Genji Spicy Ginger Miso Dressing

I’m not sure if this is a local product or if you can find it all over – a friend introduced me to it and you can get it at Whole Foods Markets. It makes a GREAT vegetable dip. Served with tri-color bell peppers, it makes an excellent snack or lunch side.

The dressing itself is 140 calories for 2T – – add the equivalent of a whole cut up bell pepper for about 25 calories.

Peppers and Miso Ginger Dressing
Peppers and Miso Ginger Dressing

Laughing Cow Light Cheese

Ahhh – cheese ! There is nothing quite like it. And in most diets it is highly taboo due to the calories and fat content. These wedges of goodness fit right into my diet plan coming in at 50% less fat than the regular and a mere 35 calories per wedge. The wedges are BIG. Do not think these are like those little Laughing Cow squares. They are not. These are gloriously big cheesy wedges !

Laughing Cow Light Cheese

They come in 3 wonderful flavors:
Original (Swiss blend)
Garlic and Herb
French Onion

They are a very creamy and soft cheese – more like a spread, really. And they are perfect used in a multitude of ways. Here’s how I use them…

– Use in my Macaroni and Cheese recipe, either alone or with a mixture of other cheeses

– Melt and mix with a little skim milk to make a sauce for broccoli and other vegetables

** Open one up and dip pretzel rods in for a quick snack (my favorite!)

– Spread on a toasted whole wheat muffin and top with tomato slices for a great Cheese Muffin

– Cut into cubes and drop into scrambled eggs just before they set

– Spread in wraps before making lunch or breakfast wrap recipes

The Laughing Cow website also has a bunch of recipes that you can try

I know I sound like a commercial. But I love these things ! And I want you all to buy them too so they don’t stop making them 🙂

Pita Pepperoni Pizza

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.

Pita Pepperoni Pizza

4 servings
285 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
16 slices turkey pepperoni
1/2 T olive oil

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 pepperoni slices. Cook for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.

Tomato and Cucumber Salad

This is a great low calorie side to any lunch or dinner. In the summer, I substitute heirloom tomatoes from the local farmer’s market. Regular cucumber can be used, but English cucumbers have many less seeds and I find them more enjoyable. I often substitute fresh herbs if I have them around (parsley, basil, dill, chives, etc.)

Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Tomato and Cucumber Salad

4 servings
38 calories per serving

1 English cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise and cut in thin slices
1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half
Salt and pepper to taste
½ t oregano flakes
½ t basil flakes
¼ t red pepper flakes
4 T vinegar

Place all in a bowl and mix well. Refrigerate at least 2 hours to let flavors mix.

Pineapple Pork

This recipe is a little sweet, so try pairing it with some Asian inspired sides to keep the flavor combinations flattering.

Pineapple Pork
Pineapple Pork

4 servings
163 calories per serving

1 pound bone out pork chops
1 ½ T teriyaki sauce
1 ½ t cornstarch
¼ t ground ginger
6 oz pineapple juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Pam

Spray large skillet with Pam and heat on medium high. When hot, place chops in pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook roughly 10 minutes per side or until browned and mostly done.

Combine the sauce, starch and ginger in a bowl and stir well, breaking up all the cornstarch lumps. Pour over the chops and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer for 3 minutes or until sauce is thickened.

Beef Stew

There’s nothing like a hot bowl of stew on a cold night. This one is packed with goodness and tastes so very yummy !

Beef Stew
Beef Stew

4 servings
275 calories per serving

1 lb. lean steak (sirloin, London broil, filet, etc.) cut into 1 inch cubes
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
2 c green beans
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 lb. potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes (about 1 very large)
1 can (14 oz.) fat free beef broth
1 can (14 oz.) fat free beef gravy
¼ t garlic powder
1/8 t onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 t olive oil

Heat pan to medium high heat and then add oil. When oil is hot, add beef. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cook beef until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add broth, gravy, and carrots. Bring to a boil. Then cover and cook 45 minutes on low heat. Add potatoes and cook another 30 minutes. Add green beans and cook a final 15 minutes.

Alternately, you can add all at once and crock pot this meal on low 5-6 hours – but the veggies will not be as crisp.

Rustic Chicken Soup

This soup uses up leftovers and is super simple to put together. You can always add extra fresh or dried herbs to make it as spicy as you like. I just sent some of this over to my sick soon to be sister-in-law. Hope it makes her all better 🙂

Rustic Chicken Soup
Rustic Chicken Soup

6 servings
202 calories per serving

3 ½ quarts water
2 c tomato soup
6 oz leftover grilled chicken, cut into small cubes
1 c shredded carrots
1 c green beans, trimmed
1 c small potato cubes
1 c white beans (canned)
1 onion, sliced
1 c celery, thinly sliced
1 c leftover roasted tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes
½ c grated parmesan cheese
2 t dry chicken bouillon powder
½ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Place all in a pot and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 45 minutes.

Macaroni and Cheese

This is rich and creamy and almost ½ the calories of regular mac and cheese due to the Laughing Cow Light cheese and the FiberGourmet pasta ! I really suggest you try some – you’ll never know the difference !

Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and Cheese

2 servings
290 calories per serving

6 oz. FiberGourmet Pasta
4 wedge Laughing Cow Light cheese (I use original flavor, but any of the 3 will work)
2 T skim milk
2 T hot water
2 T shredded 2% milk cheddar cheese
6 sprays I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ t onion powder

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and place in a bowl with all other ingredients. Stir to mix well. Enjoy !!!

Stuffed Mushrooms

Great to bring along to a party !

Stuffed Mushroom
Stuffed Mushroom

4 servings
121 calories per serving (4 mushrooms)

16 medium sized button mushrooms, stems removed, but reserved
1 c crumbled goat cheese
4 T chopped flat leaf parsley
16 pieces of sundried tomato packed in oil, drained
1 t cayenne pepper
Pam

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking pan with Pam.

Mince the reserved mushroom stems (food processor works great) and place in a bowl with cheese, parsley and cayenne pepper. Mix and set aside. Place caps in the prepared pan and lightly spray the tops with Pam. Fill each cap with the cheese mixture and then top each with a sundried tomato strip. Bake 15 minutes.

Banana Bread

This is a much healthier version than my Grandma’s banana bread recipe. But I tell you, it tastes just a good! And one slice is very satisfying. If you remove the chocolate chips from the recipe, you bring it down to 140 calories per serving !

Banana Bread
Banana Bread

8 servings (one loaf cut into 1/8’s)
175 calories per serving

1 ¼ c whole wheat flour
¼ c flour
¾ c Splenda
1 ½ c mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)
½ c egg beaters
½ c no sugar added applesauce
2 t baking powder
1 t vanilla
½ t cinnamon
½ t salt
4 T semi sweet chocolate morsels

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flours, Splenda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt and mix well. Combine banana, Egg Beaters, applesauce and vanilla. Add the wet mix to the dry mix and with a wooden spoon, stir until just blended. Pour into a loaf pan (ungreased) and bake for 50 minutes. Allow to cool slightly and then remove from pan.

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