Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole

Here is a great low fat version of a traditional favorite.  If you like the marshmallow topping instead; go for it, it will actually lower the fat by 2 grams per serving too!

Enjoy…

Preheat oven 425^o

Serves 8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Estimated values per serving:

Calories = 230                      Fat = 5 grams                        Points: 5

 

Topping Ingredients:

2 cups gingersnap cookies – crushed

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

2 tablespoons butter spread

Casserole  Ingredients:

3 pounds sweet potatoes

¾ cup fat free half and half

½ cup apple cider

2 tablespoons butter spread

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons apple jelly

¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 cup egg substitute

¼ teaspoon salt

Topping Directions:

1. Put cookies, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and butter spread in a food processor and pulse until mixture resembles coarse sand.  Remove and chill until ready to use.

Potato Directions:

1. Spray a roasting pan with cooking spray.  Cut potatoes in half and place cut side down in roasting pan.  Roast for 45 minutes until potatoes are soft.  Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.
2. Lower oven heat to 400^o.
3. Scoop out flesh from potatoes into a large mixing bowl.  Add half and half, apple cider, butter spread, brown sugar, apple jelly, pumpkin pie spice, egg substitute and salt and beat on high speed in mixer until smooth.
4. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray and spoon potato mixture into pan.  Spread gingersnap crumb mixture on top.
5. Bake for 45 minutes.

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Pumpkin Cream Pie in Mason Jar

Pumpkin Cream Pie in Mason Jars
This is a fun desert for guests and family. A twist on Pumpkin Pie, this recipe is really delicious and light. If you love Pumpkin Pie (and who doesn’t this time of year?) then you are going to want to try this one. Pay close attention to the crust, as this crust can be used for any cake or pie that calls fro Graham Cracker Crust. It really is a winner!

Serves: 10

Estimate Calories preserving: 196

Fat grams: 5 grams

Ingredients:

Crust:

6 ounces pitted dates, minced

1 cup graham-cracker crumbs

Filling:

1 can (15 ounce) canned pumpkin

½ cup sugar

1 cup skim milk

½ cup fat free half and half

2T. cornstarch

1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:

½ cup heavy cream

1 T. sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. In a food processor, pulse together dates and graham cracker crumbs for several minutes until it holds together between your fingers.
2. Press an even amount of graham cracker crust into 12 mason jars and set aside.
3. Blend all ingredients together, cook on medium heat until thickened.  Pour an even amount in each mason jar.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
4. Beat together heavy cream, sugar and vanilla until thick.  Spoon onto each pumpkin pie and serve.

Corn Bread Cake

Corn Bread Cake

This is one of those recipes that I had at a party and absolutely loved it so I asked for the recipe. It had a lot of butter and oil which made it really delicious but really fattening. So I took the recipe and made it delicious and light. It came out awesome and you woudl never know I changed up the recipe. You are really going to enjoy this so give it a try!

Preheat oven 350^o

Serves: 10

Estimated Calories per serving: 157

Fat grams: 3 grams

Ingredients:

½ cup cornmeal

1 ½ cups flour

¾ cup sugar

1 Tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 package sugar free vanilla flavored instant pudding mix

1/3 cup butter spread, melted

2 Tablespoons honey

½ cup egg substitute

1 ¼ cup buttermilk

Directions:

1. Spray 8X8 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Stir together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and pudding mix.
3. Pour in the butter spread, honey, egg substitute and buttermilk and stir until moist.
4. Pour the batter into the baking dish and bake for about 45 minutes or until the top of the cornbread starts to brown and show cracks.

Apple Glazed Brussel Sprouts

Serves 6

Preheat oven 425^o

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Estimated values per serving:

Calories = 75                        Fat = .5 grams

Ingredients:

2 pounds Brussel sprouts – cleaned of outer leaves and cut in half

2 tablespoons apple jelly

2 tablespoons maple syrup

Directions:

1. Spray baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.  Cut off the bottoms of brussel sprouts and then cut in half.  Place on baking sheet, spray with cooking spray and season with salt.
2. Roast Brussels sprouts in the oven and set aside.
3. Remove Brussels sprouts from the oven and add to ham.
4. In a small bowl, combine apple jelly and maple syrup and microwave for about 30 seconds until apple jelly has melted.  Add to brussel sprouts and toss.

Apple Pie in a Cup or Mason Jar

Apple Pie in a Cup/Mason Jar

Serves 8

Preheat oven to 375^o

Estimated Calories per serving: 400

Grams of fat: 6

Filling Ingredients:

5 large apples, cored, peeled & cubed

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon allspice

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ cup sugar

1 cup apple cider

2 Tablespoons corn starch

1 Tablespoon low calorie/fat butter spread

Crust Ingredients:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 teaspoon cinnamon

6 ounces pitted dates

Streusel topping ingredients:

1 ½ cups flour

½ cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup melted low calorie/fat butter spread

8 clear plastic cups OR 8 6-ounce mason jars

Directions:

1. Make filling: In a large bowl, combine apples, cinnamon, all spice, cloves and sugar and mix with spoon until well combined.
2. Heat a large skillet on medium heat and melt 1 Tablespoon butter spread.  Add apples.
3. Combine apple cider and corn star and mix.  Add to skillet and cook until bubbly (about 5 minutes).  Lower heat and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes until apples are soft.
4. Once apples are cooked, allow to cool on stovetop until warm.
5. While apples are simmering, combine graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon and dates to a food processor.  Pulse, on and off, for several minutes until the mixture can be pressed and stays together.
6. In a bowl, mic together flour, brown sugar and melted butter spread.  Using a fork, mix well until incorporated well.

For Apple Pie in a Cup:

• Spread flour mixture onto a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.  Set aside and allow to cool.
• Spoon graham cracker/date crust in the bottom of each cup and press down on mixture until compacted
• Spoon cooled apple pie filling on top then sprinkle streusel topping on top of the filling.
• Serve warm

For Mason jar apple pie:

• Spoon graham cracker/date crust in the bottom of each mason jar and press down on mixture until compacted
• Spoon cooled apple pie filling on top then sprinkle streusel topping on top of the filling.
• Top each mason jar with streusel topping and bake in the oven for 15 minutes until apples are bubbly and streusel topping is slightly browned.

Noodle and Ham Cast Iron Skillet Casserole

Noodle and Ham Cast Iron Skillet Casserole

Serves 4

Preheat oven 375^o

Estimated Calories/serving: 332

Fat Grams: 7 grams

Ingredients:

1 pound smoked ham, diced

1 onion, chopped

1 can condensed cheese soup

2/3 cup skim milk

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Pepper to taste

6 ounces partially cooked noodles (cook for 5 minutes) or al dente

Directions:

1. Heat a cast iron skillet on medium heat and coat with cooking spray.  Add chopped onion and cook 3 -4 minutes until onion is soft.
2. Add diced ham and cook for an additional 3 – 5 minutes until ham and onions are slightly browned. Turn off heat and set aside.
3. In a bowl, mix cheese soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce and pepper.  Stir in cooked noodles
4. Gently fold noodle mixture into to ham and onions.
5. Bake 20 minutes until browned.

Roasted Eggplant Spread

This is another great appetizer/spread for your family or guests. It is super easy to make and is full of flavor. The best way to serve is with some slices of toasted Italian bread ans some wine! Enjoy!!!

Roasted Eggplant Dip

Preheat oven 400^o

Serves: 8

Estimated calories per serving: 20

Fat grams: 1

Ingredients:

1 large eggplant

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped

¼ cup parmesan cheese

1 can petite diced tomatoes, strained

Directions:

1. Cut top of eggplant and then cut down the length of eggplant.  Place cut side down onto a baking sheet and roast 30 – 40 minutes until eggplant is soft to the touch.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. Once eggplant is cool, scrape eggplant out of the skin and shred the eggplant meat into a food processor.  Add salt and pepper, garlic, basil and Parmesan cheese and pulse until everything is chopped but note pureed.  Spoon into bowl and mix in diced tomatoes.
3. Serve warm with pita chips, bread or crackers.

Hot – Artichoke and White Bean Spread

Hot Artichoke and White Bean Spread

This is a great spread for company. Serves some hot Italian bread on the side and you are sure to have a hit on your hands!

Serves: 8

Estimated calories per serving: 100

Fat grams: 3

Preheat oven to 375^o

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 (15 – 16 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

½ cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1 cup baby spinach

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained

/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped

¼ cup parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat skillet on medium low heat and spray skillet with cooking spray and oil.  Add onions and sauté until the onions are golden and about to brown. Add garlic and sauté for another minute or less.
2. Transfer onion mixture to a food process and add beans and ricotta cheese.  Process until smooth.
3. Add the artichoke hearts, beans, basil, salt and pepper and process until the mixture is a smooth paste.  Add Parmesan cheese and spinach and pulse, on and off, until mixed evenly.
4. Spray oven safe bowl with cooking spray and scoop dip mix into bowl.  Sprinkle with a little additional Parmesan cheese on top (optional).
5. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and the top is golden.

Hot – Beer and Cheese Dip

Hot – Beer & Cheese Dip

Serves 8

Preheat oven 375^o

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving (dip only):

Calories: 72                           Fat: 4 grams                         

Ingredients:

4 ounces low fat cream cheese – room temperature

4 ounces fat free cream cheese – room temperature

¼ cup fat free sour cream

1/3 cup stout beer

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

¼ cup low fat grated cheddar cheese

1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix

Carrot sticks, celery sticks and/or pretzels

Directions:

1. Beat together cream cheeses, sour cream, beer, Worcestershire sauce, cheddar cheese and ranch mix at medium speed. 
2. Spray oven safe bowl with cooking spray and scoop dip into bowl.
3. Bake 15 – 20 minutes until melted and bubby.
4. Serve warm.

Asian Style Cocktail Meatballs

 

The Lonely Meatball

Some of my favorite moments in life include having friends over enjoying something that I have cooked.  Saturday was one of those moments.  I made these meatballs as a result of just having all the ingredients in the house.  Everyone really enjoyed them and I promised that the recipe would be in the blog within the next few days.  When the gathering was over and we were cleaning up, I said to Dean, “Oh, look at that very lonely meatball.”  Dean took a quick snap of the one meatball left.  The picture isn’t very pretty but it definitely shows the happiness I felt that they were almost gone (because we all know that no-one wants to take the last one).

I hope you try these for your friends and they enjoy them as much as we did.

Enjoy…

Asian Style Cocktail Meatballs

Preheat oven 375^o

Serves 8

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 200                        Fat: 2 grams

Asian Style Cocktail Meatballs

Ingredients:

Sauce:

1 ½ cups Chili Sauce

¾ cup apricot or apple jelly

1 tablespoon Asian chili/garlic sauce

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

3 tablespoons soy sauce

 

Meatballs:

½ pound ground turkey breast

½ pound ground sirloin

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon Asian chili/garlic sauce

½ cup egg substitute

¾ cup plain bread crumbs

Directions:

1. In a medium sauce pot, combine all sauce ingredients and heat on low until the jelly is melted and the sauce is warmed.
2. Make the meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meats, ginger, soy sauce, chili/garlic sauce, egg substitute and bread crumbs.  Mix all the ingredients well with your hands.
3. Coat a large baking pan with cooking spray.  Roll meatballs into small balls and add to the baking pan.
4. Bake 20 – 25 minutes until meatballs are cooked and browned.
5. Add meatballs to a serving platter and pour sauce on top.  Gently stir so that all the meatballs are coated with sauce and serve.