Post your low cal flavorful meal ideas
6 years ago
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Healthy, Low-Cal Recipes...
Comments (14)Here's a recipe I copied from a Cook's Illustrated "Healthy" Cooking magazine. It's really not bad, and I'd load it up with a bunch of steamed vegetables, probably some broccoli, red peppers, maybe peas or peapods, some mushrooms. Use whatever you like and that sounds good, the vegetables will add lots of bulk and few calories to the final dish. The notes included in the recipe are not mine, they were included in the original recipe. Low-Fat Fettuccine Alfredo Most standard recipes for Fettuccine Alfredo call for copious amounts of cream, butter and cheese. We wondered if a slimmed-down version of this decadent dish would be worth attempting and, most importantly, worth eating. Much to our excitement, we found we could cut three-quarters of the fat from our original recipe and still produce an Alfredo big on creamy, rich flavor and texture. Here are some of the ways we did it. Test Kitchen Discoveries Instead of heavy cream, we used a combination of whole milk and half-and-half to create a reduced-fat sauce that was both creamy and rich-tasting. To replicate the thickening effect of heavy cream, we settled on a roux made with just 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and 2 teaspoons of flour. This combination thickened our sauce effectively. By adding just a pinch of nutmeg and a lot of fresh-ground pepper, we were able to give our sauce a robust savory flavor. Simmering a crushed garlic clove in the sauce added an even deeper level of flavor. Traditional fettuccine alfredo has 580 calories, 43 grams of fat, and 27 grams of saturated fat per main-course serving. Our Low-Fat Fettuccine Alfredo has 320 calories, 12 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat per main-course serving. 1 tbls unsalted butter 2 tsp all purpose flour 3/4 cup whole milk 1/4 cup half and half 1 garlic clove, peeled and lightly crushed Salt and pepper Pinch nutmeg 1 cup grated parmesan 1 9 oz. package fresh fettuccine Cook pasta in 4 quarts water Heat butter over medium heat in large saucepan until foaming. Whisk in flour until mixture is smooth and golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Wisk in milk, half and half, garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and nutmeg and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Discard garlic, stir in parmesan and remove from heat. Add 1/3 cup pasta water and cooked past; toss until evenly coated. Cook until sauce has thickened slightly, about 1 minute. Add more cooking water as needed to thin sauce to proper consistency and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately in warmed bowls. Annie...See MoreNeed dessert ideas for Italian meal
Comments (29)The OP has asked for the glazed lemon sour cream cake I served at my recent luncheon. It was a hit with everyone. Here's the recipe, from The California Cook cookbook by Diane Rossen Worthington -- a cookbook I frequently use. Glazed Lemon Sour Cream Cake From The California Cook cookbook Serves 8-10 Note this cake may be prepared up to 3 days in advance, and kept at room temperature, tightly covered. The cake can also be wrapped tightly in aluminum foil and frozen for up to 2 months. Serve with seasonal berries and a dollop of whipped cream. Ingredients: 1 ¾ cup all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature 1 cup sugar 3 large eggs at room temperature 1 Tablespoon minced lemon zest 2 teaspoons lemon extract 1 cup sour cream Glaze: 1 ½ cups powdered sugar ½ cup strained fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons finely chopped lemon zest Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch lightweight Bundt pan. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda together in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside. 2. In a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, or in a food processor fitted with the metal blade, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, zest, and lemon extract and mix for 2 minutes. 3. Reduce the mixer to the lowest speed, add half the flour mixture, and mix until well combined. Add half the sour cream, mixing constantly, and then add the rest of the flour and sour cream, ending with the sour cream. 4. Pour the mixture into the prepared Bundt pan, and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a cake rack. Make the glaze. 5. Using a wire strainer, sift the powdered sugar into a small non-aluminum bowl. Add the juice and lemon zest, and whisk to break up any clumps. 6. Place the cake on a wax paper-lined rimmed baking sheet. Using a long skewer, poke holes in the cake almost going through the bottom at 1-inch intervals. Slowly pour the glaze over the cake, making sure itÂs absorbed as you pour. Let the cake come to room temperature....See Morelow cal
Comments (2)I've always cooked low-fat, high-nutrition, low-calorie meals, and include a lot of whole foods rather than processed foods; and everyone ate the same things at our house - kids and all.... Whole foods tend to naturally be low-fat and low-calorie, and I think of them as Nature's original FAST FOODS. What's easier than washing something, slicing or chopping (if needed) and eating? I focus on using a lot of veggies, beans, whole fruit and wholegrains, which are all very filling because they are also high-fiber. Low-fat meats are easy to choose and use. Watch portions sizes. Check your local library for "diet", "low-fat", "low-calorie" cookbooks. Get the kids to go through them with you - especially if there are lots of pictures - and let them help choose some new meal selections - maybe even help with food preparation. It's never too early (or too late) to teach good nutrition and how to plan a meal. You'll also find you can make many of your family favorites using low-fat substitutes and can eat them if you watch your portions. Eat extra fruits and veggies, and go light on the entree. Don't make this punishment for anyone. Your good food habits will benefit EVERYONE. How about chicken "nuggets" the kids will love and you can enjoy as well? They will be oven baked, not deep-fried. NUTTY CHICKEN FINGERS (217 calories) (source: Better Homes and Gardens New Dieter's Cook Book - There are LOTS of great kid-friendly foods in this book.) 1/3 c. cornflake crumbs 1/2 c. finely chopped pecans 1 T. dried parsley flakes 1/8 t. salt 1/8 t. garlic powder 12 oz. boned skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1x3-inch strips (chicken tenderloins will also work) 2 T. skim milk In a shallow dish combine cornflake crumbs, pecans, parsley, salt, and garlic powder. Dip chicken in milk, then roll in crumb mixture. Place in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake in 400F oven for 7-9 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Makes 5 servings. Nutrition per serving: 217 calories, 23 g. protein, 7 g. carbohydrate, 10 g. fat, 59 mg. cholesterol, 178 mg. sodium, 245 mg potassium. ---------------------- I like to serve this with fresh veggies and a little homemade "Ranch" dressing for dipping the veggies and the chicken in. Zucchini, cucumber, carrot and celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, landscaped with broccoli "trees"... Add these for dessert (from the same Cook Book) and some fresh fruit, and you'll have a great low-fat, low-calorie meal. GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES (137 calories) 1 c. all-purpose flour (I use wholegrain flour + 2 T. flaxmeal to increase the fiber - which makes you feel fuller.) 1/2 t. baking powder 1/2 t. ground ginger 1/2 t. ground cinnamon 1/4 t. baking soda dash salt 1 slightly beaten egg white 1/3 c. molasses 1/3 c. water 3 T. cooking oil Line eight 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside. In medium mixing bowl stir together flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, soda, and salt. In a small mixing bowl stir together the egg white, molasses, water, and oil. Stir molasses mixture into flour mixture just till blended. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin cups. Bake in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or till cupcakes spring back when pressed lightly in center. If desired sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve warm or cool. Makes 8 cupcakes - 8 servings. Nutrition: 137 calories, 2 g. protein, 20 g. carbohydrates, 5 g. fat, 0 mg. cholesterol, 82 mg. sodium, 168 mg. potassium. --------------- Most people benefit by just watching what a serving of something is. When we eat spaghetti at home, I serve 1/2-cup of meat sauce on 1/2 c. of cooked spaghetti. One-half cup of cooked spaghetti is a serving from the bread/cereal group and we only eat 4 servings of bread/cereal a day (we follow the old Basic Four - it fits our food requirements better then the Food Pyramid). The 1/2 c. spaghetti sauce usually has about 3-oz. of lean ground beef or bison (even less fat and fewer calories), or ground turkey in it. That's equal to a serving of meat. Add a tossed salad and some fruit (skip the garlic bread). FRESH APPLE "PIE" Wash, core, and slice a red and a green apple into bite-size bits (leave the peel on). Put the apple bits into nice dessert dishes and top with a couple tablespoons of Caramel Apple-Dip. I also toss on some Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal (kinda like Grape Nuts) for the "crust". Hubby says it's like having apple pie, just more refreshing. You can also add some cinnamon or apple pie spice to the apples, a few raisins, some chopped walnuts or pecans.... You'll be skipping the high-fat pie crust. Have fun finding new foods that everyone will like. :-) -Grainlady...See MoreIdeas for simple low-carb/low-fat/wheat-free meals?
Comments (9)Dips, dips and another dip! Years ago i self-appointed to be the designated chef at family gatherings...both families, and full of real, imagined, self-inflicted, moral, or just plain attention seeking dietary needs. (one year my niece and nephew, 6yrs and 12, announced vegan, lol) For game-side i would make dips with every dipper veg available. I ended up getting the list for different diets and made stuff up. Actually ended up being not much different than what we eat with a few adjustments...for example, a humus without beans.... 4 cups peeled & chopped raw zucchini 2 cups roasted califlower, chopped (optional) 3/4 cups tahini (sesame paste) 1/2 cup fresh lemon or lime juice 1/4 cup olive oil 4 cloves of garlic, peeled 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or to taste) 1 Tbl ground cumin tender center with leaves of celery cilantro with stems, to taste -puree in blender A salsa, a bana coda, a goat cheese pesto dip...i use my harvested roasted toms with veggies from the freezer and add lime, cilantro, and red onion when thawed for salsa. I have even included the recipe under the serving bowls, lol. So tired of all the questions of ingredients,...(after a few days when everyone turns kook.) Cooking keeps me out of the chatter for the most part. I make a ton of each, have serving bowls prepped and ready but have back-up quarts for re-filling if needed. (and good left-overs if one dip is not so popular) I like the chicken strips on skewers idea and maybe shrimp. Prepped ahead and popped in the oven if something warm is needed. With a nice Asian nutty sauce. (roasted pumpkin seeds?) A family favorite is tortilla pizza. Low carb, gluten-free, this and that tortilla options in a health food store. Many options for toppings and can be chosen for each diet individually. I prep all ahead in the morning...onions mushrooms simmered, roasted peppers and veg, a variety of cheeses, different meats...a mandoline is key for a thin edge of potato or sweet potato. The tortilla is thin and gets crispy quickly. Not a dough thick pizza...more about the toppings. Seems to please everyone no mater the diet issues. A prosciutto roll up with cheese and veg on parchment is a no crust option. This one is asparagus, mozz, tom and arugula with pesto under the thin potato edge. -my personal favorite is onion, gorgonzola, prosciutto, artichoke heart with an egg, (broken yolk) cracked on top. : )...with a pesto potato edge. This post was edited by sleevendog on Mon, Sep 16, 13 at 1:04...See More- 6 years ago
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Zalco/bring back Sophie!