Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Spaghetti & Cocoa


Another blustery day here in middle TN. Did the library thing with the kids today, it's also a Tuesday thing too : ) Their doing a big library promotion for everyone in the county to get their cards. They took a promotional picture of my kids for the newspaper since we are regulars there.
I also went out for coffee with a friend this morning, that is aways a nice treat for a SAHM ~ adult company! LOL Same friend gifted me with a couple of spaghetti squash. We love these but they are a bit pricey for us, so was a nice surprise. I have them in the oven baking now and thought I would share my favorite spaghetti squash recipe with ya all:
SPAGHETTI SQUASH CASSEROLE
1 spaghetti squash
1 lb. ground beef
1 TBS. olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can ro=tel tomatoes
1tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
salt & pepper to taste
1 c. whole grain bread crumbs
Cut squash in half lengthwise.
Scoop out seeds.
Place halves cut side down in baking pan, adding 1 TBS. water to pan.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 for and hour or until soft.
Brown meat.
Add oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until clear.
Add tomatoes and simmer uncovered until most of the liquid is gone.
Add seasonings.
Using fork, scoop out spaghetti strands from squash and add to meat.
Add bread crumbs.
Pour into casserole.
Bake covered at 375 for 30 minutes.
Serves 4
*Make this your own, use sausage instead of beef and try adding some cheese to the top!
I also made some hot cocoa mix to keep in the pantry for the kids. This is great since it has been so brusque outside recently. Here is my recipe:
Pantry Hot Cocoa Mix
1 cup cocoa powder
3 cups sugar
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Mix well and keep in airtight container ~ makes 16 one cup servings
To serve: Place 1 TBS. of the dry mix into the bottom of a nug. Slowly, while stirring, pour in about 1/2 cup of hot water. Stir it well to disperse lumps. Pour 1/4 cup half n' half into the mug: then finish filling the mug with hot water. YUM
Hope this brings some fun fabulous ideas to your winter week!
Blessings, Beth Ann

1 comment:

Queen-Size funny bone said...

yummy I love spaghetti squash and I'll have to try this recipe.