Hashbrown ala Jess

Ingredients

3 cups shredded hash brown potatoes (or a bag of simply potatoes)
1/3 cup butter, melted (I use smart balance butter)
1 cup diced cooked ham (I actually used shaved turkey breast from the deli)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
(I use light or fat free, and I love the new kraft touch of philly shredded cheese)
2 eggs (or egg whites)
1/2 cup milk (Use skim or 2%)
salt and pepper to taste
OPTIONAL:
1/4 of a green pepper
1 tbsp minced Garlic
1 tsp onion powder
Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Press hash browns onto the bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie dish. Drizzle with melted butter (smart balance), and sprinkle with salt. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until beginning to brown.
In a small bowl, combine ham (or turkey), onion, Green Pepper, garlic, onion powder and shredded cheese. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper. When crust is ready, spread ham (or turkey) mixture on the bottom, then cover with egg mixture.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C.) Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until filling is puffed and golden brown.

If you do it the healthy way you are looking at about 300 calories per serving... which is decent, and you get all the food groups :) Dairy meat carb woo hoo...

Sausage Quiche Squares

Ingredients

5 eggs (or egg whites)
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage, cooked and drained (Turkey Sausage)
1 cup small curd cottage cheese (fat free)
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (light)
1 cup shredded Italian mozzarella 2% cheese
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (whole wheat flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Add the remaining ingredients; mix until blended. Pour into a greased 9-in. square baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Bacon bagel quiche

Ingredients

1/2 pound bacon (I use turkey bacon)
1 cup onion
1/2 cup green pepper
1 cup 2% milk
2 bagels cut in half to make 4 pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt (I use fresh or minced garlic)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
5 eggs (Or the equivalent in egg whites)
1 cup shredded light sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded 2% mozzarella

Directions

Place bacon in a large skillet with onion and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain and set aside.
Grease a 8x8-inch casserole dish . Place pieces of bagels in bottom of prepared dish. Top with bacon mixture.
In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and parsley. Pour the beaten eggs over the casserole and top with grated cheese also Sprinkle with salt, garlic salt, and pepper.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Bake in preheated oven for 25 min

Sheppard's Pie

Ingredients

5 potatoes, peeled and quartered or 2 packs of instant
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 (15 ounce) can mixed vegetables or 1 bag frozen
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup (I use low sodium)
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons butter ( i use light margarine)
1 can of crunchy onions
1 bag of shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Mash potatoes with a little of the cooking liquid. pour some in the bottom of your pan just to coat the bottom (or cook the instant potatoes, whatever you prefer) top with cheese
In a large skillet, cook ground turkey until brown over medium-high heat. Drain fat from pan. Stir in mixed vegetables, chicken soup, celery soup, and salt and pepper; heat through. Pour into prepared baking dish over potatoes top with cheese, then cover with mashed potatoes, and dot with butter then cheese. keep making layers until you run out of one Top with onions
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are golden and turkey and vegetable mixture is hot and bubbly.

Enjoy!

1 layered large scoop is about 350 calories.

Apple and Orange chicken

Ingredients

1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1 package of Chicken thighs 6-8
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cloves crushed garlic (or minced garlic to taste)
1 cup apple juice
1 cup orange juice
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Place the chicken pieces in a lightly greased 8x8 inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl combine the onion soup mix, cream of chicken soup , soy sauce, garlic, apple and orange juice, salt and pepper. Mix together and pour mixture over chicken. Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 30-45 min. Check.. then serve..

equals out to be about 90 calories a drumstick. (removing skin) Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans having 2 drum sticks and it equals out to be about 300 calories

Shrimp and edamame Angel Hair pasta

Ingredients

1/2 (16 ounce) package uncooked angel hair pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon chili oil
1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound edamame (out of pods)
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chicken stick
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
1 cup light margarine
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

FIRST: I prefer to steam my edamame in the pods then pull the beans out. Try it I swear it taste better if you do it this way, you need to do this first.... You wont need all of it probably about 3/4 of the bag
Then Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until how you prefer it. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup liquid.
Heat the olive oil and chili oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Mix in the shrimp, edamame, and garlic. Cook and stir 2 minutes, until shrimp are almost opaque. Remove from heat, and set aside.
Pour the Stock into the skillet, and bring to a boil. Cook until reduced by 1/3. Return shrimp, peas, and garlic to the wok, and stir in the reserved pasta water. Continue to cook and stir until shrimp are opaque. Remove wok from heat, and mix in the butter, lemon juice, and basil. Toss with the cooked pasta to serve.

Great with Garlic bread....

About 400 calories to a serving makes 6-8 servings

Turkey and sweet basil penne

1lb ground turkey (97/3)
1 jar Sweet basil Ragu tomato sauce
1 can Italian blend Diced tomatoes
shredded Mozzarella (2%) to taste
Grated Parmesan to taste
1 tsp Basil
1 pckg Fat free cream cheese
1/2 box penne pasta whole grain

Boil pasta
Brown turkey meat.. drain and add cream cheese then ragu and tomatoes.. add penne pasta mix and pour in casserole dish top with cheese to taste. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes ENJOY :)

Potato Chowder

-3 large Baking Potatoes
-1 box fat free Cream Cheese
-3 1/2 cups skim milk
-shredded 2% milk Sharp Cheddar Cheese

I use my Pampered chef deep covered baker (bold)... I am going to put the instructions for if you have one and if you don't (italics) :)

-Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and place then in your deep covered baker pouring 1/2 cup of the skim milk over them then microwaving for 11 minutes (while the potatoes are cooking.. mix your cream cheese and milk by whisking together to make it as creamy as possible... i have to melt my cream cheese sometimes)


-dice potatoes and place is pot to boil.. get to a rolling boil then cover.. boil until tender (NOT MUSH like mashed potatoes just tender) (while the potatoes are cooking.. mix your cream cheese and milk by whisking together to make it as creamy as possible... i have to melt my cream cheese sometimes

-Remove from microwave and move potatoes around.. Place back in microwave for 7 minutes

-boil until tender

-mush potatoes somewhat and top with the cream cheese and milk mixture.. return to microwave for 8 minutes

- drain.. then mush potatoes add cream cheese mixture cheese to taste..(My husband loves this with Bacon and chives added) ENJOY :)

-remove from microwave, contiune to mush potatoes as you add cheese to your liking.(My husband loves this with Bacon and chives added) and ENJOY

Turkey Gyros

Gyros:
1/2 small onion
2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley
2 garlic cloves; pressed
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper (grinders taste better)
2 tsp Olive oil
4 flat pita bread rounds (I use fresh Naan)

Toppings:
Sliced Cucumbers and tomatoes
Mozzarella cheese

Cucumber Sauce:
1/2 cup Plain non fat yogurt
2 garlic cloves pressed
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4 fresh cucumbers finely chopped

Preheat oven to 500. Mix onion, parsley,garlic cloves, turkey, thyme, salt
and pepper separate into 4 rectangle small loaves.In a skillet warm the olive oil and brown each side of each loaf. place in a shallow casserole dish and bake at 500* until the center is brown.. (About 20 minutes or so)

While these are cooking make the cucumber sauce by combining all the ingredients place in the refrigerator

Microwave the naan (25 seconds).. thinly slice the turkey loaves placing the slices on each naan. Top with mozzarella cheese cucumber sauce tomato and cucumbers.. ENJOY

(Each Gyro is about 400 calories :)

Peach Tarts

Tart:

3 cups Flour (I use whole wheat)
2 Eggs (I use egg substitute)
1 dash salt
1 1/2 sticks melted butter (I use smart balance)

Filling
1 can Peaches
3 Tbsp Sugar (i use truvia)

OPTIONAL TOPPING: Nuts, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Honey

Preheat Oven to 400 mix ingredients for tart.. until soft dough forms (I like to use my hands) roll small balls and place in mini muffin pan tin. Using a tart shaper push down center and bake for 12 minutes.

Mix Peaches and sugar place mixture on each cooked tart then bake for an additional 5 minutes remove from muffin pan and let cool.ENJOY

Yummy Italian mini meatloaves

Before I start... I STOLE THIS FROM A FRIEND Love you Jess.. Then tweeked it a bit :)

What you need:
1 lb Turkey
Italian Bread Crumbs 2 cups
Egg Substitute (for 2 eggs) (1/2 a container of egg beaters)
5 skim mozzarella string cheese
1/2 an onion diced
1/2 bell pepper diced
Spaghetti sauce (your choice) section into thirds


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350... Mix Turkey bread crumbs egg substitute onion bell pepper and 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce in a bowl once all mixed section into 5's. Take each section and wrap it around each of the string cheese.. kind of like the cheese is a hot dog and the meat is the bun. Make sure it covers it completely no edges sticking out. Pour another third of the spaghetti sauce on top of each loaf once its positioned on the baking sheet. Put in the oven on 350 for about 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them.. once they brown they are ready... remove and serve with the remaining spaghetti sauce on the side. add 1 red potato and 2 cups of green beans and your meal is about 320 calories :P

French bread Pizza

1 twin roll of french bread both cut in half long ways and half way (makes 4 pieces)
Pizza Sauce
2% shredded cheese
any other toppings
Smart balance butter 1/2 cup

place the halves (after basting with smart balance butter) in the oven on 350 for about 10 minutes once browned broil four about 2 min. (WATCH CLOSELY) Take out of the oven and add pizza sauce cheese and any other toppings. Plce back in the oven for about 5 minutes.... serve

each pizza with just cheese and sauce equals out to be about 220 calories..

Chicken "fried" rice

1 c. cooked white rice 1c cooked brown rice
Enough olive oil to coat frying pan lightly
1 tbsp. smart balance butter
1/2 onion, diced
1 bag of mixed frozen veggies
2 chicken cutlets cut in strips
1 cup egg substitute
Soy sauce (i use reduced sodium)
1 clove garlic, minced


Put oil in pan and turn heat to medium. Add butter and melt. Cook onion, veggies and garlic until onion is slightly brown. add chicken... Stir fry this in pan quickly and remove when chicken is cooked

Put cooked rice in pan until heated slightly. Turn up heat. Add egg substitute to rice and cook until egg is slightly scrambled. Put in enough soy sauce to give it color. Return chicken mixture to pan and cook this all together. Serve with soy sauce. Serves 3-4.

A new spin on my old Chicken casserole

Ok so I LOOVVVEEEE Casseroles.. of any kind mind you, and if they are cheesy and gooey and taste good, I'm your gal. but..most of them are unhealthy. This is a healthier alternative to what I think is my FAVORITE casserole ever...

6 chicken tenderloins
1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables (or chop them yourself.. about 3 cups)
1 can of cream of celery soup (i get the reduced fat)
1 can of cream of Chicken soup
2 cups of brown rice
4 cups of water (for rice) 3 cups water (for chicken and veggies)
2 cups reduced fat/ fat free shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese
1 tbsp smart balance butter

In a pot make the rice as directed, add smart balance butter and salt to taste
In another pot bring tenderloins, mixed veggies to a boil cover and cook until tender; drain, Cut up chicken once cooked...... In a casserole dish combine rice veggies chicken and both cans of soup Mix then add cheese to top Bake at 350* for 20 minutes..

For a normal bowl this is about 300 Calories. :)

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.. MY style

2 sticks butter, soft (SMART BALANCE or margarine)
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup raisins, rolled in flour
2 1/2 cups WHOLE WHEAT flour
1 cup Truvia (or sugar.. i use Truvia.. you may also use splenda)
2 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. vinegar


Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine sugars and butter. Add vanilla, water, and vinegar; mix well.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and soda, followed by salt. Combine the two mixtures together. Add raisins, which have been lightly rolled in flour, and oats; mix together well.

Roll dough in small balls with about 9 cookies per sheet.. no more

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cookies won't look ready at 10 minutes but take out and let sit for 5 minutes in order to be chewy.

This Blog

This blog is for people who have asked me for recipes and other things I have done to lose my weight. I am going to attempt to post a recipe or "food from my thought" weekly. In attempts that I can help someone with my way of thinking and how exactly I am living my new lifestyle, and still losing. its my hope I can help change someone else's life :)

WOO HOO Here we go