Tag: Directions Preheat

Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Squash Boats with Grilled Chicken

Roasted spaghetti squashed topped with marinara sauce, grilled chicken, melted mozzarella and some fresh basil. I had a hard time naming this one, but I think you get the point.

I was craving something cheesy for dinner last night, and I had spaghetti squash sitting in my counter without a plan, so I came up with this tasty dish. When my husband heard what I was making, he didn’t sound too excited, but after he ate he thought it was pretty good.

If you’ve never had spaghetti squash before, it’s a winter squash that has spaghetti-like strands when you cook it and fluff it with a fork. Does it taste like spaghetti? Well no, it’s kind of neutral in flavor, so it takes on the flavor from whatever you season it with. I always have homemade marinara sauce ^[1]on hand, either in the refrigerator or freezer, which makes quick weeknight meals a snap.

If you want to speed this up, you can microwave the spaghetti squash instead, I provided both instructions below.

For those of you on Weight Watchers, each boat is only 6 points plus and it filled me up. In fact, because it’s so light, I may use fresh mozzarella next time I make this so it’s even cheesier, this recipe can afford it!

There are so many delicious types of winter squash, including acorn, butternut and spaghetti. Whichever gourd you go for, you can be assured you’re making a healthy choice. Winter squash is loaded with vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber. They also contain some folate and thiamin, a B vitamin that helps the body turn carbs into energy. Look for squash with a think, hard skin that’s free of blemishes. Make sure it feels heavy for its size—that’s a sign of freshness. You can keep squash for up to a month in a cool, dry place.

Baked Spaghetti Squash Chicken Parmesan Boats
gordon-ramsay-recipe.com
Servings: 4 Serving Size: 1 boat • Old Points: 6 pts • Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 326 • Fat: 8 g • Protein: 29 g • Carb: 35 g • Fiber: 7 g • Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 318.5 mg (without salt)

Ingredients:

2 small/medium ripe spaghetti squash
salt and fresh pepper, to taste
4 thin chicken cutlets, about 3 oz each
pinch garlic powder
1/4 tsp oregano
2 cups quick marinara sauce^[2], warm
1 cup part skim shredded mozzarella (Polly-o)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and fibers with a spoon. Place on a baking sheet, cut side up and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast about an hour or until the skin gives easily under pressure and the inside is tender.

If you prefer the microwave, cut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds and fibers and place on a microwave safe dish and cover. Microwave 8-9 minutes.

Meanwhile, while the squash is roasting, season chicken cutlets with salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregano. Heat a grill pan (or a George formal grill) over medium-high heat, when hot grill chicken on both sides until cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Set aside on a dish.

Remove the spaghetti squash from the oven or microwave and carefully fluff the spaghetti-like strands on each half with a fork, leaving the squash in the shell. Season with salt and pepper, then spoon about 1/4 cup marinara in each boat.

Slice the chicken on the diagonal and place each piece on top of each squash half. Top the chicken with 1/4 cup each of remaining marinara sauce, then top with cheese and place back into the hot oven and cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is hot, about 12 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and serve with parmesan cheese on the side if desired.

Nutritional information provided by Heather K Jones^[3], RD (aka The Diet P.I.).

References

^{^} homemade marinara sauce (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)
^{^} quick marinara sauce (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)
^{^} Heather K Jones (www.heatherkjones.com)

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Pumpkin Hazelnut White Chocolate Biscotti

Hazelnuts, white chocolate and pumpkin spices are the perfect combination for these crispy “adult” cookies. Biscotti is an Italian crescent shaped cookie that is twice baked and perfect for dunking into coffee, tea or even milk.

If you have electricity and a warm oven to bake these in today, take a moment to be thankful and think about the hundreds of thousands who do not.

It’s Sunday, day seven of no electricity for many of us on the South Shore of Long Island, Staten Island, Brooklyn and New Jersey. It’s getting cold outside and gas has been very hard to come by, but I am fortunate I was able to stay at my Mom’s last night.

I am thankful for my family, the roof over my head and hot food to eat and so sad for those around me who lost everything. I donated clothing, donated to the Red Cross, and plan on doing more once my power is restored and I can get gas. The way I see it, I can’t help everyone, but if everyone helps one person they will be in much better shape. Hope you all have a warm Sunday with your loved ones and be thankful for the little things we take for granted.

Pumpkin Hazelnut White Chocolate Biscotti
gordon-ramsay-recipe.com
Servings: 28 • Size: 1 biscotti • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3
Calories: 101.5 • Fat: 4 g • Carb: 15.5 g • Fiber: 0.5 g • Protein: 2 g • Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 40 mg

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour (+ more for dusting)
2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pinch of salt
2 1/4 oz (1/2 cup) crushed hazelnuts
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup superfine sugar (you can put sugar in food processor)
2 tbsp pure canned pumpkin
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Add hazelnuts, white chocolate chips and mix.

In a stand mixer, mix butter and sugar on medium speed for 1-1/2 minutes. Add pumpkin, vanilla and eggs, one at a time. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined to make a dough.

Remove the dough (if too sticky sprinkle flour over it and on work surface). Divide into two pieces and form into long flat logs about 12 inches long x 2 inches wide.

Place on the lined baking sheets and bake 22-25 minutes.

When cool enough to handle, gently cut the loaves on the angle into 1/2 inch slices (a serrated bread knife works best).

Return to the baking sheet fitting as many as you can on the baking sheet, you may need to do this in batches. Bake the biscotti for another 3-4 minutes on each side, less if you like it softer.

Makes 28-30.

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Mushroom Kale Lasagna Rolls

Lasagna rolls are delicious and make perfectly portioned meals. I usually fill them with spinach in my popular spinach lasagna rolls^[1] but have been thinking of trying them with kale for a while. I can’t think of a better way to eat kale! These were wonderful, everyone in my home loved them and I will certainly be making them again. Try them for meatless Mondays!

Sorry I haven’t posted much this week. Hurricane Sandy did so much damage here on Long Island, and we are still without power. Many of my friends and neighbors lost their homes and cars, so I am grateful for the temporary inconvenience, I know it could have been a lot worse. It may be a while before we get our power back, but luckily I have a small generator which gives us just enough power to keep our refrigerators on, and limited access to some internet and television.

There is certainly no short supply of food in my house, thank God so we’ve been cooking up a storm! It’s also the only way to keep the house warm as the temperature has been dropping and keep my sanity. If you make these, I would love to know how you enjoyed them!

Mushroom Kale Lasagna Rolls
gordon-ramsay-recipe.com
Servings: 10 • Serving Size: 1 roll • Old Points: 4 pts • WW Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 258.5 • Fat: 8.4 g • Fiber: 3 g • Protein: 11.5 g • Carbs: 30.5 • Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 208 g (without salt)

Ingredients:

10 (9 oz dry) lasagna noodles, cooked
2 1/2 cups marinara sauce
5 cups kale, stems removed, chopped fine
8 oz mushrooms, chopped fine
1 tsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
15 oz part skim ricotta cheese (I like Polly-o)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, whisked
salt and fresh pepper
3 oz (10 tbsp) part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Ladle about 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking dish.

Place kale in a food processor and pulse a few times until chopped.

In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until golden, about a minute. Add kale, salt and pepper and sauté about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms to the pan, cook until soft, an additional 5-6 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper.

Combine cooked kale, mushrooms, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.

Place a piece of wax paper on the counter and lay out cooked lasagna noodles. Make sure noodles are dry. Take 1/3 cup of mushroom kale mixture and spread evenly over noodle. Roll carefully and place seam side down onto the baking dish. Repeat with remaining noodles.

Ladle 1 cup of sauce over the noodles in the baking dish and top each one with 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese. Put foil over baking dish and bake for 40 minutes, until cheese melts.

Makes 10 rolls. Serve with extra sauce on the side.

References

^{^} spinach lasagna rolls (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)