‘Who Dat?’ Superbowl Dip

February 7, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is a great party dish and I’m serving it up for Superbowl. Unlike most of the other snacks that will be around, this one is low cal and nutritious so I will try and stay on the side of the table with this instead of the KFC wings 😉

32 servings
42 calories per serving (1 serving = 2 T)

1 can refried black beans
1 T chili powder
½ r cumin
1 c light sour cream
1 c shredded light cheddar cheese
3 green onions, sliced
1/3 c sliced black olives
1 tomato, chopped

Mix the beans, chili powder and cumin and spread on the bottom of a serving bowl or pie plate. Top with a layer of sour cream. Sprinkle with cheese, onions, olives and tomato. Refrigerate until well chilled. Serve with tortilla chips.

Dessert, Instructional, Kid Friendly, Videos

Apple Pockets

February 7, 2010 admin Leave a comment

These are great apple pockets – and they are really so simple to make; it only takes about 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes in the oven until you’re eating hot apple pockets !

10 servings
85 calories per serving

2 baking apples (a sweet Gala or McIntosh apple as opposed to a tart Granny Smith, etc.)
2 T sugar
1 t cinnamon
Flour
1 package (7.5 oz.) biscuit dough – 10 biscuits (in the refrigerator section of your market – I use store brand)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and grate apples and place in a bowl (use the same type of grater you would use to grate cheddar cheese). In a small bowl combine sugar and cinnamon. Stir 3/4 of the sugar mix in with the apples. Roll each biscuit to a 5 inch circle with a rolling pin (or press with the bottom of a clean skillet or dish). You may want to flour the biscuit a little so the rolling pin or dish won’t stick to it.

Take a look at my video for quick instructions on how to do this:

Place equal portions of apple mix in each round, fold the circles over in half and pinch the edges well to seal. I actually press around the edge with a fork so it is well-sealed a little decorative. Place pockets on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar. Bake 20 minutes.

Lunch, Pork, Sandwiches

Ham Sandwich

February 6, 2010 admin Leave a comment

The cucumbers really make this a juicy sandwich without having to use any mustard or mayo. But if you can’t live without them, no worries, there are plenty of calories to spare in this satisfying lunch sandwich.

1 serving
240 calories per serving

2 slices 45 calories wheat bread
5 slices lean deli ham
1 slice low fat swiss cheese (70 calories)
1 slice tomato
5 very thin slices cucumber

Make a sandwich and enjoy 🙂

Chicken, FiberGourmet, Italian, Lunch

Pesto Chicken Salad

February 5, 2010 admin Leave a comment

I make this one up the night before and let refrigerate overnight. The pesto and cheese make a rich sauce and all the flavors here just combine really well.

1 serving
288 calories per serving

1/4 c cooked FiberGourmet* pasta (regular whole wheat pasta will certainly do, it will just raise the calorie count)
1 T pesto
3 oz. diced cooked chicken (Perdue Shortcuts)
1 c halved grape tomatoes
3/4 c shredded carrots
2 T shredded parmesan

Mix all together and refrigerate a couple of hours before eating.

*FiberGourmet is this awesome pasta that has way fewer calories than even whole wheat pasta and other specialty pastas. I buy it online at Amazon and use it in soups, salads, dinner sides, mac and cheese, etc. By using it instead of other types, I can really increase the amount I can eat and that’s good because I LOVE PASTA !! 🙂

Kid Friendly, Sides

Lemon Garlic Potatoes

February 4, 2010 admin Leave a comment

These have a great fresh flavor and are very different from your typical potato recipes – the lemon really gives them a blast of unexpected flavor. If you’re pressed for time, try microwaving the potato cubes for 6 minutes or so – that will cut down the boiling time by half.

6 servings
103 calories per serving

1 1/2 pounds red potatoes, cubed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Black pepper to taste

In a pot over medium heat, combine the potatoes and with enough water to cover them by 1″. Add salt. Cook 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Drain and return to the pan and add lemon juice, oil, garlic, and pepper to taste. Saute for 2 minutes to allow the garlic to cook some.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Pork

Baked Ham

February 4, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Lean ham is a great ‘diet’ meal – it is relatively low in calories and definitely does not feel like you are eating diet food ! And the precooked, boneless ones available at the food store are a snap to make.

8 servings
188 calories per serving

2 lb. boneless precooked ham

Place ham in an oven safe dish with a little water. Tent with foil and place in a preheated 325 degree oven. Bake 30-45 minutes or until hot throughout. Let stand 5 minutes and then slice into thin slices. Serve with creamy horseradish sauce.

Sides, Vegetables

Lemony Green Beans

February 3, 2010 admin 2 Comments

Way better than the standard green bean and Durkee onion casserole ! So much fresher and oodles more flavor !!

4 servings
49 calories per serving

1 pound green beans in 1 inch pieces
2 teaspoons butter sprinkles (I Use Molly McButter)
2 teaspoons finely chopped basil
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon oil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a large pan, bring 1 inch water to a boil and place the beans on a steaming rack inside the pan. Cover and steam for 5 – 7 minutes. Place in a bowl and sprinkle with the butter, basil, zest, oil and pepper. Mix well and serve immediately.

Lunch, Mediterranean, Sandwiches

Greek BLT

February 3, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Look at all that cheese, and bacon ! This is great as a breakfast or lunch. There’s lots of strong flavors here but they combine well together.

1 serving
340 calories per serving

1 whole wheat English muffin
2 T black olive spread (tapenade) – or just chopped black olives
1 wedge Laughing Cow Light cheese, regular flavor
1/4 c sliced cucumber
3 sundried tomatoes diced up
3 large romaine leaves
2 slices cooked turkey bacon

Toast muffin. Spread cheese on both sides. Spread olive tapendade on one half. Pile up the rest of the stuff and dig in 🙂

Salads, Sides

Apple Salad

February 3, 2010 admin 1 Comment

A sophisticated blend of endive, watercress and apple that cures boring salads !

4 servings
132 calories per serving

Dressing:
2 T oil
1 T cider vinegar
1 t sugar free maple syrup
2 t Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Salad:
2 heads endive
1 bunch watercress
4 stalks celery
1 apple

Mix dressing. Core and slice endive. Remove thick stems from watercress. Slice celery and apple thinly. Mix together and add dressing. Add 2 T crumbled goat cheese for only 40 calories more.

Dinner, Pork

Lemon Parsley Pork Chops

February 2, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Super savory and very easy to make. The topping has such a burst of lemony flavor that you don’t want to stop eating !

4 servings
208 calories per serving

1 T oil
Pam
4 boneless pork chops (3 ounces each)
1/2 onion, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c hot water
4 T parsley, chopped
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of one half lemon

Heat oil and Pam in skillet on medium high heat. Saute the onion for 3-4 minutes. Salt and pepper both sides of the pork chops and then add to pan. Cook 3 minutes. Turn meat over and add garlic and continue cooking another 3 minutes. Add water. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook 10 minutes.

Uncover and cook 5 more minutes. Remove chops to a plate and keep warm. Add parsley and lemon zest to pan. Cook down for about 2 minutes on high. Squeeze in lemon juice and cook down 30 seconds more. Spoon this mix over the chops and serve immediately.