Stuffed Squash #food #lowcarb

I admit that I am a food video junkie. I can't get enough. They don't have to be lowcarb, even. I always learn something from them...or, at the very least, drool.

One of my favorites is Chef John. I had made stuffed squash a few nights ago, and it was delicious! Then the very next day, he posted a video for stuffed squash! Mine was very basic, consisting of ground sausage browned with onion and tossed with plenty of parmesan. (The next time I think I will add diced tomatoes also.) I split, cleaned, and cooked the squash about 75% in the microwave while browning the meat and onion, then stuffed it, topped with more cheese, and put it in the oven for a further 30 minutes or so. Very basic. Yet delicious. I don't get too fancy with stuff, but it always tastes good.

Anyway, his recipe uses rice. I don't think I will do anything different the next time I make mine except for the aforementioned tomatoes, but the whole faux rice thing (cauliflower) does sound good as well. Too bad cauliflower is so pricey, especially at this time of year. Maybe I can half-thaw some frozen and "rice" it in my food processor...yes, that might be a good addition after all.

I don't know what kind of squash I used. It is about the size and shape of acorn, but it is ivory in color, and the flesh inside is just as pale - nearly white. It didn't matter when I bought it, as I have yet to meet a squash I didn't like. But it was very very mild, milder than acorn, and was a nice complement to the spicier sausage.

Winter squashes are considered to be pretty carby by most, and indeed they are carbier than their summer counterparts. However they have such amazing nutritional profiles that I eat them anyway, and they've never caused me to gain weight, or even to stop losing. I'm truly a squash lover and don't intend to change :).

And now, after midnight, I find myself wanting to go roast up a nice little squash for a snack. I think it's time for bed...but I know what I'll be fixing tomorrow! :)

When the Cupboard is Bare: #Lowcarb Challenge Day 7 - And Beyond!

We made it through the day, grazing on what was left. No big meals, just a little of this and a little of that, supplemented by popcorn - lol.

I was totally excited about Friday and being able to shop. Did I mention that my minpin hurt his back late Wednesday night? Well, I had $150 set aside to shop on Friday...but a vet bill knocked that down to $60. I stocked up on our dairy - cheeses, half'n'half, butter - and picked up a few things for meals: a pot roast, some frozen pizzas (Pete loves them, about 100gN/each, I eat half of one and don't eat any more carbs for the day; this has never caused me to gain), and fish. We've eaten the fish, cooked and nibbled the roast to death, and still have the pizzas. And a bunch of dairy :).

Stopped at the store again last night, and got a big ham and a bunch of chicken, for about $30. That will get us through this week, along with the remainder of our frozen vegetables. I also got some rutabagas. And today is a potluck at church, which I always cook a nice main dish for, but I am sick and not up for cooking, so last night I also picked up a 3# bag of chicken wings in some sort of asian sauce that I will make and take. Not even sure if we'll stay for the potluck, as I'm pretty miserable and will probably come home and go to bed. But we'll see...

As the bills are paid and the gas tank is filled, if/when we end up with a few $ here or there, I will add to the larder. I won't be stocking up as much as we had before all this since we're living on one income in the winter, but we're doing just fine, and I'm pleased at how our Bare Cupboard week turned out!