Category Archives: Kid Friendly

Mushroom and Pepper Pizza

February 22, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Lotsa different toppings can go on here to change it up. Anything that goes on a real pizza tastes good here. Extra veggies really don’t push up the calorie count much…mushrooms, peppers, onions, broccoli, etc.

4 servings
235 calories per serving

4 6-inch whole wheat pitas (Arnold’s Sahara are a good low cal choice)
3/4 cup marinara sauce
1/4 t crushed red pepper
1/4 t garlic powder
1/2 t oregano flakes
1 c shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
½ green bell pepper in thin slices
½ c mushroom slices
1/2 T olive oil mixed with 1 t water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush oil on the pitas. Spread with sauce and sprinkle with oregano, pepper and garlic powder. Sprinkle cheese over the tops. Add mushrooms and peppers. Cook for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.

I like it extra spicy, so I also add some red pepper flakes right on top of the sauce.

Asian, Dinner, Kid Friendly, Pork

Hoisin Pork

February 20, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Hoisin sauce is available in your market’s Asian section – it is a sweet preparation that is used in many Asian dishes. This almost sounds too easy – but the results you get are phenomenal ! Out of all the ‘diet’ dishes I have been making over the months, this is the one I have made the most.

4 servings
228 calories per serving

1 lb. pork tenderloin
4 T hoisin sauce
3 T minced garlic
2 T ketchup
2 T water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put all the ingredients in a zip loc bag and mush them all around to make sure the meat is evenly coated. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. You can also freeze the bag at this time and then defrost and use within a few weeks. Place meat on a wire rack and then place rack on a baking sheet (or you can just place directly on the baking sheet if you don’t have a rack). Squish out the rest of the sauce on top of the meat and then bake 1 hour.

Kid Friendly, Lunch, Summer

Hot Dog Platter

February 19, 2010 admin Leave a comment

For 400 calories you can have a hot dog on a bun with mustard and sauerkraut, a side of veggies and some dessert ! There is just no reason to feel deprived eating 400 calorie meals !

1 serving
260 calories per serving

1 hot dog (100 calorie light dog)
1 100 calorie bun
Mustard
1 Pickle (maybe a homemade one! )
1/2 c baby carrots

Cook the hotdog (either boil, grill or fry in a skillet sprayed with Pam). Place on bun (toasted, if you want). Top with mustard. On the side, have a pickle and a half cup of baby carrots.

Dessert, Kid Friendly

Chocolate Cream Pie

February 15, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Quick prep, creamy chocolate filling, crowd pleasing taste – – what else can a Chocolate Cream Pie offer?!?!

8 servings
214 calories per serving

2 c skim milk
2 packages sugar free chocolate pudding (1.3 oz. each)
1/4 c dark chocolate chips
1 low fat graham cracker crust (6 oz.)
8 oz. Cool Whip Free, thawed
Cocoa Powder for dusting

Mix milk and pudding in a medium pan on medium heat whisking continually. Cook 8 minutes or so, until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add chips stirring until all are melted. Fill a large bowl with ice water and place bottom of pan in the ice bath for 5 minutes or until cooled off – be sure to stir frequently so the mix will cool down quicker. Pour the mix into the crust and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 3 hours or more. Just before serving, put on a layer of whipped topping and garnish slices with a dusting of cocoa powder.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Sides

New Potatoes

February 11, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Sometimes just plain simple potatoes is what hits the spot. Here is a little twist without deviating from the theme too much 🙂

4 servings
134 calories per serving

16 oz. new potatoes, washed
2 T canola oil
½ t kosher salt
¼ t fresh ground pepper
Pam

Place potatoes in a zip loc bag and use a rolling pin to smash them quite a bit cracking their skin. Spray a skillet with Pam and then add oil and heat on medium high heat before adding potatoes. Partially cover skillet and cook potatoes 20 minutes or until browned all over. Add salt and pepper.

Kid Friendly, Lunch, Sandwiches, Turkey

Turkey Sandwich Lunch Platter

February 11, 2010 admin 1 Comment

Quick, easily portable and a great lunch. If you gotta have mayo instead of mustard, then use low or no fat and reduce the light ranch dressing.

1 serving
305 calories per serving

2 slices 45 calories wheat bread
5 slices deli turkey
1 slice tomato
1 lettuce leaf
mustard
1/2 c baby carrots
1/2 c celery sticks or broccoli florets
1/4 c light ranch dressing for dipping (or onion dip made with no fat sour cream)

Make your sandwich and enjoy !

Italian, Kid Friendly, Lunch, Sandwiches

Meatball Parmesan in a Pita

February 10, 2010 admin Leave a comment

I like my meatballs very spicy, so I add a good amount of red pepper flakes to this one. Prep time is 5 minutes – that’s it !

1 serving
365 calories per serving

1 whole wheat pita (140 calorie version)
3 vegetable meatballs
1 T shredded parmesan cheese (shredded, not grated)
3 T marinara sauce
Spices to taste: pepper, oregano flakes, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder

Slit open the pita. Slice meatballs in thirds and heat meatballs, spices and sauce for 30 seconds in the microwave. Fill the pita with the meatballs, sauce and cheese.

Dessert, Instructional, Kid Friendly, Videos

Apple Pockets

February 7, 2010 admin Leave a comment

These are great apple pockets – and they are really so simple to make; it only takes about 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes in the oven until you’re eating hot apple pockets !

10 servings
85 calories per serving

2 baking apples (a sweet Gala or McIntosh apple as opposed to a tart Granny Smith, etc.)
2 T sugar
1 t cinnamon
Flour
1 package (7.5 oz.) biscuit dough – 10 biscuits (in the refrigerator section of your market – I use store brand)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and grate apples and place in a bowl (use the same type of grater you would use to grate cheddar cheese). In a small bowl combine sugar and cinnamon. Stir 3/4 of the sugar mix in with the apples. Roll each biscuit to a 5 inch circle with a rolling pin (or press with the bottom of a clean skillet or dish). You may want to flour the biscuit a little so the rolling pin or dish won’t stick to it.

Take a look at my video for quick instructions on how to do this:

Place equal portions of apple mix in each round, fold the circles over in half and pinch the edges well to seal. I actually press around the edge with a fork so it is well-sealed a little decorative. Place pockets on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar. Bake 20 minutes.

Kid Friendly, Sides

Lemon Garlic Potatoes

February 4, 2010 admin Leave a comment

These have a great fresh flavor and are very different from your typical potato recipes – the lemon really gives them a blast of unexpected flavor. If you’re pressed for time, try microwaving the potato cubes for 6 minutes or so – that will cut down the boiling time by half.

6 servings
103 calories per serving

1 1/2 pounds red potatoes, cubed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Black pepper to taste

In a pot over medium heat, combine the potatoes and with enough water to cover them by 1″. Add salt. Cook 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Drain and return to the pan and add lemon juice, oil, garlic, and pepper to taste. Saute for 2 minutes to allow the garlic to cook some.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Pork

Baked Ham

February 4, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Lean ham is a great ‘diet’ meal – it is relatively low in calories and definitely does not feel like you are eating diet food ! And the precooked, boneless ones available at the food store are a snap to make.

8 servings
188 calories per serving

2 lb. boneless precooked ham

Place ham in an oven safe dish with a little water. Tent with foil and place in a preheated 325 degree oven. Bake 30-45 minutes or until hot throughout. Let stand 5 minutes and then slice into thin slices. Serve with creamy horseradish sauce.