Category Archives: Lunch

Toasted Clubs

May 5, 2010 admin Leave a comment

A big meaty, juicy, tasty sandwich just doesn’t seem like it can fit into a 400 calorie per meal diet – but it does ! And this one is sooooo tasty. Bacon, avocado, mayonnaise, dill, meat, cheese – you just can’t go wrong !!

2 servings
328 calories per serving

2 T fat free mayo
¼ t dill weed
1/2 t lemon juice
1/8 t pepper
4 slices whole wheat toast
4 slices thin deli roast beef
4 slices thin deli ham
2 slices low fat provolone or swiss cheese
2 lettuce leaves
2 tomato slices
2 bacon strips cooked and crumbled
¼ c alfalfa sprouts
¼ c avocado sliced

Combine mayo, dill, juice and pepper and spread over the toast. Add the sandwich meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sprouts and bacon and the top with the avocado slices.

Lunch, Sandwiches

Grilled Cheese and Tomato

May 4, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Alone, with bacon, with tomato – – however you make it, if you make grilled cheese, I’m there ! Served next to tomato soup, it makes a great lunch.

1 serving
110 calories per serving

2 slices 45 calorie bread
2 slices tomato
2 slices Kraft fat free singles
20 sprays I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
Pam

Spray pan with Pam and heat – make sure pan is good and hot on medium high heat. Make sandwich of the bread, tomato and cheese. Spray outsides of the sandwich with 5 sprays (per side) each of ICBINB. Place in pan and cook 1-2 minutes or so each side, or until brown and cheese is melted.

Lunch, Mexican, Salads, Sides

Spicy Black Bean Salad

May 2, 2010 admin Leave a comment

I’ve been making this side salad for years. It is great alongside so many dishes ! Sometimes it’s even good as a lunch served with a few low fat crackers.

10 servings
250 calories per serving

15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can mandarin oranges, rinsed
2-3 scallions, thinly sliced
1/3 c chunky salsa
¼ c lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ t ground cumin

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Lunch, Tex Mex

Tex Mex Wraps

April 28, 2010 admin Leave a comment

The filling for these wraps would be just as good as a dip served with tortilla chips.

4 servings
270 calories per serving

15 oz. kidney beans, rinsed and drained
8 oz. can of corn, drained
¼ c chopped red bell pepper
¼ c thick salsa
1 T chopped cilantro
4 tortillas (80 calories Smart and Delicious)
½ c shredded light cheddar cheese

Mix beans, corn, pepper, salsa and cilantro and spread ¾ c in each tortilla and wrap. Here is a video showing you a good way to do this:

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Microwave on high 1-2 minutes or until hot.

Beef, Lunch, Soups

Beef and Noodle Soup

April 27, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Spicy low cal soup really hits the spot – especially when you have beef chunks AND noodles ! This one really tides you over and it is so easy to do.

4 servings
210 calories per serving

½ lb. extra lean ground beef
3 ½ c water
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
1 c frozen mixed vegetables
1 t beef bouillon flavoring
2.8 oz. package beef flavored ramen noodles

Brown beef and drain then add water, tomatoes, veggies, bouillon flavoring and flavoring packet from the ramen noodles and bring to a boil. Break up ramen noodles and add to soup and cook 3-5 minutes then serve.

Dinner, Lunch, Mexican

Black Bean Pies

April 17, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Though the Morningstar Farms black bean patties are MIGHTY GOOD, these were also good and if you’re just in the mood to do it from scratch, this is a great recipe !

4 servings
194 calories per serving

Pam
3 t oil
½ onion, chopped finely
½ green pepper, chopped finely
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 T honey
1 T cider vinegar
½ t chili powder
½ t cumin
¼ t red pepper flakes
15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
¼ c breadcrumbs
2 T flour
4 T low fat sour cream
2 T cilantro, chopped

Spray skillet with Pam. Heat 2 t oil on medium high and sauté onion, pepper and garlic 4 minutes or until golden then add honey, cider, chili, cumin and red pepper and mix well. Add beans and breadcrumbs to the pan and reduce the heat to medium and cook 10 minutes stirring frequently. Remove pan from heat and mash bean mixture with a potato masher until it is the consistency of a thick puree, and then shape mix into 4 patties (like a hamburger). Spread flour on a platter and coat patties on both sides. Spray same skillet with Pam and ad 1 t oil. Saute patties until light browned turning once. Serve each with sour cream and cilantro.

Eating Out, Lunch, Sandwiches

Blimpie Sandwiches

April 15, 2010 admin Leave a comment

On the quest for more lunch fare that does not need to be prepared, I took a look at the nutritional information for Blimpe. I was so surprised to see so many sandwiches under 400 calories.

Even more surprising was the fact that my favorite comes in at only 420 calories – a 6 inch Blimpie Best on Whole Wheat. So if I have a light breakfast, I can fit this in and not even feel guilty about the extra 20 calories 🙂

Here’s a ham with tomato, lettuce and onion – just under 400 calories !

Dinner, Lunch, Salads, Sides, Summer, Vegetables

Zesty Coleslaw

April 15, 2010 admin 2 Comments

The mustard in the slaw is a nice unexpected flavor – it was not too much, just enough to be interesting without overpowering the dish. How can you beat coleslaw – only 45 calories per serving !

8 servings
45 calories per serving

8 c coarsely shredded cabbage
1 large carrot, grated
½ c fat free mayo
2 T white vinegar
2 T pineapple juice
3 T spicy brown mustard
1 ½ T sugar
1/8 t pepper
¼ t salt

Combine cabbage and carrot. In another bowl combine all the rest of the ingredients and then pour over the cabbage and toss well. Chill in the refrigerator.

Kid Friendly, Lunch

Lunch Platter

April 14, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Another favorite chosen for RETREAD week – I love a platter of stuff 🙂

Sometimes I just don’t want a prepared meal – I want to pick like I am eating appetizers at a party. This dish is also a great snack if you have the calories left from eating a lighter lunch and dinner that day. Add more veggies (carrots, radishes, cucs) to make it larger without adding many more calories.

1 serving
330 calories per serving

15 slices turkey pepperoni
15 Triscuits Thin Crisps crackers
1 Babybel cheese
10 green pimento stuffed olives
Celery Sticks

Chicken, Lunch, Salads

Spicy Chicken Salad

April 12, 2010 admin Leave a comment

And here is my first retread of the week….this salad is so spicy and so enjoyable. I have been looking forward to making it since the last time I made it back in January. But I am usually too busy testing NEW recipes and I had not gotten back to it. That is, until today. My mouth is pretty happy right now !

Hot, Hot, Hot !! But just the right amount of hot – – – almost like eating hot wings together with the celery and carrots – all in one mouthful.

2 servings
120 calories per serving

6 oz. cooked cubed chicken (Perdue Shortcuts works great here !)
3 T fat free mayonnaise
3 T chopped celery
3 T chopped carrots
1 1/2 t Frank’s Red Hot sauce
1/2 t dry ranch dressing mix

Combine the mayo, hot sauce and ranch dressing mix. Place chicken in a hot skillet and saute 3 minutes to heat up. Add chicken, celery, and carrots to sauce. Mix well and serve.