Category Archives: Mexican

Black Bean Burgers

February 12, 2010 admin 2 Comments

These are not are not a replacement for burgers – if you think of it that way, you are going to be disappointed. Take these for what they are – an amazing savory, tasty pressed veggie patty that is only 120 calories. Topped with avocado and salsa, and placed on a bun, it makes a great meal.

4 servings
380 calories per serving

4 Morningstar black bean burgers
4 Arnold Thins 100 calorie flat buns
1 avocado, sliced (or 3 T Wholly Guacamole per burger)
1 c salsa

Cook black bean burgers according to package instructions. Place on buns and top with 1/4 the sliced avocado and 1/4 c salsa. Although not shown on the package, I often heat the oven to 375 degrees and place the burgers on a baking sheet sprayed with Pam and then cook for 15 minutes – they come out perfect !

Chicken, Lunch, Mexican

Chicken and Bean Quesadillas

February 8, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is one of those really filling quesadillas. Between the whole wheat wrap, the beans, chicken, AND cheese, it really makes for a great lunch. The salsa verde is a nice twist, but if you don’t like the taste, feel free to substitute regular salsa 🙂

2 servings
358 calories per serving

1 c cooked shredded or diced chicken breast (Perdue Shortcuts are a great time saver!)
1/3 c salsa verde, divided
1/2 c black beans
1/2 c kidney beans
2 9 inch whole wheat tortillas (80 calorie version)
1/2 c shredded low fat Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
Pam
Extra salsa verde for dipping (at only 10 calories for 2 tablespoons, don’t be shy !)

Combine cooked chicken and half the salsa verde in a skillet and heat through . Combine beans and the other half of the salsa, lightly mashing some of the beans with a fork. Microwave for 30 seconds to heat. Spread the bean mix over each tortilla and then the chicken mix and then sprinkle with 1/4 c cheese. Fold in half. Spray skillet with Pam and heat to medium high. Add quesadillas and cook 2-3 minutes each side or until lightly browned. Serve with additional salsa.

Mexican, Sides

Grilled Bread with Sofrito

January 29, 2010 admin 1 Comment

The recipe below calls for a small piece of whole wheat bread. Often I double up the calories using a piece of thinly sliced Italian bread instead, especially if the rest of the meal is relatively low in calories.

6 servings
80 calories per serving

6 slices 45 calorie wheat bread
6 T sofrito (available in most supermarkets with all the Goya products, it is a condiment of richly condensed tomatoes, peppers and spices).

Spread 1 T sofrito on each slice of bread and place the bread sofrito side up in a toaster oven. Heat until bread edges or toasty brown. Serve immediately.

Eating Out, Lunch, Mexican

Taco Bell Fresco Menu

January 29, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Taco Bell has a new menu section called their FRESCO menu – several items 400 Calories or Less !!

I finally had to give it a try – some days you just don’t have time to cook lunch and there are few places to get a decent meal that is under 400 calories. My expectations were high because I.LOVE.TACO BELL. I know, I know … but I can’t help it – their tacos are just so good 🙂

So here’s what my husband and I got for lunch:

Me:

1 Fresco Crunchy Taco – 150 calories
1 Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco – 170 calories

Him:

1 Fresco Crunchy Taco – 150 calories
1 Fresco Burrito Supreme Steak – 330 calories

And the consensus is…….

2 thumbs up 🙂 The tacos are minus some cheese, but other than that, they are pretty much the normal Taco Bell fare. These will definitely stay on the list for a quick meal that fits into the 400 calorie plan !

Lunch, Mexican

Bean Burritos

January 27, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is another one of those very versatile lunches – swap out the black beans for refried beans, the red peppers for green peppers, the cumin for chili powder – and you have a whole different beast ! Just be sure to microwave the wraps for 15 seconds so that they are nice and pliable and don’t break when you are wrapping the contents.

4 servings
207 calories per serving

15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed, then mashed
1/2 t ground cumin
4 whole wheat tortillas (80 calorie version)
1 c chopped tomato
1 c chopped red bell pepper
1 c salsa
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix beans with cumin, salt, pepper and chopped red peppers. Microwave 1 minute to heat. Spread over tortillas. Sprinkle with salsa and tomato. Roll up and enjoy. Take a look at my instructional video to learn how to fold a wrap so the contents won’t fall out the end 🙂

Kid Friendly, Mexican, Sides

Potato with Mexican Topping

January 25, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Serve this super filling potato with 2 T low fat sour cream for just another 40 calories. Leave out the layer of beans and this one is kid friendly.

1 serving
226 calories per serving

6 oz. potato
2 T shredded fat free cheddar cheese
10 sprays ICBINB
1/4 c black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 t taco seasoning
2 T chopped tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional – sour cream

Pierce the potato several times and microwave 8 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Cut oval hole in the top (like you would in a pumpkin) taking care not to cut through the whole shell. Scoop out the meat of the potato and place in a bowl. Add butter spray, cheese, salt and pepper, and taco seasoning and stir to mix.

Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds and stir. Fill the potato shell with a layer of black beans, then the potato mix and microwave another 30 seconds. Sprinkle top with a few reserved beans and the chopped tomatoes. Microwave 2 minutes to heat through or stick in the oven for 5-7 minutes.

Kid Friendly, Mexican, Snacks

Cheesy Nacho Bites

January 17, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Get your microwaved snack in 30 seconds – there’s no shorter countdown to cheesy nachos !

4 servings
290 calories per serving

24 baked tortilla chips
1 c shredded pepper jack cheese
24 t salsa

Place 6 chips on a paper plate. Sprinkle with 1/4 c cheese. Microwave 20 seconds or until cheese is melted. Top with 1 t salsa per chip. Repeat for 3 other servings.

Lunch, Mexican, Sandwiches

Mushroom and Cheese Quesadilla

January 14, 2010 admin Leave a comment

So easy, so simple. Mexican grilled cheese ! 🙂

1 serving
202 calories per serving

1 whole wheat tortilla (80 calorie version)
1/4 c salsa
1/2 c chopped mushrooms
1/4 c fat free shredded cheddar cheese
2 T low fat sour cream

Sprinkle the mushrooms and cheese on half the tortilla. Fold over and place in a heated skillet. Cook 2 min. Flip and cook another 2 minutes. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

Lunch, Mexican, Salads

Santa Fe Bean Salad

January 13, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This has a lot of flavor and is a great lunch salad. You don’t even realize you’re eating lettuce 🙂 And it even fills up my husband ! If you don’t like black beans, substitute kidney or white beans.

4 servings
305 calories per serving

1/3 c salsa
3 T low fat sour cream
1 T cider vinegar
15 oz can black beans, rinsed
1 c grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 c corn
1/2 c diced avocado
1/4 c chopped cilantro
6 c chopped romaine
2 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded
24 baked tortilla chips

Stir together salsa, sour cream and vinegar to make sauce. Combine the beans, tomatoes, corn, avocado and cilantro with the sauce. Divide lettuce and place on plates. Top with 1/2 c of the bean mix. Sprinkle with cheese. Place 6 chips around each plate and serve.