WHAT?!

Kevin is so not afraid of food. He will try anything at least once. I, on the other hand, am not so courageous! One of his favorite things is putting fried eggs on stuff... mexican food, burgers, etc. Well I had some leftovers that I needed to use and wanted to try something new and exciting, and this is what I came up with. I was a little hesitant to take the first bite, but it was surprizingly delicious!!! I later realized it was really just breakfast, but done a little different. This doesn't have a name, but if you're feeling a little adventurous, give it a try!

Leftover Surprize! Makes 2 servings (876 calories total or 438 calories each)

2 left over turkeyburger patties (360 calories)

2 eggs (140 calories)

1 cup cooked grits (130 calories)

1/2 cup left over roasted red pepper soup *see earlier recipe* (56 calories)

1 cup skim milk (80 calories)

1/3 cup shredded cheese (110 calories)

- bring 1 cup of milk to a boil. add 3 tablespoons dry grits. simmer about 5 min. stirring occasionally.

- reheat 1/2 cup soup in microwave safe bowl for 2 minutes. stir and heat an additional 2 minutes.

- reheat turkeyburger patties in skillet. (sorry, I don't know how long it takes... just until they are hot!)

- spray a small skillet with non-stick cooking spray. crack eggs and fry until whites are no longer clear. we like the yolks runny, but you can do it however you like.

- put 1/2 cup of cooked grits on each plate. place turkeybuger on top of grits. top with fried egg. cover each plate with 1/4 cup left over soup and sprinkle with half of the cheese!

Easy Tossed Salad and Ranch Dressing

Ok, so I know most of you can make a salad without a recipe, but for those of us that count calories, it takes a little more effort. I made this salad with some of my favorite ingredients, but you, of course, can change it to fit your tastes! I find it's much easier to make better food choices if they are convenient, so I like making a big salad and having it to snack on all week!

Easy Tossed Salad (135 calories total or 6 servings at 23 calories each)

10 leaves romaine lettuce (50 calories)

2 roma tomatoes (25 calories)

1/2 red bell pepper (15 calories)

1/2 yellow bell pepper (15 calories)

1 cucumber (30 calories)

- wash veggies

- cut veggies into bite sized pieces

- mix them all up in a big bowl

- top with your favorite cheese, salad dressing, and/or croutons

My favorite dressing is ranch... and it has to be homemade. So I buy the Hidden Valley Ranch mix and make it myself using lower calorie ingredients. I use light mayo which cuts the calories WAY down. You can also use fat free mayo for even fewer calories!

Homemade Ranch Dressing (16 ounces - 775 calories total or 24 calories per tablespoon)

3 tablespoons ranch dressing mix (135 calories)

1 cup skim milk (80 calories)

1 cup light mayo (560 calories)

- mix all ingredients together and chill for 30 min. before serving

Turkey Burgers

Ok, this is not another recipe, but I had to post the pic!! I used the Macaroni Grill bread recipe and made 6 small "bun-sized" loaves and used them as hamburger buns. I used ground turkey for the patties and topped with cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Just wanted to share!!! And OMG they were so good!

Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup

Trader Joe's is one of the best grocery stores ever! The first time we went, they were giving away free samples of an organic Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup. It was very good, but Kevin and I agreed that we would like it a little "chunkier". I looked online for some samples of recipes and came up with my own recipe. Kevin was actually impressed... which made me very happy! It seems a little complicated, but it really is rather easy to make.

Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup (517.5 calories total or 103.5 calories per cup)

1 onion (44 caloires)

4 large red bell peppers (200 calories)

1 tablespoon chopped garlic (15 calories)

1/2 -14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes (44 calories) (use the whole can if you want)

1 - 14.5 oz. can chicken broth (10 calories)

2 teaspoons onion powder (0)

2 teaspoons garlic powder (0)

1 tablespoon italian seasoning (0)

1 teaspoon thyme (o)

salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon red curry paste (5 calories) (optional - or cayenne pepper for a little "heat")

1 tablespoon olive oil (120 calories)

1 tablespoon basalmic vinegar (5 calories)

6 tablespoons evaporated milk (75 calories)

- Broil the red peppers, turning them so they blacken on all sides. Once they’re black, put them in a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and leave them until they’re cool enough to handle (about 30 minutes). Peel, seed, and roughly chop them.

- dice onion and heat olive oil in large pot. saute the diced onion and chopped garlic in the olive oil.

- add peppers, tomatoes, chicken broth, red curry paste, onion powder, garlic powder, italian seasoning, thyme, salt and pepper. bring to a boil.

- take 3 cups of the mixture and puree in blender or food processor to the desired consistancy.

- return to pot and add evaported milk. return to a boil.

- top with sour cream and/or cheese, and serve with grilled cheese or crackers.

V-day Dinner!

For Valentine's Day, Kevin and I decided to have a nice quiet meal at home. I had a few lasagna noodles in the cabinet and wanted to find a way to use them. I searched and found some recipes for "Lasagna Rolls" and made my own version. Here it is!!

Lasagna Rolls *makes 8 rolls* (2137.5 calories total or 267 calories per roll)

8 lasagna noodles (630 calories)

1 - 15 oz. container ricotta cheese (560 calories)

1/2 - 9 oz. package frozen spinach (35 calories)

1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese (110 calories)

2 teaspoons italian seasoning (0)

2 teaspoons garlic powder (0)

2 teaspoons onion powder (0)

salt/pepper to taste (0)

(1335 calories)

sauce:

1 - 8 oz. can tomato sauce (70 calories)

1 - 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes (87.5 calories)

salt/pepper to taste (0)

1 tablespoon diced garlic (5 calories)

1 tablespoon onion powder (0)

1 tablespoon italian seasoning (0)

1 teaspoon sugar (15 calories)

8 - 1 oz. slices mozzarella cheese (640 calories)

(802.5 calories)

- cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions

- mix ricotta cheese, spinach, parmesan cheese, italian season, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl and set aside.

- in a microwave safe bowl, mix tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic, onion powder, italian seasoning, sugar, salt and pepper.

- heat tomato sauce mixture in microwave for 3 minutes until just warm.

- when noodles are done cooking, drain and run under cold water so you can handle them without burning yourself.

- preheat over to 375 degrees.

- lay noodles out side by side on a non-stick surface.

- use a fork or spoon to cover each noodle with the ricotta cheese mixture.

- spoon a small layer of the tomato sauce in the bottom of a greased baking dish.

- start at one end and roll each noodle and place in baking dish.

- once all the rolls are in the dish, cover with the remaining tomato sauce.

- top each roll with a slice of mozzarella cheese.

- bake in 375 degree oven until cheese is bubbly.

Pizza Crust

I found this recipe and it looked easy enough, so Kevin and I decided to give it a try. It's pretty basic and tasty. We liked it but I think I am going to keep looking and see what else is out there. We topped our pizza with homemade pizza sauce (tomato sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic, and onion powder) fresh roma tomatoes, sliced mozzarella cheese, and spinach. It was really good!!!! Oh... and Kevin tried "throwing" the dough... but it ended up square anyway!

Basic Pizza Dough *makes 3 pizzas crusts* (1728 calories total / 576 calories per crust)

2 pkgs. dry yeast (0)
1 1/2 c. lukewarm water (0)
4 c. flour (1600 calories)
1 tsp. salt (0)
1/2 tsp. sugar (8 calories)
1 tbsp. olive oil (120 calories)

Dissolve yeast in water; set aside for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine flour, salt, sugar and oil in bowl; make a well in the center. When water/yeast mixture is bubbly, pour into center of well. Start kneading dough, bringing flour toward center of bowl; gradually increase kneading motion. If dough feels dry, add a little more water; if it feels sticky, add more flour. Knead vigorously until dough is smooth and elastic. Roll into ball; cover with a damp cloth. Let rest for about 20 minutes in warm place. Beat dough with your palm to expel gas formed while fermenting. Roll dough again into ball; place in greased bowl. Baste with oil. Cover with plastic wrap; store in refrigerator.

When ready to use, place dough on floured counter top or table. Flatten with your hands, working from center out (a rolling pin may do also). Push dough evenly onto greased cookie sheet or pizza pan, forming a 12-inch circle with edges thicker than middle. Apply favorite topping in desired amounts. Bake in hot oven (475 to 500 degrees) until golden brown. Makes dough for 3 pizzas.

Copycat Macaroni Grill Bread

Kevin LOVES the bread at Macaroni Grill, so I thought I would be a good wife... find a recipe and try to make it for him. I have to say, I even impressed myself!!!! This recipe is so easy and tastes great!!!!


Makes 2 loaves (1188 calories total or 594 calories per loaf)

1 tablespoon yeast (0)
1 tablespoon sugar(48 calories)
1 cup warm water (0)
2 cups flour (800 calories)
1 teaspoon salt (0)
2 tablespoons italian seasoning (I used more than that... didn't measure it though)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine (I use a light whipped butter... 100 calories)
2 tablespoons EVOO *extra virgin olive oil* (for bowl... 240 calories)

-place yeast, sugar and water in large bowl or food processor, allow mixture to become bubbly.
-mix in 1 tbsp butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour.
-add one tablespoon of the italian seasoning (I used more).
-knead for about 10 min. by hand or in food processor about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
-add more flour if necessary.
-oil a bowl, put dough in it and cover with a towel.
-let dough rise in a warm place for one hour until doubled.
-punch down dough and divide in half.
-let dough rest about 5 minutes.
-spray baking pan or cookie sheet with cooking spray.
-shape the dough into 2 small rounded oval loaves.
-sprinkle remaining 1 Tablespoon of italian seasoning (used more here as well) over the loaves and press lightly into the surface.
-let loaves rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.
-preheat oven to 375°F.-bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned.
-carefully remove from oven, brush with remaining butter (and salt and garlic powder if desired)

We dip our bread in a mixture of EVOO, basalmic vinegar, fresh ground black pepper, and parmesan cheese... SO YUM!

Homemade biscuits

Kevin is actually the one that usually makes these, but this is what got me started on my baking kick. I never realized just how easy it was to make your own biscuits. I always cheated and bought the frozen ones at Walmart. My grandmother makes the BEST homemade buttermilk biscuits... but I haven't tried to duplicate those just yet. Got to have something to look forward to when I go home to visit! :)

makes 12 biscuits (1358 calories total/114 calories per biscuit)

2c flour (800 calories)
1/2c butter or margarine (400 calories) *I use light whiped butter*
3/4c milk (68 calories)
1tbsp baking powder (0)
pinch salt (0)
2tbsp sugar (90 calories) *you CAN use splenda for 0 calories!*

(calories are based on the brands of ingredients I use and may not always be the same)

-combine all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, sugar) in a large bowl.
-add butter and milk. stir until dough forms.
-place the dough on a flat surface that has been dusted with flour.
-knead the dough slighty (not too much though).
-roll out dough to about 1/2 t0 3/4 inch thickness. try to roll it out big enough to cut as close to 12 biscuits as possible. the more you roll the dough, the less fluffy it gets. also, you must cover your rolling pin with flour or it will stick to the dough.
-preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-use a round cookie cutter or anything else you have that might work (about 2-3 inches in diameter) and cut the dough.
-place cut biscuits on a greased baking sheet.
-cook for about 18-20 minutes (depends on your oven)
-EAT!

I usually eat mine with a little butter and nothing else. Kevin likes his with jelly or honey. If we are making a meal out of them, we might have some tomato gravy or pretty much anything else you think might taste good on a nice warm biscuit!

ENJOY!

my first blog

Hi everyone! A good friend of mine suggested that I start a blog and post some of my favorite recipes and things, so here it is! (thanks alissa!) I will also use this blog to keep in touch with all my friends and family. This is new to me, so I will try to keep it updated as much as possible, but I can't make any promises! :)

Check back often for new recipes!