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Friday, September 26, 2014

Mexican Style Meatloaf & Roasted Butternut Squash - Easy Low Carb Meal

This evening we had leftover Mexican Style Meatloaf and Roasted Butternut Squash for dinner. Whenever I think about fall, I think about butternut squash. Besides the fact that I love it, it's also one of my favorite fall shades of orange that I love so much. Roasted butternut squash is simply chunks or cubes of butternut squash tossed with oil and seasoned with salt and pepper and roasted on a sheet pan in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the size of your cubes). I've cut my own squash up before and I've purchased it already cubed (from Costco). In case you've never cut up a butternut squash before, it has to be peeled and seeded (there aren't many seeds)...but the tricky part is cutting it up. It's a really hard squash and you need a really good sharp knife (I use a chef's knife). It's much easier if you can find it fresh and already cut up. I sliced and heated up the meatloaf and within 20 to 30 minutes, dinner was ready. 

 If you haven't tried my meatloaf yet, you will never look at adding breadcrumbs to meatloaf the same way again. Trust me, whether or not you are grain and gluten free, forget about breadcrumbs...why waste good retail space with filler when you could add CHEESE instead? This meatloaf has diced Cabot pepper jack cheese instead of bread crumbs or faux crumbs, etc. The cheese adds FLAVOR, creaminess and depending on what kind of cheese you add...it adds some zip too. I've used shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese before, also. Rather than dicing up onions or adding catsup or tomato sauce...add fresh salsa instead, particularly if you are looking for a little Mexican or southwestern style flavor. Why add dry stuff (crumbs) to your meatloaf only to have to turn around and counter the dryness with egg, catsup, etc. Keep it moist and flavorful...period! That's my meatloaf rant for the year. LOL 

 Lastly, I was SO excited when I pulled into the driveway this afternoon...I have actual visual proof that it really is fall! Our leaves are not only beginning to turn color but I found a few on the ground, too! Yippeeeee...bring it on! Check out the photo of my super easy and quick meal tonight. It's nothing fancy...just good food! Enjoy!


It really is fall...seeing this today was the highlight of my day!
Proof that fall has arrived in Atlanta...we have colorful leaves on the ground! 

        



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4 comments:

  1. CyberSis9/27/14, 12:04 AM

    Hi GGC,

    I love the roasted butternut squash in your Autumn chili recipe, too ... a great stand-in for beans.

    We're starting to see those leaves around here, also. They say that the foliage will be at "peak" in 1-2 weeks. This fall is shaping up to be a most colorful one. Love it! :-)

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  2. Sylvia9/27/14, 9:22 AM

    You are too funny! I live 40 miles north of New Orleans in Abita Springs, La. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. We've been lucky this year and have had the beginnings of an early fall. Usually our weather doesn't cool off until late October. Leaves are teasing us with some color on their points. Despite our fall being behind that of Atlanta, I still cook Autumn dishes (like your cabbage soup)even with our late seasons. I know the cooler weather is coming because the Hummingbirds are everywhere!

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  3. Gourmet Girl Cooks9/27/14, 3:49 PM

    Hi CyberSis,

    Thanks. I hope to be making chili soon! How lucky that your foilage will be peaking so soon.

    I told hubby we need to get back to taking walks again with the dropping temps. I was so excited when I saw the few leaves when I got home yesterday that I immediately ran for my camera! ;-)

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  4. Gourmet Girl Cooks9/27/14, 3:53 PM

    Hi Sylvia,

    I know it is a bit silly to be so excited over a few little leaves changing color...LOL...but I really was! I am just "over" summer. I have gotten more mosquito bites in the last month than I can count!

    I should do the same thing that you do and continue making some of my favorite dishes year round -- especially soups that I can make in the crockpot since they keep the kitchen cool.

    How beautiful to see hummingbirds everywhere. I think I saw our first one a couple weeks ago. I have butterfly bushes in the yard and some other flowers they usually like to go to but didn't see them this summer until a couple weeks ago on one of my crape myrtles. :-)

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