The Chicken Ball

Tuesday night was suppose to be another cycle group ride.  But the email didn’t arrive and I was actually hoping it wouldn’t since the weather reverted back to February temperatures complete with snow.

It wasn’t snow that stayed but still…it was in the air and that was bad enough. Thursday, when the next cycle group ride is scheduled, the weather should be nicer.

I can’t wait for it to get a little warmer so I can show THIS off to my new cycling friends:

It’s from Kalli of FitandFortySomething.  “MetalMtnCycling”  !  I showed Ted and he said “did you tell her your husband needed one?”  Ha Ha Ted!  No Way, Baby!  He may ride faster than me but I dress better.

Thanks Kalli!  I love it!  You shouldn’t have but I’m so glad you did

I felt so zonked Tuesday morning before leaving the house.  I got on the carpet where Shane was chewing a raw hide bone and put my head on his back.  He was so warm and soft, I could have taken a nap…if he would have kept still.  The silly dog was gnawing away and his body was jerking all over the place. 

Shane is the mushiest dog in the earliest morning hours when I get up and Ted stays in bed.  He goes to the top of the stairs and waits for me.  He just lays there while I give him a quick belly rub before going down to workout.  Then he goes back to sleep and doesn’t come into the gym until Ted gets there at about 5 am.  Lazy men in our house!

Wednesday Run:  14 miles.  First of all, I had the WORST dream last night. Ted actually woke me up because I was mumbling.  I remember that I was trying to scream “HELP ME” but in the dream, the words wouldn’t form and just came out as  “MMMmmm!   MMMMMM!”  Some horrible woman with red hair and laundry in her hand was beating me up.  I’d really be interested in the interpretation of that one!

Anyway, back to the run, nasty, nasty morning.  I ran 10.05 inside on the T/M.  It was AWFUL!  I never got my  legs going.  I felt tired and kind of sick.   When we went outside, I had only 4 miles to go and decided to take an extended version of the route for the 5K race on Saturday.  The original plan was to test my time after running 10 on the mill.   That would have been too depressing this morning so I just eked out 4 easy ones with Shane.  They weren’t easy.  Nothing about today’s run was easy. I wanted to go back to bed the entire 14. Ugg!

Chicken Meatballs and Tofu Balls

As posted the other day, one of my favorite books is from the Canyon Ranch.   Here is another recipe, converted to suit our tastes, but based on the Canyon Ranch Cooks Chicken Meatball Sub recipe.

Chicken Meatballs  *See below for Tofu Meatballs   Serves 4

• 1 package ground chicken *or Firm Lite Tofu 
• 1 TBS dried whole cranberries, chopped
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• pinch red pepper
• 1 tsp caraway seed
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots, chopped small
• 2 TBS fresh chopped parsley
• 1 TBS toasted pine nuts
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1 TBS olive oil
• 1 cup Marinara sauce (your favorite)
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese

Mix together the chicken through the egg.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Grease a baking sheet using the 1 TBS of olive oil. 

Roll the chicken mixture into about 1 ounce balls and place on the greased baking sheet.

Bake for 12 – 15 minutes. 

Serve with the heated marinara sauce and cheese.  *You can serve in a hot dog roll or whole wheat baguette to make a chicken meatball sub.

Vegetarian Version:

Use FIRM TOFU instead of the chicken.  Mix all of the above, the same way as instructed using chicken.  I also added 1 TBS of grated cheese in the mix (optional).

Baking time is 35 minutes for the tofu at 375 F and during the last minute to minute and a half, change oven to HI Broil and finish the tofu. Watch carefully so the balls don’t burn.

Being completely honest, this was one of the BEST tofu recipes I’ve had.  The TOFU balls were loaded with flavor from the sweet cranberries, the caraway added a hint of “mystery” and the sauce with the cheese…what a perfect meal.  I’m patting myself on the back for this one.

Ted enjoyed the chicken meatballs as well.  He had them with bread, sauce and a hint of cheese.

What is your favorite MEATLESS meal?

Joanne