Tag Archives: craisins

Chipotle Nuts

January 2, 2012 admin Leave a comment

The whole kitchen smelled just glorious as these were roasting. The orange flavor is very subtle, the chipotle just hot enough and these disappeared very quickly !

Makes 2 ½ cups – 1 serving = 2 tablespoons
91 calories per serving

1 T grated orange rind
1 T orange juice
1 egg white
2 c mixed nuts (pecan halves, whole almonds, walnuts, whatever you have around the house!)
1 T brown sugar
1 T Kosher salt
1/2 t ground chipotle chile pepper
Pam
1/2 c sweetened dried cranberries
1 t Kosher salt

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix orange rind, orange juice and egg then stir in nuts. Mix sugar, salt and pepper and add to the nuts and mix well. Spread on a cookie sheet spray with Pam and bake 1 hours stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with another teaspoon of salt and mix then cool. When cool, mix in the cranberries.

Dinner, Sides

Grilled Mushrooms with Couscous

October 18, 2011 admin Leave a comment

Savory with just a bit of sweet from the dried cranberries. An earthy dish that is a great vegetarian main dish or a perfect side to a fish or chicken dinner.

4 servings
208 calories per serving

4 whole Portobello mushrooms
4 T white balsamic vinegar
Pam
½ c chicken or vegetable broth
½ c water
¼ t turmeric
2/3 c couscous
¼ c dried cranberries
½ t lemon zest
¼ t salt
1 t oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz. chopped fresh spinach
2 T water
1 T margarine
½ red bell pepper, finely chopped

Cut 4 slits in the top of each mushroom about 2 inches long and ½ inch deep. Remove stems and place top facing up in a baking dish. Sprinkle with half the vinegar and spray with Pam. Turn the mushrooms over and sprinkle with the rest of the vinegar. Spray again with Pam. Cover dish with plastic wrap and set aside. Combine broth, water and turmeric in a small pan. Bring to a boil and cook 3 minutes. Stir in the couscous, cranberries, lemon and salt. Remove from heat and cover and let stand 5 minutes or until ready to serve the dish. Heat another saucepan and add oil and then sauté garlic for one minute. Add the greens and 2 T water and cook 3 minutes. Add the margarine and stir in for 30 seconds. Remove from pan and keep warm. Cook mushrooms 3 minutes each side and place stem side up on a serving plate. Spoon the couscous mix on the top and then top with the greens. Sprinkle with bell pepper and serve immediately.

Dessert

Cranberry Nut Scones

January 23, 2011 admin Leave a comment

You either love scones or hate them – I am a lover 🙂 This is a great recipe that turns out a delicious fruit and nut scone. The cranberries are just sweet enough without making these too, too sweet. And the pistachios are a nice change from the typical walnuts or pecans found in baked goods.

14 servings
187 calories per serving

3 c flour
1 1/2 t cream of tartar
3/4 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
2 T orange zest
6 T butter
1/3 c Splenda
3/4 c skim milk
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 c chopped pistachios (no salt)
Pam
Some extra water if dough is too dry.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with Pam. Combine flour, tartar, baking soda, salt and zest in a large bowl and cut in butter with a pastry blender ( a hand held tool available at all kitchen goods stores) or pulse in a food processor.

Once crumbly, add Splenda and milk and stir just until moistened. Add cranberries and nuts and pat dough to a 3/4 inch thick circle on a lightly floured surface. If dough is too dry, add a few tablespoons of water but not too much – this is a very dry dough. Use a 2 1/2 round biscuit cutter to make scones (or any other shape – just adjust calories accordingly). Place on baking sheet and cook 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.