Let us Give Thanks for the Little Things in Life!- Sweet Potato Snack Bites

It's quiet in our house tonight. We're trying to get back on schedule after being off since Wednesday. Kind of makes me weepy- especially as reflect back on the holiday weekend.

See, I love all holidays but there is something special about Thanksgiving! I love it for many reasons.
For family time.

For grocery shopping. And more grocery shopping.

For insane amounts of vegetables! This year, I used 3lbs of carrots between my carrot parsnip gratin, roasted carrots and snack carrots.

For the little things in life that make me smile.

For all the extra help I received from my mom and MIL!

For my husband!

For using our nice dishes.

For good wine and conversation.

For proving to myself that I can cook a 17lb bird!! Wahoo!!

Most of all- I love Thanksgiving for the intentional time it gives us to pause and give thanks!!


One more thing--- I also love this holiday because it's the beginning of much more family time, celebrations and good food.

Knowing what's to come in the calorie department- I tried out a healthy snack idea this weekend. -
Sweet Potato Snack Bites! Easy and really good.




Sweet Potato Snack Bites

3 medium size sweet potatoes or yams
1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 egg white

Directions

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Pierce potatoes with fork and place on baking sheet. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until soft. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Turn oven to 350 degrees. Prepare of baking sheet with parchment paper. When cool, peel and mash potatoes then add flour. In small bowl whisk egg white and butter. Combine all ingredients together and with a tablespoon scoop out into balls. Once prepared put in freezer for 10-15 minutes. Pull from freezer and bake for 30 minutes. They should be somewhat crispy on the outside but soft inside.




 Note: I had originally planned on making these and then rolling them in crushed pecans before I froze them but I was out of nuts. So- just in case you have some around- try it that way too!
These are great to put in lunches or serve as an after school snack!

Engery Boosting Meal with Jovial Pasta

Those are kale chips on top!

It's 5:00pm and it's almost dark outside. Does that bother anyone besides me?

It's 5:00pm and there is still homework left to do, laundry to fold, dinner to fix and plenty of other things to do!

Uhhhh - what do we do for dinner? Comfort food is my first thought. Oh no, not a good idea! I don't want a heavy meal that will zonk my family out 10 minutes after it's chewed? No way, Jose! We need something that will give us a boost! How about a pasta dish that has the comfort feel but ends up giving an energy boost to my family instead!

Do you know about einkorn pasta? Well- it's time you did! Einkorn is a strain of wheat that's full of dietary fiber and packed with protein--a whopping 9 grams per serving to be exact--and B vitamins. In my opinion, einkorn pasta should be seen as a nutritional powerhouse.

Okay- honestly, this pasta is delicious. My girls ate it up! Even my oldest who isn't really keen on pasta enjoyed the flavor and texture. Not slimy like the other pastas she said!

I was graciously sent a box of Jovial Foods new Whole Grain Einkorn pasta and served it up with a Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Sauce! Yum!

Caramelized Onion Butternut Squash Sauce

1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 medium sweet onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 medium butternut squash
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup vegetable broth or water
1/4 cup goat cheese

To roast squash
Preheat oven to 350F. Cut the butternut squash in half, lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Pour 1/4 cup of water into a baking dish and place the butternut squash halves cut side down. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a easily pierced. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Scoop out the squash flesh from the skins and puree with a blender.

Directions for sauce
In a large skillet heat to medium high and melt butter. Bring butter to a rapid boil and add onions. Carefully stir onions in butter and let butter begin to brown. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic allowing them to caramelize- approx. 5 minutes. Add seasonings, squash and broth. Let flavors cook together for another 10 minutes. Stir in cheese before serving.




Disclosure: I was sent product from Jovial Foods at no charge and I was under no obligation to post about them nor receive compensation for doing so.