5 Spice Pistachios

So, tonight was the first night I made anything for Thanksgiving. I saw this on Eating Well dot com & thought it would be an ideal appetizer. Especially since Im feeding 4 men & myself. In my head, all men love nuts. [Meh heh heh.] This was a very quick prep; pretty much you throw them in the oven & go about your business.

There will be more recipes as I prepare Thanksgiving food. Some will not necessarily be low cal but, I figure that 90% are & any holiday recipes can be helpful.

This is my very first Thanksgiving that Ive prepared all the food myself. Ive taken on quite a task!


Yields 6 cups.
92 calories per 2 tbsp serving.
Recipe from Eating Well dot com.

INGREDIENTS
6 tbsp orange juice
6 tbsp all spice
6 c pistachios

Preheat oven to 350.
Whisk orange juice & all spice together.
Add pistachios & toss to coat.
Divide between 2 rimmed baking sheets; spread in an even layer.
Bake for 45 minutes.

Champion Chicken Salad

I wont lie, when I first saw this recipe I sort of giggled at the name. However, when you sit down and actually read the ingredients, you start to get it. It's a very protein & fiber rich dish, perfect for the lunch hour.

Recipe from my email (the print out doesnt list the source).
Yields 4 servings.
231 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 c low fat yogurt, plain
1/4 c reduced fat ranch dressing
1.5 c chicken, cooked & chopped
.5 c broccoli, chopped
1/4 c carrots, shredded
1/4 c walnuts, chopped
4 whole wheat pitas

DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, stir together ranch & yogurt.

In a medium bowl combine chicken, broccoli, carrots, & walnuts.
Pour yogurt mixture over chicken mixture & toss.

Spoon into pitas & enjoy!

Nacho Cheese Chicken Chowder

I love easy Sunday dinners in the fall and winter. Throw a bunch of deliciousness in the crockpot & go about your day. I tend to do a lot of my cleaning on Sunday morning and early afternoon. To have the delicious food smells as Im cleaning & getting my place ready for the week.

Recipe from BHG dot com.
Yields 6 servings.
244 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS
1 lb chicken breasts, cut into .5 in pieces
2 14.5 oz cans Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
1 10 oz can corn kernals
3 oz Mexican style cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS
In a slow cooker stir together all ingredients.
Cover and cook on low heat for 4 - 5 hours.



So simple & so delicious. This smelled SO good while it was cooking. It reminded me of my mother's baked mac & cheese.

Red Velvet Cookies

I would consider this to be an indulgence recipe. There was no nutrition information so, Im assuming that they're pretty high in calories. However, I seldom make food like this that's so unhealthy I figured screw it. Why not?

Yields 12 cookies.
Recipe from BHG dot com.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 c flour
1/3 c sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder, unsweetened
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c margarine, cut up
1 tbsp red food dye
3 oz white chocolate chips
1/4 c milk

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325.

In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, & salt.
Cover & process until combined.
Add margarine & food dye until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
Process until mixture is a ball.

Roll into 12 balls & place on a cookie sheet.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven & let cool.

Meanwhile, place milk & white chocolate in a small saucepan & melt.

Dip one side of cookies in white chocolate & place on wax paper to cool.



These were really tasty but, Im brilliant & used too high of heat so my white chocolate turned a little brown. It still tasted just fine but, it wasnt fantastic for aesthetics.

Enjoy!

Cheeseburger Bake

I wanted to make something fast this Sunday because we had a lot going on this past weekend, primarily on Sunday. For me, Sunday dinner is usually a meal that I like to take the time to prepare. I like the idea of a somewhat decadent Sunday dinner as a way to wind down before the week starts on Monday.

Recipe from Betty Crocker.
Yields 2 servings.
210 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 lb 96% lean ground beef
1/4 c onion, chopped
1/3 c reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 c Bisquick Heartsmart mix
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c 1% milk
2 egg whites

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400.
Spray pan with cooking spray.

In a skillet cook beef and onion over medium-high heat for 5 - 7 minutes stirring frequently.
Spread in pan & sprinkle with cheese.

In a small bowl sitr together Bizquick, salt, milk, & egg whites.
Pour into pan.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Oatmeal Toffee Bars

This recipe was originally for oatmeal caramel bars but, I felt that toffee was a little more seasonal. I, personally, associate caramel with Christmas as opposed to Thanksgiving. I usually do my baking on Saturday but, I had so much to get done yesterday that I ended up doing it on Sunday evening. It worked out well because we had a pretty late lunch today.

Making these was a trip to aroma heaven. These could go for either breakfast or dessert. Yum. I intend to serve them for dessert with Sunday dinner this evening.

Recipe from BHG dot com.
Yields 60 bars.
120 calories per bar.

INGREDIENTS
1 c margarine, softened
2 c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
2.5 c flour
3 c rolled oats
1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c walnuts, chopped
3 tbsp toffee bits
3 tbsp 1% milk

DIRECTIONS
In large mixing bowl beat margarine with an electric mixer for 30 seconds until whipped.
Add brown sugar & beat well until combined.
Add eggs, vanilla, & baking soda.
Beat mixture until combined.
Beat in flour & then oats.

Press 2/3 of the oat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased baking pan.
Sprinkle chocolate chips & nuts on top.

Preheat oven to 350.
In a medium saucepan combine toffee & milk.
Cook over low heat until toffee has melted.
Drizzle toffee mixture over chocolates & nuts.
Drop remaining 1/3 of oat mixture by tsps over top.

Bake for 30 minutes.



Im so anxious to try these out. They smell so delicious & the perfect autumn treat!

Parmesan Chicken Salad

I havent tried this yet. I made this tonight to have for lunch the rest of the week. It sounds delicious & Im anxious to see justc how filling this will be.

Recipes from BHG dot com.
Yields 6 servings.
194 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 c low fat mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp basil
2.5 c cooked chicken, chopped
1/4 c parmesan cheese, shredded
1/4 c green onions, thinly sliced
Salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, & basil; set aside.

In a medium bowl combine chicken, parmesan, & green onions.
Pour mayonnaise mixture over chicken mixture & toss.
Season with salt & pepper.