A simple and hearty soup that tastes delicious. It’s a very versatile recipe – add some veggies, small pasta or extra spices to easily change it up. But don’t skip the ham – that is what really give it the great flavor

Ham and Bean Soup

6 servings
273 calories per serving

15.5 oz. can navy beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
4 c fat free chicken broth
1 1/2 c diced extra lean ham (you can also use Canadian bacon)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 t chili powder
¼ t pepper
¼ t salt
½ t onion powder

Combine all and mix well. Bring to a boil and cook 15 – 20 minutes or until soup is slightly thickened.

This is a meal that the family was raving about…there was much satisfaction around the dinner table the night I made this one ! Even though it is a very quick sauce, it grabs the flavor from the pork and quickly becomes a sauce full of depth. Be sure to add on the fresh herbs – they really add to the awesome flavor of this dish.

Parmesan Pork and Penne

4 servings
380 calories per serving

If you don’t use the FiberGourmet pasta, the meal does not come in under 400 calories.

8 oz. FiberGourmet penne pasta
3 T bread crumbs
3 T grated parmesan cheese
¾ lb. pork tenderloin sliced thinly
2 t oil
Pam
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained this time
8 oz. tomato sauce
2.25 oz. can sliced black olives, drained
Salt and pepper to taste
½ t basil flakes
½ t oregano flakes
½ t parsley flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
2 T fresh chopped basil

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Combine breadcrumbs and cheese in a zip loc bag then add the pork slices and shake. Heat oil in skillet and also spray it with Pam and then cook pork 4-6 minutes or until browned on both sides. Add tomatoes, sauce, salt, pepper and olives and bring to a boil the reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes or until pork is tender. Serve pork mix over cooked penne. Garnish with fresh chopped basil.

Great as an appetizer, a snack, a lunch side – and this antipasto does not skimp on the ingredients…olives, sausage, cheese, peppers, oh my ! This is very lemony – if you prefer, you can substitute vinegar for the lemon.

Lemon Marinated Antipasto

12 servings
220 calories per serving

1 lb. spicy turkey sausage
1 T oil
½ c oil
2 t grated lemon zest
½ c lemon juice
2 T chopped basil
½ t oregano flakes
1 t parsley flakes
½ t basil flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz. roasted red peppers, drained and cut into small strips
12 oz. mozzarella cheese cut into cubes
1 c pitted kalamata olives

Cook sausage in 1 T oil until done. When cool, cut into slices. Whisk oil, lemon juice and spices with garlic. Layer sausage, pepper strips, cheese and olives in 2 quart size jars and pour over the dressing. Cover and chill 1-2 days. Try to remember to shake the jars a bit each time you open the frig those 1-2 days – that way the lemony marinade coats all the bits of goodness. Let stand at room temp 30 minutes before serving.

(you don’t need the jars – you can do this in a bowl or even a zip loc bag !)

This recipe makes a nice mellow flavored meal full of Caribbean richness and warmth. Try serving with a tossed green salad and some rice.

Caribbean Chicken

4 servings
187 calories per serving

¼ c minced onion
1 T sugar
1 T finely chopped jalapeno pepper (seeds removed)
2 t cider vinegar
2 t soy sauce
½ t salt
½ t ground allspice (or a mix of ground cloves and ground nutmeg)
½ t thyme
½ t pepper
¼ t red pepper flakes
1 ½ lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Pam

Combine all except chicken and Pam in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss well to coat. Heat a grill pan (or the BBQ grill in the backyard !) on medium high heat and spray with Pam. Cook 5 minutes per side or until done.

This is barely sweet – much more of a cocoa flavor than a sweet flavor and yet it definitely satisfied my sweet tooth. This is a great sweet snack for in front of the TV.

Cocoa Popcorn

6 servings
94 calories per serving

6 c popped popcorn
1 T margarine
2 T light corn syrup
1 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ T skim milk
1/8 t salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place popcorn in a large baking pan and warm in the oven. In a small pan melt margarine, then add syrup, cocoa, milk and salt and stir until well mixed. Pour over popcorn and stir to coat all pieces.

All you need to do is head over to Plentiful Pantry and take a look at their desserts – then head over to our Facebook Fan Page and tell me which one of their mouthwatering desserts has you drooling the most ! You’ll see the contest thread over there where you can add your comments. A random post will be chosen as winner.

Winner will receive 2 boxes of Pumpkin Cobbler mix. Prize sponsored by Plentiful Pantry.

1. POSTS ON THIS BLOG WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED – - YOU MUST POST ON THE FACEBOOK FAN PAGE TO BE INCLUDED
2. CONTEST OPEN ONLY TO US RESIDENTS
3. ONLY ONE COMMENT PER PARTICIPANT, PLEASE
4. WINNER TO BE CHOSEN AND ANNOUNCED 9-28-10

Don’t forget that you can get 25% off any order at Plentiful Pantry by using COUPON CODE 4HCOL25 at checkout – the code is good through 10-10-10. Coupon not eligible to be combined with other coupons/special offers.

Take Autumn and put it in a dish – this is just what it tastes like !! I just can’t tell you how good this was – it was simply divine ! Everyone who tasted it wanted more. The buttery crumbs on top were way better than any pumpkin pie crust I have ever had – it adds a whole new dimension to this dessert.

9 servings
202 calories per serving

To make this decadent dessert, all you do is grab a Pumpkin Cobbler mix from Plentiful Pantry and add a few ingredients from home – some water, some canned pumpkin and some butter. Bake for a bit and you have a dessert that will make you the Queen or King of desserts in your family Serve with some chopped nuts and /or some whipped cream on top.

I don’t know that I’ll ever make a pumpkin pie again – this is just so special…so good. Please try some today – you’ll be so happy you did ! Head on over to Plentiful Pantry and use COUPON CODE 4HCOL25 and get 25% off your order !

And be sure to check out our CONTEST (which will be announced in just a bit) – you could win 2 free mixes !!

Check out our reviews of other Plentiful Pantry products:

Blondies and Maple Sauce
Key Lime Cheesecake Bars
Roasted Tomato Parmesan Bisque

__________________________________________

Coupon code good through October 10, 2010
Coupon not eligible to be combined with other special offers/coupons
Any associated contests available only to US residents

This has sooooo much flavor in it that you just want to keep eating and eating ! It was just a perfect mix of ingredients and makes a great lunch serving.

Mushroom and Feta Salad

2 servings
270 calories per serving

6 T Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette dressing, divided
2 large Portobello mushroom caps
1 medium yellow squash, sliced
5 c mixed salad greens
½ c chopped roasted red peppers
½ c low fat crumbled feta cheese
2 T toasted pine nuts

Brush mushrooms and squash with oil and 2 T of the dressing, Grill or broil 3-4 minutes each side and then cut mushrooms into slices. Add mushrooms and squash to lettuce and peppers. Add the rest of the dressing and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and nuts and serve immediately.

To toast nuts, heat a dry skillet and sauté nuts 5 minutes or so. You will know they are done because you will star to smell the nutty aroma

This is high cal for a vegetable dish but served as a lunch alongside some tuna sprinkled with lemon, it’s a nice change. You don’t even need to wait for good summer tomatoes, because the cooking brings out the sweetness.

Breaded Tomatoes

4 servings
285 calories per serving

Pam
1 1/2 c plain breadcrumbs
1/4 c parmesan cheese
1 T lemon zest
2 T olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
4 large tomatoes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking dish with Pam. In a bowl combine breadcrumbs, cheese, zest and oil. Add salt and pepper. Slice tomatoes and arrange in dish. Season with salt and pepper and top with breadcrumb mixture. Bake 20-25 minutes.

This recipe includes a simple marinade that makes the steak taste like a million bucks ! You’ll never grill a naked steak again !

Glazed Grilled Steak

4 servings
280 calories per serving

½ c steak sauce
½ c low fat balsamic vinaigrette
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t oregano flakes
1 t onion powder
2 beef rib eyes (total 1 lb.)

Mix all ingredients other than the meat and reserve ¼ c for later use. Place the meat in a zip loc along with the sauce, mush it around so the sauce coats the meat evenly, then refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to a couple hours). Heat grill and cook steak 4-5 minutes per side or to desired doneness. Serve topped with extra sauce.