Orange Sorbet

September 14, 2011 admin Leave a comment

Sweet and citrusy, cold and refreshing – a great way to top off any summer meal.

12 servings
93 calories per serving

2 1/2 c water
1 c sugar
Orange rind strips from 2 oranges
2 2/3 c fresh orange juice
1/3 c fresh lemon juice
Grated orange rind

Mix the water and sugar in a pan and bring to a boil Add the orange rinds and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the mix into a bowl and get rid of the solids. Let cool to room temperature then add the juices and stir well. Refrigerate for an hour or more. Pour into ice cream maker and follow your maker’s instructions. Then freeze for one hour. Garnish with orange zest.

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.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Crispy Cauliflower

September 12, 2011 admin Leave a comment

What a great way to make cauliflower ! The spicing is subtle and the coating is just right. No more boring cauliflower !! 🙂

6 servings
92 calories per serving

4 c cauliflower florets
6 T flour
¼ t garlic powder
¼ t onion powder
¼ t paprika
¼ t salt
¼ t pepper
2 ½ c cornflakes, crushed
2 egg whites
Pam

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with Pam. Place cauliflower in a pan with 2 T water, cover and cook 6 minutes or until still crisp yet tender. In a zip loc bag mix all the spices and flour. In another zip loc, place the cornflakes. Beat the eggs lightly and one at a time roll the florets in the egg mix, then toss in the spice bag, the coat with egg again, then toss in the crumbs being sure to press so the flakes stick to the florets. Then place on baking sheet and cook 15-20 minutes or until golden.

Dessert, Kid Friendly

Vanilla Rounds

September 9, 2011 admin Leave a comment

These are a delightfully plain cookie – sometimes all I want is just the flavor of a simple vanilla baked good without any pomp and circumstance. This is it ! And at only 21 calories a cookie, I can have 5 without any guilt. Dip them in coffee, serve with some yogurt of some fat free, sugar free pudding – or just indulge in their simple elegance.

24 servings
21 calories per serving (1 cookie)

2 eggs, separated
½ t baking powder
¼ t salt
¼ c sugar
2 t vanilla
¼ t grated lemon zest
½ c flour
Confectioner’s sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Beat egg whites until foamy. Mix baking powder, salt, and sugar and slowly add to egg whites and beat until stiff peaks form. Mix yolks, vanilla and zest and beat with a fork the fold into egg white mix. Sift flour over egg mix and fold until smooth. Use about 2 t of batter to make each cookie and place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet and bake 15 minutes. Cool on sheets a few minutes and then move to racks. Cookies will crisp as they cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar once completely cool.

Dinner, Lunch, Salads, Sides

Strawberry Feta Salad

September 8, 2011 admin Leave a comment

Looking for a special salad ? This one has the extra special something that makes it great for entertaining and holiday meals. But it’s so easy to put together you that you’ll find yourself making it all the time !

4 servings
140 calories per serving

5 oz. baby arugula
1 c sliced strawberries
1/2 c low fat crumbled feta cheese
3 T walnuts, chopped and toasted
1/4 c balsamic vinaigrette
Salt and pepper to taste

Place the arugula on 4 separate plates – add all the other ingredients and serve immediately.

Dinner, Lunch, Sides, Vegetables

Curried Slaw

September 6, 2011 admin Leave a comment

This is a great dinner or lunch side. The curry and apples give it nice surprise flavor.

16 servings
120 calories per serving

1 c Miracle Whip
1 T curry powder
¼ of a medium head of green cabbage, shredded
¼ of a medium head of napa cabbage, shredded
1 medium zucchini, shredded
1 large carrot, shredded
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 Granny Smith apples, thinly sliced

Mix dressing and curry then add all the other ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate several hours so flavors mingle well.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Lemony Brussel Sprouts

September 5, 2011 admin Leave a comment

The lemony sauce on the sprouts add a nice surprise tanginess to the dish.

4 servings
121 calories per serving

8 cups Brussels sprouts trimmed and cut in half
1/4 c light sour cream
1/4 c Miracle Whip Light
2 t lemon zest
1 t lemon juice
1/2 t Dijon Mustard

Boil sprouts 8-10 minutes. Mix the rest of the ingredients and mix with drained sprouts.

Asian, Dinner, Fish

Ginger Lime Scallops

September 3, 2011 admin Leave a comment

The ginger and lime flavors were very subtle in this dish – you can definitely dial them up if you want a more robust dish. But the subtlety was very nice and when combined with the great scallop flavor, this made a great seafood dish. The rich sauce made with butter and cream is soooo lovely !

6 servings
224 calories per serving

1/2 c dry white wine
1/2 c unsalted chicken broth
2 T minced shallots
1 t grated fresh ginger
1/4 t grated lime peel
1 1/2 lb. scallops
1/4 c unsalted butter
1/4 c whipping cream
Pam

Mix wine, broth, shallots, ginger, and lime peel in a skillet and boil uncovered until reduced by half. Stir in cream and boil until reduced to 3/4 c. Over medium heat add butter and incorporate into sauce. Keep warm. Rinse scallops and pat dry.. Spray scallops and another skillet with Pam. Saute scallops 7 to 10 minutes or until done. Pour sauce onto a warm platter lay scallops in sauce. Serve with optional brown rice (add 120 calories for each ½ c rice).
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Breakfast, Dessert, Fruit, Kid Friendly

Cantaloupe and Strawberries

September 2, 2011 admin Leave a comment

Sometimes it’s the simplest things – and that is the case of this ‘recipe’. By adding a dusting of powdered sugar to already sweet fruit, you get a super taste sensation that the kids will gobble up. Try serving with some yogurt for a great breakfast.

4 servings
92 calories per serving

2 c strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 T powdered sugar
1 cantaloupe, seeds removed and cut into chunks or made into balls

Place fruit on a plate and sprinkle with sugar.

Dinner, Sides, Summer, Vegetables

Summer Squash Deluxe

August 31, 2011 admin Leave a comment

Crisp summer veggies with a twist ! The lemon, pepperoni and feta cheese add a nice Greek flair to this dish. If you have garden fresh zucchini, this tastes even better 🙂

4 servings
69 calories per serving

1 medium zucchini
1 medium yellow squash
1 medium cucumber
½ t salt
2 T sliced basil
1 T oil
1/2 t grated lemon zest
1 t lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
1 oz. sliced turkey pepperoni
1/4 c crumbled feta cheese

Peel the zucchini, cucumber and squash and then using a vegetable peeler, peel off thin strips or ribbons and place in a bowl When you get down to the seeds, discard the remainder. Sprinkle with salt and let sit. Whisk together basil, oil, lemon juice and lemon zest and then add to the zucchini. Heat a skillet and crisp up the turkey pepperoni and then garnish the zucchini with the pepperoni and cheese.