Tag Archives: Dinner

Pepper and Bean Salad

March 26, 2012 admin Leave a comment

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

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.

Dinner, Mediterranean, Salads, Sides

Greek Chickpea and Potato Salad

March 24, 2012 admin Leave a comment

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.

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.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Broccoli and Shallots

March 23, 2012 admin Leave a comment

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

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.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Sides

Louisiana Gumbo Side

March 22, 2012 admin Leave a comment

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

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.

Dinner, Mediterranean, Sides

Couscous Greek Style

March 19, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Add a little feta cheese to an already great side and you end up with an outstanding side dish that is sure to please.

6 servings
190 calories per serving

1 c whole wheat couscous, uncooked
1 ¼ c water
1 c halved cucumber slices
1 large tomato, chopped
4 oz. crumbled low fat feta cheese
1 t dill weed
1/2 cup light Italian Dressing

Cook couscous in boiling water without any butter or oil. When done, cool 15 minutes and then add in the rest of the ingredients.. Refrigerate to chill.

Dinner, Sides

Savory Couscous

March 17, 2012 admin Leave a comment

This is a great side, or you can eat is as your lunch. It is just as good chilled as it is fresh off the stove. This is a very versatile side – it goes with just about anything !

6 servings
190 calories per serving

1 c chicken broth
2/3 c couscous, uncooked
1 1/2 c peeled and chopped eggplant
1/3 c scallions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T peanut oil or vegetable oil
15 oz can petite diced tomatoes, well drained
2 T chopped basil
1/2 c chopped toasted walnuts or almonds

Bring broth to a boil them remove from heat and stir in couscous, cover and let stand 5 minutes. Heat oil in skillet and cook eggplant and scallions 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute. Then add in the couscous, tomato and basil and cook a minute or so to heat through. Finally add walnuts and serve immediately.

Beef, Dinner, Kid Friendly

Steak with Mushroom Gravy

March 14, 2012 admin Leave a comment

This is a very satisfying and enjoyable meal. The gravy is very tasty and there are just enough noodles to really make this dish not seem too ‘dietish’. Serve with Roasted Green Beans for a great complete meal.

4 servings
344 calories per serving

2 c raw egg noodles
Pam
1 lb. sirloin steak or filet mignon cut into bite sized pieces
1 T butter
2 T thinly sliced shallots
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
1 T minced garlic
1 T low sodium soy sauce
3 T flour
1 1/2 c fat free beef broth
1/2 t pepper
1/2 t salt

Cook noodles according to package directions and keep warm. Heat a large skillet on medium high and then spray with Pam. Add steak and cook 5-8 minutes to brown all sides. Remove from pan, cover, and keep warm. Melt butter in pan and cook shallots and mushrooms 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook a minute longer. Stir in soy and then sprinkle with flour. Cook, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Add broth a bit at a time. Add salt and pepper and bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes. Return beef to pan and cook another 2-3 minutes.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Broccoli and Cheese

March 13, 2012 admin Leave a comment

A nice zesty way to serve up your broccoli !

6 servings
70 calories per serving

4 cups broccoli florets
3 T water
1/4 c Zesty Italian Dressing
1/2 c low fat mozzarella cheese

Place broccoli and water in a glass bowl and microwave 5 minutes or until somewhat tender then drain and toss with dressing and cheese. Serve immediately.

Beef, Dinner, Kid Friendly, Mexican

No Fuss Ropa Vieja (Pressure Cooker)

March 12, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Not quite authentic, but a great no fuss alternative to the awesomely delicious dish named Ropa Vieja. Serve next to rice or use as a filling in flour tortillas. This has WOW taste, great texture and is so, so satisfying.

10 servings
271 calories per serving

1 c beef broth
1/4 c sherry vinegar
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
15 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 T ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
3 lb. flank steak, trimmed of fat, each steak cut into thirds
1/2 c cilantro, chopped
10 flour tortillas, heated in oven or microwave

Place beef in pot. Mix broth, vinegar, celery, onion, pepper, tomatoes and spices and pour over the beef. Cover and 1 1/2 hours on high pressure. Let naturally cool down. Place meat on a large platter and let cool 10 minutes then using 2 forks, shred it well. Place it back in the pot with the cilantro and let sit 10 minutes. Serve with tortillas.

Chicken, Dinner

Chicken and Barley Stew

March 10, 2012 admin Leave a comment

So filling, so homey – this one comes out a bit wetter than a stew, but is not quite in the realm of a soup. It’s a great cold weather meal that really sticks with you.

4 servings
356 calories

1 c uncooked quick cooking barley
42 oz. fat-free chicken broth
1 T oil
1 3/4 c chopped onion
10 oz. frozen mixed vegetables
1 c chopped cooked chicken (Perdue Shortcuts work great here !)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 t thyme flakes

Place barley and broth in a large pan and bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Heat oil in a skillet and add onion. Saute for 5 minutes then add mixed veggies and sauté another 2 minutes. Add veggies to barley mix along with chicken and spices and simmer 5 minutes.