A Monte Cristo Sandwich is dipped in egg and fried – this version adds LOTS of gooey Gruyere cheese (the kind you find on top of French Onion Soup). If you prefer a milder cheese, switch to Swiss or cheddar.

Monte Cristo Sandwich

4 servings
350 calories per serving

1 T Dijon mustard
1 T fat free mayonnaise
8 slices Italian bread (1 oz. each) I recommend that you get a kitchen scale – it takes out the guess work !!
6 oz. deli ham, thinly sliced
1 c shredded Gruyere cheese (substitute Swiss or cheddar or jack if you don’t like Gruyere)
1/4 t black pepper
1/2 c Egg Beaters
1/4 c skim milk
Pam

Combine mustard and mayo. Spread each of 8 slices with an even amount of the mix. Then layer 4 slices each with ham and cheese. Sprinkle evenly with pepper and cover with other 4 pieces of bread. Combine eggs and milk. Dip both side of each sandwich in the mix. Heat a large skillet on medium high heat and spray with Pam. Cook sandwiches 3 minutes each side or until lightly brown.

Here is a kitchen scale like I use:

This recipe will make even the most finicky eater a spinach lover. The dish is light and fluffy with loads of cheesy flavor – the spinach flavor is definitely mellowed.

Spinach Souffle

8 servings
149 calories per serving

1/2 c chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T margarine, melted
8 oz. low fat cream cheese, at room temperature
8 oz. low fat cottage cheese
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 c egg beaters
20 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed, and well drained
1/4 t paprika
1/8 t nutmeg
Pam

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Melt margarine and cook onion and garlic for 6 minutes. Remove to a bowl and add cream cheese, cottage cheese, salt and pepper and beat with a mixer. Add the egg beaters 1/4 cup at a time mixing well in between and then mix in the spinach. Spray a 9 inch baking dish with Pam and place the spinach mix in the dish and sprinkle with the paprika and nutmeg then cover and back 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes.

These make a great side dish to a chicken or fish dinner. Or make a double batch and serve as appetizers at your next get together. Warm and homey without being a heavy dish and these make a really nice presentation – just perfect !

Zucchini Quiche Cups

12 servings
115 calories per serving

2 c zucchini, in small cubes
2 t olive oil
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
12 slices light wheat bread, crusts removed
12 grape tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup soft low fat cream cheese spread
¾ c egg beaters
1/4 c light cream
2 T chopped fresh chives
Salt and pepper to taste
Pam

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix zucchini with oil and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper them bake until tender, about 15 minutes. Spray a cupcake tin with Pam. Flatten bread with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan and cut out a notch in the top so that when you place it in the cucpcake tins, it will wrap around nicely.

Zucchini Quiche Cups

Then press into the bottom of the cupcake cups. Mix zucchini and tomatoes and spoon into the cups. Beat eggs, cream cheese, cream, chives, salt and pepper. Pour into the cups and bake 15-20 minutes or until they are set.

These are just FANTASTIC ! Forget about regular stuffing next Thanksgiving – I am going to make these ahead of time and simply reheat in the oven while the turkey is being carved. These are simply delicious !

Stuffin' Muffins

10 servings
209 calories per serving

1/4 c butter
3/4 c celery, chopped fine
1/4 c carrots, chopped fine
1 1/2 c water
6 oz. Stovetop stuffing mix
1/3 c Craisins or raisins
1/4 c chopped walnuts
1 1/2 c low fat shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup egg beaters
Pam

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tin with Pam. In a skillet, melt butter and cook celery and carrot 5-6 minutes. Add water and bring to a boil them remove from heat and stir in stuffing mix, craisins and nuts then add 1 cup of cheese and the egg beaters and mix well. Spoon into 10 muffin cups and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese then back 10 minutes to melt cheese.

This one is a great side dish. It’s tasty and something a little different than usual. You might even get the kids to eat zucchini

Zucchini Fritters

4 servings
155 calories per serving (serving = 2 fritters)

2 c shredded zucchini (use a cheese grater – the same size you would use to shred cheddar cheese)
1/2 c panko breadcrumbs
1/2 c shredded parmesan cheese (not grated, shredded)
1/3 c shredded onion
1/4 c Egg Beaters
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 t black pepper
2 t oil, divided

Combine the first 7 ingredients. Heat 1 t oil. Spoon 1/2 of mix by quarter cupfuls into pan. Press down a bit with the back of a spoon to make sure each fritter holds together well. Cook 2 minutes each side. Repeat with the second batch.

This turns out a creamy, delicious side dish that goes great with beef, chicken, pork or fish. The ranch dressing gives it a nice tang and an unexpected flavor.

Broccoli and Rice

8 servings
113 calories per serving

1 c Minute brown rice, uncooked
1 c fat free chicken broth
1 ½ c frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained (or you can use fresh)
2/3 c shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 c light ranch dressing
½ c egg beaters
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fix rice according to package instructions but use broth instead of water. Cool rice a bit and add in the rest of the ingredients. Spoon the mix into a casserole dish sprayed with Pam and bake 25 minutes or until browned.

Heavy, filling and a great sandwich for a cold and blustery day. I think it works just as well as a breakfast sandwich as it does a lunch sandwich !

Ham and Bean Sandwich

1 serving
250 calories per serving

¼ c Egg Beaters
2 slices whole wheat toast
4 T white beans, mashed with salt and pepper and 1 t water and heated in the microwave one minute
4 slices very thin, lean baked deli ham
1 slice Kraft Singles cheese (American or cheddar)
Salt and pepper to taste
Pam

Heat skillet and spray with Pam. Scramble egg beaters or make a little circle out of them so they stay on the bread nicely.

Here’s a quick video to show you how to prep the eggs:

When toast is done, spread one piece with beans. Then add ham, cheese, warm eggs and sprinkle with salt and pepper, and top with the final piece of bread.

These make a great snack, a perfect appetizer, or a wonderful dinner side dish. The shake and bake crumbs really give them a nice flavor through and through.

snacker potato balls

2 balls = 111 cals
Makes 24 balls

2 lb. baking potatoes (about 5), peeled and cut into chunks
2 scallions, thinly sliced
¼ c egg beaters
Salt and pepper to taste
4 oz. low fat velveeta, cut into 24 cubes
1 pouch Shake and Bake

Cook potatoes in boiling water 20-25 minutes or until tender then drain and cool for ½ hour. Mash them and add scallions, egg beaters, salt and pepper. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Roll potato mix into 24 balls (about 2 T each) inserting a cube of velveeta into each and making sure it is all sealed up in the middle. Sprinkle shake and bake on a baking sheet and place potato balls on sheet and turn so they get coated. Bake 16 minutes.

I love a dish you can make for a hungry breakfast crowd that doesn’t entail you standing at the stove being a short order cook You can put this one together and throw it in the oven then sit and have coffee and chat while it cooks up perfectly. It turns out a flavorful Mexican inspired dish that everyone enjoys !

Sausage Breakfast Wraps

10 servings
277 calories per serving

1 lb. Italian seasoned turkey sausage, casing removed
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
32 oz. Egg Beaters
4 oz. can chopped green chiles
1 t chili powder
10 flour tortillas, warmed
1 ¼ c salsa
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook sausage, peppers and onions in a skillet until sausage is done, and then drain on paper towels. Place in a 13×9 baking dish sprayed with Pam. Mix eggs, green chilies and chili powder and pour over the turkey mix. Bake uncovered 30-35 minutes or until set then break up with a spoon. Place 2/3 c of egg mix down the center of each tortilla then wrap up securely.

Here is a video that will show you how to fold up a wrap securely

The natural ‘sugariness’ of the corn and the addition of a little bit of sugar make this a very sweet dish. It was just great served next to a mild flavored broiled pork chop. If you prefer less sweet, just leave out the sugar and this will still turn out a great side dish !

Corn and Broccoli

6 servings
133 calories per serving

15 oz. can creamed corn
½ c Egg Beaters
2 t sugar
2 T flour
1 t salt
½ c shredded low fat cheddar cheese
10 oz. package frozen broccoli, thawed and drained

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine corn, eggs, sugar, flour and salt and then fold in cheese and broccoli and place in a baking dish and bake 1 hour.