Tag Archives: zucchini

Potato Pancakes

May 12, 2011 admin Leave a comment

These are more vegetable pancakes than potato pancakes, but there’s still enough potato in there to call them ‘potato pancakes’ and hopefully get the kids to eat them 😉 They are sooooo nutritious and so good.

8 servings
148 calories per serving (1 serving = 2 pancakes)

2 large potatoes (1/5 lb.)
2 medium zucchini
2 large carrots
½ c finely chopped onion
2 eggs, lightly beaten
½ c flour
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ t salt
½ t basil flakes
½ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
1 T oil

Coarsely shred the potatoes, zucchini and carrots and drain on paper towels. Mix ½ the potato mix with ¼ c onion in a food processor and chop finely then move to a bowl and add the eggs, flour, garlic, basil, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and rest of the onion and rest of the veggies. Heat oil in a skillet and drop batter by ¼ cupfuls and flatten then fry until golden brown turning once.

Pasta, Sides, Vegetables

Mushroom and Zucchini Orzo

February 18, 2011 admin Leave a comment

I love side dishes the combine a carb with veggies – it’s one less dish to have to prepare. And this one has orzo, which is one of my most favorite small pastas. It’s a perfect side dish !

4 servings
197 calories per serving

1 c uncooked orzo
Pam
1 c mushrooms, chopped
1 c zucchini, diced
T butter
½ t garlic powder
1/2 t oregano flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions. Heat skillet and spray with Pam. Saute mushrooms and zucchini 6-8 minutes. Mix pasta, mushroom mix, butter and spices.

Chicken, Lunch, Salads

Chicken Salad with White Beans

February 5, 2011 admin Leave a comment

FLAVOR EXPLOSION ! There are tons of bold flavors in this salad and dressing – and they mix to perfection ! Feta cheese, mustard, orange, radicchio, basil, feta cheese, sun dried tomatoes – – all mingling together to serve up a big, bold salad.

4 servings
398 calories per serving

Vinaigrette
1 clove garlic, chopped and mashed
¼ teaspoon salt
4 T oil
6 T orange juice
¼ c vinegar
1 T Dijon mustard

Salad
15 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 ½ c diced cooked chicken breast (Perdue Shortcuts work great here !)
2 c diced zucchini
1 ½ c cups diced celery
¼ c crumbled low fat feta cheese
¼ c chopped, sun-dried tomatoes (rinse them off in water and dry them with a paper towel first)
1 c coarsely chopped basil
Salt and pepper to taste
2 c torn escarole or romaine
2 cups torn radicchio

Mash garlic with ¼ t salt and then whisk in the oil. Add juice, vinegar and mustard and whisk to combine. Add more salt if necessary. Prepare all salad ingredients and toss with dressing. Season with salt and pepper.

Dinner, FiberGourmet, Italian, Pasta

Italian Veggies and Pasta

January 20, 2011 admin Leave a comment

Savory, cheesy, hot baked goodness ! This pasta and veggie dish has just enough spice and everything is right. The mixture of cheeses is awesome and when you add in all the veggies. This becomes a super nutritious, healthy meal.

4 servings
390 calories per serving

8 oz. uncooked FiberGourmet rotini (with regular pasta, add 80 calories per serving)
3 c diced, peeled eggplant
1 c thinly sliced zucchini
1 c chopped green pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
½ t basil flakes
½ t oregano flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
8 oz. spicy tomato sauce
4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
2 oz. shredded gruyere cheese
2 T grated parmesan cheese
Pam

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, cover and keep warm. In a Dutch oven or large skillet combine eggplant, zucchini, pepper, garlic, seasonings, tomato sauce and tomatoes. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and cover and simmer 20 minutes. Spray a 9×13 pan with Pam and spoon in pasta then sprinkle with parm and pour over the veggie mix. Sprinkle with mozzarella and gruyere cheeses. Broil 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Sides

Baked Zucchini Risotto

December 31, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is just one of those special recipes – this makes a beautiful risotto-like dish that bakes up with no effort. It is creamy and delicious.

12 servings
204 calories per serving

1 1/2 c brown rice
3 c chicken broth
4 c diced zucchini
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 large onion, diced finely
3/4 t salt
Pepper to taste
1 1/2 c skim milk
3 T flour
2 c shredded low fat cheddar cheese
1 c frozen corn, thawed

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Pour rice into a 9×13 baking dish. Simmer broth until hot and then stir into the rice. Add zucchini, peppers, onion, salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes then remove foil and cook another 35 minutes or so, until liquid is all absorbed.

Whisk milk and flour in a saucepan and cook until bubbly and thick, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add 1 ½ c of the cheese and corn and cook until cheese is all melted. When rice is done, stir in cheese sauce and sprinkle with the last ½ c cheese and bake another 10 minutes to melt cheese. Let rest before serving.

Asian, Beef, Dinner

Ginger Beef

November 9, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Ginger and garlic just go together so well. And making a paste of them along with cilantro and sesame oil just adds so much flavor to the already flavorful beef. This is a great quick dish that you will make again and again.

4 servings
298 calories per serving

1/4 c cilantro leaves
1 garlic clove, minced
4 quarter size slices peeled fresh ginger
2 T water
2 T dark sesame oil
1 lb. boneless sirloin cut into long slices
16 cherry tomatoes
2 small zucchini each in 8 pieces
2 c cooked brown rice

Preheat broiler. Spray baking sheet with Pam. Mix cilantro, garlic, ginger, water and oil in a food processor until a paste forms. Place the steak in a bowl and add cilantro paste and mix well. Turn out the meat mix onto the baking sheet and add the tomatoes and zucchini. Broil 3 minutes. Stir well. Broil another 3-4 minutes. Serve with warm brown rice.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Zucchini Boats

October 22, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This has a definite Middle Eastern flair to it with the coriander and cumin as the main seasoning. Serve next to Eastern Fried Rice for a great vegetarian meal.

4 servings
107 calories per serving

2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
½ T oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 oz. button or Portobello mushrooms, chopped
1 t ground coriander
¾ t ground cumin
½ c chick peas, rinsed and drained
1 T lemon juice
2 T chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking dish with Pam. Scoop the flesh out of the middle of the zucchinis to create boats for the filling. Chop the removed flash and reserve. Heat oil in a skillet and cook onions 5 minutes then add garlic and cook another minute. Add chopped zucchini and mushrooms and cook 5 minutes then add coriander, cumin, chick peas, lemon, parsley, salt and pepper. Stuff the zucchini shells and bake 35-40 minutes.

Dinner, Fish, Summer

Lemon Shrimp Kabobs

August 5, 2010 admin Leave a comment

You know the drill 🙂 Throw away the skewers and forget kabobs – get a grill basket instead and make kabob cooking easy like it should be ! Cooking this with the lemon wedges as well as mixing in lemon juice makes this super citrusy and shrimp is just meant to be mixed with citrus.

6 servings
115 calories per serving

3 T honey
¼ c lemon juice
1 T finely chopped parsley
1 ½ lb. uncooked shrimp
3 medium zucchini, cut into 1 inch slices
2 medium summer squash, cut into 1 inch slices
1 small red bell pepper cut into 1 inch wedges
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small lemon cut into wedges
Pam

Mix honey, lemon juice and parsley in a dish. Add shrimp, cover and refrigerate ½ hour. Heat grill and spray a grill basket with Pam. Place shrimp and veggies in basket and grill 12 minutes stirring frequently. Brush more marinade on the fish during the cooking process.

Dinner, Italian, Pasta, Sides

Tortellini and Veggies

July 24, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Tortellini are so versatile. And this is a great recipe to show off their cheesy goodness 🙂 The sauce is light and packed with healthy veggies.

4 servings
182 calories per serving

1 9 oz. package of refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 T oil
2 medium shallots, minced
1 medium bell pepper in 1 inch pieces
2 c chopped plum tomatoes (about 6 tomatoes)
1 medium zucchini cut in half lengthwise and then sliced into half moons
½ t garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
½ t basil flakes
½ t oregano flakes

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Heat oil in pan and cook bell pepper and shallots in oil 4-5 minutes then add tomatoes, zucchini and seasonings and cover and cook 5 minutes. Finally add in tortellini and cook 3 minutes or until hot.

Top off the dish with some fresh herbs of your choice (basil and parsley do quite well).

Chicken, Dinner, Pasta, Vegetables

Chicken and Veggies with Orzo

June 24, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This meal as just the right amount of each ingredient and everything tasted great. To save yourself time, use the pre-cut carrots and zucchini available at your grocer !

4 servings
380 calories per serving

1 c uncooked orzo
½ c chicken broth
1 T lemon juice
2 t cornstarch
2 T oil
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (3/4 lb.) cut in half lengthwise and then cut in thin strips
2 cloves garlic minced
½ t salt
1 c julienne cut carrots
1 yellow bell pepper cut into thin strips
2 c julienne cut zucchini

Cook orzo according to package instructions. Combine broth, juice and cornstarch and mix well. Heat 1 T oil and cook chicken, garlic and salt 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink then remove from skillet and keep warm. Heat 1 T oil and cook carrots and bell pepper 3 minutes then add zucchini and cook another 3 minutes. Stir the broth mix until smooth and then add to the skillet and cook 2 minutes or until thickened then add orzo and chicken and heat through.