Delicious & Light © 2011

Great Meals with a Healthy Twist for the Entire Family

Stuffed Cabbage

This recipe is a little bit more work than what I usually post but is well worth the effort.  If you are having company or a nice weekend meal for your family, this comfort classic is sure to please.  Although my son peeled off the cabbage and ate the filling, he really enjoyed the flavors of the sauce and meat.  The best part is that you, your frineds and family can enjoy a hearty delicious but light meal.

Enjoy…

Stuffed Cabbage

Preheat oven 350o

Serves 8

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 250                        Fat: 5 grams

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Bake Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Stuffed Cabbage

Ingredients:

Stuffed Cabbage:

1 – 3 ½ pound cabbage

¾ pound ground turkey breast meat

¾ pound ground sirloin

½ cup egg substitute

1 cup bread crumbs

1 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon dill

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Sauce:

1 onion

1 cup white wine

1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

1 cup unsweetened apple sauce

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon white vinegar

¼ teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil.  Remove any damaged leaves from the cabbage.  With a sharp knife, core the cabbage, cutting a hole in at least 1 inch wide and deep.
  2. Place the cabbage in the saucepan, cored end down, and boil for 10 – 12 minutes.
  3. Transfer the cabbage to a large bowl and carefully peel off as many softened leaves as you can.  Return the remaining cabbage to the saucepan and repeat until you have 16 whole leaves.
  4. Quarter the remaining cabbage and transfer to a food processor and chop.  Measure 2 cups of the chopped cabbage and store or discard any remaining cabbage.
  5. For the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, ground beef, egg substitute, bread crumbs, paprika, dill, salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Mix well until completely incorporated.
  6. For the Sauce: Heat a large skillet on medium heat and coat with cooking spray.  Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until browned.  Add wine and reduce to half (about 5 minutes).  Add crushed tomatoes, apple sauce, sugar, vinegar, salt and the 2 cups of reserved chopped cabbage.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes.
  7. While the sauce is simmering, spread the cabbage leaves out and fill each with about ¼ cup of the meat stuffing.  Fold the rib end of each leaf up over the stuffing then fold the side in.  Complete the roll by folding the top leaf down over it.
  8. In a large oven safe casserole pan, add about 2/3 of the sauce on the bottom.  Carefully arrange the cabbage rolls on top of the sauce then pour the remaining sauce over the cabbage rolls.  Cover the casserole and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.

 

March 24, 2011 Posted by | Bake, Beef, Casserole, Vegetables | , , , , | 2 Comments

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup

Serves 8

Preheat oven 375o

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 200                        Fat:4 grams

Ingredients:

½ (8 ounces) pound ground turkey breast meat

½ (8 ounces) pound ground sirloin

½ cup Italian style bread crumbs

¼ cup egg substitute

1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning – separated

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

½ box (8 ounces) orzo pasta

10 cups low fat chicken broth

1 package (10 ounces) chopped frozen spinach

2 bay leaves

Directions:

  1. To make the meatballs: Combine the ground turkey, ground sirloin, bread crumbs, egg substitute, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder and parmesan cheese and mix well with your hands.
  2. Coat a broiler pan with cooking spray and set on the side.  Roll meat mixture into small balls (about ½ teaspoon in size) and place meatballs on broiler pan.

  3. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
  4. While the meatballs are baking, boil orzo pasta until al dente (about 5 minutes).  Drain and rinse and set aside.
  5. In a large pot, combine chicken broth, frozen spinach, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, bay leaves and cooked orzo and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer.
  6. Once meatballs are cooked, add them to the soup and serve hot with parmesan cheese on the side.

 

 

 

March 10, 2011 Posted by | Bake, Soup | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Mexican Style Lasagna

Preheat oven 375o

Serves 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 350                        Fat: 8 grams

Mexican Style Lasagna

Ingredients:

½ pound ground turkey breast meat

½ pound ground sirloin steak

1 clove garlic – crushed

1 cup chili sauce

½ cup water

Tabasco sauce (optional)

1 packet taco seasoning

6 small round soft tortillas

1 cup low fat grated Mexican blend cheese – separated

1 cup salsa

Directions:

  1. Heat a large skillet on medium high heat and coat with cooking spray.  Add ground turkey and beef and sauté for 5 – 7 minutes until browned.  Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
  2. Add chili sauce, water, Tabasco sauce (if using) and taco seasoning.  Heat on medium low for 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.  Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium high.  Heat tortillas until slightly browned.
  4. To Assemble: Coat an 8 X 12 inch baking dish with cooking spray.  Layer 3 tortillas on the bottom (you may have to cut the tortillas so that they cover the bottom).  Add the ground meat mixture and top with half the cheese.  Layer the meat and cheese mixture with the remaining tortillas.  Spoon salsa on top and finally, top with the remaining cheese.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

 

February 24, 2011 Posted by | Bake, Beef, Casserole, Main Courses, Poultry | , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Stuffed Breads

Roasted Red Pepper and Cheese Stuffed Bread

Preheat oven 400o

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 20 – 25 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 240                        Fat: 7 grams

Roasted Red Pepper and Cheese Stuffed Bread

Ingredients:

½ cup fat free ricotta cheese

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

½ cup grated low fat mozzarella cheese

½ teaspoon granulated onion powder

½ teaspoon granulated garlic powder

½ teaspoon dried basil

1 package refrigerated thin crust pizza dough

1 jar (12.3 ounces) roasted red peppers

Directions:

  1. Coat a baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl mix together ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella,  onion, powder, garlic powder and basil.
  3. Rinse and dry roasted peppers with paper towels.
  4. Roll out pizza dough and place half of the peppers in the middle of the pizza dough making sure you leave about a 1” border on the edges.
  5. Spoon cheese mixture on top of the peppers and spread over the peppers.  Top with the remaining peppers.
  6. Roll pizza dough once toward the middle then fold both sides toward the middle.  Roll the remaining dough until you have one large roll.  Place the dough, seam side down onto a baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven, let stand for at least 5 minutes.  Slice and serve.

Ham & Cheese Stuffed Bread

Preheat oven 400o

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 20 -25 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 260                        Fat: 8 grams

Ingredients:

½ cup fat free ricotta cheese

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

½ cup grated low fat mozzarella cheese

½ teaspoon granulated onion powder

½ teaspoon granulated garlic powder

½ teaspoon dried basil

1 package refrigerated thin crust pizza dough

6 slices Italian deli meat ham

Directions:

  1. Coat a baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl mix together ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, onion, powder, garlic powder and basil.
  3. Roll out pizza dough and place 3 slices of ham in the middle of the pizza dough making sure you leave about a 1” border on the edges.
  4. Spoon cheese mixture on top of the ham and spread over the ham.  Top with the last 3 slices of ham.
  5. Roll pizza dough once toward the middle then fold both sides toward the middle.  Roll the remaining dough until you have one large roll.  Place the dough, seam side down onto a baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven, let stand for at least 5 minutes.  Slice and serve.

Sausage Stuffed Bread

Preheat oven 400o

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 20 – 25 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 250                        Fat: 8 grams

Ingredients:

2 Italian style chicken sausages

2 cloves garlic – crushed

1/3 cup fat free ricotta cheese

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

¼ cup mozzarella cheese

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 refrigerated pizza dough

Directions:

  1. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Remove casings from sausages and chop.  Heat a skillet on medium high heat and coat with cooking spray.  Sauté sausage for 3 – 5 minutes until browned.  Add crushed garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Spoon sausage mixture into a small mixing bowl.  Stir in ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and basil.
  4. Roll out pizza dough and spread the sausage mixture in the middle of the pizza dough making sure you leave about a 1” border on the edges.
  5. Roll pizza dough once toward the middle then fold both sides toward the middle.  Roll the remaining dough until you have one large roll.  Place the dough, seam side down onto a baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven, let stand for at least 5 minutes.  Slice and serve.

 

February 21, 2011 Posted by | Appetizers, Bake, Poultry, Vegetables | , , , , | Leave a Comment

Valentine’s Pavlova

This is a beautiful sweet treat for your love this Valentine’s holiday.  It takes a little while to prepare but you can make all of the components in advance and assemble at the last minute.  Instead of buying something at a store, add a little romance to this holiday season and bake up some love instead.

Enjoy!!

Valentine’s Pavlova

Preheat oven 300o

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes + 45 minutes cool time in oven

Decorating Time: 10 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 375                        Fat: 6 grams

Valentine’s Pavlova

Meringue Shell:

Ingredients:

3 egg whites – at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla

¼ teaspoon cream of tarter

Dash of salt

15 drops red food coloring (optional)

1 cup sugar

Directions:

  1. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and draw 6 hearts as a template for the shells.  Turn over parchment paper and set onto baking sheet.
  2. In a electric mixer, add egg whites, vanilla, cream of tarter, salt and food coloring.  Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form (the tips curl).  Slowly add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed until very stiff peaks form (tips stand straight up).
  3. Spoon meringue into a pastry bag fitted with a wide tip and pipe the meringue onto the parchment paper, using your heart drawing as a guide.  Build the sides of the hearts up so they form a shallow cup.  Save a little of the meringue to create 6 rosettes on the parchment paper between the hearts.
  4. Bake for 35 minutes then turn off the oven, keep the door closed, and let stand in the oven for at least 45 more minutes.
  5. Remove the meringues and cool.

Chocolate Ganache hearts:

Ingredients:

1 (6 ounce) bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon Chambord liquor

2 tablespoons fat free half and half

Directions:

  1. Spray a silicon heart or chocolate heart mold with cooking spray and refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Place chocolate chips in a small bowl and add Chambord.
  3. Heat  the half and half until steaming hot.  Pour the half and half into the chocolate mixture and mix until all the chocolate is melted.
  4. Pour chocolate mixture into the molds.  Refrigerate until form.

Raspberry Sauce

Ingredients:

1 bag ( ounces) frozen raspberries – defrosted

2 tablespoons Chambord liquor

2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

  1. Combine raspberries, Chambord and sugar in a blender.
  2. Puree for about 30 seconds until mashed.

Valentine’s Pavlova

Decorating

Ingredients:

Fat free whipped cream (from a can or whipped topping)

Meringue hearts

Meringue rosettes

Chocolate ganache hearts

Raspberry sauce

Directions:

  1. Place a large heart on a dessert plate.  Spread whipped cream on one side with raspberry sauce on the other side.
  2. Place a rosette in the middle of the heart.
  3. Place a chocolate heart to one side.
  4. Serve and enjoy.

 

February 12, 2011 Posted by | Bake, Dessert, Eggs, Fruits, Meringue, Sauces | , | Leave a Comment

Spinach Florentine Meatloaf

Serves 6

Preheat oven 350o

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 300                        Fat: 8 grams

Spinach Florentine Meatloaf

Ingredients:

1 package (10 ounces) chopped frozen spinach – defrosted

12 ounces ground turkey breast meat

12 ounces 93% lean (or higher) ground beef

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon dried basil

½ cup egg substitute

1 cup fat free ricotta cheese

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

½ cup Italian style bread crumbs

4 grape tomatoes – cut in half (optional)

Directions:

  1. Squeeze the excess water from the defrosted spinach and place in a large bowl.
  2. Add turkey breast meat, ground beef, onion and garlic powder, salt, pepper, dried basil, egg substitute, ricotta and parmesan cheese and bread crumbs and mix together well until incorporated.
  3. Coat a 9 X 5-inch bread pan with cooking spray.  Shape meatloaf and place into baking pan.
  4. Decorate top with tomatoes.
  5. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.  Remove foil and bake an additional 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165o.
  6. Remove from baking pan and slice into 6 equal servings.

February 10, 2011 Posted by | Bake, Beef, Main Courses, Poultry, Vegetables | , , , , | Leave a Comment

Mexican Style Meatloaf

Sorry about not having the nutritional values.  I will update this when I return.  This was dinner last night and the family loved it.

 

Mexican Style Meatloaf

Serves 8

Preheat oven 425o

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 pound ground turkey breast

1 pound  lean (93% lean) ground beef or ground sirloin

1 cup salsa

½ cup egg substitute

1 onion – grated

1 tablespoon fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 cloves garlic – minced

Directions:

  1. Place brown rice in food processor and pulse until rice is ground.
  2. In a large bowl, combine rice, ground turkey, ground beef, salsa. Egg substitute, onion, parsley, chili powder and garlic.
  3. Bake for 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 165o.
  4. Serve hot.

January 27, 2011 Posted by | Bake, Beef, Poultry | , | Leave a Comment

Southwest Chicken Casserole

I am always looking for light twists on typical dishes.  I will get inspiration from friends, cook books, magazines and TV shows and it is fun to take an otherwise fattening dish and make it light enough that I don’t feel bad about feeding it to my family.  The trick of course is to figure out a way to make it taste the same or better than the original dish.

Then there are those nights where I have nothing in mind and I jut start cooking with what I have.  Sometimes the dishes come out great and other times I am reluctant to feed it to my dog.  That is the fun and beauty of cooking….sometimes you never know what you are going to get!

Tonight’s dish was one of those dinners where I really didn’t have a plan, just some ingredients.  Looking back now I could have made this dish a little “lighter” but it was close enough and it was delicious.  I even had some Pillsbury Pizza dough which I formed and baked into little cups.  I then serve Nick and my portions in the cup.  Funny thing is they were gone so fast I didn’t take a picture!  Oh well next time.  Enjoy.

Southwest Chicken Casserole

Preheat oven 375o

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Estimated values per serving:

Calories =   257                           Fat = 7 grams

Serves 6

Ingredients:

4 ounces low fat cream cheese – softened

1 tablespoon taco seasoning

1 ½ cups salsa

1 cup diced tomatoes from a can – drained

2 pounds boneless cooked chicken breast – cut into ½ inch pieces

1 cup low fat grated Mexican cheese mix

1 15-ounce can black beans – drained and rinsed

Directions:

1.    Beat cream cheese and taco seasoning on high speed until whipped.

2.    Fold in salsa, tomatoes, chicken, cheese and black beans.

3.    Coat a 12 by 8 inch casserole baking pan with cooking spray.  Spoon chicken mixture into casserole pan.

4.    Bake, covered, for 30 minutes then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

5.    Serve hot.


January 21, 2011 Posted by | Bake, Casserole, Main Courses, Poultry, Uncategorized, Vegetables | , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Savory Lobster Cheesecake

Now you may say to yourself “lobster cheesecake?!?” but trust me this is a winner.  My mother and father decided they wanted to get steamed lobster for dinner but they didn’t want just steamed lobster.  Since they are on low carb diets I could not make a sauce and put it over pasta or rice so I thought quiche.  As I was working out the recipe it morphed into a savory cheesecake.  You can use fresh lobster meat or you can use canned.  Also to make it a little less expensive, you can use crab meat or crab legs.  I know it sounds weird but it was really delicious & light.  Enjoy……

Lobster Cheesecake

Savory Lobster Cheesecake

Preheat oven 350o

Serves 8

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Lobster Cleaning: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Estimated values per serving:

Calories = 166                       Fat = 2 grams

Ingredients:

32 oz Lobster meat (crab meat, shrimp or crab legs can be substituted)

8oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese (softened)

2 cups egg substitute

1 T Worcestershire Sauce

1 t Onion Powder

1 t Paprika

1 T Bacon Bits

2 T Cream Sherry

Pepper & Salt to taste

1/4 cup plain bread crumbs

Directions:

  1. Clean steamed lobsters and remove all lobster meat and coarsely chop. Set aside in a mixing bowl.
  2. Beat cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, onion powder, paprika, and cream sherry on high speed until creamed.
  3. Lower mixer to low speed and slowly add egg substitute into mixture until well combined.
  4. Fold bacon bits and lobster meat into mixture until well incorporated.  Season with salt & pepper.
  5. Coat a 9 inch spring form pan (cheesecake pan) with cooking spray.
  6. Spoon bread crumbs into pan and move pan around so that sides and bottom of pan is coated with bread crumbs.  Discard any loose bread crumbs.
  7. Spoon lobster mixture into prepared pan and bake 1 hour or until mixture no longer jiggles in pan.
  8. Remove pan from oven and allow to cool 10 – 20 minutes.  Remove from pan, cut and serve.

January 17, 2011 Posted by | Bake, Eggs, Fish, Main Courses, Shrimp, Spices | , , , , | Leave a Comment

Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

We ate these delicious mushrooms as a side dish but they also work very well as an appetizer if you are entertaining.  You may want to make extra because I served this for 5 people and everyone ate a little more than they should have.  Enjoy…

Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

Preheat oven 375o

Serves 8

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Estimated values per serving:

Calories = 73                        Fat = 3 grams                        Points: 3

Ingredients:

16 large stuffing mushrooms

2 cloves garlic

4 ounces low fat cream cheese – softened

4 ounces fat free cream cheese – softened

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 package frozen spinach – thawed

Directions:

  1. Clean mushrooms and remove the caps from the stems.  Set the caps aside and chop the stems.
  2. Heat a large skillet on medium heat and coat with cooking spray.  Add mushrooms and sauté for 10 minutes until the liquid is cooked out.  Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and cool.
  3. In a mixer, combine cream cheeses, Dijon mustard and cooled mushroom stems.  Beat on high, scraping down the sides until whipped.
  4. Squeeze excess water from the spinach and fold into the cream cheese mixture.
  5. Reheat the same skillet that cooked the mushrooms and coat again with cooking spray.  Add mushroom caps and cook for about 5 minutes, just until tender.
  6. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray and place mushroom caps upside down so that you can fill the insides.
  7. Spoon a little cream cheese mixture in each mushroom cap.
  8. Bake, uncovered for 30 minutes until cream cheese mixture is bubbly and cooked.
  9. Serve hot.

January 16, 2011 Posted by | Appetizers, Bake, Side Dishes, Vegetables | , | Leave a Comment

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