Lunch, Mediterranean, Pork, Sandwiches, Turkey

Greek Sub

February 24, 2011 admin Leave a comment

So much flavor !!! And I just love using cucumber instead of lettuce on a sandwich. This is a great lunch.

1 serving
399 calories per serving

1 small club roll
4 slices thin deli sliced lean ham (Oscar Mayer pre-packaged meats are great)
4 slices thin deli sliced lean turkey (Oscar Mayer pre-packaged meats are great)
2 T low fat crumbled feta cheese
4 thin slices cucumber
3 kalamata olives, slices (or black olives)
1 T low fat balsamic vinaigrette
¼ t oregano flakes

Place meats on roll. Top with cucumbers. Combine cheese, olives and dressing and pour over sandwich. Sprinkle with oregano.

Dessert, Kid Friendly

Coffee, Vanilla and Chocolate

February 23, 2011 admin 1 Comment

This is such a great dessert – so satisfying and definitely guilt free. The Cool Whip topping makes the ice cream sandwiches into something really special. If you don’t like coffee, try adding some vanilla or a flavored extract to the cool whip for some extra flavor.

6 servings
225 calories per serving

1 T instant coffee
2 t sugar
2 T hot water
8 oz. cool whip, thawed
6 low fat ice cream sandwiches
3 T shaved chocolate

Dissolve coffee and sugar in hot water and fold into the cool whip. Arrange ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of an 8 inch square baking pan and spread with cool whip mix. Sprinkle with shaved chocolate, cover and freeze 2 hours.

Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Vegetable Gratin

February 21, 2011 admin Leave a comment

This is such a hearty vegetable dish ! The potatoes, parsnips and carrots really satisfy. Serve next to just about anything for a great serving of vegetables.

4 servings
251 calories per serving

Pam
2 t oil
1 lb. onions, thinly sliced
1/3 c skim milk
1 T cornstarch
1 c fat free chicken broth
¼ t pepper
Salt to taste
½ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
1 t parsley flakes
¼ t thyme
1 lb. red potatoes cut in 1 inch chunks
6 stalks celery, cut in 1 inch chunks
½ lb. parsnips, sliced
½ lb. carrots, sliced

Spray skillet with Pam, add oil and heat on medium high. Cook onions 25 minutes to caramelize and brown the onions. Add a tablespoon or more of hot water along the way if the onions start to dry out too much. Whisk milk and cornstarch and add to onion skillet along with broth, pepper and thyme. Heat on medium high heat and boil for 1 minute stirring continuously.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine potatoes, celery, parsnips and carrots. Stir in onion mix and spices/herbs and turn all into a 3 quart baking dish. Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes then remove cover and bake another 15 minutes, until golden and tender.

Dinner, FiberGourmet, Italian, Kid Friendly, Pasta

Fettuccine Alfredo

February 20, 2011 admin Leave a comment

A dish that many order in a restaurant – but you can do it for so many fewer calories at home…and it tastes great !

5 servings
340 calories

12 oz. FiberGourmet fettuccine (I used their tomato flavored fettuccine)
2 t buttery spread
1 t oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ c finely chopped red bell pepper
¼ c sliced green onions
¼ c chopped parsley
1 T flour
12 oz. can fat free evaporated milk
½ t basil flakes
¼ t oregano flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ c parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Melt spread and oil in a skillet. Cook garlic on medium high heat for one minute then add pepper, onions, parsley and flour and cook another minute. Gradually add milk and blend and bring to a boil stirring constantly. Cook 5 minutes or until sauce thickens. Remove skillet from heat, stir basil, oregano salt and pepper and then toss with pasta. Sprinkle with cheese and serve immediately.

Dinner, Fish

Spicy Jamaica Tilapia

February 19, 2011 admin 1 Comment

Quite sweet and definitely tastes of the islands ! This sweet/spicy sauce would do well on any white fish, but I love tilapia !

6 servings
150 calories per serving

¼ c brown sugar
1 t ground cumin
1 t red pepper flakes
6 tilapia fillets, 4 oz. each
¼ c lite zesty Italian dressing
¼ c lime juice
½ c orange juice
¼ c chopped cilantro
2 T chopped mint leaves

Heat dressing in a skillet on medium high. Combine sugar, pepper and cumin and sprinkle 2 T over one side of the fish and put in skillet sugar side down then sprinkle with the rest of the sugar mix. Cook 5 minutes each side or until done. Remove from pan. Add juices to skillet and heat through then stir in cilantro and mint and spoon over the fish.

Pasta, Sides, Vegetables

Mushroom and Zucchini Orzo

February 18, 2011 admin Leave a comment

I love side dishes the combine a carb with veggies – it’s one less dish to have to prepare. And this one has orzo, which is one of my most favorite small pastas. It’s a perfect side dish !

4 servings
197 calories per serving

1 c uncooked orzo
Pam
1 c mushrooms, chopped
1 c zucchini, diced
T butter
½ t garlic powder
1/2 t oregano flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions. Heat skillet and spray with Pam. Saute mushrooms and zucchini 6-8 minutes. Mix pasta, mushroom mix, butter and spices.

Beef, Kid Friendly, Lunch, Sandwiches

Barbecued Beef Sandwich

February 17, 2011 admin Leave a comment

This reminds me of a good old Arby’s Roastbeef sandwich. This is a SUPER portion of meat combined with tangy BBQ sauce and it makes a great lunch ! Just meat and bread – that’s the way it should be sometimes !

1 serving
325 calories per serving

8 slices thin deli sliced lean roast beef (Oscar Mayer pre-packaged meats are great)
2 T barbecue sauce
1 small club roll

Place meat in a small skillet with barbecue sauce and quickly heat. Place on roll and enjoy !

Asian, Dinner, Sides, Vegetables

Snow Peas and Mushrooms

February 15, 2011 admin Leave a comment

This side dish is great next to just about anything ! The flavor is mild and subtle, so it will go well with just about any meal, not just Asian dishes. And for only 83 calories, it’s a smart side.

4 servings
83 calories per serving

1 T sesame seeds, toasted
1 T olive oil
1/2 lb. snow peas
4 oz. mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 T teriyaki sauce

Toast sesame seeds by place in a hot dry skillet for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Heat oil and sauté snow peas and mushrooms 4 minutes. Stir in teriyaki and sesame seeds.

Crock pot, Dinner, Kid Friendly, Soups, Turkey

Meatball and Mushroom Soup (Crock Pot)

February 13, 2011 admin Leave a comment

This did not photograph particularly well – but let me tell you, the meal was DELICIOUS ! You can’t eat this fast enough – you just want more of that awesome broth and the meatballs in your mouth ! You can also use predone turkey meatballs and take a whole lot of the work out of this recipe. Just make sure to do the broth like it says – you won’t be disappointed !

4 servings
200 calories per serving

½ lb. ground turkey
½ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
¼ t pepper
¼ c Egg Beaters
1 T oil
1 c carrots, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c sliced mushrooms
1 can fat free beef broth
1 can fat free cream of mushroom soup
2 T tomato paste
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Mix together turkey and seasonings and then add egg and still until well mixed. Make small meatballs and heat in a skillet coated with the oil. Put meatballs in crock and all the rest except the cheese. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 3-4 hours. Garnish with Parmesan cheese once in individual bowls.

Chicken, Dinner

Brunswick Stew

February 12, 2011 admin 1 Comment

This is a tasty stew that does well stovetop or you can sauté the onions and then pile it all in a crock pot and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-6 hours.

6 servings
238 calories per serving

Pam
1 t oil
1 onion, chopped
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts in bite sized pieces
10 oz. frozen baby lima beans
10 oz. frozen corn
3 c chicken broth
1 ½ c chopped tomatoes
6 oz. tomato paste
3 T lemon juice
1 T Worcestershire sauce

Spray a Dutch oven with Pam and heat on medium high. Add oil and then sauté onion 3-4 minutes. Add all the rest of the ingredients and reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.