The spaghetti squash was fairly large. I cut it in half and scooped out the seeds. Places the squash in the microwave and cooked until done. Time to cook depends on the size of your squash.
Adapted the Recipe . I didn't have chicken but I have a few bags of quinoa that I picked up at Traders Joe's in Gainesville.
1 large spaghetti squash
1/4 C butter ( didn't use)
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic
1 jalapeno, minced ( used 1 1/2 habanero minced)
1 red pepper, chopped ( didn't use)
1 teaspoon. cumin
1 teaspoon oregano ( didn't use)
1 teaspoon chili powder ( used Slap Ya Mama to taste)
1-2 cups shredded chicken ( used 1 cup quinoa)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup corn ( didn't use)
1 small can mushrooms
Salt and pepper to taste ( Slap Ya Mama has plenty of sodium and no need to add more, my preference)
1/2 cup Cilantro ( growing nicely in a pot on my deck)
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese ( used Mexican blend)
As stated above I cooked the squash in the microwave. It was pretty big so it took about 20 mins for each half.
While the squash was in the microwave I cooked the quinoa in 2 cups of chicken broth. I boiled the chicken broth in a small pot and added quinoa and turned down the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes and can tell when it's done when it pops. Fluffed it up and was ready to use.
Added the chopped onion, habanero, garlic to a pan and saute in olive oil.
I scooped out the cooked squash, left a tiny bit in the shell.
Added the squash to a large bowl and added the cooked onion,habanero and garlic. Fluffed the quinoa and added to the mixture.
Rinsed and drained the black beans and mushroom. Add to the bowl with the squash mixture.
Seasoned mixture with the cumin and Slap Ya Mama to taste.
Added the cilantro and the Mexican Cheese.
Once combined added to the squash shell and bake for 20-30 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.
Extremely filling! I was the only one eating this. Gabe would never touch quinoa.
Now THAT is my kind of meal-and I happen to have a spaghetti squash in the downstairs refrigerator that needs used.
ReplyDeleteBob would be looking for the chicken or some kind of meat-I'd be happy with the quinoa.....although he likes that too.
This just might be on the menu in the very near future-I have everything needed here already.
Gabe doesn't know what he's missing not trying quinoa-we love the stuff.
Isn't cooking the squash in the microwave a time saver? Gosh I remember the first time I made it waiting....and WAITING......for it to bake off in the oven.
Thanks for the great meal idea Linda-that photo is to DIE FOR!
Carol
Gm Jj, Well the Dr can't complain about the way you ate last night. 100% Healthy and Heart Friendly. Beautiful looking meal. I have never tasted Quinoa. Can you describe please. Jill eats a lot of it. And I know its very good for you. I'd like to try it.
ReplyDeleteJanie
I was was wondering what Quinoa was also. I have seen it used on lots of cooking shows.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol, I had this for 3 days! It's so good but you can't eat as much as you want, it's so filling. If you give it a try, please let me know.
ReplyDeleteJanie- I love the taste of quinoa, as you know I'm not a pasta girl and quinoa is perfect for me plus has lots of protein. It can be very bitter if you don't rinse it well before cooking, so be sure that you do rinse it. the color of the quinoa differs in flavor. If you get a yellow quinoa, it'll taste similar to couscous - not really "rice like", not much flavor. But if you get red quinoa, it's way more flavorful, almost nutty, crunchier, earthy.
There are other colors, I haven't tried anything other than yellow and red. I love the red. Someone in Trader Joe's recommended it and always look for it now.
Myra- Think you would like it.Bet Ryan and Kayla would really enjoy it. I have a recipe on her for pizza bites which came out great.
ReplyDeleteHi again Linda-thanks-that's good to know about the red quinoa-the Trader Joe's is a good half hour away from me so I don't get there much at all-I THINK the grocery store only carries the yellow one-I'll have to double check next week to see cause after you describing it, I'd like to try the red.
ReplyDeleteI associate the taste of the yellow one to barley with a different texture.....I think that's how I look at quinoa-more of a texture thing than a taste thing for me. We just love it.
Good Morning to Janie and Myra!
Carol
Hey thanks.....I love couscous, and also barley. When I went with Monica to Trader Joes to shop for the foods she has to eat now, I remember seeing this. If you have the recipe for the pizza bites, send it to me. This might be good for me to make for her. Hello and good day to all.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol & Linda. I thought it might taste like Barley. Not overly fond of barley, but I do like nutty and earthy. How far off is a Chickpea. I love chickpeas. They kind of fall into that description.
ReplyDeleteSure looks pretty
Janie