Crock Pot Goulash

What a great goulash ! The caraway flavor is mild, yet it really steals the show and makes this a great tasting goulash.

Crock Pot Goulash
Crock Pot Goulash

8 servings
181 calories per serving

2 lb. beef stew meat, trimmed and cubed
2 t caraway seeds
2 T paprika
1/4 t salt
Pepper, to taste
1 large onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
14 oz. can diced tomatoes (undrained)
14 oz. can beef broth
1 t Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
2 T cornstarch mixed with 3 T water
2 T chopped parsley
Pam

Place beef in the crock pot. Crush caraway seeds in an herb grinder or with the back of a heavy pot. Mix crushed seeds with paprika, salt and pepper and sprinkle on the meat pressing the spices into the meat so they stick. Add onion and pepper to a skillet sprayed with Pam and cook 5 minutes. Mix tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire and garlic and add to pan and bring to a simmer. Pour into the crock and then place the bay leaves on top of the meat. Cover and cook 4-5 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low. Discard the bay leaves and then add the cornstarch mix and cook on high 15 minutes to thicken the sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve with optional whole wheat egg noodles.

Pickled Eggs

This is a more old fashioned dish – but still a fan favorite and these eggs are great cut up in salad, served as a snack, or placed on an appetizer platter.

Pickled Eggs
Pickled Eggs

6 servings
88 calories per serving

Liquid from 1 15 oz can beets
1 c cider vinegar
1/2 c sugar
2 t Kosher salt
2 bay leaves
4 whole cloves
1 medium onion, sliced into rings
6 large eggs

Drain beets and reserve for another use. Pour liquid in a saucepan and add vinegar, sugar, salt, bay and cloves and bring to a boil Stir to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat, add onion rings and let sit 1 hour.

Place eggs in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium heat and let boil 2 minutes. Shut off heat, cover and let sit 11 minutes. Then rinse in cold water. (By the way – this is the recipe for a PERFECT hard boiled egg!!) Peel eggs and place in a deep jar and pour over the liquid and top with the onion rings. Refrigerate for 24 hours then remove onions (you can use these on burgers). I remove the eggs from the liquid at this point – you can keep them in the liquid if you wish. These will store well for 3 days.

Burgundy Pork

I love mixing red wine and brown gravy mix – it gives you such an awesome gravy – definitely restaurant worthy !

Burgundy Pork
Burgundy Pork

4 servings
400 calories per serving

2 lb. pork tenderloin
1/2 t salt
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 c red wine (I used cooking wine and it came out great!)
.75 oz. packet dry brown gravy mix
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking dish with Pam. Sprinkle pork with spices and then top with onions and celery. Pour wine over pork. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until done. Let meat rest and then cut into thin slices. Pour gravy mix into pan with the cooking juices and stir until thick – serve over the sliced meat.

Orange Sorbet

Sweet and citrusy, cold and refreshing – a great way to top off any summer meal.

Orange Sorbet
Orange Sorbet

12 servings
93 calories per serving

2 1/2 c water
1 c sugar
Orange rind strips from 2 oranges
2 2/3 c fresh orange juice
1/3 c fresh lemon juice
Grated orange rind

Mix the water and sugar in a pan and bring to a boil Add the orange rinds and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the mix into a bowl and get rid of the solids. Let cool to room temperature then add the juices and stir well. Refrigerate for an hour or more. Pour into ice cream maker and follow your maker’s instructions. Then freeze for one hour. Garnish with orange zest.

Asparagus with Cheese Sauce

A quick cheese sauce is all sweet Spring asparagus needs – this one is delicious !

Asparagus with Cheese Sauce
Asparagus with Cheese Sauce

4 servings
110 calories per serving

1 lb. fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
1/3 c water
1/4 c Miracle Whip or light mayonnaise
1/4 c skim milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Steam or par boil asparagus for 4-5 minutes. Mix the other ingredients and microwave until melted. Serve sauce over asparagus.

Crispy Cauliflower

What a great way to make cauliflower ! The spicing is subtle and the coating is just right. No more boring cauliflower !! 🙂

Crispy Cauliflower
Crispy Cauliflower

6 servings
92 calories per serving

4 c cauliflower florets
6 T flour
¼ t garlic powder
¼ t onion powder
¼ t paprika
¼ t salt
¼ t pepper
2 ½ c cornflakes, crushed
2 egg whites
Pam

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with Pam. Place cauliflower in a pan with 2 T water, cover and cook 6 minutes or until still crisp yet tender. In a zip loc bag mix all the spices and flour. In another zip loc, place the cornflakes. Beat the eggs lightly and one at a time roll the florets in the egg mix, then toss in the spice bag, the coat with egg again, then toss in the crumbs being sure to press so the flakes stick to the florets. Then place on baking sheet and cook 15-20 minutes or until golden.

Vanilla Rounds

These are a delightfully plain cookie – sometimes all I want is just the flavor of a simple vanilla baked good without any pomp and circumstance. This is it ! And at only 21 calories a cookie, I can have 5 without any guilt. Dip them in coffee, serve with some yogurt of some fat free, sugar free pudding – or just indulge in their simple elegance.

Vanilla Rounds
Vanilla Rounds

24 servings
21 calories per serving (1 cookie)

2 eggs, separated
½ t baking powder
¼ t salt
¼ c sugar
2 t vanilla
¼ t grated lemon zest
½ c flour
Confectioner’s sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Beat egg whites until foamy. Mix baking powder, salt, and sugar and slowly add to egg whites and beat until stiff peaks form. Mix yolks, vanilla and zest and beat with a fork the fold into egg white mix. Sift flour over egg mix and fold until smooth. Use about 2 t of batter to make each cookie and place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet and bake 15 minutes. Cool on sheets a few minutes and then move to racks. Cookies will crisp as they cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar once completely cool.

Strawberry Feta Salad

Looking for a special salad ? This one has the extra special something that makes it great for entertaining and holiday meals. But it’s so easy to put together you that you’ll find yourself making it all the time !

Strawberry Feta Salad
Strawberry Feta Salad

4 servings
140 calories per serving

5 oz. baby arugula
1 c sliced strawberries
1/2 c low fat crumbled feta cheese
3 T walnuts, chopped and toasted
1/4 c balsamic vinaigrette
Salt and pepper to taste

Place the arugula on 4 separate plates – add all the other ingredients and serve immediately.

Curried Slaw

This is a great dinner or lunch side. The curry and apples give it nice surprise flavor.

Curried Slaw
Curried Slaw

16 servings
120 calories per serving

1 c Miracle Whip
1 T curry powder
¼ of a medium head of green cabbage, shredded
¼ of a medium head of napa cabbage, shredded
1 medium zucchini, shredded
1 large carrot, shredded
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 Granny Smith apples, thinly sliced

Mix dressing and curry then add all the other ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate several hours so flavors mingle well.

Lemony Brussel Sprouts

The lemony sauce on the sprouts add a nice surprise tanginess to the dish.

Lemony Brussel Sprouts
Lemony Brussel Sprouts

4 servings
121 calories per serving

8 cups Brussels sprouts trimmed and cut in half
1/4 c light sour cream
1/4 c Miracle Whip Light
2 t lemon zest
1 t lemon juice
1/2 t Dijon Mustard

Boil sprouts 8-10 minutes. Mix the rest of the ingredients and mix with drained sprouts.

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