Category Archives: Lunch

Pesto and Mozzarella Grilled Cheese

March 3, 2010 admin 2 Comments

Grilled cheesy sandwiches – they make it on this ‘diet’ plan of mine and I am so happy about it ! To make them more sensible, use low fat cheeses, add flavor in the way of herbs, and be sure to use Pam and buttery spray. And then off you go – the variations are endless and here is a great Italian inspired one.

6 servings
285 calories per serving

1/4 c low fat pesto
12 1 oz. slices sourdough bread
12 3/4 oz. slices part skim mozzarella cheese
6 1/4 inch thick slices tomato
18 large basil leaves
I can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray
Pam

Spread 1 t pesto on each slice of bread. Top 6 slices of bread with a cheese slice, a tomato slice, 3 basil leaves, and another cheese slice. Top with remaining bread slice. Spray outsides of sandwiches with at least 5 sprays per side. Heat skillet on medium heat and spray with Pam. Add sandwiches, as many as will fit in a batch. Cook 2-3 minutes each side or until cheese is melted. You can use a Panini press here and the cheese will melt even nicer 🙂

Chicken, Lunch, Mediterranean, Sandwiches

Greek Chicken Pitas

March 2, 2010 admin 2 Comments

The hummus spread inside the pita before inserting the other ingredients makes every bite full of flavor. And when you eat something with lots of flavor, you are apt to feel more satisfied !

4 servings
280 calories per serving

2 c chopped romaine lettuce
1 c chopped roasted chicken breast
2/3 c diced English cucumber
½ c red bell pepper, chopped very small
1/4 c crumbled feta cheese
2 T lemon juice
2 T oil
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
6 T roasted red bell pepper hummus (in the refrigerator section at the food market)
2 6 inch whole wheat pitas slit at the top so you can fill it

Combine lettuce, chicken, cucumber and feta. Add lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Spread hummus inside pitas and then add the chicken mix.

Kid Friendly, Lunch, Sandwiches, Turkey

Turkey Paninis

February 26, 2010 admin 2 Comments

Turning a regular sandwich into a Panini makes it much more special – and all you are doing is grilling it up and pressing it a bit to melt down all the contents really well. A have a Panini pan that goes right on the stovetop – I also have a George Foreman type grill, but I like doing it stovetop better.

4 servings
257 calories per serving

2 T fat free mayo
4 t pesto (get the prepared version from the refrigerator section of your grocer)
8 1 oz. slices sourdough bread
8 oz. deli turkey (low fat Sara Lee or Hormel prepackaged works great here)
2 oz. thinly sliced provolone cheese
8 slices tomato
Pam
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray

Combine mayo and pesto and spread 1 T on each of 4 slices of bread. Top each slice with turkey, 1.2 oz. cheese, 2 tomato slices and the rest of the bread. Preheat grill pan and spray with Pam. Spray each sandwich with a few spritzes of the ICBINB Spray and add sandwiches and cook 3 minutes per side.

Kid Friendly, Lunch

Mushroom and Pepper Pizza

February 22, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Lotsa different toppings can go on here to change it up. Anything that goes on a real pizza tastes good here. Extra veggies really don’t push up the calorie count much…mushrooms, peppers, onions, broccoli, etc.

4 servings
235 calories per serving

4 6-inch whole wheat pitas (Arnold’s Sahara are a good low cal choice)
3/4 cup marinara sauce
1/4 t crushed red pepper
1/4 t garlic powder
1/2 t oregano flakes
1 c shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
½ green bell pepper in thin slices
½ c mushroom slices
1/2 T olive oil mixed with 1 t water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush oil on the pitas. Spread with sauce and sprinkle with oregano, pepper and garlic powder. Sprinkle cheese over the tops. Add mushrooms and peppers. Cook for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.

I like it extra spicy, so I also add some red pepper flakes right on top of the sauce.

Kid Friendly, Lunch, Summer

Hot Dog Platter

February 19, 2010 admin Leave a comment

For 400 calories you can have a hot dog on a bun with mustard and sauerkraut, a side of veggies and some dessert ! There is just no reason to feel deprived eating 400 calorie meals !

1 serving
260 calories per serving

1 hot dog (100 calorie light dog)
1 100 calorie bun
Mustard
1 Pickle (maybe a homemade one! )
1/2 c baby carrots

Cook the hotdog (either boil, grill or fry in a skillet sprayed with Pam). Place on bun (toasted, if you want). Top with mustard. On the side, have a pickle and a half cup of baby carrots.

Lunch, Summer

Tuna with Lemon

February 18, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This lunch is really quick and a great one to pack in a lunch bag and bring to work. Serve over lettuce if you wish, but I prefer to eat it next to a salad with a zesty low fat dressing.

1 serving
60 calories per serving

1/2 can white albacore tuna, drained well and flaked
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Put tuna on a plate and squeeze juice over it. Season with salt and pepper.

Lunch, Salads

Chickpea Salad with Yogurt Curry Dressing

February 17, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Very creamy and very yogurty – this is a very refreshing salad. The curry flavor is subtle – if you like more curry flavor, just up it to 2 t or more.

Chickpea Salad with Yogurt Curry Dressing

6 servings
337 calories per serving

Dressing:
1/3 c chopped cilantro
2 T oil
1 T lemon juice
1 ½ t curry powder
¾ t salt
½ t minced garlic
¼ t black pepper
8 oz. plain fat free yogurt

Salad:
2 c finely shredded carrot
1 ½ c thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
1 ½ c chopped plum tomato
¼ c finely chopped red onion
15.5 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
12 c chopped romaine lettuce

Combine dressing ingredients and whisk to mix well. Combine salad ingredients and mix with ½ c dressing. Split salad between 6 plates and drizzle with 1 T more dressing each.

Try serving with a half of a toasted pita or a few packaged pita chips.

Asian, Lunch, Soups

Asian Chicken Soup

February 16, 2010 admin Leave a comment

If you use Perdue Chicken Shortcuts, the prep on this is 5 minutes – that’s it ! And it tastes like you spent hours putting it together – it is a very spicy, super flavorful and highly nutritious meal. Don’t serve to the kids with the chili sauce in it, but if you are adventurous, try 2 t instead of 1 ½ of the chili sauce – -it makes it a kickin’ hot soup 🙂

5 servings
120 calories per serving

3 c fat free chicken broth
2 c shredded cooked chicken (Perdue Shortcuts work great here !)
2 t soy sauce
1 1/2 t chili sauce with garlic (available in the Asian section of your food market)
2 1/2 c frozen broccoli stir fry mix

Combine broth, chicken, soy and chili sauce. Cover and bring to a boil and then add vegetables and return to boil. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Kid Friendly, Lunch, Sandwiches, Turkey

Turkey Sandwich Lunch Platter

February 11, 2010 admin 1 Comment

Quick, easily portable and a great lunch. If you gotta have mayo instead of mustard, then use low or no fat and reduce the light ranch dressing.

1 serving
305 calories per serving

2 slices 45 calories wheat bread
5 slices deli turkey
1 slice tomato
1 lettuce leaf
mustard
1/2 c baby carrots
1/2 c celery sticks or broccoli florets
1/4 c light ranch dressing for dipping (or onion dip made with no fat sour cream)

Make your sandwich and enjoy !

Appetizers, Lunch, Summer, Vegetables

Cucumber Rounds

February 11, 2010 admin Leave a comment

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.