Flurries of Fun~

Are you as surprised as I am that it's Christmas Eve? December has flown by unlike any other year! I truly can't say that I'm saddened by this, as I'm anxiously awaiting 2018!

We've had one Christmas gift nestled under the tree (for three days) awaiting Michael's opening. I caved in this morning and allowed him to open it as he's been such a pest asking when it can be opened! I've contemplated throwing it over the back fence, as he's asked at a minimum of fifty plus times each day. Clearly I would never actually throw it, I simply didn't want to hear about it any longer!

My little love~

I made the most amazing dinner the other night! I found the recipe for bacon cheeseburger stuffed zucchini boats on Pintrest. I didn't look at the directions prior to preparing the meal, however I imagined it wasn't going to turn out as the recipe for the sauce calls for 1 Tbsp tomato paste, 2 Tbsp mustard, and 2 Tbsp ketchup. Had I read this prior, I likely wouldn't have made it as this grossed me out! However, I will absolutely make this meal again as it was fabulous!

Here's the recipe, as it's too good to not share! Don't mind the large gap between the instructions, it won't allow me to delete the space and I'm too tired to fight with it!

Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 467 kcal

Author Brenda Bennett | Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

• 5 ounces uncured nitrate free bacon
• 2 zucchini about 1.5 pounds
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp mustard
• 2 tbsp no sugar added ketchup
• 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese divided

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a skillet, cook the bacon until crisp and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Chop into piece once cooled.
3. Slice each zucchini lengthwise and scoop out the inside seeds, leaving about 1/4 inch from the sides. Place this removed insides of zucchini in a bowl and set aside.
4. Rub the oil around the inside of each halved zucchini and place on a baking sheet pan.
5. Bake for 20 minutes.
6. While the zucchini is baking you can make the filling.
7. Remove some of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving about a tablespoon or so in the pan.
8. Cook the onion until softened then add the ground beef and insides of zucchini you had scooped out.
9. Cook beef until browned then add seasonings, tomato paste, mustard and ketchup.
10. Stir to combine the stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese.
11. Allow it to melt, turn off the heat and return half the bacon into the mixture.
12. Once zucchini is cooked, remove from the oven and fill each half with the filling.
13. Top with remaining shredded cheese and bacon.
14. Broil for 2 minutes to melt the cheese on top.
15. Enjoy!

Unfortunately, while chopping the onion, I sliced a large flap on my thumb.

 

A few months back, I stabbed my left wrist while cutting apples. I've never been this clumsy in the kitchen! Perhaps this is God's way of telling me to stay out of the kitchen!

Well, I've got a lot of cleaning to do as our home is a huge mess! Santa can't see the house in this shape!

Until next time!