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.

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Braised Beef and Mushrooms

Braised Beef with Mushrooms

Serves 4 – 6

Estimated Calories per serving: 530

Fat grams: 10

Ingredients:

1 – 1 ½ pounds sirloin steak

Salt

Pepper

½ cup flour

1 Tablespoon canola oil

16 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

¾ cup red wine

28 ounces chopped tomatoes

1 Tablespoon fresh thyme

1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar

Directions:

1. Cut beef into 1 ½ inch steaks.  Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper then dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
2. In a 12-inch cast iron skillet, heat oil and add steaks.  Cook until browned, 3 – 4 minutes on each side.  Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Add mushrooms to skillet and cook until the liquid evaporates, about 8 minutes.  Add onion and cook until soften, about 3 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute then add wine, tomatoes, thyme and any additional salt and pepper for flavor.  Bring to a boil and then add steaks.
5. *Allow to simmer for a minimum of 20 minutes (see note below).  Stir in vinegar and serve

*Note: Simmering longer will make the beef tender.

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

This is a recipe that my family loves….actually anything with bacon is a big hit, but this recipe delivers great flavor with less fat and calories. Enjoy!

Serves 8

Preheat Oven 375^o

Estimated Calories per serving: 300

Grams of fat: 10

Ingredients

10 slices center cut bacon

2 pounds 93% lean ground beef

½ cup egg substitute

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 large jalapenos, seeded and chopped

½ cup breadcrumbs

½ cup chopped green onion

2 Tablespoons ketchup

2 Tablespoons pepper sauce

6 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

¼ cup brown sugar                 

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, stir together beef, eggs, garlic, chopped jalapenos, bread crumbs, green onion, ketchup, pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt and pepper until combined.
2. Shape mixture into a rectangle.
3. Weave bacon into a square, going crosswise and lengthwise then place meatloaf on the end.
4. Roll bacon around meatloaf.
5. Bake 30 minutes covered, then uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until the center reaches 165^o
6. Let stand 5 – 10 minutes before serving

Lowfat Beef Chili

It is winter time and what goes better on a cold, snowy night than a nice hot bowl of chili?  I put this recipe together with the idea of really enjoying a hearty meal that is light on the mid-section.  I did serve this with brown rice and although the rice adds calories, brown rice is much healthier then white rice so you can enjoy.  Stay warm and enjoy!

Low Fat Beef Chili

Serves 8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours slow cooker or 2 hours stovetop cooking

Estimated values per serving:

Calories =   350 Fat =  6 grams

Ingredients:

1 onion – chopped

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup Jack Daniels

2 – 2 ½ pounds London broil, cubbed

1 – 2 jalapenos peppers, seeded and minced

2 (12 ounce) jars chili sauce

1 can (28 ounces ) crushed tomatoes

2 – 3 dashes Tabasco sauce (optional)

1 tablespoon paprika

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon hickory smoke salt

1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 (15.5 ounces) can of red kidney beans or black beans

Directions:

1.    Heat a large pot on medium and coat with cooking spray.  Add beef and sauté for 5 minutes until browned. 

2. Add onions and saute for 5 minutes more then add garlic to sauté for 1 minute.  Add Jack Daniels and cook until liquid is absorbed.

3.    Add jalapenos, chili sauce, tomatoes, Tabasco sauce, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, hickory smoke salt, liquid smoke and oregano and stir.

4.    Once the mixture comes to a boil, you can lower the heat and keep on the stove to simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, or transfer to a crock pot and set on high for 4 hours and low for an additional 2 hours.

5.    Stir in beans ½ hour before the chili will be served.  Serve hot.

BBQ Meatloaf

A New Twist to an Old Favorite…

As the weather starts to cool down, I like to cook comfort food favorites.  This meatloaf is a great combination of a classic with a BBQ twist.  It’s really easy to make and I think your family will love it…

Enjoy!!

BBQ
Meatloaf

Serves 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 1 to 1 ¼ hours

Preheat oven 375^o

Estimated Values Per Serving:

Calories: 200                                                Fat:  4 grams

 Ingredients:

½ cup onion – chopped

4 slices turkey bacon

¾ pound ground turkey breast

¾ pound 93% lean ground beef

1/3 cup egg substitute

½ cup breadcrumbs – unseasoned

½ cup BBQ sauce

Directions:

1. Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and add bacon.   Cook until crispy and browned.
   Remove from heat and cool.  Chop bacon once cooled.
2. Using the same skillet, heat on medium and add chopped onion.  Cook until soft and browned.  Remove from heat to cool.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey breast meat, beef, egg substitute,
   breadcrumbs, BBQ sauce, bacon and onion. Mix all ingredients well until combined.
4. Coat a 9X5X3-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Mold meatloaf into pan.
5. Bake for 1 to 1 ¼ hours until thoroughly cooked through (temperature should reach 170^o).
6. Drain off the excess fat and served sliced on a platter.

Apple Bread with Maple Syrup Glaze

Apple Bread with Maple Syrup Glaze

Preheat oven 350^o

Serves 12

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 55 -60 minutes

Estimated Values Per Serving:

Calories: 195                                                Fat: 2 grams

Apple Bread with Maple Syrup Glaze

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup sugar

1 cup cored, peeled and grated apple

2 tablespoons cooking oil

2 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce

¼ cup egg substitute

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder and nutmeg.
2. In another bowl, whisk together sugar, grated apple, cooking oil, apple sauce and
   egg substitute.
3. Add flour mixture to apple mixture and stir until combined.
4. Coat a 8X4X2-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and spoon batter into pan.  Bake for 55 – 60 minutes or until an insert
   toothpick comes out clean.
5. Spoon on maple syrup glaze after apple bread has cooled.

Maple Syrup Glaze:

1 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar – sifted

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Skim milk (1 – 2 tablespoons)

 

1. In a bowl, combine confectioners sugar and vanilla.
2. Gradually whisk in maple syrupand enough milk to make a coating consistency.

 

Hamburger Quiche

Hamburger Quiche

Preheat oven 425^o

Serves 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Estimated Values Per Serving:

Calories: 365                                                Fat: 7 grams

Hamburger Quiche

Ingredients:

1 pizza dough crust

½ pound ground turkey breast meat

½ pound 93% lean ground beef

1 medium onion – chopped

¾ cup egg substitute

2 eggs

2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

¾ cup skim milk

Salt & pepper

2 cups frozen chopped spinach – defrosted & drained of excess water

Directions:

1. Coat a 9-inch deep pie dish pan with cooking spray.  Roll pizza dough in and fit into
   the bottom and up the sides of the deep pie dish.
2. Bake at 425o for 10 minutes then remove from the oven (dough will not be completely cooked).
3. Meanwhile, heat a skillet on medium high heat and cost with cooking spray.  Add ground turkey
   and beef for about 5 minutes, breaking apart with a spoon.  Add chopped onion and cook for an additional
   3 – 5 minutes.  Transfer the bottom of the pie dish.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the egg substitute, eggs, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, milk and salt and pepper.  Stir in the defrosted spinach.  Pour egg mixture into pie dish.
5. Lower oven heat to 400^o and bake for 35 – 40 minutes until browned.  Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.

Beef Stew

This is a super easy recipe with loads of flavor.

If you enjoy cooking meals in a slow cooker, you can modify it to do so by browning the meat and onion then transferring that to the slow cooker adding the remaining ingredients except the vegetables and cook on high for about 4 hours.  About 30 minutes before you are ready to eat, add the vegetables.  I started this too late to do in the slow cooker and have written the directions on how I prepared it earlier today.

Note: If you do not have beef broth in the house, you can use chicken broth instead.  Also, if you don’t have gravy master, GET IT!!  It enhances so many meals, adds so much flavor and is worth keeping in your spice rack.

Enjoy!!

Beef
Stew

Servings 4

Beef Stew

Estimated Values Per Serving:

Calories: 300                                                            Fat: 7 grams

Ingredients:

1 pound lean beef (London broil or sirloin) – cut into 1-inch cubes

¼ cup flour

Salt and pepper

2 small onions or 1 large – cut up

½ cup red wine

1 cup beef broth

½ teaspoon gravy master

½ teaspoon thyme

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 bag (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables

Directions:

1. Combine flour, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl.
   Dredge beef in flour mixture.
2. Heat a large skillet on high and coat with cooking spray.  Add beef and cook until browned (about 5
   minutes), stirring frequently.
3. Add cut up onions and cook for another 5 – 7 minutes until onions are browned.
4. Add wine and scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to get up
   anything stuck to the bottom.
5. Bring the heat down to simmer and add chicken broth, gravy master, thyme and garlic
   powder.
6. Simmer meat for 1 -2 hours.
7. Add mixed vegetables and simmer for another 10 minutes.
8. Serve hot.

Pastitsio – Greek Style Baked ziti with meat

Most families have traditional holiday meals that usually stem from their ethnic background and my family is no exception. Coming from a Greek American background, our Easter dinner usually consists of roasted lamb with orzo, Greek salad, spinach pie, pastsio and rice pudding for dessert.  Here is a recipe I’d like to share with you that lightens up a traditionally very heavy dish.

Enjoy…

Pastitsio – Greek Style Baked ziti with meat

Preheat Oven 350^o

Serves 6

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook & Bake Time: 50 – 60 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 420                        Fat: 7 grams

Ingredients:

½ pound ziti pasta

1 onion – chopped

1 clove garlic – minced

½ pound ground sirloin

½ pound ground turkey breast meat

Salt and pepper

½ cup white wine

1 cup tomato sauce

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

½ cup egg substitute

Cream Sauce:

1 cup fat free half and half

2 cups skim milk

½ cup flour

¾ cup egg substitute

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil and add ziti, cook for 5 minutes until al dente (firm).  Drain ziti and rinse with cold water.  Spoon into a bowl and set aside.
2. Make the meat filling:  Heat a large skillet on medium low heat, coat with cooking spray and add onion.  Cook for about 5 minutes until softened and browned.  Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
3. Increase the stovetop burner heat to medium high and add ground beef and turkey and sauté for about 7 minutes until the meat is cooked and browned.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add white wine and cook until all the liquid has absorbed.  Add tomato sauce and heat for about 2 minutes.  Spoon meat filling into the bowl with ziti and cool while preparing the cream sauce.
5. Make cream sauce: In a large pot, whisk together half and half, milk, flour, egg substitute and nutmeg.  Heat the stovetop burner on medium low, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly and thick.  Remove from heat and stir in 1/3 cup parmesan cheese.  Set aside.
6. Once the meat mixture is cooled, add the ¼ cup parmesan cheese and ½ cup egg substitute.
7. To assemble: Coat an 8 X 12 inch baking pan with cooking spray.  Spoon meat and ziti mixture on the bottom.  Spread the cream sauce on top.
8. Cover and bake for 45 minutes.  Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Stuffed Cabbage

This recipe is a little bit more work than what I usually post but is well worth the effort.  If you are having company or a nice weekend meal for your family, this comfort classic is sure to please.  Although my son peeled off the cabbage and ate the filling, he really enjoyed the flavors of the sauce and meat.  The best part is that you, your frineds and family can enjoy a hearty delicious but light meal.

Enjoy…

Stuffed Cabbage

Preheat oven 350^o

Serves 8

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 250                        Fat: 5 grams

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Bake Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Stuffed Cabbage

Ingredients:

Stuffed Cabbage:

1 – 3 ½ pound cabbage

¾ pound ground turkey breast meat

¾ pound ground sirloin

½ cup egg substitute

1 cup bread crumbs

1 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon dill

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Sauce:

1 onion

1 cup white wine

1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

1 cup unsweetened apple sauce

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon white vinegar

¼ teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil.  Remove any damaged leaves from the cabbage.  With a sharp knife, core the cabbage, cutting a hole in at least 1 inch wide and deep.
2. Place the cabbage in the saucepan, cored end down, and boil for 10 – 12 minutes.
3. Transfer the cabbage to a large bowl and carefully peel off as many softened leaves as you can.  Return the remaining cabbage to the saucepan and repeat until you have 16 whole leaves.
4. Quarter the remaining cabbage and transfer to a food processor and chop.  Measure 2 cups of the chopped cabbage and store or discard any remaining cabbage.
5. For the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, ground beef, egg substitute, bread crumbs, paprika, dill, salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Mix well until completely incorporated.
6. For the Sauce: Heat a large skillet on medium heat and coat with cooking spray.  Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until browned.  Add wine and reduce to half (about 5 minutes).  Add crushed tomatoes, apple sauce, sugar, vinegar, salt and the 2 cups of reserved chopped cabbage.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes.
7. While the sauce is simmering, spread the cabbage leaves out and fill each with about ¼ cup of the meat stuffing.  Fold the rib end of each leaf up over the stuffing then fold the side in.  Complete the roll by folding the top leaf down over it.
8. In a large oven safe casserole pan, add about 2/3 of the sauce on the bottom.  Carefully arrange the cabbage rolls on top of the sauce then pour the remaining sauce over the cabbage rolls.  Cover the casserole and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.