Salmon Burgers

You’ve probably heard before that fish is a healthy protein you should be eating more of. Fish, salmon specifically, has lots of omega-3s, AKA healthy fats (plus B vitamins, selenium, and more) which are good for the brain; that fact alone makes me want to make more fish, especially for my two-year-old and her growing brain. There are a couple of issues with serving salmon to my family, though: I’m the only one in my family who truly enjoys salmon, but my husband tolerates salmon…if it’s super fresh and wild caught. That is a wonderfully delicious splurge every now and then, but we can’t afford to spend nearly $20 a pound every week on fish.

I realized to resolve the issues of feeding my family salmon, I simply needed to create a delicious salmon dish while remaining budget conscious. It sounds impossible, but it’s not! This recipe uses exponentially cheaper canned salmon, which is then mixed with spices, and pan fried to crispy perfection! Served with a lettuce “bun” and your favorite burger toppings, it is a quick, tasty, and cheap weeknight meal that will satisfy taste buds and tummies alike!

Serves 4-6.

Ingredients:

• 20 oz canned, in water, salmon (I used StarKist boneless, skinless), drained, rinsed, and dried
•  1/2 cup of oat flour (you could also use almond flour to keep it paleo)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise (homemade version here)
• 2 tbsp of Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried dill
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Enough olive or avocado oil to pan sear
• Romaine or butter lettuce for “buns”
• Desired burger condiments, such as sugar free ketchup, mayo, ranch, and fresh chopped veggies

Directions:

• Heat a large, oiled skillet over medium heat
• Combine all ingredients (excluding lettuce and condiments) in a medium mixing bowl
• Form the salmon mixture into patties
• Cook, covered 3-4 minutes per side
• Serve on lettuce “buns” with desired condiments
• Leftovers will keep, covered, in fridge – reheat on the stove

A burger always needs his best pal fries, so be sure to make my Oven Baked Fries to go alongside your burgers! While this recipe is about savings, if you happened to splurge and make my Sheet Pan Salmon, you could also use leftover meat in this recipe! For other budget friendly meals, check out my Roasted Chicken with Carrots, Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocados, and One Pan Chicken and Shrimp Fajitas. Feed your family well while staying on budget…and enjoy your pinch of crazy!

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Slow Cooker Meatballs

App Attack!

For Christmas Eve, I made meatballs in the Crock-Pot, and thought it would be the perfect appetizer to serve at a New Year’s Eve party! Growing up, we always would eat tons of appetizers and finger foods on New Year’s Eve. It was so fun getting to stay up until midnight eating snacks, drinking sparkling cider, and waiting for the ball to drop! Our most common appetizer we would have on New Year’s Eve would be spicy cheese dip…made with a block of soft maybe-not-real cheese. Always a delicious crowd pleaser, but not the most healthy. And now that I know how my body reacts to copious amounts of dairy, I generally steer clear.

So I went a little healthier (and dairy free!) this year. These meatballs are tender, cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce, and so easy to make! Simply make the meat mixture, and toss it all in the slow cooker! I hope your 2019 is a wonderfully blessed year…and I hope you ring in the new year with these Slow Cooker Meatballs!

Makes about 30-35 meatballs.

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

• 2 lbs of ground beef
• 1/2 cup of almond flour 
• 2 eggs
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp of Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp of dried basil
• 2 tbsp of chopped fresh parsley
• Optional toppings:
• • Parmesan
• • fresh basil

For the sauce:

• 28 oz crushed tomatoes (no salt or sugar added)
• 28 oz diced tomatoes (no salt or sugar added)
• 15 oz tomato sauce (no salt or sugar added)
• 10 oz tomato paste (no salt or sugar added)
• 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
• 8 oz of sliced mushrooms
• 2 tsp of salt
• 1 tsp of Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp of dried basil

Directions:

• Combine all sauce ingredients in a large slow cooker (lined with these for easy cleanup!)
• Combine all meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl
• Using your hands, make sure all ingredients are well incorporated
• Shape about 2 tbsp worth of meat mixture into balls
• Place meatballs into sauce, making sure they’re covered by sauce
• Cover and cook on high for 3 hours
• Serve warm, with sauce and optional toppings
• Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for a week

For other appetizers, check out my Spicy Garlic Salsa, which is delicious with plantain chips, or my Classic Garlic Hummus…do you think I like garlic? 😛

For a beautiful centerpiece for your New Year’s Day dinner, take a look at my Ghee, Garlic, and Herb Turkey with Gravy, Sheet Pan Salmon, Celebration Steaks with Pan Sauce, or my Roasted Chicken with Carrots; all are simple and delicious!

And for sides or desserts, there are so many options, including my ABC Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Potatoes, Two Layer Paleo Fudge, Dark Chocolate Paleo Brownies, or Wholesome Chocolate Chunk Cookies to name a few!

Let me know what your New Year’s Eve/Day traditions are! Whatever you may be doing, I pray for blessings on your new year, with lots of healthy and good food. Celebrate the new year…and enjoy your pinch of crazy!

This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase using the links, it is of no cost to you, just a small pantry fund for me. Thank you for supporting A Pinch of Crazy!

Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

This post contains promo codes and affiliate links. If you purchase using the links, it is of no extra cost to you, just a small pantry fund for me. Thank you for supporting A Pinch of Crazy.

Sibling Rivalry

When the mornings get chilly and the windows get frosty, that means it’s time for steaming hot bowls of oatmeal for breakfast. Growing up with four sisters, my mom would buy the giant variety packs of instant oatmeal, and I distinctly remember arguing with my big sister over the last packet of strawberries and cream…more than once. I think my mom would have us take turns; she could have the last strawberries and cream this time, and I could have the last one on the next box. When it wasn’t my turn for strawberries and cream, I would always snag cinnamon apple. Yum! Looking back now, cinnamon apple was better because it didn’t turn your oatmeal a strange pepto pink…

Now, I like to make us cinnamon apple oatmeal for those chilly mornings because it’s warm and comforting, with plenty of fiber and healthy carbs; I feel kind of silly for even writing this out as a “recipe”, but it changes up the breakfast routine of cereal, and it takes about 10 minutes tops! I’m sure you have most, if not all, of these ingredients on hand, and could make a pot for your family tomorrow morning. I know everyone will love the sweetness (shh…the kids don’t need to know that it’s refined sugar free), and it will make you feel good to get your family going with a healthy, hearty breakfast.

Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

Serves four to five, and could easily be doubled or halved if needed.

Ingredients:

• Two cups of water
• One small gala apple, skin on, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/4 cup unsweetened raisins
• One cup of old fashioned oats
• 2 tbsp of maple syrup, or according to taste
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• Optional toppings:
  • walnuts
  • more raisins

Directions:

• Combine water, apples, chia, raisins, and salt in a medium pot
• Place pot on stove and turn burner to high
• Once boiling, add remaining ingredients
• Let boil, stirring frequently, until all the liquid is absorbed
• Serve hot with toppings, if desired

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it also includes the most important beverage of the day: coffee! Use this promo code to get 20% off some delicious cold brew coffees along with 10% off these delicious, dairy free, sugar free creamers. These promotions end soon, so grab them while you can! If you would rather prep your oatmeal the night before, you would probably like my Peanut Butter and Chocolate Overnight Oats, or my Fruit and Nut Granola for a quick grab-and-go breakfast. If oats aren’t your thing, I also have a Whole30 Breakfast Hash and a Turkey Sausage Breakfast Bake for you. I’m sure you can find something you like! Get a healthy and hearty breakfast…and enjoy your pinch of crazy!