Tag Archives: grape tomatoes

BLT Salad

July 4, 2014 admin Leave a comment

I’m not a big salad lover. That is always a tough part of ‘dieting’ for me. But once in a while I actually crave a big bowl of greens. Adding bacon and croutons makes this one a winner.

1 serving
280 calories per serving

3 c chopped romaine lettuce
6 slices turkey bacon
1 c halved grape tomatoes
1 slice 45 calorie bread
2 T dressing (70 calorie)

Toast bread and let it sit to harden (about 5 minutes) and then cut into cubes. Cook bacon according to instructions. When cool, crumble up. Put lettuce and tomatoes in a bowl. Top with bacon and croutons. Drizzle with dressing.

Chicken, Dinner, Summer

Curry Lime Chicken Kabobs

June 16, 2014 admin Leave a comment

You know the drill – toss the skewers and throw this in a grill basket ! But I still call it a “Kabob” recipe so you can visualize it 🙂 The yogurt sauce is JUST PERFECT in this recipe. Serve with some cous cous on the side.

4 servings
261 calories per serving

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
½ c plain yogurt
¼ c chopped cilantro
1 t grated lime zest
2 T lime juice
2 T oil
1 T honey
1 T Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ t curry powder
¼ t salt
¼ t pepper
2 green bell peppers cut into 1 inch pieces
1 zucchini in ½ inch slices
10 grape tomatoes
Pam

For the marinade, mix yogurt, cilantro, lime peel and juice, oil, honey, mustard, garlic, curry, salt and pepper. Place chicken in a zip loc and pour in the marinade and refrigerate 4-24 hours. Heat grill and spray a grill basket with Pam. Cook 15 minutes or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally so that all sides of the meat and veggies get browned.

Lunch, MUFAs, Salads, Turkey, Vegetables

Turkey Cobb

April 28, 2013 admin Leave a comment

Cobb salads are a perfect lunch. They are packed with protein and give you the energy to get through the afternoon without any ‘3 o’clock sleepies’.

8 servings
200 calories per serving

12 c mixed salad greens
6 oz. thin deli sliced roasted turkey breast, cut into strips
1 chopped avocado
1 ½ c grape tomatoes, halved
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 hard boiled eggs cut into wedges
1 c low fat shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz. light balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Place greens on a platter and then lay other ingredients in strips across the top. Place dressing on top of individual portions.

Appetizers, Dinner, Sides

Zucchini Quiche Cups

November 29, 2012 admin Leave a comment

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 !

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.

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.

Dinner, Salads, Sides, Vegetables

Broccoli Tomato Side Salad

May 12, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Simple yet special with the addition of the cheese and sunflower seeds. Serve this up and watch it disappear !

8 servings
108 calories per serving

6 c broccoli florets, chopped coarsely
1 c grape tomatoes, halved
1 c shredded low fat cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
2 T sunflower seeds
½ c light vinaigrette dressing
1 T Splenda
2 t Dijon mustard

Mix broccoli, tomatoes, cheese, and seeds. Mix dressing, Splenda and mustard and then mix with veggies.

Dinner, Pork

Pork and Orzo

April 23, 2012 admin Leave a comment

This is a fantastic dish – the feta cheese brings a nice flavor and makes the dish much more special. It’s a great balanced meal in a bowl – all your protein, veggies and carbs all in one nice package.

6 servings
373 calories per serving

1 ½ lb. pork tenderloin
1 t coarsely ground pepper
2 T oil
½ t Kitchen Bouquet (flavoring in the gravy or spice section of your market)
3 qt. water
1 ¼ c orzo
¼ t salt
6 oz. baby spinach
1 c grape tomatoes, halved
¾ c reduced fat feta cheese, crumbled
Lemon juice

Rub pepper into meat and cut into bite sized pieces then cook in oil over medium heat for 10 minutes or until no longer pink. Stir in Kitchen Bouquet and stir well. Cook pasta for 9 minutes in boiling water and then stir in spinach and cook a minute longer. Add tomatoes to the pork and cook 1 minute then add the drained orzo and finally add the feta cheese. Just before serving, splash with some fresh lemon juice.

Sides, Vegetables

Roasted Grape Tomatoes

April 10, 2012 admin 6 Comments

Roasting tomatoes gives them a whole new taste – they become earthy and really savory. They make a meal feel special and there’s no easier recipe !

4 servings
45 calories per serving

2 pints grape tomatoes
Pam (olive oil flavor)
Coarse salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper to taste
1/2 t parsley flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking pan with Pam. Slice the tomatoes in half and lay on the pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast uncovered for 1 hour. If you like them kicked up a bit, add some onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, etc. before roasting. But I prefer the pure taste of tomatoes in this recipe.

I can’t resist – here is another picture of the tomatoes – I just LOVE the color !

Roasted Tomatoes - again :) — Roasted Tomatoes - again 🙂

Dinner, Fish

Tilapia with Pepitas

February 2, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Rustic and earthy is the way I would describe this dish. The pepitas, capers and tomatoes just make this dish what it is – very special. This would be a great meal to make for guests.

4 servings
180 calories per serving

2 T pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
4 4-ounce tilapia fillets
Salt and pepper to taste
1 T oil
2 T lemon juice
1/2 c dry white wine
1 T butter
1 1/2 T capers, drained and rinsed
1 c grape tomatoes, cut in half
1/4 c chopped basil
Pam

Toast the pepitas very briefly (do not let them brown) in a hot skillet. Remove and set aside. Preheat broiler. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper and spray a baking sheet with Pam. Broil fish 3-4 minutes.. Heat oil and butter on medium heat and saute tomatoes and capers 2 minutes. Add lemon and wine and simmer 1 minute. Add fish (browned side up) and baste with sauce. Remove fish to a plate. Add basil, pepitas, salt and pepper to pan and saute 30 seconds. Spoon over fish and serve immediately.

Beef, Dinner

Peppered Filets with Sauteed Spinach

January 1, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Tender filets in a bourbon cream sauce … to die for !

2 servings
287 calories per serving

Beef:
2 4 oz. filet mignons
¼ t kosher salt
½ t cracked black peppercorns
2 t oil
2 T bourbon
¼ c beef broth
1 T shallots, minced
2 T half and half

Spinach:
½ t oil
½ c grape tomatoes, halved
1 t garlic clove, minced
6 c fresh spinach
1 t lemon juice
1/8 t kosher salt
1/8 t black pepper

Season filets with ¼ t salt and press the peppercorns into one side of each filet. Heat oil in a skillet and add filets. Cook 6-7 minutes per side then remove from pan and keep warm. Remove pan from heat and add bourbon – be very careful –the alcohol will ignite and burn off in this step… return to heat and burn off alcohol then simmer until sauce is reduced by half then add the half and half. Heat ½ t oil and sauté tomatoes and garlic for a few minutes and then add spinach and sauté for 2 minutes. Season with juice, salt and pepper. Plate steak with sauce over top and the spinach on the side.

Chicken, Dinner

Balsamic Chicken

October 14, 2011 admin Leave a comment

I love simply sautéed chicken – it needs nothing more than garlic powder, salt and pepper to have a great flavor. But then you take some honey roasted tomatoes and add them to the top for extra flair – – and you end up with a dish that is bright and fresh.

4 servings
238 calories per serving

1 pint grape tomatoes
1 T honey
1 1/2 t oil
½ t garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
6 oz. boneless skinless chicken tenders (or very thin cutlets)
1/2 t pepper
Pam
2 t white balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 450. Mix tomatoes, honey and oil and then spread on a baking sheet and bake 12 minutes. When done, set aside. Mean while, sprinkle chicken with garlic powder, salt and pepper and sauté in a heated pan spray with Pam. Cool 4-5 minutes each side or until done. Remove from pan and brush with vinegar. Place on a platter and cover with tomatoes. Serve immediately.