Vegetable Stir Fry

This is exactly what it sounds like.  It's pretty easy & the most prep you really have to do is slice some veggies, which is simple.

Recipe is from Better Homes
Yields 2 servings
188 calories per serving

INGREDIENTS

Olive oil cooking spray

1/2 cup carrots, sliced into 1/4 in pieces

1/2 medium zucchini, sliced

1/2 green pepper, cut into strips

4 oz sliced mushrooms

3 scallions, cut into 1 in pieces

2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce

garlic powder, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Preheat a skillet over medium high heat; add oil.

Add carrot pieces & stir fry for 2 minutes.

Add zucchini & stir-fry for 2 more minutes.

Add green pepper, mushrooms, & scallions; cook for another minute.

Add soy sauce & garlic powder & stir until vegetables are coated with sauce.

Spinach Pasta Salad

Garlic, cheese, & pasta!  Oh my!  That's all I could think when I saw this recipe.  And how perfect for a work week lunch.

Recipe from Better Homes

Yields 6 servings

227 calories per serving

INGREDIENTS

8 oz whole wheat penne

1 c spinach leaves

1/4 c basil

2 cloves garlic, quartered

2 tbsp parmesan cheese, shredded

salt & pepper, to taste

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp water

1/2 light salad dressing (I used Ranch)

DIRECTIONS

Cook pasta according to package.

Drain & set aside.

Meanwhile, in a food processor combine spinach, basil, garlic, cheese, salt, & pepper.

Add oil & water; cover & blend until nearly smooth.

Add dressing & stir.

Add spinach mixture to pasta & toss until well coated.

Cover & chill for at least 4 hours.

Creamy Mashed Cauliflower

I had always heard of this but never actually had the chance to make it.  It was so fast & easy.  No, it doesnt taste JUST like mashed potatoes but it was sure damned good.  Again, I got to use my Ninja which made me a happy gal!

Recipe from Eating Well
Yields 4 servings
107 calories per serving

INGREDIENTS

1 head of cauliflower, chopped into bite-size florets

4 cloves garlic, crushed & peeled

1/3 c skim milk

4 tsp olive olive

1 tsp margarine

salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Place cauliflower florets & garlic in a large pot of water.

Cook for 15 minutes, until very tender.

Place cooked cauliflower & garlic into a blender.

Add milk, olive oil, margarine, salt, & pepper.

Blend until smooth.

Spaghetti with Creamy Butternut Scallion Parmesan Sauce

I dont know about any of you but, Im pretty wild about squash.  This seemed ideal for a Sunday night dinner & plus, for the first time in a few months, I got to use my Ninja blender / food processor that my very thoughtful boyfriend gave me for Xmas 2 years ago.  I love that sucker.

Recipe from Skinny Taste dot com
Yields 4 servings
266 calories per serving

INGREDIENTS

1 lb butternut squash, peeled & diced

1 tbsp margarine

8 oz whole wheat spaghetti

4 scallions, cut into 1 in pieces

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 c parmesan cheese, shredded

salt & pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Bring a pot of water to boil.

Add squash & cook until soft, about 9 minutes.

Remove squash with a slotted spoon & place into food processor; blend until smooth.

Add pasta to the boiling water & cook al dente.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the margarine, saute garlic & scallions over medium-low heat for 5 - 6 mintues, until golden brown.

Add pureed squash & season with salt & pepper.

Stir in parmesan cheese & pour over pasta.

Skinny Turkey Meatloaf

Again, with the hankering for ground beef.  This was made with ground turkey, though.  I have no idea what my obsession is.  Maybe my pending shark week.  The point is, this was perfect for dinner.  The only pain in the ass was that it takes an hour to cook but, the result is so worth it!

Recipe from Skinny Kitchen . com

Yields 6 servings

169 calories per serving

INGREDIENTS

1 lb ground turkey

1/3 c spicy brown mustard

1/2 c bread crumbs

1 egg white

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt

Fresh ground pepper

INGREDIENTS

Preheat oven to 350.

Line a baking pan with foil & set aside.

In a large bowl mix all ingredients.

Place meatloaf in the center of baking pan & shape into a 12x4 inch loaf by hand.

Bake 60 minutes.

Cut into 6 slices.

Chili Mac

I dont know what it was this week but, I was really craving recipes with ground beef. This served as lunch & dinner for a few days this week. I didnt have a lot of time to cook Sunday night like I usually would.

Recipe from Spark People
Yields 10 servings
194.5 calories per seving

INGREDIENTS

1 lb lean hamburger

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

3 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 can red kidney beans

1 cup sweet corn, frozen

1 tsp salt

4 c water

1 box wheat penne

DIRECTIONS

In a large skillet brown ground beef with the onion.

When beef is no longer pink & onion is translucent, clear a small area in the middle of the pan & add the chili powder, cumin, & chopped garlic.

Cook spices for about a minute.

Add the tomato paste & mix the hamburger mixture.

Add red beans, corn, & water.

Mix & bring to a boil.

Add the uncooked pasta & bring to a boil.

Cover, turn heat down to low, & simmer for 20 minutes.

Off Topic

However, this gal is doing a badass giveaway! Check it out!