Peanut Butter Bread

Ive actually never had peanut butter bread, which is strange because it seems so common.  Also because I totally love peanut butter.

Unsure where I got this recipe.
Yields 12 servings.
199 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS

2/3 c peanut butter

1.5 c white flour

1/2 c whole wheat flour

4 tsp baking powder

1 c skim milk

1/2 c white sugar

1 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix together milk & peanut butter.

Add dry ingredients.

Pour into a greased loaf pan.

Bake for 45 minutes.

I feel like this would be ideal for breakfast/brunch on the weekends.  It is very heavy, despite the low calorie count.  I also suggest sprinkling some cinnamon on top or cinnamon sugar spread on top after microwaving for about a minute.  Delicious.

Cheese & Spinach Stuffed Portobellos

Yes, another mushroom recipes.  I wish I had a grill because I wouldve grilled these.  Freakin' delicious.  That's all you really need to know.

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

INGREDIENTS

4 large portobello mushroom caps

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 c part-skim ricotta

1 c spinach, finely chopped

1/2 c tsp Italian seasoning

3/4 c marinara

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 450.

Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Place mushroom caps on sheet gill side up & top with salt and pepper.

Roast for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, mash ricotta, spinach, parmesan, & Italian seasoning in a medium bowl.

Place marinara sauce in a small bowl & microwave on high for 30 seconds.

When mushrooms come out of the oven, carefully pour out any excess liquid.

Spread 1 tbsp of marinara into each cap.

Mound a generous portion of the ricotta mixture into each cap & sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli & Tomatoes

Im all about some stir fry for an easy to grab & take to work sort of lunch.  This is a tasty variation.  I can honestly say Ive never used fresh tomatoes in a stir fry so I thought Id give it a shot.

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

INGREDIENTS

2 tsp canola oil

1/4 tsp salt

1 lb boneless chicken, cubed

1 tbsp soy sauce

2 tsp garlic, finely chopped

3 c broccoli florets

1 c redium-sodium chicken broth

1 tbsp cornstarch

4 plum tomatoes, quartered length-wise

DIRECTIONS

Heat oil & salt in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

When oil is very hot, add chicken & stir fry for 3 minutes.

Add soy sauce & garlic & stir well.

Add broccoli & then slowly add 1/2 c chicken broth.

Cover & cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix cornstarch into remaining chicken broth & stir until dissolved.

Stir tomatoes & cornstarch mixture into skillet.

Reduce heat to medium-low & simmer for 2 minutes or until sauce is thick & clear.

Sauteed Spinach with Bacon & Mustard

Bacon & spinach is a pretty old idea.  To make it skinnier?  Even better.  This is very similar to something my grandparents made us growing up. Yum!

Recipe from Better Homes & Gardens.

Yields 4 servings.

135 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS

4 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 bags pre-washed spinach

1 tbsp margarine

1 tbsp dijon mustard

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.

Remove bacon & put on a paper towel to drain reserving drippings.

Gradually add spinach to skillet, stirring frequently with metal tongs.

Cook 2 to 3 minutes until just wilted.

Remove spinach from pan & drain.

In the same skillet, melt margarine over medium heat.

Stir in mustard & red pepper.

Add spinach & toss.

Top with bacon.

Creamy Mac & Cheese

Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food no matter what time of year.  I came across this recipe and thought it was perfect for a Sunday dinner.  Any of you who have followed this blog regularly know that Sunday dinner is my big blow out meal for the week.

Recipe from Skinny Kitchen dot com.
Yields 6 servings.
277 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS

1.5 c whole wheat pasta

1/2 lb 96% lean ground beef

1 tbsp garlic, minced

1 c onion, chopped

10 oz light alfredo sauce

1/2 c fat-free cottage cheese

1 c grape tomatoes, sliced in half

Black pepper, to taste

1/2 c reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350.

Spray a 2.5 qt casserole dish with cooking spray.

Cook pasta according to box & drain.

IN a large skillet, cook & break up ground beef over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.

Stir in garlic.

Cook for 2 more minutes, until beef is browned.

Drain & place back into pan.

In the meantime, put zucchini & onions on a microwave safe plate.

Cook in microwave for 4 minutes until soft.

Add to pan of browned beef.

Stir in pasta, alfredo sauce, cottage cheese, tomato, & some pepper.

Mix well & spoon into casserole dish.

Sprinkle cheese over top.

Bake for 25 minutes.

Chicken Parmesan Bites

This was so tasty!  Im a gal who grew up on oven chicken nuggets & if you use the right croutons, these can be super flavorful!

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



INGREDIENTS1.5 c croutons, crushed1/3 c parmesan, shredded1/4 tsp garlic powder2 egg whites1 tbsp water1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into pieces
DIRECTIONSPreheat oven to 450.
Mix croutons, cheese, & garlic powder together.
In a separate dish, mix egg & water.
Dip pieces of chicken into egg wash & then crumbs.
Lightly spray a pan with Pam.
Place chicken on pan & bake for 16 minutes. 

This took me like 15 minutes in total to prepare.  Great for a weeknight!

Squash & Tomato Bake

My obsession lately has been roasted vegetables.  It's such an easy, delicious way to eat veggies.

Recipe from BHG.com
Yields 8 servings.
113 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs yellow squash

1 tbsp flour

2 tsp sugar

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp basil

1/8 tsp pepper

2 14.5 oz cans stewed tomatoes

1/2 c mozzarella, shredded

1/2 c parmesan cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large pot, bring an inch of water to a boil.

Add squash, cover, & cook for 4 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl stir together flour, sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder, basil, & pepper.

Stir in tomatoes.

In a two quart baking dish, layer half of the squash & half of the tomato mixture.

Repeat layers.

Bake uncovered for 25 minutes.

Sprinkle with cheeses & bake for 5 more minutes.

BBQ Chicken bake

Okay, I kind of went a little overboard with the BBQ chicken but, I couldnt help it.  I love BBQ sauce like most people love hot sauce.  I know, Im weird.

Note : make sure to use a smaller baking dish.  The dish I used was too big so the bottom crust wasnt very thick.  Still was delicious, though.

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

INGREDIENTS

1/3 c Bisquick Heart Smart mix

1 tbsp water

1 egg white

1/2 c chicken breast, cooked

1/4 c barbecue sauce

1/4 c reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400.

Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, stir together Bisquick, water, & egg white.

Spread in the bottom of the pan.

In a small microwavable bowl, mix chicken & BBQ sauce.

Microwave on high for 1 minute & then stir.

Spoon over batter in pan & sprinkle with cheese.

Bake 20 minutes.

Creamy Pasta Primavera

Creamy pasta sauce & fresh veggies are always a go for me.  Especially when you throw some pasta in there.  Yum!

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

INGREDIENTS

1/2 jar sundried tomato alfredo sauce

15 oz diced tomatoes

1 large zucchini, sliced

1/4 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tbsp olive oil

2 c tri coloured pasta

DIRECTIONS

Cook pasta according to directions.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan.

Add zucchini, onion, & garlic.

Saute for about 10 minutes, or until zucchini begins to brown.

Add tomato & alfredo sauce.

Let simmer for about 5 minutes.

Place pasta in a large bowl.

Pour vegetables over top & stir together.

BBQ Chicken Salad

So, being that it's summertime I figured it was time to make something with BBQ sauce.  Traditionally BBQ sauce has a lot of sugar in it but, in this recipe it serves as more of a zest rather than overtake the entire flavor of the dish.

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

INGREDIENTS

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 large red bell pepper, diced

1/2 red onion, diced

1 small (8.75 oz) can sweet corn, drained

1/4 c BBQ sauce

2 tbsp low fat mayonnaise

DIRECTIONS

Chop up chicken & cook in a skillet until slightly browned.

(I always add some pepper because Im ridiculous & put pepper on everything!)

In a large bowl toss together chicken, red pepper, onion, & corn.

In a separate bowl, mix BBQ sauce & mayonnaise.

Pour BBQ sauce mixture over chicken mixture & stir well.

This is really fast & easy & perfect for lunch during the week.

Ham & Cheddar Pie

Another easy weeknight dinner.  I dont think Ive had baked ham since Christmas.  This is a perfect post gym dinner because it's got everything.  I ate it with a side of roasted veggies; they are my favorite thing on the planet lately.

Recipe from Betty Crocker.
Yields 6 servings.
230 calories per serving.


INGREDIENTS1.5 c cooked ham1 c low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded4 scallions, chopped1/2 c Bisquick Heart Healthy mix1 c skim milkblack pepper, to taste2 eggs
DIRECTIONSPreheat oven to 400.Spray a 9 inch pie dish with cooking spray.Sprinkle ham, cheese, & onions into pie dish.
In a medium bowl stir the remaining ingredients together until blended.Pour over ham mixture.
Bake for 40 minutes.Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

This was a little more time consuming than I usually like for a weeknight but, it was worth it.  So delicious!

Chickpea Salad

This is the perfect lunch dish.  You get an enormous portion for such little calories.  Not to mention, this smells just as amazing as it tastes!

Recipe from Spark People.
Yields 6 servings.
158.7 calories per serving.


INGREDIENTS15.5 oz can chick peas1/2 c green pepper, chopped1 small red onion, chopped1 medium cucumber, chopped2 tbsp balsamic vinegar3 tbsp olive oil1/4 tsp garlic powder1/4 tsp oreganosalt & pepper to taste
DIRECTIONSMix all ingredients together & chill.
Simple enough, no?  Perfect lunch for the work week!

Fettuccine with Mushrooms & Basil

I love mushrooms.  The few days before I left for vacation & after I got back from vacation I ate mostly roasted garlic veggies & Im pretty sure I annhilated 2 containers of mushrooms.  This is actually a little higher in calories than I prefer in one meal but, come on.  It has mushrooms.

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


INGREDIENTS2 tbsp olive oil3 cloves garlic, minced1.5 c mushrooms2 tbsp lemon juicesalt & pepper to taste8 oz whole wheat fettuccine or angel hair1/2 c parmesan, shredded1/2 c basil
DIRECTIONSBring a large pot of water to boil.Cook pasta according to package.Reserve 1/2 c  of cooking liquid.Strain & set aside.
Meanwhile, heat over in a large skillet over low heat.Add garlic & cook for about a minute, until browned.Add mushrooms & increase heat to medium-high.Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.Stir in lemon juice, salt, & pepper.Remove from heat.
Add mushroom mixture to pasta & toss to coat.

Chorizo & Cheese Quesidillas

I changed this recipe up a little bit in terms of how I cooked it.  I dont have access to a grill right now so, I used a pan.  It doesnt change the calories or anything along those lines.  It just made it easier for me.

Recipe from BHG.com
Yields 6 servings.
232 calories per serving.

INGREDIENTS

8 oz mild Italian sausage

1/3 c chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped

2 8 inch flour tortillas

1 c monteray jack cheese, shredded

Pam

DIRECTIONS

In a medium skillet cook sausage, onion, & garlic until meat is brown & onion is tender.

Drain fat & add jalapeno.

Stir & set aside.

Take one tortilla & place 1/2 c cheese all over.

Place 1/2 of sausage mixture on one half of tortilla & fold over.

Spray a pan with cooking spray & place folded tortilla in.

Cook tortilla until crisp. 

Flip & do the same on the other side.

Repeat with second tortilla.

I had this for dinner tonight & HOLY SHIT.  It was so delicious.  Definitely something Id make again.  I feel like this would be good for a date night in or even just having people over to hang out.  And with a calorie count so low, everyone wins!