I grew up with three brothers. Three active in sport brothers. Heck, we all were! Needless to say my mom became very resourceful in the kitchen and thrifty in the grocery store. And you know what? She engraved that same “resourcefulness” in me. Like mother, like daughter.
But for us, we value every ingredient and FUEL in our house. Therefore I try to make the most of every ingredient. Does that make sense? Think of it as MORE BANG for your BUCK eatin!
Let’s start with pancakes. Oh our beloved Protein Pancakes!
We love this company. They are great quality and easy to make! All you do is add water. But I have a confession. I will go to great lengths making the batter last by adding extra bulk.
- Chopped dates or dried apricots
- Nuts/seeds
- tons of cinnamon and other spices
- And maybe almond meal or banana
I’ve also mixed a little Protein Pancake batter with almond milk or Corepower and baked into protein pancake bread. Seriously, so easy and delicious!
Another way I try to be resourceful is by utilizing leftovers. Let no food go to waste! And during heavy training weeks, carbs are our friend. We eat it all! This week’s resourceful is my version Gluten Free Pasta Carbonara. All you need is leftover Rice noodles, chopped bacon, egg, spicy sauce or srirachi, butter/oil, and maybe some cream cheese or goat cheese.
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- 1-2 tablespoon Olive Oil or butter
- Brown Rice spaghetti -> zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for grain free option
- ⅔ cup chopped bacon or Canadian bacon
- Garlic powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon Paprika or Cayenne Pepper
- 1 egg
- sliced hard boiled eggs (for topping, but again, it’s optional)
- ⅓- ¼ cup feta or goat cheese
- 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- sriracha
- Creamy option-> add 1-2 tablespoon cream cheese or vegan cream cheese
- Optional mix ins: diced tomato, bell peppers, corn, black pepper/sea salt/chili pepper flakes (to taste)
Directions
Cook pasta according to package and drain. Or if you are using leftover pasta, then place in pot on low with a little oil. Add in your bacon and butter/oil and garlic. If you are using real bacon, you might not need extra butter since there is a bit of grease. Let it cook with the pasta until almost done, then add in egg and cheeses and mix again. Let it melt together on low or medium low. Add your balsamic vinegar to sweeten it up a bit and chili flakes or black pepper. Toss together then serve on dish with sriracha on top!
Serves 2
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What do you think? Strange but good and RESOURCEFUL?
What’s your go-to resourceful meal?
[Tweet “Check out these #glutenfree Resourceful Recipes via @LCCotter! #fitfluential #recipe #resourceful”]
Cheers,
LC
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
I hope they bring out that brown rice spaghetti here as it sounds so good! I love to try and be resourceful too but need to get better at using up everything in my pantry / fridge.
That pasta dish sounds devine by the way 😉
LCCotter
They don’t??? I’ll send you some
Crystal@TheFastFitRunner
Amazing! When my husband rolls his eyes at leftovers (especially if its the 4th time we’ve had that dish in a week), I reply, “Waste not, want not.” I don’t know why, but I loath throwing out food. It just bothers me, and I’ll go to huge lengths to make sure we eat something before it goes bad! And eating something all week? Well, I think if I take the time to make beans or soup or some kind of time consuming dish from scratch…..it should be enough to provide numerous meals! I don’t have time to make something every night of the week, and I refuse to eat out more than once or twice a week!
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero
Rice noodles sound fun. My store carries Barilla gluten free noodles, but I have not seen any rice ones like that yet. I’ll have to be on the look out.
LCCotter
I saw those! But for some reason the corn pasta doesn’t do well with me.
Liz @ iheartvegetables
I’d have to skip out on the bacon but I’m sure this would still be totally delicious!!! I hope you guys have a great weekend, Lindsay 🙂
LCCotter
I bet tempeh bacon would be divine!
Cassie
Flapjacked is gluten free? Wow, I’m dumb. I have three packets that I need to use. I also love mixing it with pumpkin or extra eggs for extra fiber/protein/bulk!
LCCotter
you’re not dumb at all. They aren’t certified gluten-free, but they use gluten-free ingredients. I had to email them myself
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli
Love this…especially that little pancake flatbread! I’m all about being resourceful when it comes to things I love (that I can’t always find on a regular basis…thank you TJ Maxx!) I’ve been known to water down mustards and other sauces to use as a salad dressing JUST so I don’t have to say my goodbyes as soon! Haha!
LCCotter
Heck ya to to maxx and Marshall’s!! Seriously the best finds
Danielle @ I Eat Therefore I Run
Those are some nice looking pancakes 😉 Who knew flipping pancakes from a small frying pan would be so difficult! Thanks for the extra bulking up ideas, I’ll put them into practice!
Jess
Being resourceful in the kitchen can save so much $$. I have never tried protein pancakes, shocking righr!
She Rocks Fitness
This girl never wastes food! I use up every single last drop, bite, piece…you name it. So I guess I really am the garbage disposal and part of the “clean plate club”…XOXO
LCCotter
another reason why i love you!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf
I love how resourceful you (and your mom!) are. Those pancakes look delicious and the spicy carbonara? I was drooling when I saw that on IG!
LCCotter
it’s really my favorite. I love bacon and carbs. LOL!
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's
I love kitchen sink salads. My husband, not so much, so I try to keep beans/quinoa on hand for him ha.
LCCotter
good wife! i swear men could live off beans and rice. haha
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
I’m all about bulking up recipes and making a little go a long way. It’s good fuel and good for the pocketbook!
LCCotter
so agree! bulking is key!
Jody - Fit at 56
You are brilliant!!!! I am coming over!!!!! 🙂 I wish! 🙂
jobo
Totally just looked up flapjacked and am going to buy some on amazon! this looks so yummy!! 🙂
Cat
I haven’t had spaghetti carbonara in far too long! A packet of cream cheese and bacon are getting purchased this weekend…
I think eggs are as resourceful as I get!
Lyric
I love Carbonara but its not always the healthiest.. So thank you for this recipe! My favourite GF noodles are bean sprout noodles. They sound weird but they are really quick and easy to make and I love the taste!
LCCotter
oh my gosh i love those noodles too! have you tried the black bean?
Lyric
Nope but now I am VERY interested!! They sound delicious 😀
LCCotter
Oh good!! You must try
Megan (The Lyons' Share)
My favorite resourceful meal is just heating up whatever leftovers I have and dumping it over a bed of greens – I love that the warmth makes the greens wilt a bit and it sure makes a salad fun!
LCCotter
oh warm salad, it’ s definitely a good one!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves
Ahh yes. My mother is also super resourceful in her cooking, and we try to make sure nothing goes to waste without letting our taste buds become bored!
This pasta looks so delicious— adding eggs, sriracha, and Canadian bacon must be a flavor explosion.
LCCotter
thank goodness for mothers who taught us well!
Tina Muir
Pancakes in any way, shape or form are good for me! But high protein ones are even better, you know me and the kiwi have that in common 🙂 I cant get enough protein right now to help my muscles recover! Also love the pasta dish! I am so with you in using things up! That is one of my biggest pet peeves!
LCCotter
sounds like you two should be training and eating partners! hehe
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables
I love being resourceful! We never throw anything away either! However, I don’t think I’m as creative as you… teach me your ways… 😉 PS.. you and your mom are gorgeous! xoxo
LCCotter
oh i think you are UBER creative!! i love all your recipes and YOU
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries
Your food creations always impress me! You always seem to put all of these various flavors together to make something incredible, and you make it look so effortless! Ha!
misszippy
I really love pancakes and just don’t make them enough. Maybe this will incent me to change that! it all sounds great, but your recipes always do.
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat
All of these look so delicious! I don’t like wasting or throwing out food, so I definitely use my leftovers as much as possible, and for some reason, if I have a leftover that isn’t going to get used before it goes bad, then I’ll just freeze it to use at a later date.
LCCotter
ohh good idea!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
You inspired me with you carbonara this week! I made a bacon-scallop thing, but next time I’ll actually make the carbonara. That egg has to remeinas yolkporn though. 😉
Now… I must go make pancakes. Stop making me hungry!
Maureen
I am ALL about resourcefulness in the kitchen. I add inexpensive veggies to almost anything – carrots, celery, bell pepper {when they are 48 cents each}. They really bulk up meals without adding too much cost.
LCCotter
what? 48 cents? I need to come shop with you!
Heather (Where's the Beach)
That flap jacked mix is pretty tasty! Resourceful can lead to great creativity!
Katie
I actually LOVE leftovers hehe. My go-to meal… Usually leftover sweet potato, millet or quinoa. Topped with some type of meat protein all mixed with Kale, Nutritional yeast, peppers & another green veggie topped with balsamic & an oil! 🙂 May sound silly but now since I’m getting more aware of our budget, I always look for food deals & shop for what’s in season. I always get excited when we get fresh salmon haha. I also add ground flax or coconut flour to our waffles or pancakes! I really need to get some of the pancake mix you are talking about!!!
Cara's Healthy Cravings
My go-to is roasted sweet potato topped with black beans and an egg + any veg I have kicking around in the fridge.
LCCotter
i always love your go to recipes. They are unreal goodness!!
Cara's Healthy Cravings
Thanks friend!
Kat
Gotta love anything easy and GF!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen)
Sounds perfect to me! Love that combination! I hear ya too on being resourceful. Feeding all these men would cost me a fortune if I didn’t get creative. 🙂
Kierston
Saw this on IG. looked so good. So much to savour here xo
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun
Oh wow these look delicious! Especially the protein pancakes. Yum!!!
LCCotter
oh you and your husband would love these! especially after a hard training session
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast
Moms are the best models! Mine was very resourceful too, making most of our food from scratch and that’s a value I still hold onto, even if I can’t meet it all the time. And we’re similar in our house- no leftovers will go to waste!
Linz @ Itz Linz
want.to.eat.your.blog.
Hayley@healthyregardshayley
When I have lots of leftovers I basically throw everything into a monster “salad”- vegetables, protein, grain- whatever is in a tupperware in my fridge it is going in! I am a fresh college grad + triathlete= wasting food is not an option!
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness
Cotter Crunch. My go-to gluten free recipe resource! I love Core Power and never thought to use it instead of almond milk. Brilliant!
LCCotter
it’s delicious! you will love that option!
Tara Newman
These look great. The carbonara recipe is different than ones that I have seen but I like!
LCCotter
it’s a cotter creation, for sure! haha
Arman @ thebigmansworld
Those are some pretty random but delicious looking resourceful meals- for me, its canned fish of some sort, a veg of some sort and roasted starch. I guess most of my meals are resourceful. 😉
Expect a reply this weekend 😉
LCCotter
you are the resourceful KING! and i love it!