Pumpkin, Sausage & Spinach Calzones

I came across a recipe for pumpkin, sausage and spinach calzones in some magazine. Since I couldn't pin it, I lost track of the actual recipe. But what I ended up making was pretty stinking good. Totally delicious. Decently healthy. Yummy goodness.  

I decided on using the spicy/hot Italian chicken sausage from Sprouts. I like a little kick, but if that's not your thing, sweet Italian sausage would work too. Of course, you can go with turkey, pork, or whatever meat you like. You can also use your cheese of choice. I went with a white extra sharp cheddar. Again, I like things that have a little extra bite or whatever. For time's sake, I rounded up a recipe for no-yeast WW pizza crust from Kristin in Her Kitchen. I also saved some time by using frozen chopped spinach. 

Pumpkin, Sausage & Spinach Calzones

Ingredients for the crust:

1 1/2 cups WW flour

1/2 cup AP flour

1 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup EVOO

Ingredients for the filling:

EVOO

8 oz Italian sausage

2 cups frozen chopped spinach

Salt & pepper

4 heaping TBSP pureed pumpkin

3-4 oz cheese, shredded 

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 450*F and grab a non-stick cookie sheet.
• In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients for the crust; whisk together. Add the water and EVOO. Mix well. Set aside.
• In a saute pan, add some EVOO and heat it up on high. Add the sausage. Cook thoroughly. Remove the sausage from the pan. Turn the heat down to low.
• Add a tad bit more EVOO to the pan (may not be necessary if you're using a sausage with more fat). Add the spinach, salt & pepper. Saute for a couple minutes, or until the spinach is warmed up. Remove from heat.
• Divide your dough for the crust into 4 equal parts. Roll out into like 7-8" circles. Place 1 heaping TBSP of pumpkin and spread it around (leave about 1/4" around the edges). Divide up the spinach, sausage, and cheese between the circles. Fold each circle over. Use a fork and go around the edges to seal them. 
• Place the calzones on your cookie sheet. You can spread a little EVOO on top. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until slightly golden. 

Enjoy!

Skillet Tilapia Fillets with Cilantro Butter

Yesterday, my brother put in an odd request to have tilapia for dinner.  I was quite thrilled because, I for one, really love to eat fish.  My family typically favors chicken/beef/pork, but I'm a fish person.  (Although, I do love a good steak too.)  Anyways, I was excited that I had an opportunity to make tilapia and not get any complaints from the brother.  I found this recipe on Pinterest.  Surprise, huh?!  It's actually a thing on MyRecipies, "7 Ways to Cook Tilapia."  A great thing to have handy, since I'm prone to buying the jumbo bags of tilapia.  I made the Skillet Fillets with Cilantro Butter because I had all the ingredients, and really needed to use up the rest of the cilantro from the other night.  (I really need to start an herb garden, so I can just get what I want, when I want.)  This was a super quick, easy dinner with steam-in-the-bag veggies on the side!  (Also, it was very tasty.  Some people might consider it spicy, but I'm not one of them.)

Skillet Fillets with Cilantro Butter

(If you look at the original, you'll notice I've doubled the spices! You've been warned.) 

For the tilapia:

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp ground red pepper

6 (4-oz) tilapia filets 

Cooking spray

1 lemon (quartered) 

Combine the spices and sprinkle (or rub) over both sides of fish.  Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.  Coat skillet with cooking spray.  Also spray both sides of the fish and place in skillet.  Cook for about 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily or reaches 145ish degrees.  Place on serving tray or plate and squeeze on some lemon juice! 

For the cilantro butter:

2 TBSP butter, softened

2 TBSP cilantro, finely chopped

Grated rind from 1 lemon (grate before you quarter & squeeze it!)

1/4-1/2 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended.  Serve with fish!