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Although CD and I are still on our mustard kick, yesterday I was in more of a ketchup kind of mood…
Roasted kabocha squash served with homemade cocktail sauce (ketchup + horseradish)
Nicole sent me a tweet recommending the above combo. Nicole, it was delicious – thank you!
Dinner involved ketchup as well…
Do you like my colorful picture? A reader emailed over the weekend to inform me that my photos are basically all the same color and remind him/her of dog barf. Said reader then went on to recommend I add some kind of contrasting colors in my photos. So reader, how about some polka dots to liven up my dog barf balls? 
Meatballs were delicious and inspired by Polly’s Pumpkin Meatloaf.
Ingredients:
1 pound grass fed beef
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 to 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese
1/4 onion chopped
2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350℉. Combine all ingredients, roll into meatballs, and bake in a greased glass baking dish for 55 minutes.
Yesterday was not one of the best days of my pregnancy, and I stayed in bed all afternoon. However, at 5 PM, I got a second wind, walked the dogs for an hour, cleaned up the kitchen, did laundry, and made dinner. I think my body just needed some rest. The HEABlet then proceeded to kick and hiccup for hours. I’m not sure if she really enjoyed the meatballs or was just knocking to get out. Hope she joins us soon.
{ 148 comments… read them below or add one }
hahaha dog barf huh? That’s an interesting one… your pictures usually make me want to jump into the screen and eat them!!
Hope you are feeling better today!!
Thanks Maren. I am.
hahahahah heather you are too funny! i like your response to the reader’s message!
Couldnt agree more!
AHAHAHAHHA polka dots ahahahahah….people are so random sometimes…I personally think you dog barf balls look delicious. Also goat cheese+meatballs must = heaven.
Thanks Christina, Good to know someone appreciates my dog barf.
I hope this reader was in good jest! If not, you’ve got quite a sense of humor
The sweetness of squash with ketchup is a perfect combo, yum.
OMG! I am dying laughing over here with your polka dots!! Bahahahahahhahahha!
For the record, I love your dog barf meals and eat many a meal inspired by such!
Thanks Christin!
i have all the ingredients!!! i will have to try this… i love ketchup too with a touch of ACV…esp with winter squash…ohhh so good haha
Awww – thinking about you and hope she comes soon! My mom used to make a yummy recipe similar to this and we called them Porcupine Meatballs because they had wild rice in the meat mixture. SO good!
Thanks Dorry. Porcupine Meatballs – love that.
LOL gotta love the comments from readers!! A lot of what I eat isn’t very pretty but it sure tastes good! I love ketchup on my burgers but now that I am trying to cut back on sugar I make pizza burgers and slather them in pizza sauce
Tangy, I love the Muir Glen brand pizza sauce – so flavorful and no sugar or sometimes I’ll just use tomato paste instead and add my own herbs and spices. Yum!
Haha, I love the polka dots.
Dog barf?? An overstatement I would say
Maybe dog barf tastes good, who’s to say?
Lurve you. Some people are just plain nutty. All your photos and YOU are lovely and yummy. Hug Hug.
and YAY for goat cheese & meatloaf.
Polly,
Lurved those dog barf balls.
Too funny! My meals usually look like yours, though I think “ghoulish goulash” often instead of balls of dog barf.
That was surprising, though—there are always haters out there, but HEAB is so loved that I guess I started thinking you were somehow outside of all of that… not entirely logical, but there it is.
S,
Yes, I like ghoulish goulash much better and thanks for loving me.
That readers comment about your pictures cracked me up! I think your pictures look yummy~always making me hungry
Glad you were able to rest yesterday. Take care~(((hugs)))
Thanks Kimberly – I’ve been thinking about you. Hope the yoga is going well!
I love, love, love cocktail sauce!!! I need to eat it with a kabocha
And I don’t think they look like dog barf
I think they look scrumptious!!! (But maybe I’m weird and think dog barf looks appetizing??? Idk…)
Alex,
Yes, try the kabocha + cocktail sauce. I’m pretty sure you would love it – best tasting dog barf combo ever!
Dog barf? Can’t believe someone said that… people should just go read something else if they are not happy.
I like the way you handled it and gave your response, nice polka dots!!!
Love roasted squash! And your meatballs plate looks totally delicious!
Ana
Thanks Ana.
Wow. saying that your pictures look like dog barf is just… Hm, I’ll keep that word to myself
But I love your polka dots! What program do you use to edit your pictures? =)
Thanks Sylvia,
I used the mail stationary program on my Macbook to edit the photo. Glad you enjoyed. Hehe.
There is definitely no dog barf resemblance, your food always looks pretty tasty to me. I do think your polka dot comeback is pretty funny though
Thanks Gwen!
I have been loving ketchup lately too. I’ll make something just so I can eat ketchup with it! Pregnancy does weird, weird things to the appetite!
Also, someone really took the time to email you about your photos? I don’t understand, if they don’t like the photo/content, then why are they reading? Is it really necessary to be so critical? I think your pictures always look amazing! No need for polka dots
Sarah R,
Tell me about it – I’m eating some of the craziest things…but come to think of it, I always eat crazy food and thanks for your kind words regarding my photos.
Although the polka dots are nice i prefer my dog barf straight up thank you.. I think the feng shui is better with only the barfesque ingredients…
Oatgurt might be a good picture to post right about now.. the one with the pink mold…
kabocha.. yum.. cocktails sauce.. yumyum… if i was a baby waiting to be born that might make me start kicking..
Carolyn,
Yes, the roast beef oatgurt! Did you ever send me a photo of that? I can’t remember. Haha – still makes me laugh every time I think about it.
Take the rest now, while you can get it, right?
Anna,
YES!
someone said that!? I love your pics!
Some people…geesh!
I made the same thing last night, we have “twin” meals in our kitchens- kabocha and ketchup! I can’t get enough ever! Also acorn squash…yum.
Moni,
Ketchup is just so versatile, no? Love it on any and all squashes!
Well I like your dog barf meals. What a funny comment. You have to love those who are bruttaly honest.
Anita,
Thank you!
If I could, I would douse everything in ketchup. Seriously.
Chelsey,
What’s stopping ya?
this is why I <3 you… your response is perfect. (and colorful).
I LOVE ketchup. I like it room temperature instead of cold…
Thank you for passing along the ketchup and squash secret! I love sweet potato in ketchup and mayo, so why not squash?!
Sarah-Mae,
You’re welcome. Enjoy
I am so glad you stayed in bed all afternoon since that’s what your body wanted. It gets hard at this point. The fatigue and for me, I remember be so winded. She was pushing on my lungs and compressing everything; air supply, energy, it was all so compromised. I can feel the tiredness in your voice in this post…ugh. Hugs, hang in there. You are ALMOST there.
As for homemade cocktail sauce (ketchup + horseradish), that sounds amazing. I used to eat shrimp cocktail JUST to have cocktail sauce I think. Since developing an anaphalatic shock reaction to shrimp in my early 20s, I havent had cocktail sauce in a decade….I think I will buy it, and just eat it on salads or crackers
Averie,
Do it – buy the cocktail sauce. It will make you very happy.
Keep your dog barf photos just the way they are, I love them!!! Oh and thanks so much for the advice on iron. I think that I am letting go of my pescatarianism to get some better protein and iron sources back in my diet; I would much rather keep all of my nutrients and be well! Oh, and the partially roasted almond butter is growing on me a bit
Emily,
Happy to hear it, and I hope the other sources of protein help you feel better. Also happy to hear the half roasted almond butter is tasting better.
I hope you’re feeling better today.
I really need to find me a kabocha squash. They always look so good!
Steph,
Kabocha is in season now – I know my Whole Foods is stocking it, but I can find it year-round at my local Asian Mkt. That’s where I always purchase my kabocha – much cheaper than Whole Foods!
Dear HEABs’ mean reader -
HEAB takes great photos of real food that isn’t all doctored up and fake looking. She uses real ingredients and we all love to see them. While the polka dot picture is cool, we don’t mind seeing her real photos, and even the ones that really do look like barf taste fantastic!
Love, Katie
Also, HEAB, I REALLY hope you don’t respond to this, because I will take that to mean you are in labor!!!! Oh, and I am making these meatballs tonight!
Katie,
Nope, I’m responding. Loved your letter – thanks for the support, and I hope you enjoy yourself some balls tonight!
Love how your food looks!! Makes me want to jump up and make a HEAB recipe. Thanks for the great meal inspirations.
Yvette,
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading.
I can’t get into ketchup, for some reason.
I’ve always despised it, and I haven’t been able to give it another chance, because even the smell grosses me out. I love tomatoes, though.
and Mustard Rules!
Alina,
At least you love mustard.
Haha I was on a ketchup kick yesterday and blogged about it! Mine was on a baked potato and totally hit the spot!
OMG I can’t believe someone emailed you to say that. Ridiculous!
Jessica,
Believe it.
That is hilarious! I really needed a good laugh today too! What kinda dog barf is that person looking at anyways??? Your food always looks ‘yum’–like I’ve said before, I live vicariously through your food posts–especially anything finished up in a jar! Keep up the good work. Always look forward to checking out your blog, it’s my treat of the day.
And put your feet up! You deserve rest, your body will be busy soon enough!
Thanks Sarah – much appreciated.
We love your food photos heab! Please dont feel like you need to add the polka dots.. don’t think its really your style.. hahah! Question- do you eat the kabocha skin? I have a few waiting to be devoured.. I just can’t decide on how I should make them! When is the official due date again?
Felicia,
Well, we thought the due date was Nov. 18, but found out today it’s actually November 16 according to the very first ultrasound we had. So, soooon! And yes, I usually eat the kabocha skins – just make sure to wash your squash really well first. I have a whole section on my recipe page devoted to kabocha: http://heathereatsalmondbutter.com/recipes/. Enjoy!
Hi heather!
You introduced me to kabocha squash and now I”m addicted!!! Just wanted to let you in on a combo I’ve been doing that’s Amazing! Before putting in the oven, spray the squash with some butter spray, then sprinkle curry on each wedge of squash. Flip after 15 mins and add a little more curry. It’s such a good combo, especially dipped in ketchup. Warning though..they make you’re house smell like curry for a few days!
Elle,
Oh gosh, between all the bacon and stir-fry CD and I make, our house always smells funky. Love the idea of roasted curry squash. Don’t think I’ve tried that. Made curried kabocha soup and loved it. So, I know I would love your combo. Thx for the tip, and so happy to hear you’re addicted to kabocha. Me too!
I love your pictures! It’s what I look forward to each day. Anyways kudos on your sense of humor. The HEABlet has a great mom!
Thanks Julisa.
Those meatball look awesome and I think I have all the ingredients – once again – another recipe for the to-do list…if only I had more hours in the day lol.
Steph,
Trust me, I know! My to-make list is a mile long. So many recipes, so little time.
That “reader” is probably just another blogger who’s super jealous! I love your pictures and your blog Heather! Way to have a sense of humor about the criticism.
Thanks Emily Elizabeth.
hahaha! Nice polka dots.
Sometimes it’s hard to make the most delicious tasting food look good, but I do think you do a great job with the pictures!
Thanks Tulika.
I am totally laughing over here. Well played, HEAB, well played.
Whatever, I would eat anything you eat, polka dots or not.
Diana,
Thought you would appreciate that one as I think we share a similar sense of humor. Thanks for loving all my food – feeling is mutual!
Hang in there, girl! The end is in sight…and you have sooo much to look forward to!
p.s. I love the color of your food!
Tracy,
Thanks, and yes, we’re in the homestretch! Not too much longer.
HEAB if your photos look like dog barf then I think dog barf is the most delicious meal I have ever seen!
And the HEABlet wants out. Who wouldn’t want to see you and CD and the dogs face to face?
Thanks so much Holly. Love you!
The meatballs sound great. Hope you feel better soon! I know how it can be getting sick during pregnancy, never easy. Hang in there!
Thanks Tab.
Isn’t horseradish one of the most amazing foods ever?
Meghan,
Yes!
Ha ha, “dog barf balls!”
I think your food looks fine as is!!
Roasted squash with cocktail sauce looks amazing right now. Maybe it’s because it’s lunch-time and I’m getting hungry… but I’m tempted to go buy some horseradish sauce ASAP!!
Megan,
Do it – so good!
hahaha was that email supposed to be funny or mean or what? I hope you took it in stride, it seems you did
Sometimes food is ugly but who cares? It’s the taste that counts!
Natalie,
Not sure, but yes, it’s the taste that counts!
Ha ha, you’re so amusing. Just wait until you start posting pictures of baby foods in six months or so- this reader isn’t going to be able to handle it!
Sarah,
CD already tells me a lot of my food looks like baby food…sometimes I get “baby pooh” as well.
It is my breaky time and we are talking dog barf??? lol – funny that you blogged on pumpkins today, I have had a hankering for some for days now but sadly they are not in season here, so no supermarket has them. boo hoo
Hope you feel better tomorrow Heather, even though the days are probably dragging now it is not long till you hold your wee darling. You are about to experience a whole new kind of love and it ROCKS!! :0)
Lorne,
Ahhhh, I can’t wait! Can’t wait, can’t wait! Sorry there is no pumpkin available, but how about some pureed butternut or acorn squash? A baked sweet potato would work as well.
Ketchup and squash?! Hmm not with you on that one Heather!! x
Rachel,
I don’t know…it was pretty good.
That person was just jealous of all your delicious eats!! Personally, I like your photos bare, without all the frill – the focus should be on the photo, not the design hehe
p.s. so remember how I told you about that banana avocado pudding I had for breakie the other day? Well yesterday I decided to throw come Libby’s inside the Vita Mix, along with some cinnamon. Stirred in some chia seeds and OMG YUMMM!! Instant Pumpkin Pudding! Now, who doesn’t want that for breakfast?!
Clearly I cannot speak English today.
Repeat: Yesterday I decided to throw some Libby’s inside the Vita Mix (along with 1 large banana and 1/3 of a large avocado), along with cinnamon …….. the rest remains the same
Lindsey,
I don’t know…I’d like it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner…perhaps as an afternoon snack as well.
Hahahahaha!! The dog barf comment cracked me up!
horseradish. what a good idea! i tend to mix ketchup, dijon mustard and tabasco sauce together for kabocha and sweet potato fries but horseradish, it could work.
Kathleen,
Trust me, it worked.
Goat cheese AND pumpkin in meatballs. Necessary. What’s funny is that I was thinking about making meatballs this weekend and had been wondering how to make them more interesting. Quest complete, thanks to Heather.
Next project: Mixing goat cheese and chocolate in a delicious way. It can be done.
Victoria,
I’ve made goat cheese + chocolate oats inspired by a goat cheese + Nutella panini I read about. Yes, it can be done indeed.
A clear moment of brilliance on your part.
I’m thinking…savory s’mores. Super-dark chocolate, maybe with salt. Some kind of corn cracker. And goat cheese as the “marshmallow.”
Either that, or goat-cheese based truffles. Yes.
Your pictures are beautiful (especially the ice cream ones, haha)!
Hang in there; you’re almost done!
Dog barf? Are you serious? Whateves! Glad you took it in stride! Love the polka dots!
Mmm, I want those meatballs NOW! Yum yum yum!
Dog Barf balls….HAHHAHAHA. I just laughed out loud
Thanks for having a fabulous attitude and great sense of humor. nothing like perky polka dots 
Ketchup and squash – sounds interesting! I just to be a huge ketchup lover. Though it has been a REALLY LONG time since I have had it
I hope the little one joins us soon too!!! xoxo
~Lori
Pure2Raw,
I’ve made my own raw ketchup before – I think you would love it. Juliano’s recipe maybe? Can’t remember, but it was good!
Sorry yesterday was rough for you, hopefully today was better!
Mary,
It was.
I can’t believe your reader called your meatballs dog barf. that’s kinda harsh.
Maren,
Oh well, they taste delicious. Reader is missing out!
Someone really took time out of their day to email you just to say that? ::rolls eyes::
Amber,
Yep. Didn’t know whether to laugh or be totally offended…went the laughter route with the polka dots.
What a funny comment to get! I love your response and how rather than getting offended you just took it as any other comment
I hope your sweet girl is with you soon!
Thanks Corey,
We do too!
Heather, I think your food always looks so good, and I’ve been making your and CD’s stir fries and my husband and I love them. I love when he enjoys eating veggies.
Sadly, I don’t usually have bacon in the house, but even just cooking tons of veggies in butter then adding hummus and mustard is delish. Today I went to help out my friend who is a sweet new momma and not feeling well. Wish I knew you in real life and could do the same!
Lauren,
You’re so sweet – wish I knew you too. Glad you were there for your friend and so happy to hear both you and hubby are enjoying the stir fries. It’s all about the mustard.
Oh Heabster, you make my laugh. Love the pics., people are so strange sometimes. I love your “dog barf” looking meals, I would happily chow down on all the tasties you cook up.
Best to you!!!
Thanks so much Dot!
well, I love the back ground of your barf ball pic….but I love your pics anyways.
if I am hungry they always say….PULL UP A CHAIR.
glad you rested and more glad you served up that recipe.
JUST what the doctor ordered tonight!
xo
Thanks Cindy. “Pull up a chair” was more of what I was going for.
Aw feel better! I can imagine that pregnancy is really hard, and you handle it with such calm grace and poise. AND you manage to cook meals and make us meatball scrapbook pages?? Amazzzing.
Caitlin,
Anything for you guys.
HA!
I think I have a bloggy crush on you! You were already awesome, but the sarcasam sets it over the top! ha! I think your photos are fine. I guess “reader” has dog barf coloured glasses!
Haha – Thanks Dea.
you’re inspiring me to take my decorative squash off my front step and roast it up HEAB lol
Melissa,
Do it…you can thank me later.
Dog barf, my booty! I like your pictures. And I like your response.
LOL the picture is cute… and I’ve thought lots of things about your pictures… ranging from “WH WH WHAT??” to “yummmmoooooo” but never dog barf.. hehe.. so nice of you to take their constructive criticism..
The meatball recipe looks dddddddddelicious! soooo gonna try it! Is CD gonna hop online and let us know when the Heablet decides to enter the world??? I’m gonna be dying of suspense!
Annie,
I promise we’ll let you know. The hospital has wi-fi, and I’ll have my laptop. Enjoy the meatballs! P.S. Loved the WH WH WHAT??
Barf balls? Oh my! LOL Although I do love the polka dots!
ketchup is sooo good! I’ve been doing the same lunch over and over… one over medium egg, and a plate full of kale chips and roasted butternut squash (from the massive one!) with ketchup. MM!
Samantha,
I love ketchup on my eggs. CD thinks it’s gross, but I grew up eating it. Your lunch definitely sounds repeat-worthy to me!
I’ve never understood comments like that. Some people have way too much time on their hands.
Your meatloaf recipe gives me an idea for raviolis. My family’s annual ravioli making day is coming up and I think I might use some of your meatloaf ingredients for the filling. That is minus, the ketchup. Somehow I don’t think raviolis with ketchup would be tasty.
On a whole other side note about ketchup is I think it should be in it’s own food group. It’s delicious on almost everything.
Megan,
I love that your family has an annual ravioli making day – that is great, and I think a meatloaf filling sounds like a great idea. Hope everyone enjoys them, and yes, ketchup as a food group…I like the way you think.
YUMMMMM! Roasted delicata wedges with ketchup is goooood too. Thanks for the reminder of this awesomeness!
I LOVE ketchup on eggs.
Clare, you’re welcome and yes, ketchup on eggs was one of my favorite breakfast combos growing up. Still love it!
I’m so sorry but your post cracked me up. I happen to think your dog barf always looks tasty (even more so once it’s polka dotted dog barf balls!!!). We’re having a HEAB inspired dinner tonight, having some pumpkin stir-fry (minus the beef) as a side dish to our dinner. Yum!!!!
This weekend we’re having your Pepper Jelly meatballs (I actually found something in Australia, woo! But it’s called Chili Jam, the ingredients are mostly capsicum though *happy dance*). Can’t wait for those either!
Keep the dog barf pics coming! I happen to love them
Amy,
So happy to hear my dog barf pics have inspired some yummy meals at your house. Thanks for the support!
This made me laugh out loud at my desk. Now everyone thinks I’m losing it. Thanks!
Michelle,
Anytime.
Pumpkins in meatballs? I’m sold!
Oh, and so on the Kabocha train now. Sooo good!
xo
Kris
LOL where do I begin…
Your photos look like dog barf?? I believe you talked about this last year, where someone commented on your food saying it looks like baby poop. How nice. Your dog barf and baby poop inspire many of my meals. Who would have thought??
“The HEABlet then proceeded to kick and hiccup for hours. I’m not sure if she really enjoyed the meatballs or was just knocking to get out. Hope she joins us soon” – this made me smile. You’re almost there!!! <3
Being that I basically am making your “dog treats” for myself, I can’t say I’m against your photography skills, Heather
And for the record, ketchup makes (almost) everything better.
Dog barf? That’s a little harsh. Love the polka dots, though!
I recently made meat balls out of this recipe for meatloaf via Alton Brown (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-meat-loaf-recipe/index.html) —- both the meatloaf and meatballs are so tastey, moist, and they include some healthy veggies, too! (I up’d the veggie amounts and added an extra egg).
Hoping the Heablet comes soon too!!! We all are so anxious to meet her!
That meatloaf looks to die for! Never thought about putting goat cheese in… that sounds delicious!
Um…what the…what???
“Said Reader” can suck it.
I said so.
~Missy
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