Hamburger Skillet

This is another easy weeknight meal.  Took about 20 minutes & it was super delicious.

Recipe from Spark People.
Yields 8 servings.
239.3 calories per serving.



INGREDIENTS1 lb ground sirloin, 90% lean1 small onion, diced1 14.5 oz can petite cut tomatoes1 11 oz can corn1 15 oz can black beansSalt & Pepper to taste
DIRECTIONSIn a large skillet, brown the sirloin.Drain & rinse to remove excess fat & return to skillet.Add onions & season to taste.When onions are soft, add all other ingredients, cover & let simmer for 10 minutes.

I added garlic powder as well & it really gave it a nice flavor bang!  

Mexican Cornbread Casserole

Mexican food is my favourite cuisine.  Every time I come across recipes for Mexican food, I always pray that they're not 100000 calories & thankfully, this one wasnt!

Recipe from Ro*Tel.

Yields 6 servings.



INGREDIENTSCooking spray1 8.5oz package corn muffin mix1 egg1/3 c reduced fat milk3/4 c frozen corn1/2 lb lean ground beef10 oz diced tomatoes & chilies8 oz tomato sauce1/2 tsp ground cumin1 c reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese blend
DIRECTIONSPreheat oven to 375.Spray 8x8 baking pan with cooking spray & set aside.
Stir together cornbread mix, egg, milk, & half of corn in a bowl.Pour into baking dish.
Cook beef in a skillet over medium high heat until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes.Stir in drained tomatoes, tomato sauce, remaining corn, & cumin.Pour mixture over top of cornbread batter.Top with cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes.

Zucchini Parmesan

Zucchini has been my favorite veggie the past couple of weeks.  I forgot how delicious it is just sauteed.  When I first read this recipe I was agonizing about the fact that it was going to take me 25 minutes but the end result was so worth it.  This was delicious!

Recipe from Eating Well dot com.
Yields 4 servings.
82 calories per serving.


INGREDIENTS2 tsp olive oil2 lbs zucchini, sliced1/8 tsp saltblack pepper, to taste1/2 c parmesan cheese, shredded
DIRECTIONSHeat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.Add zucchini and cook until tender & most slices are golden brown, about 25 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium low.Sprinkle with salt & pepper & stir to combine.Sprinkle with cheese, cover, & cook until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.

Chicken & Mushroom Stroganoff

This recipe is another weekly lunch recipe.  It actually calls to serve over pasta or brown rice but personally, that adds too many calories for my liking.

Recipe from Spark People.
Yields 4 servings.
161.6 calories per serving.


INGREDIENTS1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts12 oz sliced mushrooms1/2 c sour cream, reduced fat1/4 c chicken broth, reduced sodium1 tsp salt1/4 tsp black pepperOlive oil spray
DIRECTIONSCut chicken into bit sized pieces.Spray a large skillet with olive oil spray & cook chicken until golden brown.Remove from skillet & place in a large bowl.
Spray the skillet again with olive oil & add mushrooms.Cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes until tender.Reduce heat to low & add sour cream, chicken broth, salt, & pepper.Stir in chicken.

Basil Pasta with Veggies

I always like a good pasta dish for lunch.  This seemed perfect to fit that particular desire.  Not to mention it's got the perfect combination of spices.

Recipe from Better Homes & Gardens.

Yields 4 servings.

178 cal/svg.

INGREDIENTS1 c whole wheat corkscrew pasta1.5 c frozen mixed veggies3 tbsp margarine1 tbsp garlic, minced1/2 tsp basil1/8 tsp saltDash of red pepper flakes
DIRECTIONSCook pasta according to package directions, adding the vegetables for the last 5 minutes of cooking time.Drain & set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt margarine.Stir in garlic, basil, salt, & red pepper flakes.Pour over pasta mixture & toss to coat.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I dont know about any of you guys but, chocolate chip cookies are probably one of my favourite sweets, other than cheesecake.  There are plenty of low cal/low fat chocolate chip cookie recipes out there but they are usually more cake-like than I feel like a cookie should be.  These are fabulously chewy & absolutely delicious!

Recipe from Skinny Taste dot com.
Yields 12 servings.
170.7 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c brown sugar

2 tbsp butter, melted

1 egg white

2 tbsp applesauce

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 c whole wheat flour

1/2 c all purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 chocolate chip cookies

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350.

Lightly spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.

In a bowl combine flours, baking soda, & salt and stir to blend.

In another bowl whisk together the sugars, butter, applesauce, egg white, & vanilla until fluffy.

Whisk the dry ingredients in two additions until the batter is well blended.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Drop onto cookie sheet with a spoon.

Bake 10 minutes.
Let sit for 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.

Cheddar & Zucchini Fritattata

I love making some sort of delicious breakfast on a Saturday morning. It's part of my ritual before I start cleaning & doing whatever random errands I need to get done.

Recipe from BHG Test Kitchen.
Yields 4 servings.
115 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS
4 eggs
1/2 c reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp salt
2 tsp olive oil
12 oz zucchini, halved & sliced
4 green onions, sliced
cooking spray

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 450.
Spray a circular baking pan with cooking spray.

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, cheese, salt, & pepper.

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add zucchini & onions.
Cook 5 - 8 minutes until tender, stirring frequently.

Place zucchini & onions into baking pan & pour egg mixture over top.

Bake for 11 minutes until top is golden.

I will admit, I altered this recipe a little bit. It actually asked you to use an oven-safe frying pan but, I dont have one so, I just made due.

Pizza Turnovers

Im a sucker for pizza. Aside from Chinese food, it's probably my favourite take out item. Obviously, it's not very healthy but, there are definitely variations of it that Ive found are acceptable within the terms of my dietary intake. This recipe is no exception.

Recipe from Betty Crocker.
Yields 4 turnovers.
300 calories per turnover.

INGREDIENTS
1 can refrigerated pizza dough
1/4 c pizza sauce
24 turkey pepperoni slices
1/4 c part-skim mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400.

Roll crust over a lightly floured surface into a 12 inch square.
Cut dough into 4 even pieces.

Spread 1 tbsp of pizza sauce onto each square within 1/2 of the edge.
Top with pepperoni & cheese.
Fold each square in half over filling & press edges to seal.

Place each square on a cookie sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes.

Roasted Asparagus Parmesan

This was such a delicious side with my dinner this evening. I usually dont make meals without some sort of protein/meat in it, especially on a Sunday but, this just looked too damned good to pass up.

Recipe from Better Homes Test Kitchen.
Yields 4 servings.
57 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS
1 lb fresh asparagus
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp garlic powder
3 tbsp parmesan cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400.
Cut woody ends off of asparagus.

Place asparagus in a bowl & toss with olive oil.
Spread across a baking sheet & sprinkle with garlic powder.

Bake for 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Pasta With Cauliflower

Ahhh. You all know how much I love Sunday dinner. Cooking has always been relaxing for me. Especially when Im doing it on a Sunday evening.

This recipe called for anchovies but, I dont eat seafood. It's simply never appealed to me.

Recipe from skinnytaste dot com.
Yields 6 servings.
274.4 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti
1 lg head of cauliflower, chopped
3 tsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
6 tbsp parmesan cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS Cook pasta according to directions on box.
Meanwhile, cook cauliflower until tender.

In a large frying pan, add olive oil and saute onions on medium until they are golden.
Add cauliflower and mix well.

Toss pasta with cheese, cauliflower, bread crumbs, & season with salt & pepper to taste.

I found this to be very, very filling & it wasnt over-spiced as some pasta dishes can be.

Chicken Caesar Wrap

This will be my second lunch for the week. I always like to make 2 so that I have some variety.

Recipe from Better Recipes.
Yields 6 servings.
282.9 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS
3 c romaine lettuce, chopped
2 c cooked chicken, chopped
6 pieces of bacon, cooked & crumbled
1/2 c parmesan cheese, shredded
creamy caeser dressing, to taste

3 wheat tortillas, halved DIRECTIONS
Mix all ingredients except tortillas in a large bowl.
Spoon mixture into tortilla & wrap.

This recipe actually called for croutons but, Im not a big crouton gal. Not to mention, it adds a LOAD of excess calories.

Southwest Pasta Salad

Before I get into my recipe, Id like to thank everyone for their patience. I had a lot of personal things occur which prevented me from cooking but, things are resolved in terms of my living situation. So, I am back & ready to rock & roll!

Recipe from RO*TEL.
Yields 6 servings.
291 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS
8 oz whole wheat rotini, dry
15 oz can black beans, drained & rinsed
10 oz can diced tomatoes & green chilies
1 c sour cream, reduced fat
1/2 c green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 c red onion, chopped
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese, reduced fat

DIRECTIONS
Cook pasta according to package directions.
Drain & rinse under cold water.
Set aside.

Meanwhile stir together beans, undrained tomatoes&chilies, sour cream, pepper, & onion.

Add pasta & cheese.

This is quite a simple recipe & reasonably fast. I pre-made this for my lunches during the week.