Garlic Smashed Potatoes

These are great with the turkey recipe from yesterday.

GARLIC SMASHED POTATOES
Cooking spray
2 lbs. small red potatoes
½ tsp garlic powder
1 teaspoon hickory smoked salt
½ cup of water
2 oz light cream cheese
1 TB dried chives
1 tsp onion powder
¼ cup of skim milk

Halve or quarter potatoes. Place in 3 quart slow cooker. Add garlic, salt and water. Cover, cook on High for 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours or until potatoes are tender. Drain; with fork or potato masher, mash potatoes. Stir in cream cheese until well blended; add chives and onion powder. Stir in enough milk for soft serving consistency. Serve immediately or cover and hold in slow cooker on warm for up to 2 hours.
Yield: 6 servings. Per serving= 147 Calories; 2g Fat (10.9% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 29g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 5mg Cholesterol; 424mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Turkey & Gravy

This makes a great gravy! Bring on the potatoes!

Turkey & Gravy
4 slices bacon
3 lb turkey breast, boneless and skinless, boneless
1/2 teaspoon pepper
10 1/2 ounces chicken gravy (10.5 ounce)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1 Tablespoon dried onion

Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook until evenly brown. Drain and crumble. Spray a 3 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place turkey in the slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the bacon, gravy, Worcestershire sauce, sage and onion. Pour over turkey in the slow cooker. Cover slow cooker, and cook turkey 8 hours on Low or 4 hours on high.
Yield: 10 servings. Per serving= 192 Calories; 4g Fat (18.9% calories from fat); 35g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 87mg Cholesterol; 294mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 4 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Confetti scalloped corn

This is a mushy sort of side dish. If you don’t care about calories and fat—add some cheese! Green chilies would be good in this dish too. It could be cooked in a 3qt crock as well--just decrease the cooking time to 2- 2 1/2 hours.

Confetti Scalloped Corn
1 egg, beaten
1 egg white
1 cup light sour cream
1 tsp onion powder
11 oz Mexicorn, drained
14 oz can cream-style corn
3 tablespoons salsa
7 oz small cornbread mix (Jiffy or similar)

Spray 2 qt slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix all ingredients together well; pour into a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Serves 8. Per serving= 197 Calories; 5g Fat (20.4% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 35g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 26mg Cholesterol; 589mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Coconut Almond Chocolate Meringues

I love meringue cookies! I didn't have almond extract so I used raspberry extract. yummy!

Coconut Almond Chocolate Meringues
4 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract or imitation coconut extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 250°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats. Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, coconut, almond and vanilla extracts and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until combined. Gradually beat in sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating until stiff, shiny peaks form, 6 to 8 minutes. Sift cocoa over the mixture and gently fold together with a rubber spatula until combined. Place spoonfuls of meringue on prepared baking sheets. Bake 50 minutes then turn oven off, leaving meringues inside for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Yield: 42 meringue cookies. Per cookie= 16 Calories; trace Fat (2.7% calories from fat); trace Protein; 4g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 12mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life."
Proverbs 16:31(NIV)

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Everyone thought this was good today. It was especially good with cinnamon icecream.
Search my blog for that recipe. August 2009 I think.

Turtle Pumpkin Pie
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar free caramel ice cream topping, divided
1 reduced fat Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.)
1/3 cup plus 2 Tbsp. chopped pecans, divided
1 oz fat free sugar free vanilla pudding mix
1 oz fat free sugar free butterscotch pudding mix
1 cup cold skim milk
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Lite, thawed, divided

POUR 1/4 cup caramel topping into crust; sprinkle with 1/2 cup nuts.
BEAT dry pudding mixes, milk, pumpkin and spices with whisk until well blended. Stir in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP; spoon into crust.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour. Top with remaining COOL WHIP, caramel topping and nuts just before serving.
Yield: 8 servings. Per serving= 286 Calories; 12g Fat (37.3% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 42g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 1mg Cholesterol; 448mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Purple Salad

I made this for Thanksgiving. I thought it was good but my family wasn't impressed. It has an odd look but the flavor is good.

Purple Salad
20 ounces pineapple chunks in juice
21 ounces blueberry pie filling
2 bananas
11 ounces mandarin oranges in water
1 ounce pudding mix, instant sf ff lemon

Combine pudding mix and juice from pineapple; mix well. Add pineapple, bananas, oranges and blueberry pie filling. Chill.

Yield: 10 servings. Per serving= 148 Calories; trace Fat (0.9% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 37g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 155mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrates.

Mexican Meatballs

These make a nice appetizer!

Mexican Meatballs
1 lb. ground beef, 95% fat free
1 TB taco seasoning
2 TB diced onion
1/4 c. diced green chilies

Combine all ingredients. Form 24 meatballs and brown in skillet until done. Serve with salsa.
Yield: 24 meatballs. Per meatball= 49 Calories; trace Fat (31.1% calories from fat); 2g Protein; trace Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 5mg Cholesterol; 17mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Vegetable; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

This is tasty! It would be great to take to any gathering. Would probably also be good with lemon pudding instead of vanilla.


Blueberry Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 pkg sugar free vanilla instant pudding
2/3 c water
½ c unsweetened applesauce
2 egg whites
4 oz. light cream cheese softened
2 c unsweetened blueberries


Preheat oven to 350. Spray bundt pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir together cake mix and pudding. Make a large well in the dry ingredients. Add water, applesauce, egg substitute and cream cheese. Beat on low until blended. Fold in blueberries. Pour into bundt pan. Bake 50-60 minutes or until done.
Yield: 16 servings. Per serving= 178 Calories; 5g Fat (25.8% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 31g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 5mg Cholesterol; 340mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Cajun Meatballs

These would be a great appetizer for your holiday parties. Double the recipe (or maybe even triple) for a 3 quart slow cooker.

Cajun meatballs
1 pound lean ground beef
1 1/2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup stuffing cubes
1 egg
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
1/2 cup sugar free peach preserves

Directions
In a large bowl, mix thoroughly the ground beef, hot pepper sauce, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, onion, bread crumbs, milk, and egg. Form the mixture into golf ball sized meatballs and brown in medium skillet; drain fat. Place meatballs in 1.5 quart slow cooker. Combine the barbeque sauce and peach preserves and pour over meatballs. Cover and cook 1-2 hours. When meatballs are done, place in a serving dish and cover with the barbeque sauce mixture. Toss to coat.
Yield: 18 meatballs. Per meatball: 90 Calories; 1g Fat (20.9% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 6g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 17mg Cholesterol; 193mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Cuban Beef

I made this yesterday. My roast was completely frozen and I cooked it on high for 6 hours-7 hours and it was done. It has a really nice spicy flavor.

Cuban Shredded Beef
2 lb sirloin roast (mine had bones so i'm guess it was about 2 lbs without the bones)
1/4 c. diced roasted green chilies
1/4 c. diced onion
dash garlic powder
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper

In a slow cooker (3-1/2 quarts or larger), combine peppers, onion, and garlic powder; add roast. In a small bowl, combine tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and black pepper; mix well and pour over roast. Cover and cook on high setting 7 to 8 hours, or until meat pulls apart with a fork. 3. Turn off slow cooker and shred beef by pulling it apart with 2 forks. Stir beef mixture and allow to sit 5 minutes.

Yield: 6 servings. Per serving= 221 Calories; 7g Fat (29.3% calories from fat); 33g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 91mg Cholesterol; 688mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 4 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fat.

Oreo Striped Delight

I made this for a "Dessert Throw-down" (minus Bobby Flay) at work on Friday. It came in second place in the cookie category. It was really good though.

Oreo Striped Delight

35 reduced fat OREO Cookies
4 Tbsp. light margarine, melted
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA light Cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. skim milk
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Lite, thawed, divided
3 cups skim milk
2 pkg. (3.9 oz. each) JELL-O Chocolate
Instant Pudding, sugar free, fat free

Grind cookies in a food processor; reserve 1/3 cup of crumbs. Combine remaining crumbs with melted margarine. Press into 13x9 pan. Combine cream cheese, sugar, milk and one cup of Cool Whip Lite. Spread over cookie crust. Beat pudding mixes with milk; after thickened spread over cream cheese layer. Top with remaining Cool Whip and sprinkle reserved cookie crumbs over topping. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Yield: 15 servings= 275 Calories; 10g Fat (46.7% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 21g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 9mg Cholesterol; 829mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Lean Meat; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Crab Dip

This is good. Doesn't taste much like crab though. Mostly just cream cheese and salsa.

Creamy Mexican Crab Dip
12 oz light cream cheese
1 (6-ounce) can lump crabmeat, undrained
1/2 cup salsa

Place cheeses in a microwave-safe bowl, and cover with wax paper. Microwave at MEDIUM (50% power) 2 to 3 minutes or until softened, stirring with a wire whisk until smooth. Drain crabmeat through a sieve into a bowl, reserving 1 tablespoon liquid. Add reserved liquid, crabmeat, and salsa to cheese; stir well. Serve warm or at room temperature with baked tortilla chips, raw vegetables, or breadsticks.
Yield: 6 servings. Per serving (about ¼ cup)= 162 Calories; 10g Fat (58.1% calories from fat); 11g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 54mg Cholesterol; 496mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

I got this off the WW Recipe Review Board. It’s quick, easy and very light and tasty!

LEMON POPPYSEED BREAD
18. 25 oz White cake mix
1 small package of instant SF lemon pudding
2 egg whites
1 C warm water
1/2 C natural applesauce
4 tsp. poppy seeds
1/2 tsp lemon extract

Preheat oven to 350^. Combine all ingredients (except poppy seeds). Mix well (will be lumpy). Stir in poppy seeds. Spray 2 loaf pans with cooking spray. Pour batter into loaf pans and bake for 35-40 minutes until lightly browned at edges and toothpick inserted in center comes out cleanYield: 20 slices (10 each loaf). Per slice= 130 Calories; 3g Fat (20.8% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 24g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 348mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

chewy ginger snaps

I tried to lighten these up. They were ok...but i think i like the crunchy store-bought ones better.

Chewy Ginger Snaps

1/4 cup light margarine, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 c. Splenda
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg
2 teaspoons baking soda
2-1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Combine softened butter, sugar, molasses and egg. Using a mixing, beat well. Stir in crystallized ginger. Sift dry ingredients together. Add to wet mixture. Mix well. Form 1 inch balls. Roll in remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 8-10 minutes.
Yield: 32 cookies. Per cookie= 61 Calories; 1g Fat (13.9% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 12g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 6mg Cholesterol; 134mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

cappuccino Cake

This had decent flavor but it was really crumbly. Maybe another egg white?

Cappuccino Cake
18.25 oz devils food cake mix
1 c. water
2 egg whites (maybe 3?)
1 TB instant coffee powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce

Turn 5 quart slow cooker on high while preparing cake batter. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. In medium bowl, combine cake mix, water, egg whites, coffee powder, cinnamon and applesauce. Pour into slow cooker. Put a paper towel over the top and cover with lid. Cook on high for 2 hours. Let cake cool 10 minutes, run knive around the edge, then invert slow cooker on plate.
Yield: 10 servings. Per serving= 203 Calories; 3g Fat (12.6% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 44g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 409mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Creamy Chicken Pasta & Broccoli

This is a less-than-30 minutes-meal! It took about 23 minutes to make! It's a comfort food meal.

Creamy Chicken Pasta and Broccoli
6 ounces Smart Taste Pasta Rotini
16 ounces broccoli florets
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast halves -- cut into pieces
1/4 cup chopped onions
10 3/4 ounces condensed reduced fat cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup water
2 ounces light cream cheese – softened
3 TB reduced fat parmesan cheese

Boil pasta in large saucepan; cook 4 minutes. Mix in the broccoli florets. Continue cooking 4 to 6 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl. In medium skillet, cook the chicken and onion 5 minutes, until chicken juices run clear and onions are tender. In a bowl, whisk together the soup, milk, water, and cream cheese until smooth. Stir into the skillet with the chicken and onion, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Fold in pasta, broccoli and parmesan cheese.
Yield: 6 servings. Per serving= 283 Calories; 6g Fat (19.1% calories from fat); 25g Protein; 34g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fiber; 57mg Cholesterol; 379mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Fiesta Bread

This came from Dawn Hall’s Busy People’s Slow Cooker book. Certainly you could just bake it in the oven, but I wanted to see if it would really work in the crock pot. It does and it tastes good but it’s really crumbly. Maybe it needs an egg white if you were baking in the oven? Or just use it for a dish where you would normally use cornbread. Chili? Pinto beans?

Fiesta Bread
2 c. reduced fat Bisquick
2/3 c. skim milk
1 TB taco seasoning

Spray 1.5 qt slow cooker with cooking spray. Combine Bisquick, milk and taco seasoning. Spread into slow cooker. Cover and cook for one hour.
Yield: 8 servings= 121 Calories; 2g Fat (14.7% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 22g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; trace Cholesterol; 389mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1/2 Fat.

Oatmeal Carmelitas

I revised this recipe to lighten it up but maybe I went too far? They weren't as sweet as I'd like...probably need more brown sugar.


Oatmeal Carmelitas

2 C Flour
2 C oatmeal
1/2 C packed brown sugar
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt3 TB light margarine, melted
½ c. water
½ c. unsweetened applesauce
½ c. Splenda
½ c. sugar free caramel topping
½ c. mini chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350 °. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray; set aside. Combine flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, soda, salt, margarine, water, applesauce and Splenda. Press 1/2 of the above mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake 10 minutes. Spread caramel over crust; sprinkle with chocolate chips. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over this layer and bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.Yield: 24 bars. Per bar= 122 Calories; 2g Fat (16.5% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 24g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 130mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Green Chili chicken Alfredo

I made this tonight and it turned out great! I couldn't find any low fat ready made alfredo sauce so I just made my own!


GREEN CHILE CHICKEN ALFREDO
5 oz Smart Taste egg noodles
1 lb boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
1/3 c. diced roasted green chilies
2 oz light cream cheese
3 TB reduced fat Parmesan cheese
½ c. skim milk
Dash garlic powder

Bring saucepan of water to boil and add pasta; cook until al dente’. In a large skillet, brown the chicken pieces until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken to a plate and keep warm. Sauté the garlic and green chile over medium heat; add cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and milk. Reduce heat to medium low and mix well. Add the cooked chicken and heat through. Fold in cooked pasta. Yield: 4 servings. Per serving= 319 Calories; 7g Fat (20.1% calories from fat); 32g Protein; 33g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 82mg Cholesterol; 244mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 3 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Fruit Cocktail Coffee Cake

This turned out very well! It would be perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!

Fruit Cocktail Coffee Cake
18.25 oz yellow cake mix
15 oz fruit cocktail, sweetened with Splenda
1/2 c. water
2 egg whites
1 c. quick cooking oats
1 tsp cinnamon

Combine cake mix, liquid from fruit cocktail, water and egg whites. Spray 3 1/2 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour half of batter into slow cooker. Top with half of fruit cocktail. Combine oats and cinnamon. Pour half of oat mixture over batter, top with remaining batter then top with remaining fruit cocktail, then remaining oats. Place a paper towel over slow cooker; cover and cook on high 2 hours. Let slow cooker set 10 minutes then run a knive around the edges to loosen cake. Invert slow cooker on a large plate.
Yield: 10 servings. Per serving= 278 Calories; 7g Fat (20.9% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 51g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 1mg Cholesterol; 353mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fruit; 1 1/2 Fat; 2 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men...It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. -Col. 3:23, 24