Category Archives: Dinner

Company Casserole

October 5, 2011 admin Leave a comment

This is just what it’s called…a great company casserole. It is easy to prep, all the prep is done way ahead, and the result is a creamy, tasty vegetable side dish that disappears very quickly !

7 servings
178 calories per serving

1 can low fat cream of celery soup
1 c low fat sour cream
1 c shredded low fat cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
½ t garlic powder
½ c finely chopped onion
9 oz. frozen cut green beans, thawed
6 oz. frozen peas and carrots, thawed
2 c frozen corn, thawed
¼ c crushed low fat Ritz crackers
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix soup, sour cream, cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper and onion then stir in the veggies and place in a 2 quart baking dish sprayed with Pam. Cover and bake 25 minutes. Then uncover, sprinkle crumbs around edges and spritz the crumbs with the ICBINB spray. Bake another 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.

Dinner, Italian, Kid Friendly

Pepper and Onion Boboli

October 2, 2011 admin Leave a comment

Bobolis make great pizza crusts – top them with just about anything and you have a hit dinner or lunch in 20 minutes flat ! For this one, I’m using a pepper and onion topping, a favorite for my family.

4 servings
387 calories per serving

1 original Boboli crust
½ c pizza sauce
½ t garlic powder
½ t oregano flakes
Optional red pepper flakes (if you like it spicy)
1 c part skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 c peppers sliced very thin
1 c onions sliced very thin

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spoon sauce onto crust and spread within ½ inch of the edges. Sprinkle with garlic powder and oregano. Add cheese and toppings. Bake 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Sides

Parmesan Rolls

October 1, 2011 admin Leave a comment

A perfect side – so simple, yet so special. These will disappear as quick as you can make them !

16 servings
139 calories per serving (1 piece)

4 oz. low fat cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 c low fat parmesan cheese
2 cans low fat crescent rolls
¼ c chopped parsley

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cream cheese and ¾ c of parmesan cheese until well mixed. Separate crescent rolls and spread 1 1/2 T cream cheese mix onto the dough and roll as directed on the package Place on baking sheet and sprinkle with the remaining parm. Bake 15 minutes

Chicken, Dinner, Kid Friendly

Lemon Glazed Chicken

September 30, 2011 admin Leave a comment

What a great tangy yet mild sauce – it makes the chicken tenders simply splendid !!

4 servings
210 calories per serving

1 ½ lb. chicken cutlets or tenders
½ t salt
½ t pepper
3 T lemon juice
Pam
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
2 garlic cloves minced
½ c fat free chicken broth
2 T chopped parsley
1 t cornstarch
¼ c water

Season chicken with salt and pepper and 2 T lemon juice then place in a heated skillet that has been sprayed with Pam and cook 5-6 minutes each site or until browned then remove from pan and keep warm. Add mushrooms and garlic to pan and cook 4 minutes then add the rest of the juice, the broth, and the parsley. Mix 1 t cornstarch with ¼ c cold water and add to the mix. Simmer and stir to thicken sauce and then return chicken to the pan. Cook 3-5 minutes or until heated through.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Pork

Brined Pork Loin

September 26, 2011 admin Leave a comment

Brining makes things so very moist and flavorful – and this is no exception. Super easy method that turns out perfect results time and again !

8 servings
251 calories per serving

8 c cold water
1/2 c kosher salt
2 1 lb. pork tenderloins, trimmed
1 T olive oil
1/2 t black pepper

Combine water and salt in a 13×9 glass baking dish and add pork. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour, turning halfway through. Heat grill. Drain pork and pat it dry then brush with oil and sprinkle with pepper. Grill ½ hour or until desired doneness. Let stand 1 minutes before slicing.

Dinner, Fish

Garlic Shrimp with Orzo

September 23, 2011 admin Leave a comment

This is a quick dish that is nothing but good ! Orzo, one of my favorite pastas + super low cal shrimp + a lemony garlic sauce. Super yummy !

4 servings
383 calories per serving

1 c whole wheat orzo
2 T chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
6 teaspoons butter, divided
1 1/2 lb. frozen shrimp (peeled and cooked)
1 T minced garlic
2 T lemon juice
Zest of one lemon

Cook orzo according to package instructions, drain and then add parsley, 2 t butter, salt and pepper. Melt 4 t butter in skillet and add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Then add shrimp with a bit of salt and pepper. Work in batches if you pan is not large enough. Cook until shrimp is heated through. Add lemon juice at the very end of the heating. Add lemon zest to orzo. Serve shrimp over orzo.

Dinner, Kid Friendly, Sides, Vegetables

Corn Cakes

September 21, 2011 admin Leave a comment

What a great side dish – the sweetness of the corn really shines though and makes this a tasty treat that the whole family will love. It’s like a savory pancake with corn and herbs.

5 servings (2 cakes each)
180 calories per serving

1/2 c white whole wheat flour
1/2 c skim milk
2 large eggs
2 T oil
1/2 t baking powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 c frozen corn, thawed
¼ c chopped basil and parsley
Pam

Whish together flour, eggs, milk, 1 T oil, salt, pepper and baking powder. Add in corn and basil. Working in batches, brush skillet with a bit of oil and spray with Pam and heat to medium high. Using a ¼ c measuring cup, pour batter into cakes about 3 inches wide leaving room in between so you can flip them easily. Cook 2 minutes then flip and cook another 2 minutes.

Beef, Crock pot, Dinner, Kid Friendly

Crock Pot Goulash

September 17, 2011 admin Leave a comment

What a great goulash ! The caraway flavor is mild, yet it really steals the show and makes this a great tasting goulash.

8 servings
181 calories per serving

2 lb. beef stew meat, trimmed and cubed
2 t caraway seeds
2 T paprika
1/4 t salt
Pepper, to taste
1 large onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
14 oz. can diced tomatoes (undrained)
14 oz. can beef broth
1 t Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
2 T cornstarch mixed with 3 T water
2 T chopped parsley
Pam

Place beef in the crock pot. Crush caraway seeds in an herb grinder or with the back of a heavy pot. Mix crushed seeds with paprika, salt and pepper and sprinkle on the meat pressing the spices into the meat so they stick. Add onion and pepper to a skillet sprayed with Pam and cook 5 minutes. Mix tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire and garlic and add to pan and bring to a simmer. Pour into the crock and then place the bay leaves on top of the meat. Cover and cook 4-5 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low. Discard the bay leaves and then add the cornstarch mix and cook on high 15 minutes to thicken the sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve with optional whole wheat egg noodles.

Dinner, Pork

Burgundy Pork

September 15, 2011 admin Leave a comment

I love mixing red wine and brown gravy mix – it gives you such an awesome gravy – definitely restaurant worthy !

4 servings
400 calories per serving

2 lb. pork tenderloin
1/2 t salt
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 c red wine (I used cooking wine and it came out great!)
.75 oz. packet dry brown gravy mix
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking dish with Pam. Sprinkle pork with spices and then top with onions and celery. Pour wine over pork. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until done. Let meat rest and then cut into thin slices. Pour gravy mix into pan with the cooking juices and stir until thick – serve over the sliced meat.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Asparagus with Cheese Sauce

September 13, 2011 admin Leave a comment

A quick cheese sauce is all sweet Spring asparagus needs – this one is delicious !

4 servings
110 calories per serving

1 lb. fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
1/3 c water
1/4 c Miracle Whip or light mayonnaise
1/4 c skim milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Steam or par boil asparagus for 4-5 minutes. Mix the other ingredients and microwave until melted. Serve sauce over asparagus.