Category Archives: Instructional

Apple Pockets

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 !

Apple Pockets
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.

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Muffin

This breakfast muffin has not one, but TWO pieces of Canadian bacon, cheese and eggs – all for 250 calories ! Compare that to the fast food breakfast sandwiches that weigh in between 300 and 500 calories and the choice is clear !

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Muffin
Bacon, Egg and Cheese Muffin

1 serving
250 calories per serving

1/4 c Egg Beaters
2 slices Canadian bacon
1 slice Kraft fat free American cheese
1 lite whole wheat muffin, toasted
1 T lite buttery spread
Pam

Heat pan on medium high heat. Remove from heat and spray with Pam. Return to heat. Add Egg Beaters and reduce heat to medium and use a spatula to keep eggs contained to a small circle while they set and cook. Cook until done. Meanwhile, heat bacon in microwave 30 seconds. Butter muffin and place cheese on hot toasted muffin so it will melt. Add eggs and bacon.

Here’s a quick video to show you how to prep the eggs:

Lasagna (Crock Pot)

Even traditional lasagna lovers like this one – and it is nice and easy to do. Start it at lunch time and have dinner ready 4 hours later. Take a look at my video below for instructions on how to layer it in your crock.

Lasagna (Crock Pot)
Lasagna (Crock Pot)

8 servings
275 calories per serving

1 lb. lean ground beef
2 c diced eggplant
1 jar Paul Newman’s marinara sauce
1/4 t red pepper flakes
¼ t garlic powder
¼ t onion powder
¼ t basil flakes
1 c water
15 oz part skim ricotta cheese
1 T chopped parsley
1/4 c Egg Beaters
1 c shredded parmesan cheese (not grated, shredded)
8 no boil lasagna noodles

Brown the ground beef in a heated skillet and drain off any fat and water. Stir in the pepper, sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, basil flakes, water, and eggplant. In a bowl combine the egg, cheeses and parsley. Place a layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a crock pot. I find my oval shaped on works the best here. Top with 2-3 noodles, nipping off the corners in order to get a nice fit. Add another layer of meat sauce and then one thick layer of the cheese mixture. Top with a final layer of noodles and then a final layer of meat sauce. Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours.

Here is a video of how to layer it up in the crock pot:

Mise en Place

Mis en Place is a cooking technique that really helps things to go smoothly in the kitchen. Especially when you are preparing recipes where the different steps go rather quickly. It basically means to prep everything ahead of time so all you need to do when it is time for the next ingredient or step is to turn and grab it. Try it out – it really makes cooking much more enjoyable and relaxed !

Mise en Place
Mise en Place

It is defined at wikipedia as:

Recipes are reviewed, to check for necessary ingredients and equipment. Ingredients are measured out, washed, chopped and placed in individual bowls. Equipment such as spatulas and blenders are prepared for use, while ovens are preheated. Preparing the mise en place ahead of time allows the chef to cook without having to stop and assemble items, which is desirable in recipes with time constraints.

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