The filling for these wraps would be just as good as a dip served with tortilla chips.
Tex Mex Wraps
4 servings
270 calories per serving
15 oz. kidney beans, rinsed and drained
8 oz. can of corn, drained
¼ c chopped red bell pepper
¼ c thick salsa
1 T chopped cilantro
4 tortillas (80 calories Smart and Delicious)
½ c shredded light cheddar cheese
Mix beans, corn, pepper, salsa and cilantro and spread ¾ c in each tortilla and wrap. Here is a video showing you a good way to do this:
Lentils are healthy and filling, but it seems you either like them or you don’t like them – – there is no in between. I think it’s because of the dry consistency. I am a lentil lover 🙂 If you’ve never had them, give them a try ! They’re in the bean family and they are very tasty.
Lentil and Corn Pilaf
7 servings
130 calories per serving
2 c water
1 c dried lentils, sorted and rinsed (sorted means taking out any small rocks or bad lentils)
1/2 c chopped red or orange bell pepper
1 c corn kernels
3 T chopped parsley
¾ t chili powder
½ t garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Bring water to a boil and add lentils. Reduce heat and cover and simmer 20 minutes or until lentils are tender and if there is any water remaining, drain it the stir in the rest of the ingredients and cook on low 3-4minutes or until all is heated through.
This is a very hearty meal – and like so many crock pot meals, a great way to put something together, be able to run errands for a few hours – – and then come home to a hot cooked meal. This is reminiscent of a stew with the nice mushroom gravy flavor 🙂
10 Layer Beef Hash (Crock Pot)
8 servings
370 calories per serving
1 ½ lb. lean ground beef
6 medium potatoes thinly sliced
1 medium onion thinly sliced
½ t salt
½ t pepper
15 oz. can of corn, undrained
15 oz. can of peas, undrained
¼ c water
1 can fat free cream of mushroom soup.
Brown the meat in a skillet and drain. Layer the ingredients in the crock in this order:
¼ of the potatoes
¼ the onions
¼ the salt and pepper
½ the corn
¼ the potatoes
½ the peas
¼ the potatoes
¼ the onions
¼ the salt and pepper
½ the corn
¼ the potatoes
½ the peas
All the water
All the meat
All the soup
Cover and cook on high 4 hours. Be sure to give each person a serving that contains some of each layer.
This is a great stand alone lunch with some Cheesy Bread on the side. Or it is a nice side to a lower cal chicken or fish dinner. The hint of cayenne adds a nice unexpected flavor dimension to the chowder.
Corn Chowder
6 servings
155 calories per serving
1 c chopped onion
1 leek, cleaned and chopped
5 c frozen corn
28 oz. chicken broth
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
¼ t cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
Snipped chives for garnish
Pam
Spray a Dutch oven with Pam and heat on medium and cook onion and leek 5 minutes or until tender. If the onions start to get dry or crispy, add up to 3T of hot water to make sure they stay nice and moist. Then add corn and cook 5-6 minutes. Add half the broth and heat to boiling then reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Transfer half the corn mix to a blender and process until smooth. Return to the pan and add the rest of the broth, peppers, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt and heat through. Garnish with chives.
A very simple and different side dish – feel free to substitute fresh corn kernels.
Corn and Zucchini
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.
Simply Louisiana – that is the best way to describe this dish. If you don’t like okra, skip it – maybe add some green bell peppers instead. But if you want it authentic, be sure to add in the okra.
Bayou Chicken
4 servings
234 calories per serving
2 T flour
1 1/4 t Cajun seasoning
3/4 lb. chicken tenders
2 t canola oil
1 1/2 c corn
1 1/2 c frozen okra, thawed
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c fat free half and half
1/4 t salt
Pepper
3 scallions, sliced
Combine flour and 1/2 t Cajun seasoning in a zip loc bag and drop in the chicken. Seal the bag and shake well to coat all the chicken pieces. Heat 1 1/2 t oil in a skillet on medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook about 3 minutes per side or until lightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the rest of the oil to the pan and then add the corn, okra, tomato and garlic and cook 3-4 minutes. Add the half and half and the rest of the Cajun seasoning and simmer 1-2 minutes longer. Return the chicken to the pan and heat through. Sprinkle with scallions just before serving.
It may have no meat, but it does not skimp on the flavor. And at only 240 calories for a heaping serving, it gets my full seal of approval ! The ingredient list is long, but don’t let it fool you – this comes together very quickly.
No Meat Chili
5 servings
240 calories per serving
1 large 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 15.5 oz. can diced tomatoes (with green chilies or garlic if you like)
1 small can zesty tomato sauce
3/4 c black beans
3/4 c kidney beans
1 4.25 oz. can jalapeno peppers, rinsed and diced
1 7 oz. can corn
1 1/2 c chopped onions
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 3/4 c chopped celery
1 13.25 oz. can button mushrooms (each mushroom halved)
2 T chili powder (or more !)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 t Worcestershire sauce
1 t cumin
½ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
¾ t oregano flakes
¾ t parsley flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Pam
Put sauce, tomatoes, beans, corn, jalapenos, mushrooms, chili powder and cumin in crock pot. Add chili powder, Worcestershire and cumin and stir well.
Spray a skillet with Pam and bring to medium high heat. Saute bell peppers, onion, garlic and celery for 5-7 minutes to soften. Add garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, parsley and mix well. Then stir this mix into the crock with the tomato mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook on low heat 4-6 hours
You could skip the step of sauting the pepper and onion mix, but I feel the texture is a whole lot better if you don’t ! If you don’t have a crock pot, you can use a regular pot on the stove, just add the onion mix to the pot with the tomatoes, bring all to a boil, and then simmer partially covered for 1-2 hours.
Very flavorful and very different – the hominy really makes this one special. But if you don’t like hominy, just add more corn or skip it all together.
Southwest Vegetable Bake
4 servings
269 calories per serving
2 11 oz. cans whole kernel corn with peppers
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 15.5 oz. can white hominy, drained
1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 t pepper
1/2 t salt
½ t ground cumin
½ t chili powder
1/2 c shredded pepper jack cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients other than cheese in a baking dish. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with the shredded cheese, then bake another 5 minutes uncovered.
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.
Santa Fe Bean Salad
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.
