Savor the Thyme and Tangled Noodle are hosting a fun filled challenge, “Eating Your Words”, and I’ve decided to enter. We basically just had to use food to spell out an idea.
I had read about their challenge and then was going about my day and was thinking about what I might submit. I was getting ready to make my salad when it hit me…carved cucumbers. So here’s my entry – and remember, eat your veggies !
Thanks for the fun, guys 🙂
Hummus is simply a dip made from chickpeas. Many hummus recipes also use tahini, which is just a paste of oil and ground up sesame seeds. Many of the store-bought hummus dips are downright delicious – all the different brands have different consistencies so sample a few and find the one you like. Some are creamier, some are grittier, and some are more spicy than others– and if you can’t find one you like, make your own !
1 serving
130 calories per serving
½ cucumber, sliced into spears
1 stalk celery, sliced into spears
4 T hummus (roasted red pepper flavor is my favorite)
Most don’t think to use zucchini in its raw state – but it is marvelously crunchy and mellow and a great addition to salads. This salad is mainly zucchini and it’s really tasty.
5 servings
117 calories per serving
1 garlic clove, minced
2 T red vinegar
1 T fresh chopped parsley
1/4 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
1/4 c oil
2 1/4 c thinly sliced zucchini
1 1/2 c grape tomatoes, halved
1 T fresh chopped basil
Combine garlic, vinegar, parsley, salt and pepper. Add oil and whisk well. Add zucchini and tomatoes and toss gently. Sprinkle with basil just before serving.
Mushrooms are so low cal – and so delicious ! When you have an extra 50 calories left over in a meal and you want to fill it up with something savory, why not pan fry some Portobello mushroom caps ! It is simple to do and you can easily change up the flavor by substituting different dry and fresh herbs and spices.
4 servings
36 calories per serving
4 Portobello mushroom caps (4-5 oz. each)
Pam
Salt and pepper to taste
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Worcestershire sauce
Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Heat a skillet to medium high heat and spray with Pam. Place mushroom caps in pan underside facing down. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder and ½ t of Worcestershire. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip and re-season the same way and continue cooking another 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat, sprinkle with parsley and serve.
This makes a nice crispy eggplant parm that is tasty and satisfying. You can always substitute regular breadcrumbs, but I think this comes out better with the panko breadcrumbs.
4 servings
355 calories per serving
1/4 c skim milk
2 large eggs
1 1/2 c panko breadcrumbs
1/2 t salt
1/2 t parsley flakes
1/2 t garlic powder
1/4 t oregano flakes
1/4 t pepper
1 large eggplant, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices
Pam
1 T oil
24 oz. marinara sauce
½ c shredded mozzarella cheese
½ c shredded or grated parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine milk and eggs in a bowl. In another bowl combine breadcrumbs, salt, parsley, garlic, oregano and pepper. Dip eggplant slices into the egg mix, then into the breadcrumbs to coat. Press down on the crumbs to make sure they stick well. Spray a baking sheet with Pam and place the eggplant slices on it, drizzle with half the oil and bake for 15 minutes. Turn slices over and drizzle with the rest of the oil and bake another 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. Place 1/2 c sauce in an 11×7 baking dish and place half the eggplant slices in the pan and then spoon 1 cup sauce over. Sprinkle with ½ of each of the cheeses and then repeat the layer. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly.
A very simple and different side dish – feel free to substitute fresh corn kernels.
4 servings
159 calories per serving
1 can corn
1 T oil
1 medium zucchini
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 c fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 t white vinegar
Heat oil over medium high heat. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise and slice into half moons. Add zucchini and garlic to pan. Cook 1-2 minutes. Add corn and season with salt and pepper. Cook 3 minutes then remove from heat and stir in vinegar and basil.
These make a great appetizer or side on a lunch platter.
6 servings
50 calories per serving
1 English cucumber, peeled (if you use a regular cucumber, be sure to scoop out the seeds)
1/4 c Philadelphia 1/3 less fat cream cheese, chive and onion flavor
Fresh dill sprigs (optional)
12 little strips sundried tomatoes (blot off oil)
Cut cucumber into 12 slices. Scoop out a bit if the middle of each to make a little ‘cup’ to hold the cheese. Fill each with cheese. Top each with a sprig of dill and a strip of sundried tomato.
This recipe even gets the kids eating broccoli…really ! And it couldn’t be simpler to prepare.
4 servings
72 calories per serving
6 c broccoli florets
1/2 c Tostitos Reduced Fat Zesty Cheese Dip or Salsa Con Queso (or any other similar calorie brand)
Boil broccoli florets in 5 qt. pot for 6 minutes. Broccoli will be semi-crisp. If you like it VERY crisp or VERY done, then adjust boiling time accordingly. Heat dip in microwave 20-30 seconds and immediately pour over hot broccoli.
This is the steamer basket I use:
If you prefer to use frozen broccoli florets instead, just steam according to package instructions and then pour the sauce over.
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.
Carrots never tasted so fresh ! The combination of ingredients gives this dish a really flavorful punch. Definitely not the same old boring vegetable !
4 servings
61 calories per serving
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb. carrot chips
1 T buttery spread
1 t minced fresh ginger (bottled is OK if you do not have fresh)
1 T cilantro, chopped
1 t lime zest
2 T fresh lime juice
1/4 t salt
Steam carrots 8 minutes or until tender. A simple steamer basket is the easiest way to steam vegetables. I use one like this:
Heat butter in a skillet. Add garlic and ginger to pan. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in steamed carrots, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice and salt. Serve immediately.
To quickly zest citrus, try this handy tool I found at Amazon:
