Fried Arancini

Helloooooo, beauties!

We're here, in the holiday rush. Running from party to party, wrapping gifts, and cooking up a storm.

Of course, we aren't hiding from it. We are embracing it, charging full steam ahead to spend the last couple of weeks of 2015 (I'm sorry, what and where was I?) with those we love most.

I have unlocked the magic of the holiday season with these special, delicious, other-worldly appetizers. Homemade start to finish. The perfect holiday treat for new friends and old. Fried Arancini. Who could say no to these golden nuggets?! Nobody, that's who.

I'm normally not one to brag about my kitchen escapades, but even I have to admit that I impressed myself when I took the first bite of my freshly fried arancini. I was even more flattered when these absolutely FLEW off our holiday party table. If you're planning a last minute holiday party, or a quiet night in with good friends and family, make my fried arancini the star of the show!

Here's the thing though: these rather impressive apps are actually not all that difficult to make, so long as you plan ahead (which, if I can do that, so can you!). I've included a good deal of detail in the recipe below (including a full risotto recipe), so don't be intimidated by the length - I'm just trying to make things easier for you!

Beef and Corn Enchilada Spaghetti Squash Boats

Woohoo!! This is an Amazing Dinner Alert!!

There it is. Right up there.

Spicy, cheesy, beefy - these are a few of my favorite things. 

These Beef and Corn Enchilada Spaghetti Squash Boats are a wonderful lightened-up alternative to one of my favorite comfort foods. I could eat these every week! Spaghetti squash makes the perfect vessel for homemade enchilada sauce, lots of cheese, crunchy corn and hearty ground beef. 

The best part about this meal, besides the deliciousness of it all, is that it can be customized in any way to your tastes. Lighten things up more with shredded chicken or ground turkey; make it entirely vegetarian by stuffing these with chopped cauliflower; perhaps you just want lots of cheese, in which case you can take out the beef, add some black beans and extra cheddar. 

No matter how you stuff it, I'm sure you're going to love it.