Category Archives: Lunch

Portobello Burger

June 20, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is a great, hearty sandwich that fills you up and contains no high calorie meat. Sometimes when you get these in a restaurant, they have the same calorie content as having a burger (sometimes they are done in tons of oil or butter). But this version keeps the oil to a minimum and adds a nice amount of cheesy goodness to the sandwich.

1 serving
299 calories per serving

1 large portobello mushroom cap, stem removed
1 t oil
Salt and pepper
Sprinkle of cayenne pepper
¼ c shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
1 100 calorie Arnold Select Sandwich Thins bun
1 t buttery spread
Garlic powder to taste
1 large onion slice
1 large tomato slice
Lettuce leaves
Pam

Coat mushroom with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cayenne. Spray skillet and heat to medium high. Place mushroom in the pan rounded side up. Cook 5 minutes. Flip. Sprinkle with garlic powder, top with cheese and cook another 4-5 minutes. Meanwhile, toast bun and spread butter on it. Place mushroom on bun and top with tomato, onion and lettuce.

Breakfast, Lunch, Sandwiches

Open Faced Egg and Bacon Sandwich

June 17, 2010 admin 1 Comment

This is a great take on a bacon and egg sandwich – the addition of the mustard and mayo give it a great extra zing and the watercress adds a great dimension not usually found in a sandwich like this.

1 serving
297 calories per serving

Bottom half of a hoagie roll
1 t whole grain mustard
1 t light mayonnaise
2 slices bacon, cooked
1 egg, cooked over easy in a skillet sprayed with Pam
1 handful watercress, stems removed
Coarse salt
Pepper

Spread roll with mustard and mayo and then layer with bacon, watercress and egg. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve open faced.

Appetizers, Lunch, Mexican, Snacks

Nacho Pizzas

June 15, 2010 admin 1 Comment

Just made this one again after a few months – – it is still just as delicious 🙂

Appetizer, lunch, snack – no matter how you serve them, these are a crowd pleaser. I used a nice spicy salsa so that these had a little punch to them and they are definitely on my list of things to make again SOON 🙂 If there is an ingredient you don’t like, just leave it off the ‘pizza’ – it won’t hurt a thing !

5 servings (2 pizzas each)
270 calories per serving

1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
3 T black bean dip
1/3 c thick salsa (or petite cut diced canned tomatoes)
2 T canned chopped green chilies
2 scallions, chopped
2 T sliced black olives
¾ c shredded low fat cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out each biscuit into a 5 inch circle and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Top with bean dip, salsa, chilies, onions and olives. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 12-15 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese is melted.

Italian, Lunch, Sandwiches

Grilled Provolone and Peppers

June 11, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Any grilled cheese sandwich is a winner in my book and this one is no exception – and here the sweet roasted peppers are a nice contrast to the provolone.

2 servings
200 calories per serving

4 slices 45 calorie bread (Pepperidge Farm Light Multi Grain)
4 slices low fat provolone (sliced thin)
2 roasted red bell peppers, drained, rinsed and dried – and cut into strips
Pam
ICBINB Spray

Make sandwiches and spray the outsides with the butter flavored spray. Heat a skillet to medium high and spray with Pam. Cook each side 2-3 minute or until browned and the cheese is all melted.

Lunch, Sandwiches, Turkey

Turkey Slaw-Wich

June 8, 2010 admin Leave a comment

A quick sandwich to throw together that doesn’t taste like a boring sandwich ! The slaw gives it a nice twist.

1 serving
290 calories per serving

½ c coleslaw blend (shredded cabbage and carrots)
1 T Miracle Whip
1 t Dijon mustard
2 slices whole wheat bread, toasted
3 slices deli roasted turkey breast
1 slice fat free American cheese

Mix coleslaw, Miracle Whip and Dijon then make sandwiches with all the ingredients.

Italian, Kid Friendly, Lunch

Ham and Cheese Calzone

June 3, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This makes a splendid calzone – and at a fraction of the calories of a pizza shop one ! The cheese melts beautifully and the portion size was just perfect. If you’ve never had a calzone before, it’s just pizza dough wrapped around cheese and other goodies – this one has ham, but some people prefer just cheese.

4 servings
277 calories per serving

1/3 c fat free ricotta cheese
½ t oregano flakes
½ t parsley flakes
½ t pepper
¼ t garlic powder
¼ t onion powder
¾ c shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
¼ c shredded parmesan cheese
¼ c finely chopped ham
1 10 oz. tube pizza dough
Pam

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking sheet with Pam. Mix ricotta, spices, parmesan. Mozzarella and ham. Unroll the dough and press it into a 10 inch circle or 10×12 rectangle. Spoon the mix onto one half leaving a 1 inch border and then fold the other side over and seal the edges by pinching the dough to secure. Bake 8 minutes then turn over and bake another 6 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool – then cut into 4 servings. Optionally serve with some low fat marinara sauce for dipping.

Chicken, Lunch, Sandwiches, Summer

Honey Mustard Chicken Sandwich

June 2, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Using the mustard mix as a basting sauce while cooking makes this so much better than just putting the mustard on the bread. The flavor gets really intensified and this ends up being a really great lunch sandwich.

4 servings
240 calories per serving

¼ c Dijon mustard
2 T honey
1 t oregano flakes
¼ t salt
¼ t cayenne pepper
4 5 oz. boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 whole grain sandwich buns (100 calories each)
4 slices tomato
4 lettuce leaves

Mix mustard, honey, oregano, salt and cayenne and brush on chicken. Grill 15-20 minutes or pan fry in a skillet sprayed with Pam for 6-8 minutes or until done. Brush with extra sauce throughout the cooking. Serve on buns with lettuce and tomato.

Lunch, Mediterranean, Pasta, Salads

Greek Orzo Salad

June 2, 2010 admin 1 Comment

This makes a great balanced and filling lunch portion for 370 calories. You can easily cut the serving in half and serve as a side in a dinner plate, too. But I like it as a lunch – you can make it a day ahead, it is portable, it takes even better the following day … and it is packed with healthy ingredients. Oh, and it has orzo (my fav!) 🙂

5 servings
370 calories per serving

1 ¼ c uncooked orzo (8 oz)
2 c thinly sliced English cucumber
½ c low fat zesty Italian dressing
1 medium tomato, chopped
15 oz. can chick peas, drained and rinsed
1 4 oz. can sliced black olives
½ c crumbed low fat feta cheese

Cook pasta according to package instructions and rinse in cold water. Mix pasta with the rest of the ingredients except the feta, cover and refrigerate at least one hour so flavors mix. Just before serving, sprinkle with cheese.

Italian, Lunch, Soups

Italian Bean Soup

May 23, 2010 admin Leave a comment

The broth in this soup tastes like it’s been simmered for hours – it has a great depth of flavor. But this soup takes just 20 minutes or so of simmering time. And with all the veggies and pasta, it ends up being quite a hearty, thick soup. Just add some water during the last 7 minutes cooking time if you like it a little thinner. But I like gruely soup 🙂

6 servings
190 calories per serving

1 t oil
½ c diced Canadian bacon
½ c chopped green bell pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
28 oz. can peeled tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped
14.5 oz. chicken broth
½ c orzo
15.5 oz. can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
8 oz. frozen cut green beans
¼ c chopped basil
Salt and pepper to taste
½ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
¼ t celery salt

In a large pan heat oil on medium high heat. Add bacon, green pepper and garlic and cook 3-4 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth and pasta and bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer 12 minutes stirring occasionally. Stir in kidney beans, green beans, salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt and basil and cook 7 minutes.

Lunch, Salads

Five Layer Salad

May 21, 2010 admin 1 Comment

Simple and easy and oh so decadent with the addition of cheese and bacon. This lunch salad really hits the spot !

4 servings
225 calories per serving

5 oz. mixed greens
½ English cucumber, coarsely chopped
½ c low fat ranch dressing
¼ c real bacon pieces
½ c finely shredded low fat cheddar cheese

Layer all ingredients on a serving platter or individual dishes and pour on dressing.