream Pie:

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1 cup  plus 2 Tbsp. cold milk, divided

1 cup thawed LIGHT COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

1 moist yellow cake layer (8 or 9 inch)

*2 squares unsweetened chocolate 

*2 Tbsp. butter

*1-1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
Make yellow cake mix according to box directions (8 or 9 inch layers)

While the cake is baking, mix the package of vanilla pudding with 1 cup of milk, mix with whisk for about 2 minutes. 

Then add 1 cup of cool whip to pudding mixture (I used a little less than it called for) and set aside in fridge. 

Cool cake completely.

Once cooled, cut the cake in half horizontally and place the pudding mixture on top of one of the halves.

Place the other cake half back on top of the cake and pudding mixture.

Melt 2 unsweetened chocolate square with 2 TBS of butter in the microwave for one minute. 

Stir until chocolate is completely melted. 

Add 2 TBS of milk and 3/4 cup powdered sugar to chocolate mixture, (add more or less powdered sugar depending on sweetness level) and pour on top of cake, letting it drizzle down the sides. 

Let the cake set in the fridge for at least an hour or two before serving. 

Yum!

*If your cake layer is only an 8 inch, you can half the chocolate frosting recipe.

Slow Cooker Chicken BBQ

Super easy. And I just got done eating this and it was SOOOOOOOOOOOO good that I can't stop thinking about it. You know those times when your eyes roll back in your head and you think "this is the best thing I have ever eaten"? Well, admittedly, I have too many of those moments while I am pregnant to actually decide on what really is the best thing I have ever eaten, but at the moment I think it is this. I even took my own picture, I was so happy about it.

I ate this as a BBQ Chicken Sandwich on a hard cheese roll (the kind where the cheese is crusty on top) with light mayo, cheese, tomato, arugula (really healthy and kinda buttery soft - I love arugula), red onion, and pickles. It was so good I will never eat it any other way. Although I am sure it still stands pretty good even without all the toppings.

Oh, and if you use anything but Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, you are taking a risk. 

From http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/zesty-slow-cooker-chicken-barbecue/Detail.aspx
(For two people, I recommend using half the recipe)

Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue

Ingredients

• 6 frozen skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle barbeque sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's is the best!)
• 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. Place chicken in a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, Italian salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the chicken.
2. Cover, and cook 3 to 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on Low.

Caramel Bar Goodness

These are similar to caramel brownies, but made with a yellow or vanilla cake mix instead, and white chocolate chips are added. I know I made these when Andrea and I were living with Rob and Lorena, and everyone really liked them, but I don't think I've made them sense. I randomly thought of them the other night and thought they deserved a post.

Carmel Bar
1 pkg. butter cake mix or yellow (the moist ones are the best.  I’ve used vanilla before as well)
1/3 c. oil
2 eggs
1 pkg. chocolate chips
1 c. white chocolate chips

Mix all these ingredients and put half of it in a cake pan and spread it
around then bake at 350 degrees for 10 min.

While cooking above cake mixture, put these ingredients in a saucepan:
1 sq. butter or margarine (I do half this much—tastes the same!)
32 caramels unwrapped (I've even used caramel sauce when I didn't have caramels)
1 can sweetened condensed milk (I use fat-free if I have it—no difference in taste)
Stir until all melted.  Don’t let it scorch.

Pour over cake crust and dollop the rest of cake mixture on top and
continue baking for 25 more minutes or until starting to get golden brown.
Don’t overbake.  (it’s the saddest thing if you do)


Side note: They're really good frozen...weird I know, but I also love frozen cookies, so...

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

With nearly 2000 reviews, and a near flawless five star review, I couldn't pass up making, yet another, pumpkin dessert. What can I say, it must be fall. Thanks to Brittany for passing this recipe along, I told her I'd gladly make it and supply my own review.

Amy's review: Wow, YUM, DELICIOUS! I'm sad it's almost gone. When Paula says, "make sure not to overbake..." don't do it. I think I overbaked it a little, seeing that the crust was a little more crisp than I imagine it was supposed to be, but it was still, simply fabulous. I imagine NOT overbaked, it would taste that much better. We may have to make this for Thanksgiving dinner.

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake:

Ingredients

Cake:

• 1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1 egg
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.

Serve with fresh whipped cream.

Variations: For a Pineapple Gooey Cake: Instead of the pumpkin, add a drained 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.

For a Banana Gooey Cake: Prepare cream cheese filling as directed, beating in 2 ripe bananas instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

For a Peanut Butter Gooey Cake: Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese filling instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

Hot and Sour Chinese Eggplant

Lorena's Notes: I substitute sesame oil and some chili sauce for the chili oil (since that is not sold in Sweden). I also added two chicken breasts and doubled the sauce in order to make it stretch a little further (probably 6 servings this way). Also added crushed peanuts for extra flavor.
Served it with rice (of course) and spring rolls. Everyone seemed to like it! It fills you up without leaving you feeling heavy.

http://realgoodtaste.blogspot.com/2008/08/hot-and-sour-eggplant_11.html

 From the following website:

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/hot-and-sour-chinese-eggplant/Detail.aspx

 "Eggplant is sauteed, then coated in a spicy sweet sauce. It is simple and delicious! I'm sure you'll enjoy this!"

 

Prep Time:
30 Min 

Cook Time:
10 Min

Ready In:
40 Min

4 Servings

Ingredients

• 2 long Chinese eggplants, cubed
• 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 green chile pepper, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon chili oil, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

1. Place the eggplant cubes into a large bowl, and sprinkle with salt. Fill with enough water to cover, and let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse well, and drain on paper towels.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, red wine vinegar, sugar, chile pepper, cornstarch and chili oil. Set the sauce aside.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant until it is tender and begins to brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Pour in the sauce, and cook and stir until the sauce is thick and the eggplant is evenly coated. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 153 | Total Fat: 7.8g | Cholesterol: 0mg