Zucchini Pasta + Mushroom Sauce with Garlic + Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes

Zucchini Noodles with Mushroom, Onion + Tomato Sauce

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic + Cinnamon

Steamed Asparagus

 Part 1 – THE COOKING – 1:45

What to Know:

  • Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes
  • Skill Level: Easy!

Ingredients:

  • Zucchini, 2 – peeled into thin slices
  • Asparagus, half a bunch (approx. 10-20 stalks)
  • Mushrooms, 8 oz., sliced (approx. 15-20 caps)
  • Red (or Yellow) Onion, either half or whole, diced
  • Cherry Tomatoes, 8 oz.
  • Sweet Potatoes, 2 – cubed
  • Garlic, 3-4 cloves
  • Rosemary
  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Cinnamon
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper

For the revised lunch recipe (see below), pick up an organic apple! (apples are on the list of the “Dirty Dozen”)

Note: I didn’t use all the tomatoes pictured, but you certainly could! :-)

 

Steps:

Wash all vegetables before cutting and using!

Peel the zucchini into slices using a vegetable peeler. Width and thickness are up to you – by default, go for a fettucine noodle. Place into a steamer tray.

Break off the firm bottom of each asparagus stalk (about 1″), and place into a second steamer tray.

Cube the sweet potatoes, and place into the tray with the asparagus. With the garlic, peel the cloves, leave whole and place into the same tray with the potatoes and asparagus. Add a dash of salt and pepper.

Cooking Times:

  • Zucchini: 5 minutes or less
  • Asparagus, Potatoes, and Garlic: ~ 10 minutes

 

If you have more than one way to steam vegetables, you can do everything at the same time; if not, cook the sweet potatoes, garlic, and asparagus first; and then cook the zucchini.

 

Mashed Potatoes

Move the potatoes and garlic to a bowl, and smooth out the consistency with a fork or masher. Add 1 Tbsp of cinnamon and work into the mixture.

We ended up not needing a food processor, as it was super simple to mash by hand!

 

The Sauce

Add 2 Tbsp of Olive Oil to a pan over medium heat, and add onions. Saute until the onion becomes translucent (the color fades and becomes a bit see-thru), then add the mushrooms, salt and seasonings (rosemary, thyme, oregano). When the mushrooms become soft, add the tomatoes whole. Saute until desired firmness has been reached.

You really can’t overcook this item – it all depends how firm you’d like all these veggies!

 

 

BONUS

If, like me, you don’t always time your cooking perfectly, turn the stove on to 250 degrees and throw any finished items in there to stay warm while you complete your meal!

 

Part 2 – THE MEAL – 1:10

 

 

The next day…

Part 3 – DINNER TRANSFORMED INTO LUNCH! – 1:00

Watch as I take the leftovers and make something crazy new!! :-)

 

What I was rockin’ out to: Empire of the SunWe Are the People

(go ahead and turn your volume UP!)

 

***

 

Did you enjoy this recipe?

I’m thinking about posting more items like this: short, easy, fun – food, productivity, travels, health – let me know what you think!

 

I’d love to hear your response + any other comments you have below.

Looking forward to learning more!
Nathan

 

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About

Former life: actor/office worker/virtual assistant; lived in Los Angeles for 11 years. Since then: sold nearly everything, took a $5 flight to Hawaii, lived there for 3 months, wrote an eGuide about all of it, and still traveling. Currently: digital nomad - looking to improve myself, have fun and serve others.