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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Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

It’s been too long since I have given you a new exciting recipe to try.  I hope to be posting more often again.  Here is a very tasty dish from tonight that the family really enjoyed.  The best thing is that it is a complete meal with veggies already included.

Enjoy!!

Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

Serve 6

Preheat oven 375^o

Estimated Values per serving:

Calories = 300                                              Fat = 8 grams

Ingredients:

1 ½ broccoli

1 ½ pounds cooked skinless/boneless chicken breast – cut into bite sized pieces

1 tablespoon canola oil

¼ cup onion – chopped

2 cloves garlic

¼ cup sherry

3 – 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce

¼ cup flour

1 cup skim milk

6 ounces grated low fat cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

¼ cup bread crumbs

¼ cup parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil.  Add broccoli and cook for about 3 minutes.  Drain and rinse with cold water.  Add to a large bowl with cooked chicken and toss.
2. Coat a 9-by-13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
3. Heat a skillet on medium heat, coat with cooking spray, add oil and chopped onion.  Cooke 3 – 5 minutes until tender.  Add garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.  Add sherry, scraping any pieces from the pan an cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together milk, broth and flour then add to skillet.  Cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture is bubbly and has thickened.  Remove from heat and add Swiss cheese, stirring until all the cheese has melted.
5. Pour cheese sauce into mixing bowl with chicken and broccoli, adding salt and pepper to taste and toss until well coated.
6. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.
7. Mix the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese together then sprinkle on top.
8. Bake for 30 minutes or until browned on top.

Braised Pork Tenderloin with Guinness BBQ Sauce

This is an Asian style BBQ that reads a little strange when you see it but it’s worth trying.  My family thought it was really good and has a flavor that is very similar to the BBQ ribs you would get at a Chinese restaurant.

Braised Pork Tenderloin with Guinness BBQ Sauce

Serves 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Estimated values per serving:

Calories = 270                      Fat = 4 grams                        Points: 5

Ingredients:

1 pound bones pork tenderloin

Salt and pepper

2 cloves garlic – minced

1 12-ounce bottle of Guinness stout

¼ cup brown sugar

1 cup diced canned tomatoes

¼ cup hoisin sauce (in the Asian section of grocery stores)

1 tablespoon corn starch

2 tablespoons water

Directions:

1. Heat a skillet on medium high heat and coat with cooking spray.  Season pork with salt and pepper and add to skillet.  Brown for about 5 minutes on each side.  Remove pork and cover.
2. Add garlic to skillet and sauté for 1 minute.  Add Guinness, brown sugar, tomatoes and hoisin sauce.  Cook until mixture reaches a boil then lower the heat and add back the pork.  Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Remove pork from skillet and cut into thick slices; cover and set aside.
4. In a small bowl, combine corn starch and water then add to skillet with sauce.  Cook until mixture is thick and bubbly, stirring constantly.
5. Add pork back to skillet to coat with sauce.  Spoon pork and sauce onto a platter and serve.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

YouTube: https://youtu.be/D96jxf5sqS0

A cordon bleu or schnitzel cordon bleu is a dish of meat wrapped around cheese, then breaded and pan-fried or deep-fried. Chicken, Veal or pork cordon bleu is made of veal or pork pounded thin and wrapped around a slice of ham and a slice of cheese, breaded, and then pan fried and baked. This recipe is made with a simple to make cheese sauce, which really compliments the chicken. Enjoy!!!

Serves 4

Preheat oven 375^o

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 30 – 45 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 490                        Fat: 10 grams                   

Sauce Ingredients:

3 tablespoons flour

2 cups skim milk

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

2 ounces thinly sliced reduced fat Swiss cheese

¼ teaspoon white pepper

Sauce Directions:

1. Whisk four and milk in a saucepan on medium heat for 5 – 7 minutes until thick and bubbly.
2. Remove from heat, add cheeses and pepper and stir until cheese is melted.  Cover and set aside.

Chicken Ingredients:

4 chicken cutlets (total of 1 ½ pounds or 24 ounces)

1 cup Italian bread crumbs

1 cup egg substitute

8 thinly sliced reduced fat Swiss cheese (3 ounces)

8 thinly sliced deli ham slices (6 ounces)

Directions:

1. Make sauce and cover to keep warm.
2. Pound each chicken cutlet until it is about ¼ inch thin (thinner is easier to roll).  Cut each in half for a total of 8 cutlets.
3. Cut deli ham meat into 8 slices and Swiss cheese into 8 slices.
4. Place a ham slice inside the chicken cutlet and then a slice of cheese.  Roll up each breast tightly.  Continue until all chicken cutlets are rolled with the cheese and ham inside.
5. Dip each in egg then roll in bread crumbs.
6. Heat a large non-stick skillet on medium high heat and spray with cooking spray.  Cook the rolled chicken cutlets for about 5 minutes on each side until browned.
7. Pour 2/3 sauce into an oven safe baking dish.  Place cutlets in a single layer on top of sauce then spoon remaining sauce on top.
8. Bake for 30 minutes covered then 5 – 10 minutes uncovered until bubbly and browned.
9. Serve hot.

TIPS FOR ROLLING CHICKEN CUTLETS:

1. You can use plastic wrap on the outside of the chicken cutlets when rolling to get a tight roll.  This will help from the chicken falling away from the ham and cheese center.
2. You can secure with toothpicks and remove after cooking in the skillet.

Pulled Pork with Amercian Style Coleslaw

Every year this weekend kicks off the holiday BBQ season.  To get ready, I am experimenting with some classic menus that won’t make you feel guilty.  Tonight we had pulled pork and coleslaw sandwiches.

One of the reasons I love serving this to company is because it is better if made a day or two before the BBQ.  The coleslaw should be made at least 24 hour in advance and kept cold until ready to serve.  The longer it sits in the refrigerator, the better it gets.  The pulled pork can definitely be made the day before and heated up and served in a crock pot.  So if you are looking for hassle free cooking the day of your party, this is a great menu.

The family loved it (even if it was 60 degrees and cloudy) and was asking for seconds.

Enjoy!

American Style Coleslaw

Pulled Pork with Amercian Style Coleslaw

Serves 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Refrigerate overnight

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 55                           Fat: 2 grams

Ingredients:

½ cup low fat mayonnaise

¼ cup skim milk

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons white vinegar

½ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon celery seed

¼ teaspoon salt

1 scallion – chopped

4 cups shredded cabbage

1 cup shredded carrot

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, sugar, vinegar, pepper, onion powder, celery seed, and salt.
2. Add shredded cabbage, carrot and scallion and toss.
3. Refrigerate overnight or for several days and serve cold.

Pulled Pork

Serves 8

Pre heat oven 250^o

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Bake Time: 4 – 5 hours

Cook time: 30 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 200                        Fat: 5 grams

Pork Loin Rub Ingredients:

2 pounds boneless pork loin

1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

2 teaspoons ground oregano

1 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon thyme

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Trim any excess fat from pork and set aside.
2. To make the rub, combine all the ingredients. Rub over the surface of the pork loin to coat.
3. Place pork in baking pan and cover with aluminum foil.  Cook pork for about 4 – 5 hours.
4. Cool pork until you are able to handle it then shred the meat.

BBQ Sauce Ingredients:

1 cup strong coffee

1 jar (12 ounces) chili sauce

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons molasses

½ teaspoon liquid smoke

¼ cup white vinegar

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 – 3 dashes pepper sauce (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in large saucepan and bring to a simmer on medium low heat.  Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Add sauce to shredded pork and mix well.  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.

Greek Style Meatballs with Tzaziki Sauce

Greek Style Meatballs with Tzaziki Sauce

Serves 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 – 25 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 315                        Fat: 9 grams

Greek Style Meatballs with Tzaziki Sauce

Tzaziki Sauce

Ingredients:

½ European cucumber – seeded and grated

4 ounces low fat cream cheese – softened

½ cup fat free Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried)

2 cloves garlic – minced

Salt to taste

Directions:

1.    Put the grated cucumber in a double paper towel and twist the ends over the sink to allow the excess cucumber water to drain.

2.    In a bowl, fold in the grated cucumber, cream cheese, yogurt, dill, garlic and salt.

3.    Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).

 

Meatballs:

Ingredients:

½ pound ground lamb meat

½ pound ground sirloin

½ pound ground turkey breast meat

¼ cup egg substitute

1 teaspoon oregano

1 tablespoon fresh (or 1 teaspoon dried) parsley

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ cup fat free feta cheese – crumbled

2 slices bread with crusts removed

Directions:

1.    In a large bowl, mix together the ground meats, egg substitute, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder and feta cheese.  Soak the bread in water, squeeze out any excess water then add to the meat mixture.

2.    Mix all ingredients very well.

3.    Roll meat mixture into small balls and set on a roasting pan.

4.    Bake 20 – 25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked to medium temperature (about 165^o).

Bouillabaisse

This is a great healthy recipe that is so easy to prepare.  I was rushing around last week and needed an idea for dinner.  I had frozen shrimp, scallops and sea bass and remembered my bouillabaisse recipe that never fails.  All I had to do was stop for the clams and I had a complete meal.  Because of my limited time, I cooked the sauce in advance then just heated it up 15 minutes before dinner and added the fish.  You can easily substitute any fish of your liking as well.

Sorry for not having a picture, I was really busy.

Enjoy…

 

Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 300                        Fat: 2.5 grams

Sauce ingredients:

Olive oil cooking Spray

1 leek, chopped

½ onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons flour

1 bottle of clam juice (8 ounces)

½ cup white wine

2 cups fat free chicken broth

1 cup diced tomatoes (can be canned)

½ teaspoon saffron

2 tablespoons fresh parsley

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

1.    Heat deep sauté pan on medium low heat and spray with cooking spray.  Sauté onions and leeks until soft.  Add garlic and flour and sauté for an additional minute.

2.    Add clam juice and raise heat to medium.  Let come to a boil and add wine, chicken stock and tomatoes.  Cook until it comes back up to a boil.

3.    Lower heat to a simmer and add saffron, parsley, thyme and pepper.

4.    Simmer for 1 hour (covered).

Fish:

1 pound fillet fish (i.e. tilapia, cod, sole)

1 pound scallops

1 pound shrimp – deveined, shelled and tails off

1 dozen clams

Directions:

1.    Add fish fillet cook for 5 – 7 minutes, add shrimp, scallops and clams and cook until clams have opened, the shrimp have turned pink and scallops are firm, about 5 minutes.

Serve with rice.

 

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.

 

Chicken with Ricotta and Spinach

Serves 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 210                        Fat: 5 grams

Chicken with Ricotta and Spinach

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless/skinless chicken breast – cut into bite sized pieces

Salt and pepper to season chicken

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach – thawed

½ cup fat free chicken broth

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup fat free half and half

1 cup fat free ricotta cheese

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.  Heat a large skillet on medium high heat and coat with cooking spray.  Add chicken and sauté for 7 – 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
2. Squeeze excess water from thawed spinach and add to the skillet.  Add chicken broth, onion and garlic powder and cook until the liquid is absorbed (about 5 minutes).
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the half and half, ricotta cheese and parmesan cheese.  Reduce heat to medium low and add the cheese mixture, heat through until the sauce is warm and the cheese has melted.
4. Serve hot over pasta or rice.