What a whirl wind! Have you ever had one of those weeks where you wondered where the hours have gone, and dare I say you just need one more day. Well, it's 5:00 PM and my phone just started dinging. Eeek, it's Girls Night In and I committed to hosting! Good thing I have a few tricks up my sleeve, such as these crowd pleasing Spaghetti Squash Pancakes with Sriracha "Aioli"!
Last minute entertaining is kinda my forte. How quickly can I get home from work, straighten up the house, give the chickens a pep talk and pop something in the oven before guests start arriving. It may just be the adrenaline talking but, it's kind of a fun challenge. Weekday entertainment can be so easy and stress free if you gleam these tricks and commit to not cooking a Thanksgiving meal for your friends.
Tip One: Keep it handy! I always like to have a few items on hand such as healthy dips, veggies and olives. Hummus and guacamole are my go to's. I love hummus, it's a perfect snack at work but, an even better starter for the girls so that their stomachs don't start growling while the dinner is finishing up. Veggies like carrots, peppers, cucumbers all provide the perfect crunch for guests and olives simply placed in a bowl for noshing is easy peasy!.
Tip Two: You don't have to do it all! Ask a friend to be in charge of cocktails and tell the other one to bring salad fixin'. The more friends coming over, the less work for you!! That leaves plenty of time to put out some non-cook snacks and focus on the main dish.
Tip Three: Cooking is Entertaining! Don't feel like the table needs to be set and the meal perfectly curated before your guests arrive. Half the fun of Girls Night In and entertaining is cooking together and chatting while the meal is being assembled and placing finishing touches.
On the Girls Night In Menu tonight, Spaghetti Squash Pancakes!!! Lucky for me I have cooked quinoa in the fridge and a beautiful spaghetti squash that will be gracing our dinner plates. Grab your cosmo or glass of wine and take a seat at our kitchen island and enjoy my Girls Night In tips and these crazy-good Spaghetti Squash Pancakes slathered with Sriracha "Aioli".
SERVES 4, 14 pancakes (For Girls Night In)
Ingredients for HERBIVORE + CAVEMAN alike:
2 eggs
2/3 cup flour
2 cups spaghetti squash, cooked and wring out ((Bonus points round - cook ahead!)
2 cups quinoa, cooked (Bonus points round - cook ahead!)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/2 cup fresh spinach, sliced into ribbons
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of Sriracha "Aioli"
HINTS:
Preheat oven to 425 Fahrenheit.
Cut the squash in 2 halves (may need a chainsaw, jk), scrape out the seeds out of each half. Lightly coat with oil over the cut sides of the squash. Oil baking sheet and place the squash on the baking sheet cut side down.
Bake for about 30-40 minutes. It is done when soft to the touch. Fun part - scrape squash with a fork to create noodle like strands
Bonus Round: Squish as much moisture out of the squash by wrapping small chunks in a towel and squeezing over the sink.
Cooked spaghetti squash can be refrigerated for 5 days. It is so easy if you cook the squash before hand do that during dinner time hangrys everything is quick to assemble.
ON TO THE GOOD STUFF:
In a large bowl, using electric mixer or whisk, beat 2 eggs. Add flour and continue beating for about 30 seconds to thoroughly mixed. Add cooked spaghetti squash, cooked quinoa, grated Parmesan cheese, spinach ribbons, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
I know this sounds weird there being raw egg and all BUT, taste the mixture and play with the flavors. This is really the only time you can make modifications.
Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat. You want the skillet screaming hot before you add the oil or the oil will just burn. Add oil once a splash of water beads off the skillet and evaporates. With two tablespoons, scoop the mixture and scrape the tablespoon-ful into the skillet with the second spoon. Press down on the lump with the spoon a little to flatten and shape.
Cook until golden brown, roughly 1-2 minutes, reduce heat and flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. on each side and repeat until mixture is gone. Crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside!! Yum!
Devour as is for a quick snack or even better top with the Sriracha "Aioli"!!!