"Porcupine Balls" Turkey, Spinach Cauliflower Rice Balls

 “Porcupine Balls” Turkey, Spinach, Cauliflower Rice Balls

So I have been obsessed with the new 60 second cauliflower rice made by Natures Intent. It is the first one I have ever found that was not all wet and smooshy. It actually does really well with what ever I combine it with.

Today, I decided to use it in a long time recipe. With the cost of food now a days, it make me remember how my mother would feed a family of 8 with what she could afford. I remember her always stretching things. One box of hamburger helper with a few extra cups of pasta, sure was a filling meal. Meatloaf and oatmeal, not one of us ever felt that were were missing anything.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. of Turkey Ground 

• ½ minced onion

• 1 tbls of minced garlic

• ½ cup of minced (really fine chopped spinach) 

• 2 cups of Cauliflower rice (I used the in the microwave bag) Drain which ever you use.

• Seasoning Greek or your favorite. (I used the Cavender's All Purpose Greek Seasoning, and some extra Oregano) Here is a link to make your own Seasoning, which I will do when I finish with what I have. I live a more natural approach these days.

• https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/231228/greek-seasoning-blend/

Preparation

1. Take ground turkey and throw in a gallon bag.

2. Put in the cauliflower rice. I used the microwave bag. Whichever you use, please drain.

3. Throw everything else in the bag. 

4. Mix well with in the bag

5. Spray the Air Fryer or Oven and roll it into 16 meatball sizes. 

6. Sprinkle just a little more seasoning on top after placing in the air fryer. 

   
   
   

7. Air fry for 12 minutes at 390 (that cooks them through) Then up it to 425 and it will start them browning. (Remember though it is turkey so it only gets so dark. 

8. Oven I would do 350 for 15 and then check.

These can be eaten warm and put on a pita plate, a gyro plate, or a salad. I had mine with a little crusty bread with some Greek Za'atar seasoning and some tzatziki sauce with them.
These are also really great and actually cold. 

They are a really great way to get some protein and some veg without knowing that. Tasty and could also be used to stuff those little sweet peppers.

WW notes

If you are doing WW personal points . This was made with 98 percent turkey and that makes them, for my personal points. This came to -0- points.  I love a good 0 point so then I could account for the piece of bread that I ate. 

I will be trying more things soon.

I hope you enjoy this.

Living Your Best Life and doing what feels good for you and your family is the secret to a beautiful life.

Keep it simple.

Stay well and safe

Welcome to my journey

Louise

Rye Bread - Bread Machine

It is that time. St. Patrick's Day is soon. I decided that I need a homemade piece of rye for my corned - beef.

This year, I have been spending a lot of time, making food for my family, that I know what is in it. I have

been so label shocked lately, at the chemicals an preservatives that are in our foods.

No wonder we are heavy, unsatisfied and never really feel terrific. Lately I have changed a lot of our foods

and we are starting to see a difference. Also in this day and time, food now is getting actually quite crazy.

Either the price is doubled or it is difficult to find. I tried to make the rye bread, in my store it is about

4 dollars plus a loaf. This one turned out really nice. I am actually going to try a darker one next time. I will keep

you all posted.

RYE BREAD - BREAD MACHINE

Ready in 3 hours

Serves 12 slices -ish

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup of warm water

1 tablespoon of olive oil (butter)

1/4 cup of brown sugar (or brown sugar substitute)

1 1/2 tsp of salt

1 cup rye flour

2 3/4 cup of bread flour

2 tsp of caraway seeds

1/2 tsp of dry yeast

Preparation

1. Put Ingredients in like the bread machine says. 

Mine says put in first.

> Warm water, olive oil, salt, brown sugar. 

>Then put in the rye flour, the bread flour. (I poured it to cover the water, gives my flour time

to mix before it activates the yeast.

>Last put in caraway seeds and put yeast on the very top.

2. Close Bread Machine.

Choose:

>Whole Wheat/Grain selection

>crust dark

>Bake it in the bread machine

This takes a full 3 hours. When it is done, don’t let sit in machine (gets soggy) (I think most machines

will keep warm and hour, but usually I get to it really quickly.

3. Carefully remove the bread pan ***very very hot. 

4. Shake out the loaf and put on a rack to cool. 

******* Paddle sometimes stays inside the loaf, so be sure to look out for it. *********

Here is a picture of my hand so you can see what size the loaf is.

Tips

I have read that before you bag it, you should cool it, and the rye takes a few hours on a rack. 

If by chance it does get soggy I am sure a little time back in oven would fix this.

A lot of machines have a delayed start, so you could set it and have it go off 3 from your time you need it. 

* You can also take the dough out after the first rise, and prep like you are going to bake it in the oven.

Some machine have just a dough setting.

This was totally delicious. I decided I couldn't wait until it cooled. I had one slice with my lunch and

I kid you not it was so very nice, the rye was just enough, the caraway seeds you have to use,

it just makes it rye bread. The smell was warm, rye, and tempting.

If you try this let me know how it went. Not sure on the prices of stuff. But the rye flour I bought on amazon

3lbs for 9 dollars. I used a cup so .75 a cup (1 lb is equal to around 4 cups ) and then the bread flour 5 lbs for

3 dollars. (.15 a cup - est .45) yeast 1/2 pkt-ish = .05. Olive oil - pennies, brown sugar -20 cents est. So more

or less for a 1.50 I made a nice loaf of rye bread for my family.

I now know what is in it. I know I saved a lot of money. Most probably could make 4 for the same as a loaf in the

store.

WW Notes:

If you are doing WW. I found that one slice was 6 personal plan points for me. It was very filling and a very

nice textured loaf. I had a slice with a bowl of beans. You can make anything work for WW, you just have to know

that if you have this then maybe follow with something 0 points.

I will be trying more things soon.

I hope you enjoy this.

Living Your Best Life and doing what feels good for you and your family is the secret to a beautiful life.

Keep it simple.

Stay well and safe

Welcome to my journey

Louise

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY 2022

Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal

Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal

Time for the pumpkin spice that everyone loves. I thought I would give this a try and I found it to be just the right thing I needed on a chilly morning in GA.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• Oatmeal 2 cups

• Pumpkin puree 2 cups

• Almond milk 1 cup

• Vanilla Extract 1 tsp

• Pumpkin pie spice 1 tbsp

• Baking Powder 2 tsp

• Truvia Brown Sugar Substitute 2 tbsp

• Truvia Sweetener 1 tsp 

• Salt 1 tsp

Preparation

Mix everything together. 

Spray ramekins and divide into 4.

350 for 15-17

(I used my ninja 6 in 1 and it bakes, so I could put all four in at the same time)

Tips

Next time raisins. Then I would skip the truvia sweetener. 

Also top with whip cream.

WW Blue Notes:

This came with the whip topping to 6 points. It was very warm and very filling.

It is about making new habits and sustaining a new life style

It is all a journey

If you would like me to continue to share my journey, please leave a comment.

Thanks again. his also works for me, I am trying to keep my WW on the clean eating side.

Living your best life and doing what feels good for you is the secret.

Keep it simple, Stay well and safe. 

welcome to my journey

Louise

Shawarma Spiced Lentils and Diced Potatoes

 

And we meet again. I hope that you are starting to like a few things that I have shared. I am just trying to get going and find my place in the world. If you like the content and would like to see more, please do not hesitate to comment. It would really help.

So I have been toying with a lot of different items to put into our everyday diets. I love meat, don't misunderstand me, but I sure am a pushover for good flavorful food. 

Today I tried lentils. I made a simple little batch in my instant pot the other day and I decided to finish them up as a meat substitute. First I thought about just as a taco flavor, but I had recently purchased some of the shawarma spices. 

Shawarma Spiced Lentils and Diced Potatoes

The players

2 Cup of lentils (drained)

1/4 cup of  water or chicken broth

1/2 cup of diced onion

1 good scoop of garlic

1 can of diced white potatoes (drained) (hold water from can for a minute- you may need some to make sure the spices are all over the lentil and potatoes and not too dry)

Shawarma spice ( I used enough, tasting until I got the heat and taste I wanted.)

The game

In a pan Sautee garlic and onion with the 1/4 of water.

When they are softened add in your lentils and potatoes

Toss and warm completely through. If you like it more wet, add the can potato juice. 

I served mine on a crispy corn tortilla.

Next time I will have mine like a hash and a good runny egg on top. I am just amazed how I did not miss the meat. The lentil have a meatier taste to themselves. The shawarma seasoning put a nice warm heat and spice on it. Topped with some cooling sour cream or yogurt w/lime is nice also. 

WW blue notes.

There were only points for the entire can of potatoes were 6 on the blue pan. Of course points for the corn tortilla, flour tortilla or how you would serve it on. 

As a hash goes what just a few points and a good runny egg...mmmm

The texture and the flavor of the lentils were meaty and I didn't miss a thing. Now I am wondering if I could have used riced cauliflower or diced cabbage as a complete switch for the potatoes.

mmmmmm

Living your best life and doing what feels good for you is the secret.

Keep it simple, Stay well and safe. 

welcome to my journey

Louise

Fried Green Tomatoes - Air Fryer

 Let's first talk Air Fryer

Now first.. the airfryer basket, shelf, whatever has to be squirted with a non-stick spray. I use a non aerosol one so it doesnt blow off the breading. When I used up all the non aerosol, in the bottle I put avocado oil. So that is my squirter.

Now let's talk tomatoes

Get nice firm green tomatoes. I cut them about 1/4 ish or 1/2. I get about 4 nice slices from one tomato.

What you need:

1 box of jif cornbread mix (I like this because it has a light mix of flour and cornmeal and a little sweet)

3 tsp of seasoning salt

Pepper

1 Cup of water

What I do:

Take the air fryer and spray where you are going to put the tomatoes. Now you are only going to flip once. So you need to give it atleast 4 minutes before you flip. If you have a sticking problem the put in some parchment paper.

Take 1/4 of the box of jiff mix add the seasoning salt and pepper.

Take 1 slice of tomato, dip in the water, shake.

Dip in the breading mix, just coating, quickly, then lay in fryer.

Now, take a small spoon and get a bit of your mix and put on top of each tomatoe, push it down on it.

Take your spray and give everyone a little squirt (makes the breading stick and this is where you build up a crunchy outer side of the tomato)

Air Fry 400 for about 4-5 minutes. Open and flip.

Now take your crumbs again and do a little layer on this side. Squirt and close.

Air fry 400 again for maybe 2-3 ,minutes, now you are going for a good crispy color.

When about 8 minutes remove completely from the Air Fryer, so it stops them cooking or they get a soggy taste.

We thought they were pretty darn good, for not having to get out an egg, get out the oil and all the mess is kinda a cleanup friendly.

Remember this isn't cooked in oil. But with the non aerosol spray, especially since mine has avocado oil in it, it did give it a little frying taste with the crunch from the air fryer.

If you try it let me know.

*you could use a combo of flour 1/4 to cornmeal 1/4, and 1 tsp of cornstarch, with the seasonings. Also you could dip in egg.

Served this with a ranch dip

*easy ranch / one container of sour cream to one package hidden valley ranch.

WW BLUE NOTES
this was a 1 point for 2 slices. 

Please subscribe above if you like to see more of my hacks and recipes. 

Living your best life and doing what feels good for you is the secret.

Keep it simple, Stay well and safe. 

welcome to my journey

Louise

Air Fryer Wings Re-take

 

Air Fryer Wings

The journey to find the perfect wing. Wings are a sinful pleasure here at my house. They can be somewhat expensive at take out. We have a family of 5 and that is atleast 10 wings a pieces. So usually we order the 50. Runs any where from 45-65 dollars. Quick easy, saucy and fried, crispy, yummy....But.

I can save a bit more, by buying my own and cutting them myself. I have read that you can de-skin them and save calories and such, but by the time I do not fry them in oil, I figure how could they be that bad, or just I can except half bad for me I guess.

This time I have bought a new Air Fryer combo. The ninja 6 in 1. So far I love the air fryer part and the grill. It has a base that comes out with a thick nice coating of nonstick on it, I line it with foil for easier clean up. Then it comes with a grill plate you just sit in the base and same thick nice coating, I just have to spritz with my non- aerosol pam spray, I like the non- aresol so I can direct the spray. It also comes with an air fryer basket. Which I have been wearing out. It can hold about 15-16 wings at a time.

The Menu

Air Fryer Wings

The players:

50-60 wings pieces (that is one wing cut down into the pieces)

3 tablespoons of baking powder

3 tablespoons of Autrey chicken seasoned coatings

Spices, adobe, pepper, salt, garlic, onion (whatever you would like)

Non-stick spray (I use the non-aerosol pam spray)

The game:

Cut your chicken wing into pieces, the drum, the wingette and the tip. (the tips I save up and when I make bone broth I add them in)

Lay the pieces on a sheet tray and sprinkle with the baking powder and take your hand and just rub everyone, then lay out again and sprinkle your spice and the seasoned flour coating.

Mix everyone together, kind look gooky..

Spray the fryer basket and lay in about 15 of them, a little squirt of spray on top.

Air fry for 20 minutes at 390, flipping once and spray a bit on top again. 

At the end of 20 minutes you can up to 400 and get them as crispy as you like 

These were so totally delicious. Tasted exactly like they were fried. I missed nothing. We ate them all up. I paid 9.99 for a package of 15 wings / cut in half made 30. So for 20 dollars and the miscellaneous spices and spray.. I saved quite a bit of money.

Now in time, it is a labor of love, but you can cut one day and leave in fridge the next. Sometimes if I get them on sale I will do a big batch and precut and freeze for those lazy days. 

If you like this and any others, please feel free to comment.

I am just trying to share with the world a bit. I feel that for us to be the change in the world we have to be out in it. So welcome me to the internet world. I am here.

WW Notes
There was really no way I could make them too friendly, but I do know that air frying takes about 70 percent of the fat away. Sometimes I think it is kinda high in points for a fat in the skin. But it is what it is. A serving is usually 3-5 and that is what I eat. I just eat and go on. 

Please subscribe above if you like to see more of my hacks and recipes. 

Living your best life and doing what feels good for you is the secret.

Keep it simple, Stay well and safe. 

welcome to my journey

Louise

Okra Hash with Eggs WW Blue 0

Okra Hash with Egg

Okra you know, that one vegetable that comes in like abundant in the summer, and I can hear it now...ewwwwww it is soooo slimy.

Well I am a fan of okra, always have been. I like it in succatash, gumbos, and love it fried. I love the ones at the restaraunt that have the breading. I have tried numerous times to make the them at home, from the frozen version but that was a nasty mess. I think they need lots of oil to get that to be like a restaraunt. 
I have figured out a healthier, tasty way to get my okra and even get that little corn meal crunch that we all love.

I am making a hash with the okra in this recipe, but you can eat it plain, I sometimes even add a little more cornmeal and some real avocado oil and get a nice brownish crunch going. 

But at the moment I am trying to keep with the WW blue plan and those oils can eat my points up. So between me and you I use them sparingly.

The Menu:

Okra Hash with Egg

The players:

10-15 okra (dice into little disks)

Pam spray

onion powder

garlic powder

salt 

pepper

paprika

slap yo mama just a little spice

2 tablespoons of corn meal

2 eggs

The Game:

Take a nice little fry pan and generously spray with a non stick spray and put in diced okra (at this point if you have diced onion? pepper? garlic? - I myself had some roasted garlic I didn't want to waste)

Start to Sautee, add the spices, just a dash of them, and mix around, flatted everything down in the pan.

Take your non stick spray and give it a quick nice spray and then sprinkle your 2 tablespoons of corn meal on top. Stir up and continue to sautee, until getting crunchy and brown, and everyone is on the verge of done.

Make two wells in the hash and crack two eggs, cover and cook until you get your eggs how you like them.

Slide entire has out onto a plate or I have a nice flatish bowl I like.

I had this with a little ketchup (be sure to count your points for it) and two pieces of the great value whole wheat toast for 2 points

This meal for me was 0 points as the hash and eggs and 2 for the toast on WW blue.

It was so filling and yummy.

Okra is one those underrated vegetables. Lots of vitamins and fiber. 

WW Blue Notes

This was a really satisfying. The okra was perfect.

That is one of my ww blue hacks to stay on my journey. 

Please subscribe above if you like to see more of my hacks and recipes. 

Living your best life and doing what feels good for you is the secret.

Keep it simple, Stay well and safe. 

welcome to my journey

Louise

Weird Wednesday Store Finds 4/28/21 Good &Gather Artichoke Tapenade

 

This is a review, of my own of the Good and Gather Artichoke Tapenade from the Target. Cost was 3.99. I am always on the look out for different things to try. This little jar however was pre-ww blue, and I regret to say that 2 tbsp. is worth 3 points. Not too bad, but for my buck I would rather have hummus.

When I opened it, it is that off white color like artichokes and is to have olive oil, sea salt and lemon.

 I put a little on the Baggett that I bought from Sam's Club. (side note: the members mark baggett is 3 points for a third of a Baggett and that gave me like 8 thin rounds to smear that tapenade on)

The first bite, was a let down, it tasted so flat. I added a bit of salt and it came together a bit more. I have now taken it added some fresh lemon and little more salt and it is really good. Too good for me now. 

I am not going to eat those points today. I am however going to take it and use it in the middle of a chicken spinach artichoke kind of dish next week. I will not waste it. 

Waste not, want not. Even if it isn't WW friendly, I still have to make it work.

WW BLUE NOTES

This was okay, will use it in another way, just not for a snack.

·  #makingregularfoodworkonww

Have a great day. Hope to see you soon with more of what I have to share. Subscribe with your email and you can keep up with what I am doing. If you try it, leave a comment, would love to know what you think.

Until then....

“People support a world they help create.”

Peace,
Louise