Bundled Up

I decided to spend a week at my parents house, just to get away from the cold upstate temperatures. And just my luck, the first night I'm home, the heater breaks down. I ended up sleeping by the fireplace, waking up every so often when the fire started to die down.

While it is not as cold here as it is back at my apartment (from what I hear it snowed and was in the low teen's), the most I've done as to venturing out, is to take my sister's dog out for a little play time.




He looks like this, only grayish.

So, I've got the house to myself for the morning and nothing to eat. Time to pick through the pantry and come up with something.

Cooking, is one of my resolutions for the new year. I cook tons when I'm home, but very little back in my apartment. Partly due to its size, and now with winter setting in, it is too cold to be in that room. I really do need to work on that.

Not the prettiest meal, but it hit the spot just right.


Spaghetti and Veggie Bake

1 box spaghetti
1 package hot turkey sausage
2 medium onions
1 garlic head
1 package frozen spinach
1 package frozen broccoli florets
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 package mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 eggs
Parmesan cheese
Korean chili paste
Dried chili flakes
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

My parents have a tendency to buy lots of meat and store it in the freezer. So, there is a very good chance there is one or two different types of meat thawing in the fridge. This visit, it was hot turkey sausage. I didn't want to deal with the casing, so with the back of the knife, I pushed the meat out. I find that most "hot" sausages are not hot enough for me, so I tend to knead in Korean chili paste (it comes in a tube, so about an inch) and chili flakes.

I'm not afraid of a little E. Coli! But seriously, if you are still concerned about the risk, you can use any frozen dark leafy green, cauliflower, squash, etc. Empty the package of spinach into a colander to thaw/drain. Squeeze the greens to get as much liquid out as possible. Set aside. Do the same for the broccoli (minus the squeezing).

Remove as much of the outside skin of the garlic as possible. Cut off enough of the top to expose the garlic inside. A drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of kosher salt, and wrap in foil. Roast in the oven for about an hour, at 450 degrees. It's finished when the garlic is soft, and browned.

If only I had some crusty bread...

Peel the outer layers of the onion, and cut off the ends. Cut in half and thinly slice.

I was so Niagra Falls while working on the onions

In a heated pan, sautee the onions and garlic with two tablespoons of olive oil. Add the ground turkey and brown. Break up any large chunks. If you want to reduce the amount of oil in the dish, drain at this point.



Add the spinach and broccoli and cook for 5 minutes.

Add spaghetti sauce and set heat on low to simmer while you cook the pasta.

Cook spaghetti as directed on package and drain.

Took a sample at this point. Not overly saucy, but good and spicy.

Crack two room temperature eggs and beat lightly.

In a large enough bowl, add the pasta, sauce, eggs, and two-thirds of the mozzarella and half the parmesan. Toss until all the noodles are coated. Pour into a greased baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake in a 350 degree oven until the cheese has turned a nice golden brown. Allow to rest for 10 minutes and serve.

Beam me up, Scotty