This is rich and savory and a perfect lunch soup for a cold winter day.
Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup
2 servings
365 calories per serving
1 can water
½ can low fat cream of mushroom soup
3 c low fat chicken broth
5 oz. cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast cubed (Perdue Shortcuts work great here !)
1 6.5 oz. can sliced mushrooms and their juice
½ c frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn, carrots, etc.)
Salt and pepper to taste
½ t onion powder
½ t garlic powder
1 t parsley flakes
4 oz. whole wheat egg noodles
4 T fat free half and half
Combine water, soup, broth, chicken, mushrooms and juice and spices and bring to a boil. Add vegetables and bring back to a boil. Add noodles and cook 5 minutes or until tender. Lower to a simmer and add half and half and cook a few moments longer.
To me, there is nothing more heavenly on my tongue than a melting morsel of brie. Now add in that I am a carb hound and cannot live without pasta…follow me to Pasta and Brie courtesy of Baltimore International College School of Culinary Arts. This recipe is PERFECT !! It combines 2 of my most favorite things in the world. I don’t know who at the Baltimore International College School of Culinary Arts came up with this recipe, but it outranks any pasta and cheese recipe that I have ever tried. It is true heaven.
Along with the perfect brie flavor, the fresh herbs and pine nuts are just a flavor explosion. This is definitely one of those meals that will impress…and it’s not hard to put together at all.
I tweaked their version just a bit to bring this in under 400 calories. It’s a bit high on the calorie count, so serve as a side to a light piece of fish – or have it for lunch. The portion size is definitely enough for a filling lunch and you won’t forget the cheesy brie goodness.
PASTA AND BRIE (BALTIMORE INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE)
Baltimore International College School of Culinary Arts has many, many recipes for you to try out (just go to the menu option ‘Programs” and then you will see a link to the recipes. And if you know someone with a passion for food looking for formal schooling, pass along the link. So make sure to visit – just click the banner below 🙂
4 servings
387 calories per serving
4 oz. brie (I removed the coating but you don’t have to)
1 T olive oil
3 T chicken broth
15 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
2 t minced garlic
1 T chopped parley
4 basil leaves, sliced thinly
1 oz. pine nuts, toasted
Salt and pepper to taste
6 oz. FiberGourmet pasta (penne, rotini or short fettuccine) – without FiberGourmet, you have to add 80 calories per ounce of pasta)
Heat oil and broth and add in the tomatoes. Add in the garlic, parsley, basil, nuts, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Stir brie into tomato mix and mix well to melt then pour it over the pasta and serve immediately.
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.
Coffee, Vanilla and Chocolate
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.
A dish that many order in a restaurant – but you can do it for so many fewer calories at home…and it tastes great !
Fettuccine Alfredo
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.
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 !
Barbecued Beef Sandwich
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 !
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 !
Meatball and Mushroom Soup (Crock Pot)
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.
Easy as pie and so much better for you then the predone ones you get in the freezer section. These take just a moment to prepare and are done cooking in 3-4 minutes. You just can’t go wrong with this crowd pleaser. Serve as an appetizer, lunch, or a quick after school snack !
Mini Pizzas
6 servings (1 bagel per serving)
120 calories per serving
6 mini bagels
1/4 c pizza sauce
1 t oregano flakes
1 t basil flakes
3/4 cup part skim shredded mozzarella cheese
Preheat broiler. Split the bagels and toast them lightly. Then spread with sauce and sprinkle with spices. Finally add the cheese and then broil 3-4 minutes to melt cheese. Add some crushed red pepper if you like it spicy !
A great sandwich that doesn’t send you over the top with calories – tasty, filling, and a great portable lunch.
Submarine Best
1 serving
395 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 slices Kraft fat free singles
½ green pepper, sliced thinly
2 slices tomato
2 T sliced black olives
1 T fat free balsamic vinaigrette
Place meats and cheese on roll. Top with peppers, olives and tomatoes then drizzle with dressing.
These taste just like the ones I get at my favorite Greek restaurant. So good and a great side to most any dish 🙂
Greek Potatoes
8 servings
214 calories per serving
4 medium russet baking potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 c water
1/2 c olive oil
1/2 c freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 T oregano flakes, plus more for garnish
1 t salt
½ t pepper
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Toss potatoes with water, oil, juice, oregano, salt and pepper. Turn potatoes and liquid onto a baking sheet and arrange in one layer. Bake uncovered about 50 minutes or until ford tender. Half way through, turn potatoes and add water if liquid is all absorbed. Garnish with extra oregano.
You make it like a grilled cheese, only it is sweet and delicious and utterly decadent. Serve for a sweet treat breakfast, as a dessert, or for a snack !
Chocolate Raspberry Delight
4 servings
345 calories per serving
8 slices 45 calorie wheat bread
½ c Nutella
12 oz. fresh raspberries (or defrosted frozen berries work fine too)
Spread 4 slices of bread with Nutella. Lightly mash the raspberries and add to the sandwiches and top with the remaining slices of bread.
To make this a hot sandwich, just follow the directions below:
Spray a heated pan with Pam. Spray outsides of sandwich with a couple spritzes of butter spray and cook 2-3 minutes per side in a hot skillet or a total of 3-4 minutes in a Panini press. Top with berries. Optionally, sprinkle with a little powdered sugar before serving.
