Spaghetti Squash Enchilada Casserole with Jalapeno Chicken Sausage

Last week I made spicy corn on the grill.  While I was grilling the corn, what you didn’t see on the right side of my grill was a package of spicy chicken jalapeno sausages roasting away.  I cooked them for the same amount of time as my corn (12-14 min).  As my corn and sausage did its thing on the grill, I thought about what I wanted to make with my (planned) leftover corn that could be made ahead and reheated easily later that evening for dinner… Casserole!  One of my most favorite things to make as the weather begins to become more fall like is casserole.  Who doesn’t like cheesy, creamy goodness filled with squash, grilled corn and sausage??  No one I know.  So, next time you’ve got some leftover corn… make this casserole!  It freezes well, could be made a day ahead and satisfies anyone’s craving for comfort food.  If you don’t feel like grilling corn or don’t have any leftover, you could use any type of corn you have on hand like canned or frozen varieties.  If possible, use frozen roasted corn to get that same charred flavor.  If you go the frozen corn route and don’t plan on firing up your grill, I also recommend cooking your sausage in the broiler or in a skillet to get some good color on it.  If you’re unsure how to cook spaghetti squash, I linked to a great tutorial by my buddy Janetha over at Meals and Moves below in the ingredient list.  Her method is by far the best I’ve tried.  Once the squash is done, I like to freeze it in one cup increments for future use.  I do the same thing with brown rice and quinoa for meals just like this.  That way, the next time I need a bit of cooked squash or quinoa, all I have to do is throw a quick defrost on it.  Serve this casserole with a dollop of Greek yogurt, hot sauce and a sprinkle of cilantro and thinly sliced green onion if desired.  

What You Need:

1 ½ cups cooked spaghetti squash (12 oz)

1 cup enchilada sauce (I used Trader Joe’s)

2 ears spicy grilled corn, kernels removed (or 1 ½ cups corn)

3 ½ grilled spicy jalapeno chicken sausages cut into small pieces (from Trader Joe's)

½ cup cooked grain, rice or small pasta like orzo (I used quinoa)

¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar, divided

1 large egg

Foil

Cooking spray

Small casserole dish that can hold about 7 cups/ 2 quarts

What To Do:

Heat your oven to 350* and spray the inside of your casserole dish evenly with cooking spray.

Combine all ingredients except for ¼ cup of the cheese and mix well.  Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish and top with remaining cheese and cover with foil.

Bake 45-50 minutes.  You’ll know it’s ready when the casserole is bubbling around all the edges.

Remove foil and hit the broiler setting on your oven to brown the top.  Stay close, as things can get burnt easily in the broiler.  Set a timer for 2 minutes and check and see if it’s browned.  If not, add 2 more minutes.

Serve immediately or allow the casserole to cool to room temperature and store in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to eat.

**Edited to add: Makes 4 - 1.5 cup servings

Nutritional Stats for 1 Serving

Print this recipe!

Bon Appétit!

Mary

Mexican Chicken Soup

This spin on chicken soup came to me this chilly winter day after peering into my pantry and spotting a can of fire roasted tomatoes with roasted garlic, a jar of salsa verde and a can of green chilies.  I knew right then that I wanted to make a soup with Mexican flavors in it.  I had just gone to the market yesterday and picked up a package of chicken tenders, so I decided I should make a Mexican twist on good old fashioned chicken soup to warm us up.  This soup has deep smoky undertones of cumin and a hint of beer in its broth.  I really wished I had had some tortillas, because I think that toasting some in the oven with some cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne would be lovely.  Also, if you have a ripe avocado and some fresh cilantro, I highly recommend adding both of these accompaniments.   Promise you won’t be disappointed!   This recipe can also be made in the Crockpot by reducing the amount of garlic by half and combining all ingredients in your slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours.  This soup freezes extremely well.  Serve with chopped avocado, thinly sliced green onion, sharp shredded cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt, minced cilantro and hot sauce.

What You Need:

1 lb chicken rinsed and cut into bite sized pieces
1 – 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes with roasted garlic
4 cups ( 1 – 32 oz box) chicken stock (broth would work also)
1 cup salsa verde (I used Henry’s Store brand – Sun Harvest)
¾ cup beer (I had a Bass on hand)
2 cups cooked pinto beans
1 cup corn kernels (canned, fresh or frozen)
1 – 4oz can green chilies
1 medium brown onion (about 2 cups), ½“dice
6 cloves garlic, minced (or to taste)
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
½ tsp cumin
¼ tsp salt and pepper plus a pinch of each

What To Do:

Heat the oil over medium high heat in a large soup pot. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and season with ¼ tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and ½ tsp cumin.

Brown the chicken for 4-5 minutes stirring occasionally.  Remove from pan. 

Turn heat down to medium and sauté onions for 8 minutes adding the garlic during the last minute of cooking. Season the onions and garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Add chicken to the onions and garlic, then deglaze pan with beer by turning up the heat to medium high and slowly adding the beer, scraping browned bits off the bottom of the pan with a  wooden spoon. Simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes. During this time, the alcohol will burn off.

Next, add all remaining ingredients and simmer covered, over low heat for about 15 minutes.












Makes 4 (2 cup) Servings


Bon Appétit!
Mary

Raw Sweet Corn Salad

Don’t be scared of the title of this recipe. Raw sweet summer corn does not need to be cooked to be delicious. I have always loved munching on those raw kernels and decided to throw them into salad of sorts today to accompany some baked California halibut. In this recipe I use aged balsamic vinegar because it is much sweeter and more syrup like than its traditional counterpart, but if you don’t feel like running over to the market… The regular stuff would work just fine. Feel free to add a minced jalapeno or serrano pepper for some heat or serve with hot sauce.

What You Need:

1 ear sweet corn, kernels removed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small avocado, diced
½ cucumber, seeds removed and diced
1/3 cup red onion, diced
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp aged balsamic vinegar
1 tsp agave or honey
¼ tsp kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Sriracha hot sauce





What To Do:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix gently until combined. Serve with hot sauce over baked California halibut with shredded brussels sprouts.











Serves 4



Bon Appétit!
Mary

Black Eyed Pea Soup with Potatoes, Corn, and Spinach

Whenever it rains, I can’t help but want a warm bowl of soup. This vegetable soup is hearty, while still light and delicious. To make this vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth. A great alternative to spinach would be kale or Swiss chard. This soup can be made a day ahead by following the recipe, but leaving out the spinach until you are ready to serve. Great for a cold rainy day!

What You Need:

1 – 15 oz can black eyed peas, drained

2 – 32 oz boxes low sodium chicken broth
1 small onion, diced
2 ears corn, kernels removed
1 potato, 1" dice
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 ½ cup shredded carrot
8 oz green beans, cut into 1” pieces
1/3 cup Italian parsley, minced, plus more for garnish
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

What To Do:

Heat oil in a soup pot over medium heat until hot. Combine celery, carrot and onion and sauté for 9 minutes. Vegetables will be softened, but not completely cooked.

Add broth and diced potato and bring to a boil. Boil for 6 minutes and then add corn and beans. Bring soup back to a boil and cook for another 3 minutes.

Turn off the heat and add spinach, beans , corn and parsley. Stir well and then put lid on pot. Once spinach wilts slightly, serve with warm bread or grilled cheese.

Serves Many

Bon Appétit!
Mary