Tonight was productive! Since it was 70 degrees, I figured I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take Puddin' for a nice walk when I got home. I slapped on my reflective construction vest from work and checked out a new route by our house while breaking in some shoes I got for Disney. (Did I tell you my team qualified for Nationals in December?!) I'm officially a grandma... I bought Dr. Scholl's sneakers. Comfort is everything! Plus they were $29.99 and I don't think they look too dorky.
We also did some painting tonight! We've been avoiding our living room for a few weeks now, but my dad is coming to help us paint on Black Friday. We knew we had to finish the accent wall before then, so that the paint could dry and we could tape it off. We're having a New Years/Housewarming party and I'm so glad we have some type of deadline to get the house in order. It will always be a work in progress and everything won't be done by then, but I think it would be easy to keep avoiding a bunch of projects without the added motivation!
And last but not least I cooked dinner! It doesn't sound like a huge accomplishment but with cheerleading 3 days a week, it doesn't happen all that often.
When I first started reading healthy living blogs, it seemed like quinoa was all the rage! I tried it a few times and never really loved it until I found this recipe! Anything that combines cheese and buffalo chicken is a huge win in my book. Despite the delicious sauce, Dave still wasn't a huge fan of quinoa and I had all but forgotten about this recipe... until now! I was browsing through my pinterest boards, when it caught my eye and I realized I could easily make a few substitutions to make this dish more Paleo friendly. The milk is replaced with coconut milk, the flour with almond flour, and goodbye quinoa, let's replace you with a veggie. The recipe does still contain a hearty amount of dairy (since I believe cheese is non negotiable in any "mac" & cheese), but overall it is a fairly healthy low carb option!
When I first started reading healthy living blogs, it seemed like quinoa was all the rage! I tried it a few times and never really loved it until I found this recipe! Anything that combines cheese and buffalo chicken is a huge win in my book. Despite the delicious sauce, Dave still wasn't a huge fan of quinoa and I had all but forgotten about this recipe... until now! I was browsing through my pinterest boards, when it caught my eye and I realized I could easily make a few substitutions to make this dish more Paleo friendly. The milk is replaced with coconut milk, the flour with almond flour, and goodbye quinoa, let's replace you with a veggie. The recipe does still contain a hearty amount of dairy (since I believe cheese is non negotiable in any "mac" & cheese), but overall it is a fairly healthy low carb option!
Buffalo Chicken Mac Spaghetti Squash & Cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 spaghetti squash, cooked and scraped out
- 2 lbs of chicken, cooked and cut into bite sized pieces, I used chicken thighs that I seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 2 tbsp almond flour
- 1 cup Frank's Red Hot
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
- blue cheese crumbles
- 1 cup Frank's Red Hot
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
- blue cheese crumbles
Directions:
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk the coconut milk and almond flour together until well combined.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often, and let it cook for 1 minute.
3. Turn the heat to low. Stir in the Red Hot, butter, and cheese until the cheese melts.
4. Stir in the cooked chicken and spaghetti squash.
5. Poor the mixture into a glass casserole dish, top with blue cheese, and broil for 5-7 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the top is starting to brown.
It's simple, delicious, and you can customize it how you like... you want more cheese? Do it. A little less Red Hot? Sure. A different hot sauce? Go for it. I usually add scallions like she does in the original recipe, but to be honest I suck at using the rest of the bunch so I didn't feel like buying them.
You need this in your life. Get cooking :)
Do you actually like quinoa? Have you tried spaghetti squash as a pasta alternative?
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often, and let it cook for 1 minute.
3. Turn the heat to low. Stir in the Red Hot, butter, and cheese until the cheese melts.
4. Stir in the cooked chicken and spaghetti squash.
5. Poor the mixture into a glass casserole dish, top with blue cheese, and broil for 5-7 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the top is starting to brown.
You need this in your life. Get cooking :)
Do you actually like quinoa? Have you tried spaghetti squash as a pasta alternative?
I'm really a HUGE quinoa fan, and eat it probably an average of 40% of the days of any given month! That, oatmeal, and yogurt are probably my most eaten foods. THis recipe looks delicious!
ReplyDeletelooks good! love, cindy
ReplyDeleteWOW! That looks great!
ReplyDeleteOh, that looks great! Love the blue cheese on top!
ReplyDeleteSpaghetti squashes & cheese?? I want it!
ReplyDeleteBut who the heck smiles while painting? Your happiness level is unrivaled. ;)