Thursday, February 27, 2014

Porkettes


1 pound ground fully cooked low−fat ham
1 egg
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/8 teaspoon pepper
8 turkey bacon strips, halved lengthwise
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple slices, drained and
halved horizontally



In a bowl, combine the ham, egg, relish and mustard. Shape into eight patties the same diameter as the pineapple rings. Combine the sweet potatoes, orange peel and pepper. Shape into eight patties the same diameter as pineapple rings. On a 15−in. x 10−in. x 1−in. baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray, assemble in the following order: Cross 2 strips of bacon, 1 pineapple slice, 1 ham patty, 1 sweet potato patty and 1 pineapple slice. Fold bacon ends up and over top; secure with a toothpick. Bake at 350F for 50−55 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Remove toothpicks; serve immediately.

Thursday, February 27, 2014 by Health Tips · 0

Potato Gnocchi with Sage Cream



2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
1 cup chopped onion
2−3 teaspoons margarine
4 cups small broccoflower, or broccoli, florets
1/2 cup water, divided
1 package (16 ounces) potato gnocchi, cooked, warm
2 tablespoons all−purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Shredded Parmesan cheese, for garnish



Heat milk and sage leaves to boiling in medium saucepan; reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.

Saute onion in margarine in large skillet 2 to 3 minutes; add broccoflower and 1/4 cup water and heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until broccoflower is tender and water gone, 5 to 8 minutes.
While vegetables are cooking, cook gnocchi according to package directions; add to vegetables in skillet.

Heat milk and sage mixture to boiling. Mix flour, nutmeg, and remaining 1/4 cup water; whisk into milk. Boil, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 1 minute. Pour sauce over vegetables and gnocchi in skillet and season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon into serving bowl; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

by Health Tips · 0

Sesame Ginger Noodles



Dressing:

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 clove minced garlic


2 cups trimmed watercress
1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and thinly sliced
1/2 cup finely diced yellow pepper
1/2 cup finely diced red pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced radishes
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
18 oz. linguini


Dressing: 

Puree all dressing ingredients in blender until smooth. Combine veggies in large bowl. Cook pasta according to directions; drain and rinse. Add to bowl with veggies. Toss with dressing.

by Health Tips · 0

Shrimp Thermidor


1/4 cup green onions or shallots, sliced
2 Tablespoons diced green pepper
3/4 cup fat−free half−and−half
4 slices Smart Beat fat−free cheese, cut in pieces
1 can (10 oz.) potato soup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry tarragon
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 − 1 1/2 cups cooked shrimp (tails removed)


Spray a large, nonstick skillet with spray oil. Saute onion and pepper over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add soup and half−and−half; heat slowly, stirring frequently. Bring to a
gentle boil; add cheese pieces, lemon juice, spices and shrimp. Heat completely through, about 3 to 4 minutes. Serve hot over rice.

by Health Tips · 1

Smoked Eggplant and Yogurt


1 medium eggplant, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup lightly salted water
1 1/2 cups plain regular or low−fat yogurt
1 small bunch green onions, diced
1/2 bunch cilantro, diced
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon paprika

1 piece charcoal
1 − 5x5 inch piece aluminum foil
1 tablespoon margarine or shortening



In a pot over medium heat, add the eggplant and water; cook until tender and the water evaporates. Mash the eggplant so no large chunks remain. Allow to cool completely.

In a large bowl, add the yogurt, mashed eggplant, green onions,
cilantro, pepper and salt; mix well.
To smoke the salad, heat the charcoal over open flame until gray
and reddish in color. Place the piece of foil in the eggplant salad (make room in the center for the foil). Place the hot charcoal on the piece of foil in the bowl. Add the margarine on top of the charcoal and cover salad bowl immediately. Allow to smoke for 10 minutes; remove charcoal.

Chill the salad in the refrigerator and garnish with fresh chopped
cilantro and a sprinkle of paprika.

by Health Tips · 0

Spaghetti Sauce


1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 clove garlic, minced or put through garlic press
1 onion, chopped fine
1/2 green pepper, chopped fine
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes with juice,
or 16 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1 tsp. sugar
1 bouillon cube
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. salt



Crumble and brown ground beef. Drain off all fat; wipe out frying pan. Turn beef into colander, and rinse with cold water. Pat dry with paper towel; return to pan.

Add garlic, onion, pepper, mushrooms and cook over medium low heat, stirring as necessary until veggies are soft.

Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Add seasonings and simmer until hot throughout. Adjust seasonings to taste and serve over pasta with low fat Parmesan sprinkled over.

by Health Tips · 0

Stuffed Mushrooms


18 large mushrooms
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1 shredded wheat biscuit, crushed
1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated
pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon basil
1/8 teaspoon parsley
1/8 teaspoon oregano



Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Clean mushrooms and wipe dry.
Remove stems and chop fine. Heat oil in a skillet over medium high
heat and saute chopped mushroom stems, onions, garlic and walnuts until onion is tender. Remove from heat.

Stir in shredded wheat, cheese, basil, parsley, oregano, and pepper.
Stuff mushroom caps, packing mixture firmly. Arrange mushrooms in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle tops with paprika. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until mushrooms are tender.

by Health Tips · 0

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Three Cheese Baked Ziti


15 ozs. fat−free cottage cheese
2 whole eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup fat−free parmesan cheese
16 ozs. ziti pasta, cooked and drained
1 teaspoon salt
26 ozs. spaghetti sauce (low fat)
1 cup low−fat mozzarella cheese, shredded


Preheat oven to 350. Prepare a 13 x 9" pan with cooking spray; set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, eggs, and parmesan cheese; set aside. In another mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, pasta sauce, and salt.

Spoon half of the pasta mixture into prepared pan; evenly top with cheese mixture, then remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014 by Health Tips · 0

Two Layer Pumpkin Pie


1 pie crust, baked
2 cups prepared pumpkin
1 cup cold skim milk
2 pkg. Instant Vanilla Pudding mix, sugar free
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
8 oz. low−fat cream cheese, softened
1 tbs. sugar
1 tbs. milk
8 oz. cool whip, Lite


Bake pie crust until browned and allow to cool. Mix together pumpkin, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, 1 cup milk, and pudding mixes. Mix well.

Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and milk. Stir until smooth and add 1 1/2 cups cool whip. Spread cream cheese mixture in bottom of prepared cooled crust. Spread pumpkin mixture over cream cheese mixture.

Top with remaining cool whip. Chill for several hours before serving.

by Health Tips · 0

Veal Stew


1 pound Veal − trimmed of all visible fat and cut into 1 inch cubes.
1 cup baby carrots or 2−3 large carrots − cut into 1 inch pieces
6 to 8 small onions − peeled
2 cloves of garlic − peeled
2 large boiling potatoes − peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 to 3 cups de−fatted chicken or beef stock
1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
Pepper and Herbs − to taste (sage, rosemary, thyme)
2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water


Heat a large, non−stick, pot on high. When hot, sear meat on all sides. Add herbs and seasoning and stir. Add stock and bring to the boil (the chicken stock will be more delicate and let the full flavor come through). Add vegetables and return to the boil. Cover and simmer on very low heat for 45 minutes to an hour or until meat is fork tender and vegetables are tender but not mushy. Turn heat to high and bring stew up to the boil, remove from heat and drizzle in corn starch mixture while stirring constantly. Return to heat and continue to stir until the stew has thickened. Serve immediately.

by Health Tips · 0

Vegetable Dip


1/2 cup reduced−calorie or light mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups plain non−fat or low−fat yogurt
4 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
One 10−ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained,
and squeezed dry
Raw vegetables for serving


In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the raw vegetables.
Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve with cut raw vegetables.

by Health Tips · 0

Vietnamese Sandwiches


1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup carrot, peeled and grated
1/3 cup thinly sliced white onion
1 to 2 tablespoons jalapeno chile, finely chopped
1 − 16" long baguette
4 teaspoons low−fat mayonnaise
3/4 pound cooked chicken breast or pork tenderloin, sliced
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon five−spice powder
1/2 cup fresh cilantro


With chef's knife, mash garlic and salt into a paste. Transfer to a mixing bowl and add vinegar and sugar, stirring to dissolve. Add carrots, onions and chilies. Toss to coat. Set aside. Slice baguette into 4 equal lengths. Split each piece horizontally. Spread cut sides with mayonnaise. Arrange the meat on the 4 bottom halves. sprinkle with lime juice and 5−spice powder. Top with the carrot salad and a shower of cilantro leaves. Cover with bread tops and serve.


by Health Tips · 0

Zucchini Stuffed Chicken


2 tablespoons margarine
2 medium zucchini, shredded
3 slices of bread
1 egg white
1 teaspoon butter oil
1/2 cup shredded low fat Swiss cheese
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
dash of pepper
dash of paprika



Melt margarine in a skillet and saute zucchini several minutes over medium−high heat. Tear the bread into pieces and add to zucchini, along with egg white, butter oil, and cheese. Stir well and remove from heat. Season chicken breasts with spices. Put chicken breasts in casserole sprayed with cooking spray. Spread stuffing over all four.

Cover casserole and bake at 400F for approximately 1 hour or until chicken is tender. Or microwave for approximately 20 minutes at 60%, turning after 10 minutes.

by Health Tips · 0

Friday, February 21, 2014

Garlic and Sage Biscuits


2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup whole−wheat flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic chopped finely
3 tablespoons regular margarine or butter
3/4 cup & 2 tablespoons of fat−free buttermilk

Coat a baking sheet with non−stick spray and set aside. In a large bowl stir together the all−purpose flour, whole−wheat flour, sugar, sage, baking powder, baking soda, salt and garlic.

Add the margarine or butter. Using a pastry blender cut the margarine or butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form. Add the buttermilk and stir to form a soft dough.

Place the dough on a floured surface and gently knead to form a ball. Roll out the dough until it is about 3/4 inch thick. Cut into 12 round circles and place on the prepared baking sheet.


Bake at 400 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown.

Friday, February 21, 2014 by Health Tips · 0

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Middle Eastern Roast Chicken


2 teaspoons dried orange peel or freshly grated orange zest
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom or cloves
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1−2 tablespoons canola or saffron oil
1 8−10 pound roasting chicken, capon or small turkey


Orange Scented Gravy
1−2 cups fat free and low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons flour
1/3 cup Madeira
Salt and pepper for seasoning

Set oven temperature to 325 degrees. Combine the orange peel, garlic powder, coriander, cinnamon, salt, white pepper, cardamom and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside a large roasting pan fitted with a rack. Remove the giblets from inside the chicken. Discard or reserve for another use. Rinse the bird inside and out with cold running water. Place on a working surface and pat dry with paper towels. Remove any visible fat with poultry shears. Very carefully loosen the skin from around the breast, thigh, leg and neck areas with a spoon without tearing the skin. Season the inside cavity with about 1/3 of the spice mixture. Rub the remaining mixture under the skin as evenly as possible. Lightly oil the outside with canola oil. Tuck the wings under the bird and tie the legs together loosely. Place in the roasting pan and roast for 15 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature registers 180F degrees. Use an instant read thermometer placed between the thigh and the body without touching bone. Remove the bird from the oven, transfer to a carving board, cover with aluminum foil and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.



Pour the pan juices into a bowl. Let the juices settle. The fat will float to the top. Skim off the fat with a spoon or use a turkey baster to siphon the juices from the bottom of the bowl. Add enough chicken broth to measure 2 1/2 cups and pour into a saucepan. Add the orange juice and bring to a boil. Mix the flour and Madeira together to make a slurry. Slowly pour into the gravy while whisking. Cook over medium−high heat for 5−10 minutes stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.


Wednesday, February 19, 2014 by Health Tips · 0