A Waldorf salad has apples and nuts and celery and is mixed with mayo. Here I recreate it but in sandwich form and serve it atop lean turkey slices. So good !!

Waldorf Sandwich

1 serving
396 calories per serving

100 calorie English muffin, toasted
1/2 small apple sliced
¼ c chopped walnuts
¼ c thin celery slices
1 T non fat mayonnaise
4 slices thin deli sliced lean turkey (Oscar Mayer pre-packaged meats are great)
2 lettuce leaves

Spread bread with mayo. Make sandwich with turkey and apples. Sprinkle with walnuts and celery slices. Top with lettuce.

This is one of those dishes that has everyone at the table making yummy noises The cinnamon and cardamom are a FANTASTIC addition to the grapes. And the yogurt is really just a way to get the spices to stick to the fruit. The gingery goodness of the cardamom really makes this dish so be sure to add it in. Serve it as a dessert, a snack or a side dish.

Grape Salad

4 servings
70 calories per serving

¼ c low fat vanilla yogurt
1/8 t cinnamon
1/8 t cardamom
1 c seedless green grapes halved lengthwise
1 c seedless red grapes halved lengthwise

Combine yogurt, cinnamon and cardamom – then mix in grapes and toss to coat. Cover and chill.

What a great afternoon pick-me-up! Sweet, chocolately, just the right amount of coffee, and nice and cold. (Much like a Wendy’s Frosty)

Frosty Mocha Drink

4 servings
118 calories per serving

1 ½ c skim milk
1/3 c chocolate syrup
2 T instant malted milk powder
2 T instant coffee
3 ½ c ice cubes

Combine milk, syrup, malted milk and coffee in a blender. Then add ice in a couple batches blending in between each batch and then serve immediately.

Verde is ‘green’ in Spanish and this dish is VERY green. The processed parsley and green onions put a great color on these shrimp. This is one of those restaurant worthy dishes – and it only takes minutes to prep ! Cut out the bread and you cut out tons of calories here – shrimp are very low cal !!

Shrimp with Verde Sauce

3 ½ T oil
6 garlic cloves
1 c chopped green onions
1 c chopped flat leaf parsley
½ t salt
½ t pepper
¼ t red pepper flakes
2 ¼ lb. large shrimp, cleaned and peeled
1/3 c dry white wine or chicken broth
6 oz. French bread in thin slices (more than ½ MB bread tub – 26 slices)

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place oil and garlic in food processor and process until garlic is fine then add onions and parsley and process again. Place in a bowl and add salt and peppers. Add shrimp and mix to coat. Place in a shallow roasting pan and add wine. Bake 7 – 10 minutes or until done. If the shrimp are not in a single layer, you may want to stir halfway through to ensure even cooking. Serve with bread for dipping in extra sauce.

Laughing Cow has some great recipes. Their light cheese wedges are only 30 calories per wedge and they come in a variety of flavors. So much flavor is packed into those little wedges ! With all the flavor and creaminess from the cheese, you barely miss the mayo in this recipe !

Laughing Cow Egg Salad

2 servings
130 calories per serving

2 wedges light Laughing Cow Cheese (original Swiss flavor works great here), chopped finely
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 t yellow mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
2 dill pickles slices, chopped finely

Mix all ingredients and chill for an hour. Served on 2 slices of light whole wheat bread, and you come in at only 220 calories for a filling, nutritious lunch sandwich.

A great side dish that tastes just as good cold as it does warm. This is one you will definitely make again

Pepper and Bean Salad

8 servings
60 calories per serving

2 shallots, cut into thin slices
1/2 c vinaigrette dressing
1 lb. green beans
1/4 c water
1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat skillet and add half the dressing. Add the onions and cook 8 minutes or until tender. Add the beans and the water and stir well then cover the pan and cook on medium for 5 minutes. Finally add peppers and recover and cook another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add in the rest of the dressing, salt and pepper.

These make a great snack while watching TV – pick away without guilt! Put a few bowls out at parties and watch everyone try and figure out what the heck they are eating

Roasted Chickpeas

8 servings
29 calories per serving

2 c canned chick peas, drained and rinsed (I used a can of tri-color chick peas)
1 t oil
Coarse salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss peas and oil and spread on a baking sheet and bake 40 minutes or until brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with salt. Cool before serving.

This is a great side dish – flavorful, healthy and easy to put together. Serve beside a lunch sandwich or next to BBQ’d meats at diner.

Greek Chickpea and Potato Salad

6 servings
165 calories per serving

2 T cold vegetable broth
2 T lemon juice
1 t grated lemon zest
1 T Dijon mustard
1 lb, red new potatoes, quartered
2 scallions, sliced
15 oz. chickpeas, drained and rinsed
6 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved
2 oz. black olives, chopped
3 t oregano flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

To make the dressing whisk the broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper and mustard. Set aside. Steam potatoes 15-20 minutes or until tender. Place in bowl and pour over half the dressing. Mix well and then cool for 15 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and the rest of the dressing and mix well. Serve at room temperature.

I’m forever on a quest to find new broccoli recipes. This is a nice simple one that makes a great dinner side dish.

Broccoli and Shallots

4 servings
48 calories per serving

12 oz. broccoli florets
1 t butter
1 t oil
Salt and pepper to taste
3 T minced shallots

Boil water and cook broccoli for 5-6 minutes then drain. Heat butter and oil and add shallots and sauté for 3 minutes. Add in broccoli, salt, pepper and if you like it spicy, some red pepper flakes.

A quick, quick side that makes a meal special. Serve next to blackened fish or chicken for a great southern inspired meal.

Louisiana Gumbo Side

3 servings
135 calories per serving

1 can Campbell’s Light Chicken Gumbo Soup
1 c water
1/8 t garlic powder
1/8 t onion powder
1 1/4 cups instant white rice
5 drops tabasco sauce

Mix soup, water and spices and bring to a boil. Add the rice and remove pan from heat and cover it. Let stand 5 minutes. Add tabasco and mix well. Serve immediately.