Rice and Beans

Can you say YUMMY?!?!?! This is such a great QUICK and EASY recipe, yet the results taste like you’ve been in the kitchen for hours. This is an ample serving. You could easily just have half a serving for a side and still have room in your calories for some fish or chicken on the side.

Rice and Beans
Rice and Beans

4 servings
400 calories per serving

1 ½ c chopped green peppers
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T oil
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilies
15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 ¼ c water
2 c Minute brown rice
¼ c cilantro chopped
1 c low far shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby or Monterey Jack)

In a large skillet on high heat, heat the oil and cook the peppers and garlic 2 minutes then add tomatoes, beans and water. Bring to a boil and stir in rice and reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer 5 minutes then remove from heat and stir in cilantro and top with cheese. Let stand 5 minutes, covered.

Spicy Hot Glazed Chicken

Just enough spice, just enough glaze – this is a great grilled chicken.

Spicy Hot Glazed Chicken
Spicy Hot Glazed Chicken


4 servings
361 calories per serving

3 T honey
3 T soy sauce
1 t grated lime zest
3 T lime juice
1 t red pepper flakes
½ t hot chili garlic sauce (available in the Asian section of your market)
4 5 oz. boneless skinless chicken breasts

Mix honey, soy, lime zest and juice, and red pepper in a zip loc bag. Add chicken, seal and refrigerate for 2-12 hours. Preheat grill and spray with high heat cooking spray and cook chicken 5 minutes each side or to desired doneness.

Deviled Eggs with Cream Cheese

The addition of the low fat cream cheese makes for a very creamy filling for these deviled eggs – you won’t even miss the mayo. 1 egg is more filling that you would think. Have next to a lunch salad and you’ll feel full for the whole afternoon !

Deviled Eggs with Cream Cheese
Deviled Eggs with Cream Cheese

12 servings
120 cal per serving (1 whole egg)

12 hard boiled eggs
4 oz. low fat cream cheese, room temperature
3 T light mayo
2 t dijon mustard
2 t white vinegar
1/2 t sugar
1/4 t paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Cut the eggs in half lengthwise and remove yolks to a bowl. Mix yolks with all the rest of the ingredients other than the paprika. “Stuff” eggs with spoonfuls of filling or “Pipe” filling into eggs with a ziploc bag made into a pastry bag. Sprinkle with paprika just before serving.

Taco Pie

Whip this up in a flash – save and bake later or bake right away for a super Mexican inspired dinner. Serve with some sliced avocado for a special treat.

Taco Pie
Taco Pie

6 servings
296 calories per serving

1 lb. extra lean ground turkey
2 t dried onion
1 Tbsp. taco seasoning (more if you like your meat zesty and flavorful)
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained well
12 oz. frozen corn, thawed and drained
4 La Tortilla Factory low carb tortilla wraps (only 80 calories each!)
1 c low fat shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c light sour cream

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown meat with dried onions and taco seasoning then add tomatoes and corn and cook 5 minutes. Spoon 1 1/2 c of the mix into a 2 quart square or round casserole dish. Spread out and then top with 2 tortillas. Add the rest of the meat mix and 1/2 c of cheese. Add 2 more tortillas and the rest of the cheese and cover and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes.

Buffalo Meatballs

This is a DELICIOUS meal ! Serve them up alone as an appetizer, with a small salad for lunch, or with a few sides for a great dinner. The recipes packs a punch of flavor and anyone in your family who likes buffalo wings will love this. The sauce is really what makes the dish in my mind !

Buffalo Meatballs
Buffalo Meatballs

6 servings
6 meatballs per serving
177 calories per serving

1 lb ground chicken
1/4 c Egg Beaters
1/2 c minced celery
1/2 c breadcrumbs
1/3 c Frank’s Buffalo Sauce (or your favorite brand)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 t oregano
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t onion powder
Pam
2 T butter
2 T flour
1 c chicken or beef stock
1/4 c Frank’s Buffalo Sauce (or your favorite brand)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix meat, egg beaters, breadcrumbs, 1/3 c sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder and onion powder. Spray a baking sheet with Pam. Make 36 small cocktail sized meatballs and place on a baking sheet with the sides all touching (this helps retain moisture in the meatballs as they cook). Bake 15-20 minutes or until done. While they are cooking melt butter in a small saucepan and then add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring the entire time. Add stock and simmer 3 minutes. Add 1/4 c buffalo sauce, salt and pepper and simmer 1 minute. Serve this sauce over the meatballs or on the side as a dipping sauce.

Add some celery and carrot stix and some low fat blue cheese dressing on the side. You won’t miss the mess of wings with this healthy option that is just as good !

Bella Sun Luci – Sun Dried Tomato Products that Knock Your Socks Off

Bella Sun Luci is a premium brand of Mooney Farms in Chico, Calilfornia. The company has been family owned and operated and their dedication to value and quality shines through in their products !
Sun Dried Tomatoes

I have used sun dried tomatoes in many of my dishes – I love the flavor of them. Sometimes I find certain brands are just a little too sweet for my liking. Bella Sun Luci products are just perfect to me – they are sweet, but not overly sweet. All the sweet goodness you expect from a sun dried tomato is there, but without the sweet aftertaste that you get from some other products. To me, this makes them just PERFECT.

You can use sun dried tomatoes in sooooo many ways. I often put them on a sandwich. Add a few and you’ll find no need for mayo or mustard – the POW of flavor from the tomatoes is all you need. Try their herbed julienne cut or even their tomato halves. They are packed with lycopene and other good healthful things – but more importantly, they are packed with flavor. Flavor you won’t forget and flavor you will find yourself craving !!

Sun Dried Tomatoes
Sun Dried Tomatoes

As well as sandwiches, try the julienne cut in pasta salads of all types. Just cook pasta, add the tomatoes, artichoke hearts, some sliced prosciutto, some diced kalamata olives and sprinkle with some feta cheese for a great salad that goes well next to just about anything.

By far my most favorite product from Bella Sun Luci that I tried was their Sun Dried Tomato Pesto. This is TO DIE FOR !! The complexity of flavor was astounding. There was just the right amount of tomato mixed with just the right amount of pesto and this has now become a staple in my pantry !! First I made some crostini and ate it pure and simple on the bread (with just a slight dusting of grated parmesan cheese on top). Delicious !

Sun Dried Tomatoes
Sun Dried Tomatoes

Then I sauteed some onions and peppers and added a few tablespoons in right at the end of the cooking period. Can you say FLAVOR ? Now I can’t wait to try it mixed into a soup broth. Take any chicken or fish soup that has a chicken or vegetable broth. Stir in just a tablespoon or two…see what I mean !?! Utterly delicious!

Be sure to keep your eye out for my review of their new marinades, Carne Asada and Basque Norte. Mooney Farms certainly has my vote for delicious products and you’ll want to make sure you try these products soon – my local market carries many of their items and I’m sure yours does as well ! If not, you can always head over to the website and order there.

Looking for some more recipes that use sun dried tomatoes? Check out these recipes that I’ve posted:

Tilapia Puttanesca
Rotini with Ham
Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Couscous with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Sun Dried Tomato and Spinach Soup

Artichoke Dip

This whips up in 5 minutes and is a great appetizer or snack. If you like artichokes, you will love this dip !

Artichoke Dip
Artichoke Dip

4 servings
41 calories per serving

8 oz canned artichoke hearts
2 clove garlic
1 t cumin
2 t olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Place the artichokes in a food processor with the garlic and cumin and oil. Process to a smooth paste then season with salt and pepper.

Serve with store bought or homemade pita chips.

Cherry Cream Pie

Creamy vanilla goodness with sweet ripe cherries – it doesn’t get any better …oh wait, it does – there’s an oreo pie crust ! You have to make this one ! This is my Mom’s newest favorite dessert 🙂

Cherry Cream Pie
Cherry Cream Pie

8 servings
182 calories per serving

3 c frozen vanilla yogurt, softened (I love Turkey Hill brand)
1 1/4 c sliced pitted fresh cherries
1 prepared Oreo cookie pie crust
2 tablespoons Cool Whip

Make sure yogurt is good and melty and then stir in cherries. Turn all into the pie crust and freeze at least 3 hours. If desired, garnish with Cool Whip and some extra cherries.

Broccoli Tomato Side Salad

Simple yet special with the addition of the cheese and sunflower seeds. Serve this up and watch it disappear !

Broccoli Tomato Side Salad
Broccoli Tomato Side Salad

8 servings
108 calories per serving

6 c broccoli florets, chopped coarsely
1 c grape tomatoes, halved
1 c shredded low fat cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
2 T sunflower seeds
½ c light vinaigrette dressing
1 T Splenda
2 t Dijon mustard

Mix broccoli, tomatoes, cheese, and seeds. Mix dressing, Splenda and mustard and then mix with veggies.

Spicy Popcorn

What a great way to make boring popcorn into something you just can’t put down ! And at only 149 calories – – eat up ! 🙂 Popcorn is filling and full of fiber and a great snack food to keep around the house.

Spicy Popcorn
Spicy Popcorn

6 servings
149 calories per serving

3.5 oz. bag of plain microwave popcorn
2 T buttery spread
2 T spicy brown mustard
2 t chili powder
2 t hot pepper sauce

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pop popcorn according to package instructions. In a large bowl combine margarine, mustard, chili powder and hot pepper sauce. Microwave 45 seconds or until butter is melted then stir well and add popcorn and mix well to coat. Turn into a baking pan and bake 10 minutes or until popcorn browns a little. Cool completely before serving.

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