Category Archives: Dinner

Appetizers, Dinner, Italian, Kid Friendly, Sides

Mini Calzones

July 26, 2013 admin 2 Comments

Here’s another one of those appetizers that also makes a great dinner side – these are great served next to a hearty bowl of minestrone soup.

24 servings
50 calories per serving

1 11 oz. can soft breadsticks
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 c shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
6 slices very thin deli ham, each rolled and cut into 4 pieces
¼ t oregano flakes
2 T grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Let dough come to room temperature then unroll it and separate into 12 sticks then cut each in half making 2 short sticks. Flatten each piece of dough to about a 2 inch wide piece. Sprinkle all the dough pieces with garlic powder. Place 1 t mozzarella cheese in the center. Fold ham and place over the cheese making sure to leave a border so you will be able to seal the calzones. Fold the dough over and pinch the edges to seal and make a little pocket. Place on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the parm and oregano. Bake 15 minute or until golden brown.

Dinner, Salads, Sides, Summer, Vegetables

Green Beans and Tomatoes

July 4, 2013 admin Leave a comment

This just has ‘summer’ written all over it. Use garden fresh or farmer’s market fresh veggies for the best flavors 🙂

8 servings
90 calories per serving

1 lb. green beans, trimmed and cut into pieces
2 lb. beefsteak tomatoes, seeded and cut into ½ inch wedges
5 T balsamic vinegar
3 t minced garlic clove
½ t Kosher salt
½ t pepper
1 anchovy fillet, minced
3 T oil

Boil green beans 3 minutes, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Add tomatoes. Whisk vinegar, anchovy and oil and add to beans. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Asian, Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Asian Sesame Slaw

June 15, 2013 admin Leave a comment

This has WOW flavor ! Serve this next to any Asian inspired dish (Asian Grilled Chicken comes to mind) for a great salad that takes over every tastebud in your mouth !

8 servings
60 calories per serving

1/3 c Miracle Whip light
2 T KRAFT Light Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing (I use this dressing in hot and cold dishes)
3 T lime juice
6 cups finely shredded cabbage (get the Dole pre-shredded to save a lot of time)
1 c snow peas, julienned
1 carrot, coarsely grated (not necessary if you use the Dole cabbage that has carrot in it already)
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1/4 c chopped cilantro
1 T minced ginger
2 T sesame seeds, toasted
Touch of salt

To toast sesame seeds, place in a hot skillet and sauté for a couple of minutes until they turn golden and are aromatic. Mix lime, Miracle Whip and Sesame dressing well and pour over the rest of the ingredients (except the sesame seeds). Mix well. Chill at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with seeds just before serving.

Dinner, Fish, Summer

Halibut Kebobs

June 10, 2013 admin 1 Comment

It’s not hard to cook fish – some people shy away because they think it is too complicated. This recipe even does away with the ‘is the fish done?” fear. By cutting it into small cubes it is sure to be done during the 6 minute broil time. And even done simply, fish can taste just amazing !

4 servings
111 calories per serving

1 lb. halibut steak, about 1 inch thick
¼ c fresh lemon juice
¼ c oil
3 medium shallots, thinly sliced
¼ t oregano flakes
¼ t parsley flakes
¼ t garlic powder
½ t thyme
Pam
½ large onion cut into chunks
1 lemon, cut into wedges

Preheat broiler. Rinse and dry fish and cut off skin. Cut fish into 16 cubes. Mix lemon juice, oil, shallots, herbs, spices and thyme. Add fish and mix well. Cover and marinate ½ hour. Spray baking sheet with Pam. Peel onion into single layers and place on sheet with fish cubes. Broil 3 minutes each side or until fish is done. Garnish with lemon wedges.

Alternately, you can spray a grill basket with Pam and place the ingredients in there, being careful to stir gently and not break up the fish. Cook approximately 6-8 minutes or until fish is done.

Dinner, Fish

White Fish with Lime Basil Pesto

May 22, 2013 admin Leave a comment

This pesto sauce is so incredibly flavorful that you will want to put it on everything. Usually pestos have nuts in them – the subtraction of the nuts leaves you with a lighter pesto and this one would go great with so many different dishes.

4 servings
226 calories per serving

1 c basil leaves
¼ c grated parmesan
½ t grated lime zest
2 T lime juice
1 ½ T oil
¼ t salt
3 garlic cloves, chopped
4 6 ounce sea bass fillets (or other white fish)
Salt and pepper to taste
Pam

Mix basil, parm, lime juice and zest, oil, garlic and salt in a food processor until very finely chopped.

Spray a skillet with Pam and cook fish 3-4 minutes per side or until done. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve with basil blend.

Dinner, Lunch, Pork, Soups, Tex Mex

Southwest Pork Soup

May 20, 2013 admin Leave a comment

Tender pork, spicy broth – the flavor is just fantastic ! If you don’t enjoy spice, just remove the jalapeno and you will still end up with a great tasting pork soup.

4 servings
325 calories per serving

Pam
1 c onion, chopped
2/3 c green bell pepper, chopped
1 c chopped mushrooms
1 T minced garlic
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 lb. pork tenderloin in bite sized pieces
2 c chicken broth
2 c beef broth
1 c water
2 t chili powder
1 t ground cumin
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
15 oz. kidney beans, rinsed and drained
14 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 T cilantro, chopped
1 c avocado, diced

Heat a non stick soup pot then spray with Pam. Add onion and cook 5-6 minutes adding a bit of hot water if necessary to keep onions moist. Add pepper, mushrooms, garlic and jalapenos and cook another 3 minutes then add pork and cook another 10 minutes. Add broth, water, spices, beans and tomatoes and bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro just before serving. Spoon into bowls and top with avocado pieces.

Dinner, Lunch, Mediterranean, Sandwiches

Greek Chicken Pitas

May 16, 2013 admin Leave a comment

Greek food is so flavorful and fresh tasting. And many of the dishes are surprisingly simple to make. Using store bought tzatziki here is a time saver, but if you want to make it from scratch, it’s pretty easy. It’s just a mixture of plain Greek yogurt, garlic and cucumber pieces. You can skip the tzatziki if you don’t like it, then just substitute some hummus to add in more moisture.

4 servings
310 calories per serving

1 lb. chicken tenders
1 t Greek seasoning (mix of oregano, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika)
1/2 c tzatkizi
4 8 inch pita breads
2 c romaine lettuce, chopped
2 plum tomatoes, sliced
1 cucumber, seeded and cut into strips
1/4 c crumbled feta cheese
Pam

Spray a large skillet with Pam. Heat on medium high and add chicken. Sprinkle with the seasoning and cook 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned and done throughout.

Slice pitas so you will be able to fill the pocket. Add chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta and tzatziki. I often slice the chicken up first so it gets more distributed throughout the sandwich.

Chicken, Dinner, Italian, Kid Friendly

Chicken Cacciatore in a Snap

May 12, 2013 admin Leave a comment

For years I used MY standard chicken cacciatore recipe and I was very wary of trying a new one. Let me tell you, this one really fits the bill for a tasty, flavor packed, nutritious version that will quickly become one of your favorites.

4 servings
297 calories per serving

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
1 t oregano flakes
1/2 t basil flakes
1/4 t red pepper flakes
Pam
2 c sliced mushrooms
3/4 c chopped bell pepper
1 1/2 c fat free marinara sauce
1/4 c water
½ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
1/4 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
1/2 c shredded Parmesan cheese
2 T sliced fresh basil

Heat a large skillet on medium high and spray with Pam. Add chicken to pan with oregano, basil and red pepper. Saute until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and pepper and cook 5 minutes. Stir in sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and water and bring to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat, sprinkle with cheese and fresh basil. Serve immediately.

Beef, Dinner, Kid Friendly, Summer

Grilled Onion Burgers

April 29, 2013 admin Leave a comment

So savory and sooooo tasty ! Cooking the onion right in the burgers is a nice touch and there is sooooo much flavor from the grilled onion.

4 servings
320 calories per serving

1 large onion
1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 ½ t garlic powder
4 slices low fat Swiss cheese
2 t oil
4 slices thick, hearty bread, toasted
Salt and pepper to taste

Peel onion and cut off 4 ¼ inch thick slices. Shape meat into patties and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder and then press one onion slice into each burger and shape meat around the onion so it is even with the meat. Place burger onion side down on a hot grill and cook 5 minutes. Flip burger and cook another 5 minutes. Top with cheese during the last minute of grilling.

Beef, Dinner, Kid Friendly, Mexican

BBQ Burritos (Pressure Cooker)

April 24, 2013 admin Leave a comment

Using a pressure cooker to cook the meat means you get a super, super tender shredded meat which is just perfect for a steak burrito. This is an exceptionally good meal. Serve with some avocado slices, no fat sour cream and salsa for even more flavor.

6 servings
350 calories per serving

1 lb. London broil or other lean sirloin steak
6 flour tortillas (80 calorie Smart and Delicious)
1 c shredded low fat cheddar cheese
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 medium avocado, chopped
¾ c barbecue sauce
Pam

Marinade – mix together
1 5.5 oz. can spicy V-8 juice
2 T lime juice
1 T oil
½ t salt
¼ t black pepper
½ t ground cumin
½ t chili powder

Pierce beef with a fork several times. Mix marinade and place in a zip loc – add the beef and coat well and then refrigerate 8-24 hours. Pressure cook mat for 1 hours. (you can also crock pot this for 8-10 hours). Let rest 5 minutes and then using 2 forks, shred the meat. Mix in a bit of the left over juices. Preheat oven to 450 degrees (don’t mistakenly set it on BROIL like I did and then burn the holy heck out of your first batch! Thanks for help with the recon mission, Lisa ! LOL) Microwave tortillas 30 seconds or so to warm them slightly. Place beef, cheese, onion, and tomato in each wrap and fold all four sides. Place folded side down in a baking pan sprayed with Pam. Brush with barbecue sauce and bake 4-6 minutes. Serve with a slice of avocado on the top. Optionally add sour cream and salsa for even more flavor.