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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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.

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.

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.

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup

Serves 8

Preheat oven 375^o

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 200                        Fat:4 grams

Ingredients:

½ (8 ounces) pound ground turkey breast meat

½ (8 ounces) pound ground sirloin

½ cup Italian style bread crumbs

¼ cup egg substitute

1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning – separated

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

½ box (8 ounces) orzo pasta

10 cups low fat chicken broth

1 package (10 ounces) chopped frozen spinach

2 bay leaves

Directions:

1. To make the meatballs: Combine the ground turkey, ground sirloin, bread crumbs, egg substitute, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder and parmesan cheese and mix well with your hands.
2. Coat a broiler pan with cooking spray and set on the side.  Roll meat mixture into small balls (about ½ teaspoon in size) and place meatballs on broiler pan.



3. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
4. While the meatballs are baking, boil orzo pasta until al dente (about 5 minutes).  Drain and rinse and set aside.
5. In a large pot, combine chicken broth, frozen spinach, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, bay leaves and cooked orzo and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer.
6. Once meatballs are cooked, add them to the soup and serve hot with parmesan cheese on the side.

 

 

 

Mexican Style Lasagna

Preheat oven 375^o

Serves 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 350                        Fat: 8 grams

Mexican Style Lasagna

Ingredients:

½ pound ground turkey breast meat

½ pound ground sirloin steak

1 clove garlic – crushed

1 cup chili sauce

½ cup water

Tabasco sauce (optional)

1 packet taco seasoning

6 small round soft tortillas

1 cup low fat grated Mexican blend cheese – separated

1 cup salsa

Directions:

1. Heat a large skillet on medium high heat and coat with cooking spray.  Add ground turkey and beef and sauté for 5 – 7 minutes until browned.  Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
2. Add chili sauce, water, Tabasco sauce (if using) and taco seasoning.  Heat on medium low for 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.  Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium high.  Heat tortillas until slightly browned.
4. To Assemble: Coat an 8 X 12 inch baking dish with cooking spray.  Layer 3 tortillas on the bottom (you may have to cut the tortillas so that they cover the bottom).  Add the ground meat mixture and top with half the cheese.  Layer the meat and cheese mixture with the remaining tortillas.  Spoon salsa on top and finally, top with the remaining cheese.
5. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

 

Spinach Florentine Meatloaf

Serves 6

Preheat oven 350^o

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving:

Calories: 300                        Fat: 8 grams

Spinach Florentine Meatloaf

Ingredients:

1 package (10 ounces) chopped frozen spinach – defrosted

12 ounces ground turkey breast meat

12 ounces 93% lean (or higher) ground beef

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon dried basil

½ cup egg substitute

1 cup fat free ricotta cheese

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

½ cup Italian style bread crumbs

4 grape tomatoes – cut in half (optional)

Directions:

1. Squeeze the excess water from the defrosted spinach and place in a large bowl.
2. Add turkey breast meat, ground beef, onion and garlic powder, salt, pepper, dried basil, egg substitute, ricotta and parmesan cheese and bread crumbs and mix together well until incorporated.
3. Coat a 9 X 5-inch bread pan with cooking spray.  Shape meatloaf and place into baking pan.
4. Decorate top with tomatoes.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.  Remove foil and bake an additional 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165^o.
6. Remove from baking pan and slice into 6 equal servings.

Roast Turkey Breast with Apples and Sweet Potatoes

Roast Turkey Breast with Apples and Sweet Potatoes

Serves 6

Preheat oven 425^o

Estimated values per serving:

Calories = 260                      Fat = 3 grams                        Points: 5

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes – cut into large pieces

4 apples – skinned and cut into large pieces

2 pounds boneless/skinless  turkey breast or 2 ½ pounds with bone

1 teaspoon thyme

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon marjoram

½ teaspoon chervil

Directions:

1. Place potatoes and apples in a large roasting pan in one layer.
2. Season turkey breast with thyme, salt, marjoram and chervil.
3. Place turkey breast on top of apples and potatoes.
4. Roast 45 – 50 minutes in the oven until internal temperature reaches 170o.
5. Remove turkey breast from pan and cover for 10 minutes before carving.
6. Place apples and potatoes on a serving platter with carves turkey meat on top and serve.

Turkey Meatloaf with Goat cheese

Turkey Meatloaf with Goat cheese

Turkey Meatloaf with Goat cheese

Serves 6

Preheat oven 375^o

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Estimated values per serving:

Calories = 250                      Fat = 10 grams                      Points: 5

Ingredients:

½ cup plain bread crumbs

1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tablespoons dried)

2 cloves garlic – minced

½ cup egg substitute

2 tablespoons fat free half and half

6 ounces crumbled goat cheese

1 package (1 pound 3 ounces) ground turkey breast meat

Directions:

1. Spray a 9X 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, stir together bread crumbs, parsley, garlic, egg substitute, half and half and cheese.
3. Add turkey meat and stir to combine.
4. Pack the meat into the baking loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes.  Let sit 5 minutes before cutting.

 

Mexican Lasagna

Mexican Lasagna

Serves 6

Preset Oven 375^o

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Estimated Values per Serving (not including sour cream):

Calories: 285                        Fat: 4 grams                          Points: 6

Ingredients:

½ cup onion – chopped

2 cloves garlic – minced

½ pound ground turkey breast meat

½ pound ground 93% lean beef

1 package taco seasoning

1 jar chili sauce

5 small soft tortillas

¼ cup low fat grated Mexican cheese

Gat free sour cream for serving (optional)

Sauce Ingredients:

¾ cup skim milk

1 tablespoon flour

¾ cup low fat grated Mexican cheese

Directions:

1. Heat a large skillet on medium heat and spray with cooking spray.  Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and browned.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Add ground turkey and beef and sauté for about 7 minutes until browned.
3. Mix taco seasoning with chili sauce in a small bowl then add to meat mixture.  Cook for about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Prepare cheese sauce:
5. In a small bowl, whisk together milk and flour.  Add to a small saucepot and heat on medium, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and bubbly.
6. Remove from heat and stir grated cheese until cheese is melted.
7. To assemble:
8. Cut tortillas into 2-inch thick strips.  Spray a 9 X 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.  Line the bottom of the baking dish with half of the tortilla strips so that they cover the bottom completely.
9. Spoon half of the meat mixture on top of the tortillas.  Pour cheese sauce on top.

10. Add the final layer of tortilla strips on top of the cheese mixture.

11. Spoon the remaining meat on top.

12. Sprinkle the ¼ cup reserve grated cheese on top of the meat mixture.

13. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.  Then remove the cover and bake another 15 minutes until the cheese has melted.