Pesto burps. They never seem to come at the right times. Like during a workout. Not my favorite thing.
I’m into Michael Jackson right now. And Glee versions of Michael Jackson.
So yesterday, I was having a real off day. Probably because I’m pmsing. Ew, TMI. Anywho, I was an emotional mess. I cooked 4 different meals and enjoyed absolutely none of it. You know how people say food is always delicious when it’s cooked with love? Well none of mine had love behind it. The food still tasted good, but with a hint of anger added to it. I’m not really an angry person, but I definitely get a crease between my eyes when I’m upset about something. Maybe it was just because I was up at 4am that day. That’s probably it. It has nothing to do with the fact I’m constantly thinking about chocolate, feeling fat, and breaking out.
Being a woman is the devil sometimes. Hate me for that statement, do it.
And yesterday I kept trying to pull myself out of self hatred. Which was much easier when Sergio came over. Just because he makes my self hatred humorous somehow. Well we decided to run around the park which was probably another poor idea since my run would be ran with no happiness behind it. And that was shown to be especially true since he is MUCH faster than me. Even though he’s shorter, those little legs can move. By the time we ended, I was practically pleading for air while Sergio briskly walked like he hadn’t just run 2.5 miles. My self hatred just morphed to humiliation.
I finally grew up and got over it. Self hatred and frustration really lead to nowhere. So I danced to Glee songs, worked out at the gym, then had froyo to ultra-spike my endorphins. Please do not tell me that this is not paleo, I understand this. But pistachio and chocolate milkshake frozen yogurt just HAVE to eaten sometimes. Especially when it’s with a special guy.
And to make something perfectly clear, Sergio is not my special guy. He’s not my boyfriend. But he is single and would certainly be interested in making friends with someone of the opposite sex. Just saying. And yes, yes I am whoring my best friend out over the internet. I’m a bad person….kind of.
Artichoke Lemon Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Yield: 4-5 1x
Ingredients
- 1lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed (or chicken thighs if you prefer)
- 1 large spaghetti squash, cut in half lengthwise (get a BIG one)
- 12–15 artichoke hearts, cut in half (I used jarred artichokes that were in olive oil for more flavor)
- 1/3 cup walnuts
- 4–5 tablespoons olive oil
- 4–5 tablespoons vegetable broth
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- juice of 1 lemon
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 3–5 cups of spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 405 degrees (not 450, stop questioning me)
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise, place cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes or until squash gives when you poke the outside of it.
- Use a spoon to remove the excess seeds then a fork to thread the strings from the squash. To make spaghetti, duh.
- But while the squash is baking, make the pesto and chicken.
- Place a large pan over medium-high heat, add a splash of fat and 1 minced garlic clove. As soon as the garlic becomes fragrant, add the halved artichokes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and let cook until slightly browned and tender on all sides.
- Once artichokes are browned, add them to a food processor along with the walnuts, olive oil, vegetable broth, and second garlic clove. Puree until smooth.
- Then add the parsley, basil, lemon, and salt and pepper. Puree once more until smooth. Taste and add more lemon and salt and pepper to your preference.
- Once pesto is done pureeing, add the chicken to the same pan that you sautéed the artichokes in.
- Cook chicken over medium-high heat until browned on all sides. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper.
- Once chicken is cooked through, add in about 1/4 of a cup of the pesto to the chicken along with the spinach, in the pan and mix well to coat. Cover and let cook for 2-4 minutes or until spinach is wilted.
- Then add the threads of spaghetti squash to the pan (or a large mixing bowl if you need more room). Mix spaghetti squash, pesto, and chicken all together.
- Serve with some fresh basil on top.
- Love pesto in a new way!
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Spring Vegetable Lemon Basil Pasta
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balls. i also had a big ole “balls” day yesterday and have been super grumpy pants since i got back from vacay last week. went for a run, tried working out. all balls. last night i made an awesome moose buger chili but the only thing that made me happy is I ATE PASTA WITH IT!!! first time in ages but felt goooooooood. sometimes paleo can kiss it…
I am having one of those days today!! Got up at 5 AM to go to the gym and my garage door is frozen shut!! So I went back to bed and said ef it….hoping that it would melt before I had to go to work….wishful thinking, late to work….and then went down to my car and found a $60 parking ticket!! I am so ready to eat a cheeseburger and fries with a big fat milkshake!! Instead I had a chicken salad….not the same 🙁
Also I noticed in your recipe that you said one large squash squash! 🙂 I love those! I may or may not eat some non-paleo chocolate ice cream tonight….we shall see!
thanks for reminding me to pay my parking ticket. eat the ice cream. just do it.
Looks like I am moving to wherever the hell you live, cause that man is HOT. yup.
All I can say is I’m so making this! All my faves in one dish!
Hey Y’all, I was wondering if any of the ladies had issues with BC after getting on pale for like 7 weeks? I see here that PMS reigns supreme, paleo or not. 🙁 I was hoping it would HELP lessen the blow of it all.
Ladies, Juli?
Speaking strictly as an expert; whoring requires a money exchange. Although this kinda seems to have the whole “mail-order” quality to it.
I just made this for dinner this evening, and IT IS INCREDIBLE!!! WOW!!! I can’t wait for your cookbook to arrive, Juli. EVERYBODY needs to prepare this one. I’m just sayin’.
Hi Juli, this dish looks amazing. I just want to say I learned about paleo from my sister who was given the choice: paleo or Alzheimers due to a diagnosis of Diabetes 3. I decided I had better clean up my act too since we have the same genetic code although she ate no fat/butter etc. and I did and do. Your wonderful website and recipes have made the diet so much more palatable to me and I can stick to it. Thanks and I love your Instagram photos too. P.S. Some people just love to hate and make ridiculous comments. It’s them, not you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Hi there, wondering if you have any substitute ideas for the spaghetti squash as it is not available where I live. It just doesn’t exist. I get saddened by all the awesome looking paleo recipes out there that use it that I can’t replicate. I can’t think of anything that would be similar but maybe you/someone here has ideas……
Thanks for the recipes. Your blog is brilliant and helped me a lot in my transition from grain-aholic to a more paleo diet.
you could use zucchini and julienne it into noodles
thank you for that idea!! zucchini! I live in Singapore and there is no spaghetti squash to be found… i was thinking of having someone ship me one, but I don’t think that’s allowed haha.
I actually prefer the zucchini noodles personally 🙂
This looks so good!! I will be trying this ASAP (: