Tag: marinara sauce

Vegan Eggplant Meatballs

These amazing meatless meatballs are made with eggplant, white beans and breadcrumbs to hold them together – if I was a vegan, I would have no problem eating this for dinner every night! They almost remind me of eggplant parmesan, in the form of a meatball.

I’ve had my eye on this recipes since I got a copy of Mark Bittman’s VB6 Cookbook^[1], and it did not disappoint! I love finding new ways to incorporate more veggies into my diet, and I try to eat meatless two to three times a week, so Mark’s concept of eating vegan by day and flexitarian by night is quite appealing to me. And this week, I’m giving away 3 signed copies of the VB6 Cookbook on Skinny Bits. Click here for a chance to win your signed copy of the VB6 Cookbook^[2].

Mark suggests serving this on a whole wheat roll, over pasta, rice or vegetables, but I thought I would make some zoodles (zucchini noodles) for a veggie play on spaghetti and meatballs. To make the zucchini noodles, you’ll need a spiralizer (I use the Paderno Spiral Vegetable Slicer) ^[3]or a mandolin fitted with a julienne blade. I use 1 medium zucchini per person and saute each zucchini with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and garlic for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes tops. To see a more detailed zucchini noodle recipe, click here for my Zucchini Noodles with Lemon and Shrimp^[4].

These meatballs are perfect for all types of diets; vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, clean eating, and gluten-free if you swap the crumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Vegan Eggplant Meatballs
Slightly Adapted from Mark Bittman’s VB6 Cookbook^[5]
gordon-ramsay-recipe.com
Servings: 4 • Size: 3 meatballs with 1/2 cup sauce • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 260 • Fat: 7 g • Carb: 43 g • Fiber: 9 g • Protein: 8 g • Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 307 mg • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Ingredients:

cooking spray
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb unpeeled eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup cooked white beans (or drained, rinsed canned)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs or panko (use gf crumbs for gluten free)
pinch red chili flakes (optional)
2 cups quick marinara sauce^[6]

Directions:

Heat the oven to 375°. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

Place 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. When hot add the eggplant and 1/4 cup water. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a food processor.

Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil to the skillet with the onion and garlic and cook until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add to the food processor along with the drained beans and parsley and pulse until well combined and chopped, but not pureed.

Combine the mixture with the breadcrumbs and red chile flakes if using. Taste for salt then roll into 12 meatballs, about 2-inches in diameter. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake until firm and browned, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, warm the marinara sauce and serve with the meatballs over pasta, zucchini noodles or on a whole wheat roll.

References

^{^} Mark Bittman’s VB6 Cookbook (www.amazon.com)
^{^} Click here for a chance to win your signed copy of the VB6 Cookbook (www.skinny-bits.com)
^{^} Paderno Spiral Vegetable Slicer (www.amazon.com)
^{^} Zucchini Noodles with Lemon and Shrimp (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)
^{^} Mark Bittman’s VB6 Cookbook (www.amazon.com)
^{^} quick marinara sauce (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)

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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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Shrimp and Olive Marinara over Galletti Topped with Parmesan

by Pam on December 3, 2012

This meal was created at the request of my seven year old son. He wanted pasta in a marinara sauce with black olives, kalamata olives, and shrimp topped with Parmesan cheese. No other ingredients… just his favorites. He picked the galletti pasta because he thought it looked cool, thankfully, it was tasted good too. I’ve never used this type of marinara (Mario Batali) before but I am glad I did because it was really delicious & it made dinner very quick and easy. Great job to my son for creating this scrumptious creation! Simple food makes the best meals.

Clean the shrimp and remove the shell and de-vein if needed. Rinse with cold water then pat dry. Place the shrimp into a bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the minced garlic then season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste; toss to coat evenly. Place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle.

Cook the pasta in salted water, per instructions. Drain. Pour the marinara into a sauce pan then add the black olives and kalamata olives; simmer until warmed through. Side Note: Don’t simmer the marinara with the olives for too long or the the sauce will become salty.

When the pasta has nearly finished cooking, heat the remaining olive oil into a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes (depending on the size) then flip to cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until they are cooked through. Ladle some pasta into a bowl followed by a spoonful of the olive marinara sauce. Top with a few shrimp and some shaved Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve. Enjoy.

Print^[1]

Save^[2]

Shrimp and Olive Marinara over Galletti Topped with Parmesan

Yield: 4-6

Prep Time: 10 min.

Cook Time: 40 min.

Total Time: 50 min.

Ingredients:

1 lb of large shrimp, shelled removed & de-veined.
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 jar of marinara
1 2.5 oz can of black olives, sliced
1/4 cup of kalamata olives, sliced
8 oz Galletti pasta, cooked per instructions
Parmesan cheese, shavings
Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

Clean the shrimp and remove the shell and de-vein if needed. Rinse with cold water then pat dry. Place the shrimp into a bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the minced garlic then season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste; toss to coat evenly. Place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle.

Pour the marinara into a sauce pan then add the black olives and kalamata olives; simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Cook the pasta in salted water, per instructions. Drain.

When the pasta has nearly finished cooking, heat the remaining olive oil into a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes (depending on the size) then flip to cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until they are cooked through. Ladle some pasta into a bowl followed by a spoonful of the olive marinara sauce. Top with a few shrimp and some shaved Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve. Enjoy.

Recipe and photos by For the Love of Cooking.net
Inspired by my son!

References

^{^} Print Recipe (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)
^{^} Save to ZipList Recipe Box (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)