Halloweenies and Pesto Pasta

These simple and fun Yummy Mummies aka Halloweenies are one of my kids favorite things to make and eat during Halloween!!

I make the dough from scratch. I always use Six Sisters "Homemade Pizza Factory Breadsticks" recipe. Super easy, but does take a little bit of time due to rising.

1½ cups warm water

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. yeast

Let that sit for 5 minutes. Then add:

3½ cups flour

1 tsp Salt

Mix until smooth then let raise for 10 minutes. Roll out dough into a large square on a floured surface. Brush with melted (real) butter mixed with garlic and then sprinkle with kosher salt. Fold in half and cut into 1 inch strips. Twist and place on a cooking sheet. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes to raise. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately after baking, brush with more garlic butter and sprinkle with kosher salt and grated parmesan cheese.

*I always end up needing a little big more flour so it's not sticky. For these Halloweenies I didn't do any garlic or parmesan cheese, but I think I should've. And I usually add olives for the eyes, but didn't have any, so raisins it was. These have always been the best breadsticks ever, or in this case Halloweenies ever!

**And if you want paleo style Nom Nom Paleo has got you covered click here!

I served them with some homemade pesto over Barilla tri-colored spiral noodles and some very cute Charly Brown Halloween pasta....

My kids love the homemade basil pesto that I make. It's something that I can't eat because of the garlic and cheese in it, but oh my goodness it smells so good. Basil makes everything smell so wonderful!

Basil Pesto is super easy to through together and no need to follow a recipe, 

but here is a recipe to follow:

2 cups Basil

1/2cup Parmasean Cheese

1/2cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/3cup pine nuts

3 garlic cloves

Salt and pepper to taste

Put it all in a food processor and blend.

They said, "This is the best dinner ever mama! We love Halloweenies because mummies are so yummy! And your pesto noodles are always the BEST!!"

Spaghetti w/ a Chance of Meatballs

The Fish Fam loved these Turkey Meatballs.

As I was mixing everything together it smelled really good.
But, once they got cooking in the oven, wow, it smelled pretty awesome.

My little one exclaimed in excitement...

"Yay, spaghetti with a chance of meatballs!"

And during dinner, "Mom, I want more chance of meatballs!"

This recipe looked the best... Turkey-Spinach Meatballs.
But, I didn't have everything, so I did this...

Meatballs

• 1 large egg, beaten to blend
• ¼ small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic finely chopped
• 1½ pound ground turkey, preferably 93% lean or less
• 3 oz chopped spinach
• ½ cup finely grated Parmesan 
• ½ cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• Few dashes of crushed red pepper 
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil  

• 
  Preheat broiler. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat with nonstick spray.
• Using your hands or a fork, gently mix egg, onion, garlic, turkey, spinach, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, fennel seeds, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl just until combined. Scoop out turkey mixture by the ¼-cupful and form into balls (you should have about 20). Place on prepared baking sheet, spacing 2” apart; brush with oil.
• Broil meatballs, turning often, until browned all over and cooked through, 15–18 minutes. Add to marinara sauce.
• DO AHEAD: Meatballs with marinara sauce can be made 2 weeks ahead. Let cool completely and freeze individual portions in resealable plastic bags. Run under tepid water to loosen from bag and gently reheat, covered, until meatballs are warmed through and sauce is bubbling, 15–20 minutes.
  
  
  They came out great! 
  Next time I'll just not put so close to the broiler.

Boil your spaghetti noodles.

Add your favorite marinara sauce or make your own.

Make some breadsticks (click for recipe).

Then sprinkled everything with fresh Parmesan cheese.

And walla dinner is served...

Mangia bene, vivi felice :)

Minestrone & Breadsticks

I came across this Minestrone Soup Recipe and wanted to make something like it.

I soaked Anasazi Beans for 8 hrs. & then cooked them.
Drained them and *saved the reserves.

In a large pot I added 48oz of chicken broth & bean reserves.
I added bay leaves and a fresh rosemary sprig.
Next, I chopped up and threw in the pot...

Onions
Garlic
Celery
Carrots

Later, chopped, added, and cooked until soft...

Zucchini & Potatoes
Semi-cooked Italian Sausage
Kale & Parsley

Lastly, I added the cooked beans, fresh parmesan cheese, and pepper.

While the soup was finishing up I made some Pizza Factory Breadsticks, which a friend made, so I had to try!

 
I changed the recipe a little bit by adding butter in the batter.
Butter always makes for better bread. YUM.

Recipe here at Six Sisters Stuff

1½ cups warm water

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. yeast

Let that sit for 5 minutes. Then add:

3½ cups flour

1 tsp Salt

Mix until smooth then let raise for 10 minutes. Roll out dough into a large square on a floured surface. Brush with melted (real) butter mixed with garlic and then sprinkle with kosher salt. Fold in half and cut into 1 inch strips. Twist and place on a cooking sheet. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes to raise. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately after baking, brush with more garlic butter and sprinkle with kosher salt and grated parmesan cheese.

Serve with marinara, alfredo sauce, or ranch for dipping.

*Dough also makes a great pizza dough, just roll out into a large circle, add your favorite toppings, and bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

 

*I added 2T of butter in the recipe. It made the dough sticky, but I just added more flour accordingly.

I made some Honey Butter from organic raw honey and grass-fed butter.

It gave the breadsticks the perfect touch. The fish fam said, "We like these so much better than the other ones you make!" Lol.

 
The Fish Fam loved it!

Meal 4: Homemade Soup, Salad, & Breadsticks

Onward with the leftovers from the chicken drumsticks I used the bones to make bone broth. I never let my family through away their chicken drumsticks or thigh bones. I wash them off, put them in a freezer bag, and toss them into the freezer until I have enough bones to make broth.

As usual I boiled the bones for two days.
Directions here, don't let it scare you, it's so worth it.

On the final day I add some fresh herbs, chicken meat, sea salt.

About an hour before dinner I add onions &/or garlic.

Then I add the veggies celery, carrots, potatoes, kale, etc.

I also added our leftover quinoa.

Serve it with a tossed salad & freshly made bread sticks.
Recipe here.

Nothing better than homemade Chicken Soup, salad, & bread sticks!