This one got its name because we kept asking each other to pass the mashed things. They were so good that I got my husband to eat carrots and my daughter to eat cauliflower

Mashed Things

2 servings
200 calories per serving

1 red potato, peeled and cubed
1 c small cauliflower florets
1/2 c baby carrots
1 c chicken broth
1 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 t garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 slice Kraft fat free singles American cheese
2 T skim milk
5 squirts ICBINB Spray

Bring veggies to a boil in the broth. Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until veggies are soft. Drain the veggies and place them in a bowl with the cream cheese, cheese, garlic, milk, salt and pepper and beat with a mixer until creamy. If they are too dry, you can add more milk. Spray with the I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter spray just before serving.

These little crustless tarts make a great side dish to lunch or dinner. Very cheesy, very chic

Spinach Tart

8 servings
124 calories per serving (serving=2 tarts)

16 oz. frozen spinach
3 egg whites
12 oz. 2 % cottage cheese
1 c shredded part skim mozzarella
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
1/4 t black pepper
Pam

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put spinach in a colander and rinse with hot water until thawed. Using your hand or the back of a spoon, press it down firmly to drain all the water out of it. Mix egg whites, cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese and then add spinach and mix well. Spoon mixture into 16 muffin / cupcake cups sprayed with Pam. Bake 35 minutes.

This recipe gives you a really nice creamy dressing since you use mayo instead of eggs and oil. If you like it with a lot of bite, add extra anchovy.

Creamy Caesar Salad

8 servings
88 calories per serving

½ c grated parmesan cheese
½ c fat free mayo
¼ c lemon juice
2 t anchovy paste
2 t Worcestershire sauce
½ t pepper
¼ t dry mustard
5 large cloves garlic, minced
8 oz. fresh bread cut into cubes
4 head romaine lettuce in bite size pieces

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine 1.2 c water with cheese, mayo, lemon juice, anchovy paste, Worcestershire, pepper, mustard and garlic. Whisk well and set aside. Place bread pieces on a baking sheet and bake 15 minutes to toast them. When done combine croutons and romaine and then dress and serve immediately.

Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish made with potatoes and cabbage. It makes an excellent side dish. And it’s a perfect way to use up left over cabbage and potatoes !

Irish Colcannon

10 servings
115 calories per serving

1 1/2 lb. potatoes (about 4 large), peeled and quartered
3 slices bacon, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 c water
4 c cabbage, thinly sliced
2 T butter
1/2 c skim milk, warmed
Salt to taste

Put potatoes in a large Dutch oven and add enough cold water to cover the potatoes then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Heat a skillet and cook bacon then remove it from pan and drain. Add onions to skillet and cook 4 minutes. Add water and stir to loosen the bits stuck to the pan then add cabbage, cover and cook 7 minutes until water is evaporated. Mash drained potatoes with butter and milk then add the cabbage mix and salt and mix well.

This recipe will make even the most finicky eater a spinach lover. The dish is light and fluffy with loads of cheesy flavor – the spinach flavor is definitely mellowed.

Spinach Souffle

8 servings
149 calories per serving

1/2 c chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T margarine, melted
8 oz. low fat cream cheese, at room temperature
8 oz. low fat cottage cheese
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 c egg beaters
20 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed, and well drained
1/4 t paprika
1/8 t nutmeg
Pam

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Melt margarine and cook onion and garlic for 6 minutes. Remove to a bowl and add cream cheese, cottage cheese, salt and pepper and beat with a mixer. Add the egg beaters 1/4 cup at a time mixing well in between and then mix in the spinach. Spray a 9 inch baking dish with Pam and place the spinach mix in the dish and sprinkle with the paprika and nutmeg then cover and back 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes.

Creamy, cheesy, savory spinach – a perfect side dish to a light fish meal.

Spinach Au Gratin

6 servings
200 calories per serving

1 medium onion, thinly sliced
6 slices pre-cooked bacon, finely chopped
15 oz. fresh baby spinach leaves
4 oz. low fat cream cheese, cubed
15 Ritz Crackers, coarsely crushed
2 T grated parmesan cheese
1 T butter, melted
Pam

Preheat broiler. Spray pan with Pam and add onion. Cook 5 minutes adding a couple of tablespoons of hot water along the way if needed to keep the onions moist. Add bacon and cook 3 minutes. Add spinach and cook 3 minutes to wilt the spinach then remove from heat and add cream cheese being sure to mix well. Turn into a casserole dish sprayed with Pam. Mix crackers, parmesan and butter and sprinkle over the casserole. Broil 2 minutes to brown the crackers.

These make a great side dish to a chicken or fish dinner. Or make a double batch and serve as appetizers at your next get together. Warm and homey without being a heavy dish and these make a really nice presentation – just perfect !

Zucchini Quiche Cups

12 servings
115 calories per serving

2 c zucchini, in small cubes
2 t olive oil
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
12 slices light wheat bread, crusts removed
12 grape tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup soft low fat cream cheese spread
¾ c egg beaters
1/4 c light cream
2 T chopped fresh chives
Salt and pepper to taste
Pam

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix zucchini with oil and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper them bake until tender, about 15 minutes. Spray a cupcake tin with Pam. Flatten bread with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan and cut out a notch in the top so that when you place it in the cucpcake tins, it will wrap around nicely.

Zucchini Quiche Cups

Then press into the bottom of the cupcake cups. Mix zucchini and tomatoes and spoon into the cups. Beat eggs, cream cheese, cream, chives, salt and pepper. Pour into the cups and bake 15-20 minutes or until they are set.

Potatoes, cheese and sour cream – they are just meant to go together ! The little bit of baking gives the potatoes a nice crispy crust and this is a great side to anything – especially a grilled meat such as Grilled Chili Rubbed Sirloin.

Mashed Potato Bake

3 servings
185 calories per serving

24 oz. potatoes, peeled and quartered (you can use the frozen Oreida Steam and Mash here for a quick alternative)
2 oz. low fat cream cheese, cubed
1/4 c low fat sour cream
1 T skim milk
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t salt
¼ t pepper
Pam
ICBINB spray (I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover potatoes with water and bring to a boil them reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes or until tender. Mash the potatoes and add the rest of the ingredients then place in a 13×9 baking dish sprayed with Pam. Spray with a few spritzes of ICBINB. Bake 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.

There are some sides that you just make over and over again. This is one of them. At only 50 calories per serving, this also makes a great snack. And it is soooo good for you !

Fresh Cranberry Relish

8 servings
50 calories per 1/2 c serving

Forget Ocean Spray jellied cranberries around the holidays! Instead try this fresh salad that is simple to prepare and a great crowd pleaser.

1 bag cranberries
3/4 c Splenda
2 granny smith apples, cored and in quarters
1 seedless oranges (peel and all !), in quarters

Rinse the cranberries and pick out any bad ones. Place in a food processor and process until they are in small pieces. Remove to a bowl. Place apples in processor and blend until small pieces. Remove to bowl with cranberries. Place oranges in processor and process until all skin is in small pieces. Remove to bowl with cranberries and apples. Add Splenda and mix well. Refrigerate at least 4 hours so flavors blend.

Philadelphia Cream cheese sauces are pretty new – they have several flavors, but I think the Savory Garlic is my favorite. The richness of the cream cheese makes this a this a decadent side.

Creamy Garlic Noodles

6 servings
313 calories per serving

8 oz whole wheat egg noodles
4 c frozen broccoli florets
1 1/3 c frozen mixed peas and carrots
Pam
6 oz. canned sliced mushrooms
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
½ c Philadelphia Cooking Crème (Savory Garlic flavor)
¼ c fat free evaporated milk

Thaw frozen vegetables. Spray a skillet with Pam and sauté broccoli, peas and carrots, and mushrooms 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder then mix in the evaporated milk and heat another 2 minutes to heat through.. Cook noodles according to package instructions. When done, drain and stir with cooking crème. Mix in the vegetable sauté and serve immediately.