Showing posts with label junk food gone healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label junk food gone healthy. Show all posts

9.25.2014

Pad Thai

My fiancé and I LOVE noodly (totally just made that up) meals and are continuously looking for delicious recipes.  We found this super easy and quick Pad Thai recipe that is full of flavors, but we put our own spin on it to make it even healthier and more filling! This is great to make after a long day at work and all you want is take-out.  This version tastes even better and is much healthier.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Servings: 4
Serving Size: 2 cups
Points Plus: 6pp
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
8 oz. cooked rice noodles
4 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
2 fresh limes, cut in half
6 Tbsp. soy sauce, low-sodium
2 tsp. olive oil
Small bunch of green onions (use both green and white parts), chopped
1 medium garlic clove, chopped
2 eggs
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup salted peanuts, chopped
3 tsp. Sriracha chili sauce (more if you like it SPICY!)

Directions:
Soak noodles according to package in hot water; drain when done.  In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, juice from 1 lime, soy sauce, and Sriracha sauce; set aside.  In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add white parts of green onions and garlic.  Cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Add eggs and cook, scraping the pan with a spatula until eggs are almost set.  Add drained noodle and sauce mixture to the skillet.  Toss until evenly coated.  Serve with lime wedges and top each serving with cilantro, green parts of the onions and 1 Tbsp. chopped peanuts.

Tip:
I like to add veggies to this dish to make it healthier and to add more texture to the Pad Thai.  I slice carrots with a peeler (the long way so they are thin) and bean sprouts.  Add these ingredients when you transfer the noodles to the skillet.  You could also add in zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower or whatever vegetables you like.  Just make sure they are cooked to your liking before serving!

XOXO - Laura


9.22.2014

Potato Wedges

Hello fellow food lovers, my name is Laura and I am a sister and cousin to Katie and Megan, respectively.  I am super excited to be a guest blogger this month!  My fiancé and I LOVE cooking, but probably LOVE eating more. Trying new recipes is always fun for us as well as trying to make them healthier.  I absolutely love fruits and veggies and have an obsession with goldfish crackers (yes I have ate a whole container in one sitting, all approximately 25 WW points plus worth, it was delicious and I had to go for a loooooooooong bike ride that week!).  Any who, hopefully you find my recipes as good as I think they are and I am looking forward to being a guest blogger!  Happy and healthy eating :)

Who doesn't love potatoes?! Everyone does, I mean they even grew a potato in space (did you know that?  Got to love the internet!).  Here is a recipe for an amazingly, tasty recipe for healthy potato wedges that can be made at home, but taste like deep fried restaurant ones.  They are a perfect sid ego any meal. :)

Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1 potato (8 wedges)
Points Plus: 5pp
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook/Bake Time: 45 minutes


Ingredients:
4 medium potatoes
4 tsp. olive oil
2 tsp. sea salt
2 tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. dried thyme
2 tsp. garlic salt
2 tsp. dried parsley

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with tinfoil.  Wash and scrub potatoes.  Cut into 8 wedges per potato and place in a large bowl.  Add the oil and all spices to the potatoes and stir until evenly coated.  Pour potatoes onto covered pan, making sure to spread out the slices evenly.  Make sure you have the potato side side down on the foil, this helps with even cooking and prevents them from sticking to the pan.  Bake for 45 minutes, checking halfway through and stirring with tongs.  Once the wedges are done cooking you should be able to easily put a fork through the slices.

Tip:
I have a few favorite spices I also add for specific flavoring depending on what I'm in the mood for.  If you are looking for some heat, add a pinch or two of chili powder and paprika.  Another favorite is Old Bay seasoning (typically used for cooking fish and chicken, but is also delicious on potato wedges).  Lastly, Northwoods Seasoning from Penzeys Spices is fantastic and adds a unique flavor combo.

XOXO - Laura

7.28.2014

Tortilla Margarita Pizza

Using a tortilla as a pizza crust is a quick and easy way to whip up a thin crust pizza.  Like with any pizza, the topping choices are endless, for the one below I used the simple ingredients of fresh tomatoes, olive oil and feta to create a fun margarita version.  The tortilla creates the perfect thin crispy and crunchy thin crust texture!

Servings: 2
Serving Size: 1 pizza
Points Plus: 8pp
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
1 whole wheat tortilla
1 t extra virgin olive oil
1 tomato, cut into this pieces
10 fresh basil leaves
½ cup reduced fat feta cheese

Directions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Place your tortilla on a pizza stone and top it with 1 t of olive oil.  Use a silicone brush to spread the oil around the pizza.  Next layer on the tomatoes, cheese and basil. Bake for 10-12 minutes until crispy.

Tip
You could easily swap out the feta for mozzarella to create a more traditional margarita pizza

XOXO - Katie

7.09.2014

Onion Rings

It is really easy to make easy, homemade, not FRIED onion rings!  I have been making these for years, and they are a great snack when you have that tried food craving.  Baking the rings give them a crispy crunchy texture with a lot less fat.  Enjoy!

Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe, about 8 rings
Points Plus: 3pp
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
1 large white or yellow onion
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup panko
A dash of garlic powder
A dash of onion powder
Salt + pepper to taste
Cooking spray

Directions
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Cut onion into 1/2 inch thick rings. Separate the rings and lay them on your counter. Get two bowls and a large cookie sheet ready.  Pour the egg substitute into one bowl.  Pour the breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and a dash of pepper into the second bowl.  Give it a good stir. Spray your cookie sheet with cooking spray.

Working one at a time, use your left hand to dip a ring into the egg mixture.  Place the ring into the crumb mixture and use your right and to cover the ring.  Place the ring on your cookie sheet and repeat with the rest of the rings.

After you have prepared all of the rings spray them with your cooking spray.  Toss them in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until crispy and brown. Serve with ketchup or your favorite sauce!

Tip
Using this left hand/right hand method prevents your egg and crumb mixture from combining and getting clumpy. I just learned this technique for 'frying' things and boy does it work great!

XOXO - Katie

7.07.2014

Skinny Chocolate Shake

Most people eat big breakfasts on Sunday morning.  You know...eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, french toast, doughnuts... I decided to wake up yesterday and make a skinny chocolate milkshake! This tasty drink was very filling, and the perfect start to a day of outside adventure! (seriously it was really filling)

Servings: 2
Serving Size: 1 1/2 cup
Points Plus: 2pp
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: n/a
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
2 cups Almond vanilla milk
About 15 ice cubes
1/2 t vanilla
1-2 T unsweetened Cocoa powder
1 Banana

Directions
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend! Pour into a cup with a fancy straw.

Tip
To make a thicker shake just add more ice.  You could easily bulk up this shake with more fruit.  I think the addition of strawberries would be delish!

XOXO - Katie

6.19.2014

Corn Puddin

It's Friday everyone! (as if you needed a reminder) What better way to celebrate a Friday than with a 'junk-food-gone-healthy' edition of a tasty side dish for your summer cookouts! Corn bread is a typical side dish to ribs, right?  I love corn bread, but wanted to make something a little more vegetable-y. I have seen talk online of something called 'corn pudding', and since I love regular pudding I thought this would be a fun experiment. I used frozen corn for this recipe, and think it would be even more tasty with fresh summer corn right off the cobb! This recipe would not only work as a side at a summer cookout, but could be just as good as a side on your Thanksgiving table (I know, we don't want to think about winter quite yet)!

Servings: 6
Serving Size: About 1/2 cup
Points Plus: 3 pp
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
2 cups corn, frozen or fresh!
1 cup milk, fat free
1 1/2 T flour
2 raw scallions, chopped
2 t sugar
1/4 t table salt  
1/4 t dried thyme  
1/4 t black pepper, ground thyme  
1 large egg(s)  
1 large egg white(s)  
1/2 cup(s) low fat shredded cheddar cheese  
1/4 cup canned diced green chilies
A dash of cayanne

Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spritz a square glass baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Put flower in a saucepan and gradually whisk in your milk. Add the corn, scallions, sugar, salt,

Place the flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk. Add the corn, scallions, sugar, salt, thyme, and pepper. Bring corn mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking frequently; cook until slightly thickened, 2 minutes.

Beat the egg and egg white in a small bowl. Gradually beat in some of the hot milk mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk the egg mixture back into the saucepan. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the cheese; stir the remaining cheese into the corn mixture. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the reserved cheese on top.

Bake until the pudding is just set in the center, about 35 minutes. Sprinkle with a bit of fresh thyme!

Tip
Using fresh summer corn instead of canned corn would be an amazing substitution!

XOXO - Katie

Recipe slightly adapted from Weight Watchers.

5.29.2014

Un-fried Fried Chicken

Over Memorial Day weekend we planned a picnic in a park.  Breaded, fried chicken is a great picnic food, but not necessarily the healthiest.  This recipe helps to really lighten up fried chicken in what I'm called un-fried fried chicken! The corn flake crumbs really help to give the chicken a crispy, delicious breading but without the grease and fat of pan-fried chicken.  Substitue in other spices if you prefer other flavors or don't have some of the spices below on hand.

Servings: 8
Serving Size: 2 chicken tenders, about 4 oz.
Points Plus: 6pp
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35-45 minutes 

Ingredients:
2 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken breast tenders
1 1/2 cups buttermilk, low-fat
2 cups cornflake crumbs
1 1/2 tsp. thyme
1 1/2 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Directions:
Rinse the chicken tenders and pat dry with paper towels. You will use two seperate flat containers to bread the chickem, pour the buttermilk in one.  In a medium bowl, combine cornflake crumbs, thyme, paprika, oregano, Old Bay seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic powder until well combined.  Pour the spice/cornflake mixture into the other flat container. Bread the chicken tenders by dipping first in the buttermilk and then the cornflake crumbs, gently pressing to make sure the breading sticks.  Place the breaded chicken tenders in a 9x13 pan and bake in a 400 degree oven for 35-45 minutes. Check to make sure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 with a meat thermometer before removing from the oven.  Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Tip:
A meat thermometer is a really helpful kitchen tool.  I don't have one myself (we made this at my parent's house and luckily my mom does own one!), but I think I need to go out and buy one.  It's an easy way to make sure your meat is cooked all the way through without having to fully cut into whatever you are making.

XOXO Megan

Quinoa Black Bean Sliders

I have never made black bean burgers before, or sliders for that matter.  For some reason the idea of a black bean burger salad popped into my head earlier this week, so I decided to start with the burgers! (watch foodlove for that salad recipe coming soon!) These are tasty, flavorful and freeze well.  Also - they are the cutest things ever! Enjoy and watch for my black bean burger salad later this week!

Servings: 14 Sliders
Serving Size: 2 Sliders
Points Plus: 2pp*
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/3 cup of bread crumbs
1/4 cup yellow bell pepper, minced
2 T onion, minced
1 scoop of garlic to taste, or 1 large clove, minced
1 1/2 t ground cumin
1/2 t salt
1 splash of Franks RedHot, or more to taste
1 egg
Pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Place your black beans in a mixing bowl and squish them with the back of a wooden spoon.  Squish them until they are mostly all squished, but not completely blended. Add quinoa, bread crumbs, pepper, onion, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper and Franks.  Stir until all ingredients are incorporated. Add the egg and mix it all together again until mixture is a gooey consistency.

Spray a baking sheet or do as I did, and place a silicone baking mat on a cookie sheet. Form the black bean mixture into 14 balls.  I used the Pampered Chef medium cookie scoop, which is about 2 T large. You could easily use a regular tablespoon to make the balls.  I used the scoop to make 14 balls, placing each on the cookie sheet after I scooped.  I then used my finger to press down the balls creating more of a patty shape that is about 2 inches in diameter.

Bake your black bean burgers for 20-25 minutes, until they are crisp and crunchy on the outside. Remove from oven and let cool for about 3 minutes. 

*This recipe includes points plus for the burgers only, but feel to make these into your favorite type of burgers!  I used a small juice glass to cut a piece of bread into four small circles.  I then added lettuce, stone ground mustard, ketchup, tomato, and a dab of Franks to create mini burger sliders.  My mean including 2 burgers, bread and all the fixings was just 4pp!  Also note - these sliders are pictured on a salad plate, and about 2 inches in diameter.  They are not half the size of a dinner plate!

Tip
If sliders isn't your thang feel free to make these into bigger burgers and adjust the points plus accordingly!

XOXO - Katie

5.14.2014

Taco Dip

I love taco dip!  It's a great appetizer when you are having Mexican for dinner.  This recipe is for a lightened up version and it's SO good!   I like to add fresh cilantro to the top for an extra pop of flavor.  Check it out and see what you think of this skinny, light version of taco dip!

Servings: 24
Serving Size: 1/24 of the taco dip
Points Plus: 2pp
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: n/a

Ingredients:
8 oz. cream cheese, 1/3 less fat
8 oz. sour cream, reduced-fat
15 oz. can refried beans, reduced-fat
16 oz. jar salsa
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
2 tomatoes, diced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, reduced-fat
Fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions:
In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, salsa and taco seasoning with an electric mixer or stand mixer.  On a platter, spread the can of refried beans first in an even layer. Next, spread the cream cheese taco mixture into another even layer.  Top with the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and shredded cheese.  Finally, finish off the taco dip with some chopped fresh cilantro!

XOXO Megan

Recipe adapted from Skinnytaste

4.30.2014

Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese

Who doesn't love creamy cheesy spinach artichoke dip, hu?? You might think that putting that tasty dip between two pieces of bread and then frying it would make it all the more un-healthy.  But not true! This simple twist on the restaurant staple doesn't disappoint and will satisfy your craving for this appetizer that is normally an indulgence.  Despite JUST getting home from the store, I was still missing a few ingredients, so I made a few adjustments from the recipe linked below.

Servings: 2 sandwiches
Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Points Plus: 8pp
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:
3 cups baby spinach, stems removed
1 T minced garlic
1 oz semi soft goat cheese
1 T light sour cream
1 T parmesan
3-4 cup shredded part skim Mozzarella, divided
1 cup diced canned artichoke hearts (packed in water not oil)
Black pepper + kosher salt to taste
A PINCH NOT A CUP of crushed red pepper flakes (see below)
Spray butter
Cooking spray
4 slices light whole wheat bread (I used Sarah Lee)

Directions:
Spritz a non-stick skillet with cooking spray and add spinach. Sautee for about 2 minutes.  Add garlic and cook until spinach has fully wilted. Remove from heat and mix in goat cheese, sour cream, parmesan and shredded Mozzarella.  Stir to combine then mix in artichoke hears, black pepper and kosher salt. Now this next step is very very important. 

Take your red pepper flakes out of the cupboard and CHECK to be sure the 'sprinkle cap' is on.  Then lightly shake a few dashes into your cheesy artichoke mixture.  Be absolutely sure that this cap isn't missing, because if it is you will dumb the whole bottle into your cheesy artichoke mixture and then have to try your darndest to scrap as much as possible out.  This happened to ME, and the dish fixable.  But it was not fun, not fun at all. 

Anywhoo - spray one side of your bread and place on a non-stick skillet.  Top each piece of bread with half of cheesy artichoke mixture and 1/4 cup of Mozzarella cheese.  Top with second piece of bread and cook as you would a grilled cheese, 3-4 minutes on each side.  Don't let these babies burn!  Serve with a side salad and enjoy!

Tip:
Double or even triple this recipe and put the leftovers in your fridge for an easy weeknight dinner all week! Trust me - you won't get board of it!

XOXO - Katie

Adapted from Emily Bites

4.14.2014

Beef & Peppers Stir Fry

I saw The Pioneer Women aka Ree Drummond aka my obsession make this on her TV show a few weeks ago and knew I had to make it ASAP.  I love dishes that morally go on top of a car (ie: rice) over lettuce.  It for sure lightens it up and adds an extra crunch!

Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1 cup
Points Plus: 5pp
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:
1 pound steak cut into thin strips, I used filet
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 T packed brown sugar
1/2 T cornstarch
1/2 T minced fresh ginger
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Red Chile Paste
1 t olive oil
1 onion, Sliced
2 Red Bell Peppers, cut into rings (I used a bag of assorted colored mini peppers)
1 T jalapeño, diced
1 cup sliced carrots
Red pepper flakes, to taste
Cilantro leaves, removed from stem
Lettuce

Directions:
Wisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, and chili paste (or chili oil.) Place sliced beef in the mixture and toss to coat. Set aside. 

Heat 1 t oil in a large skillet. When it is very hot, throw in the onions and cook for about a minute. Add bell peppers, jalapeno and carrots. Cook for a minute, tossing, until peppers have brown/black bits but are still firm.


Add your meat mixture, evenly distributing over the surface of the skillet. Allow to sit for 20 to 30 seconds, then turn with tongs. Cook until meat is cooked through.

Reduce heat to low and cook until sauce has thickened.

Serve on top of lettuce and top with cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.
 


Tip:The sauce in this recipe is really tasty, you could use it as a stir fry sauce with any meat or even just veggies!
Adapted from The Pioneer Women

XOXO - Katie

4.08.2014

Kale Chips

Kale is an interesting veggie.  I used to only like it raw, and have yet to find a sautéed recipe that doesn't require a ton of fat.  This recipe however created crispy, crunchy, salty, kale chips by simply roasting them in the oven. Serve these as a side to your lunch or dinner!

Servings: 4
Serving Size: About 2 cups of chips
Point Plus: 2pp
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
Kale
1 T Olive oil
Garlic salt
Kosher salt

Instructions
I attempted to make kale chips over the weekend, and will admit, it took me two tries to get the recipe right. The end result however was way worth it!

Simply rip and rinse your kale, dry it off well and the put it into a bowl.  Drizzle in about 1 T of olive oil, a shake of garlic salt and a shake of kosher salt.  Mix kale around until it is shiny, meaning mostly covered in the oil. Cover a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and lay kale chips out evenly in one layer. Bake for 10-20 minutes, until they are to your desired crunchiness.

Tip
The secret to crispy chips is to not over crowd the pan when baking.  The first time I baked my chips they were sort of in a large heap on the cookie sheet.  The second time around, I used a larger cookie sheet allowing them room to be spread out.  They turned out much crispier!

XOXO - Katie

4.04.2014

Fish Tacos with Chipotle Mayo

Fish tacos, what a delicious dinner for a Friday night.  These tilapia tacos are pan fried, not deep fried, creating a slightly crispy fish with less the fat.  And chipotle mayo - what can be better! I suggest purchasing fish fresh from your local supermarket, and using it the same day for the most tasty results.  These tacos are inspired by this recipe but slightly adjusted.  Enjoy!

Servings: 4
Serving Size: 2 tacos
Points Plus: 6pp
Prep Time: 1 hour plus (includes marinating fish)
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
Tacos
1 pound tilapia fillets, cut in half lengthwise
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 limes, juiced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 corn taco shells
1 cup shredded carrots
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro leaves
 
Chipotle Mayo
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chipotle pepper sauce
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
2 cloves garlic, pressed
 
Instructions
To make the chipotle mayo, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, chipotle paste, lime juice and garlic; put in fridge.  
 
Season tilapia with salt and pepper, to taste.
 
In a shallow bowl, marinate tilapia with lime juice and garlic for at least 1 hour, I marinated for about 4 hours.
 
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add tilapia and cook, flipping once, until golden brown and slightly crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
 
To serve, spoon tilapia into the center of each taco shell. Top with carrots, tomatoes and cilantro, drizzled with chipotle mayo.
 
Tip
Cooking with chipotle peppers is really fun.  They come in a can, with both the whole peppers and the pepper sauce.  You can use either the peppers and/or sauce for salad dressing, marinades and sauces.  YUM!
 
XOXO - Katie

4.02.2014

Eggplant Parm

I am going to go out on a limb and say that Eggplant is not on the top of your 'favorite foods' list.  And I am also going to go out on a limb and say that most husbands, kids, girlfriends, exc. hate it.  At least that is what my husband said.  But apparently all you have to do is pretend to fry it and eggplant turns in to a family favorite! I have tried eggplant parm many a time, but have never found the correct temperature and cook time until now.  I think the key is slicing your eggplant a tad on the thin side, and having your egg bath and bread crumb mixture ready to go so once the eggplant is cut you can get it into the oven quickly (preventing it from turning brown).

Servings: 4
Serving Size: 4 slices
Points Plus: 6pp
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
1 medium egg plant
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 egg whites
A sprinkle of garlic salt, garlic powder, onion salt, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup maranera sauce
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Cooking spray
Salt + Pepper


Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350. Crack two egg whites into a shallow dish and whip them until they are frothy.  Pour your breadcrumbs, garlic salt, garlic powder, onion salt, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes into a similar size dish. Both should be big enough to dunk your eggplant slices.  Spray a cookie sheet and set aside. Peel and cut your eggplant into 16 equal slices, about 1/2 inch thick.  Dunk each eggplant slice into the egg mixture, than the crumb mixture, then set on your cookie sheet.  Spray the top of the eggplants with cookie spray and put in the oven for about 20 minutes, until golden brown. 

While your eggplants are cooking make the sauce!  Spray a non-stick skillet with cooking spray and add your onion.  Sautee until soft, about five minutes.  Add your canned diced tomatoes and marinara sauce to the skillet and let simmer on low until your eggplants are done cooking.

After your eggplants are golden brown remove them from the oven and give them a flip!  Top each with a small spoonful (about 1-2 T, as much as will fit on top) of your sauce mixture, then give each a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.  Return them to the oven and cook until cheese is golden brown, about 5-10 minutes.

Tip:
This is a very simple red sauce recipe, and the longer it simmers the better it tastes (and the less it tastes like canned tomatoes).  If you have a favorite red sauce recipe, send it to us we want to try it!!! And, feel free to use that for this recipe!

XOXO - Katie

3.19.2014

Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

Healthy Mac & Cheese everyone! I love hiding veggies in meals to the point that you barley even notice they are there! Remember our wildly popular mashed cauliflower? Well, here is another healthy twist on a traditional indulgence.  The cheesy creamy sauce mixed with pasta and cauliflower is sure to become a new staple! This recipe is adapted from Eat Yourself Skinny.

Servings: 8
Serving Size: 1 cup
Points Plus: 5pp
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredient List:
1 head of raw cauliflower, chopped into small pieces
2 cups whole wheat small pasta shells, uncooked
1/2 cup fat free half and half
4 T Parmesan cheese
4 oz reduced fat cream cheese
1 cup reduced fat cheddar
Salt + pepper
Parsley

Directions:
Clean your cauliflower and cut it into small pieces, ideally the size of grapes. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and when it is rolling, add your cauliflower and pasta.  Cook according to package directions. While that is cooking, mix half and half, parm, cream cheese and cheddar in a small saucepan, until melted, warm and thick. When cauliflower and pasta are finished cooking drain and return to pot. Pour sauce over pasta mixture and combine. Salt and pepper to taste. Dish up and sprinkle with a bit of parsley!

Tip:
I think it would be totally awesome to add some extra veggies to this! How about tossing in some tiny pieces of broccoli in with the cauliflower and pasta, delish!

XOXO - Katie

3.07.2014

Home Made Egg Rolls

Here is a recipe for healthy egg rolls people.  You read that right! These egg rolls are pan fried, in a touch of oil, which gives them that crispy texture we love. Because they are pan fried they are not drenched inn grease, and are only 2pp each! For a real, normal sized egg roll!  Can you believe it!  These are a fun treat that will help round out any Asian themed meal.  Enjoy!

Servings: 24
Serving Size: 1 egg roll
Points plus: 2pp
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Medium

Ingredient List:
1 small head of cabbage
4 whole carrots
6 green onions
1 T fresh ginger, more or less to taste
3 cloves of garlic
2 T Toasted sesame oil
1/2 cup Low sodium soy sauce
Garlic powder
Kosher salt + pepper
1 package egg roll wrappers
Cooking spray

Instructions
First off, this recipe will be a breeze if you have a food processor.  If you don't have a food processor, you will just need to chop the cabbage and carrots as teeny tiny as possible.

Moving on. Put the cabbage and carrots in your food processor and whirl around until evenly shredded.  Chop your onions into small pieces, utilizing the green and white parts. Using your lemon zester (or microgrator) zest the ginger so it is as small as possible, and create about 1 T. If you don't like ginger, like I don't like ginger, then use less than 1 T! Add the carrots, cabbage, ginger and onions to a large bowl and pour in about 1/4 cup of soy sauce.  Stir to combine.  Add salt and pepper to taste and let this mixture and the inside is D.O.N.E!

Heat about 2 T of toasted sesame oil in a large wok and cook inside mixture until cooked through, about 3 minutes.  Let the flavors mix and meld! Remove from heat and set aside.

Clear a large work space, and spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.  Following the directions on your egg roll wrappers, add about 2 T of mixture to each wrapper and get wrapping! If you are like me and challenged in the 'egg roll wrapping' skill, follow this video for instructions.

Now it is time to 'fry'! Heat about 2 T of olive oil in a dutch oven or skillet, until it is really hot (maybe 1-2 minutes).  Working in batches, depending on the size of your skillet, pan fry those rolls! Cook them for about 2 minutes on each side.  They WILL get crunchy and crispy, so the time you need to cook them sort of depends on the heat you are using.  

Tip
You could easily add meat to this recipe, just remember to adjust your pp! Ground turkey or chicken would be delish!

XOXO Katie

3.03.2014

Cream Cheese Wontons

It is Asian Week on foodlove!  All of your favorite Asian flavors...only healthy!  First up, baked cream cheese wontons.  These have the same crunchy texture and creamy flavor as their deep fried counterparts, however they are baked! And at only 1pp per wonton, these babies are a life saver when you are craving a side dish to your stir fry!

Servings: 24 servings
Serving Size: 1 wonton
Points Plus: 1pp
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: About 10 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredient List:
8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
2 green onions, white and green part
24 wonton wrappers
Cooking spray

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Mix together your cream cheese, garlic salt and green onions - until combined.  Put about 1 teaspoon of creamy mixture into the center of each wonton. Fold each wonton diagonally. Fill a small bowl with water and use your finger to seal the edges. Lay wontons on a sprayed baking sheet and spray the tops of them with cooking spray.  Bake for about 10 minutes. If wontons are not totally crunchy, flip them over, spray them again and bake them for 2-3 more minutes.

Tip:
You can only imagine the possibilities of what these can be stuffed with.  I think adding shredded carrots would be delish, or any veggies in your fridge!

XOXO Katie 

2.27.2014

Sour Cream & Onion Chicken Salad

Howdy!

Spring is in the air! (jk - it is -30 windchill in MN today - yikes) Well, to help us all get into the spring spirit, give this picnic-y chicken salad a whirl?!  Here is a healthy and unique twist on the traditional picnic food. This recipe was originally found on the super cool food blog 100 Days of Real Food.

Servings: 2
Serving Size: 1 cup of chicken salad
Points Plus: 7pp
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: n/a
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
2 cups diced cooked chicken (you could use leftovers or a rotisserie chicken)
1/2 cup light sour cream
2 T dried onion (I use Penzeys)
1/2 t. onion powered
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. salt
1/2 cup chopped celery
Romaine lettuce - optional


Instructions
This recipe is SUPER easy! Just put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix!  Serve on top of a bed of lettuce!

Tip
You could mix this chicken salad with a verity of other veggies. Also - sour cream and onion chips are my vice - so perhaps try this to help with the sour cream and onion craving :)

XOXO - Katie

2.19.2014

Three Pepper Chicken Chimichanga

Deep fried Chimichangas are the bomb, but not exactly the healthiest food on the block.  Try this baked version for the same crunch and more nutrients! These make a filling dinner and are delish leftovers.

Servings: 3
Serving Size: 2 Chimichangas
Points Plus: 9pp
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
6 low carb taco tortillas
8 oz chicken breast, cut into strips
1 cups assorted peppers; I used red, yellow and orange
½ cup onion, cut into strips
½ cup salsa
½ cup black beans
6 T reduced fat sour cream
6 T reduced fat cheddar
6 T Ortega taco sauce, mild
1 cup chopped lettuce
1 t. chili powder
1 t. cumin
Salt + pepper to taste
Cooking Spray

Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray and add your onion.  Sauté for about 5 minutes until soft.  Add chicken and peppers and cook until chicken is done, about 4 more minutes, sprinkle the mixture with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Add salsa and black beans, cook until warm.

Turn your heat off, and one at a time, roll your Chimichangas using about ½ cup of filling.  Basically, you put the filling towards the bottom of the tortillas; fold in the side and then roll. I didn’t quite get the hang of this, so…see below!  Place each cute little rolled Chimichanga onto a baking sheet and spritz the top with cooking spray.  Bake for about 20 minutes until the tortilla is crisp.  Remove from the oven and top each with 1 T Ortega, 1 T sour cream, a bit of lettuce and 1 T cheese.  Enjoy!

Tip

2.13.2014

Seed-uction Bread

I would like to start this post by saying that I am now addicted to baking bread, so if you have any favorite recipes send ‘em my way! 

Seed-uction!  Get it? Seduction? Valentine’s Day? Romance? Lolol!  My aunt sent me this recipe for a hearty and healthy bread (hi Aunt Nancy!) (it is also a Whole Foods Copy).  It was really easy (seriously) and didn’t use a lot of dishes (which I always love).  The process takes about three hours total but that is pretty normal with bread.  I especially loved this bread because I was able to use ingredients that I don’t use very often.   It is full of seeds which gives it a great texture.  Finally, it is so pretty, that I had to post TWO pictures!

Servings: 24
Servings Size: 1 piece
Points Plus: 2pp (I cut my bread in half and then each half into 12 pieces.  The entire loaf is 57 pp so adjust accordingly.  I figured the per serving pp by using Weight Watchers recipe builder.)
Prep Time: 20 minutes + about 1.5 hours of letting the bread rise
Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups warm water (105 degrees to 115 degrees)
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons honey
1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
3 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
2 tablespoons millet seed
3 tablespoons malted barley flour
1 tablespoon wheat gluten
1 egg white, beaten
1 teaspoon millet seed

Instructions
Gently stir together the warm water, molasses, honey, and yeast in a large bowl and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Pour oil into the yeast mixture.
In a separate bowl mix together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, salt, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, 2 tablespoons of millet, barley flour, and vital wheat gluten. Stir the flour and seed mixture to the yeast mixture until it pulls together. Turn the dough out of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 7 to 8 minutes, adding additional flour as needed. Place the dough in a large oiled bowl, cover and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Grease a 9x13 baking sheet.
Punch down the risen dough and turn out of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Form into a round or oval loaf shape and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Cover the dough and allow to rise until doubled in size again, about 40 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) toward the end of this second rise. Slash the top of the loaf diagonally with a sharp razor blade or serrated knife, carefully brush with the beaten egg white, and sprinkle remaining millet seeds over the top.
Bake in preheated oven until the bread sounds hollow when thumped on the side, 40 to 45 minutes.
Let cool about 10 minutes before cutting the bread, allowing the bread to firm up.

Tip
There are a lot of items in this recipe that I didn't have on hand. I was able to find most of the flours and seeds at my regular grocery store in the bulk foods aisle. This really cut down on costs (as opposed to buying a full size of each item).  I estimated quantities and some of the items were only $.25!  I had to visit my local co-op to find the malted barley flour and wheat gluten, both of which were in the refrigerated section, which I thought was cool.  My verdict, I need to expand my pantry to accommodate all of my new findings!

Tip #2: Make sure that you cover the entire top of the loaf with egg white, this is what gives the bread a dark brown crust!


XOXO - Katie