Sweet and Spicy Sloppy Joes

I have gotten alot of complaints that eating Paleo is expensive. Well, yes buying fresh fruit and vegis and quality meat is more expensive than loading up on the cheap eats like mac n cheese, twinkies, and ramen noodles. This is part of the reason for the obesity problem in America. Statistics show that obesity is more prevalent in lower income areas. So, I admit, I don't buy all my food at whole foods and the farmer markets. I hit Walmart and Food for Less and would shop at Sams and Costco if I had the membership cards. I think it just takes a little time and education to figure out where you can get the best bang for your buck. So today - Walmart products rule as I make Sweet and Spicy Sloppy Joes in the crockpot. What is your opinion on the quality vs. value controversy?

Sweet and Spicy Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey (Purdue white meat on sale)
1 jar Calavo brand Salsa Lisa (sweet pineapple ginger salsa)
1 can tomato sauce
2 Tbspn apple cider vinegar
salt
garam masala

Brown the meat over med high heat and season with salt and garam masala. Add to crockpot with jar of salsa, can of tomato sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Cook on low 4-6 hours. Serve over spaghetti squash, roasted portabella mushroom cap, or buns for the holdouts in the family.

Turkey Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms

When I opened the refrigerator door this morning to get my morning sunflower butter I noticed that the mushroom fairy had hit the Teague house. A mysterious large bag of big monterray mushroom caps was sitting there on the top shelf. I decided not to look a gift fungi in the mouth and started thinking mushroom recipes. Turns out the Monterray Mushroom Co is a client of my husbands and he brought home a sample bag. I have had a box of TGIF spinach artichoke sitting in my freezer left over from New Year's eve which spurned my taste buds toward spinach artichoke. Here is my creation, it is cooking as I write so I will let you know how it turns out.

Turkey Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients
16-20 mushroom caps
1 can artichoke hearts chopped
1 box frozen chopped spinach
1/2 lb turkey breast chopped fine
2 tbspn mayo
2tbspn trader joe's aioli garlic mustard sauce
1/4 cup almond meal
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (optional)

Preheat oven to 400. Spray cookie sheet with pam and lay out single layer of washed mushroom caps. Spray caps with Pam. Mix the rest of the ingredients except the cheese. Stuff the caps and sprinkle cheese on top if you are permitting a little cheese. Bake about 30 min or until it looks done.

** Here's the review - Jeff and I both really enjoyed these. Only thing that would have made them better was maybe using crab instead of turkey. Make sure you let them cool for about 5 minutes or they will burn your mouth!

Pumpkin Turkey Burgers

Tonight I plan on experimenting with pumpkin. I found this recipe for Pumpkin Turkey Burgers and plan to try it out with a couple of paleo tweaks. Will let you know how they turn out.

Pumpkin Turkey Burgers
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup onion, minced
1/4 cup almond meal
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and form patties. Grill and eat!

** These turned out great, very moist and good flavor.