Shrimp Fried Rice

I just love this recipe! It's pretty easy to make and it is so flavorful. I use brown rice in this one and it still tastes great. I always try to slip in something to make it a little healthier to eat but I refuse to compromise on flavor. Enjoy!

Shrimp Fried Rice

• 2 cups white or brown rice
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• cooking spray
• 1 Tbsp. canola oil
• 1 cup green onion cut into ½ long, green tops too
• ½ cup frozen petite peas, thawed
• ½ cup grated carrot
• 1 Tbsp. bottled minced garlic
• 1 tsp. freshly grated ginger
• 1 Tbsp. rice wine
• 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp. dark sesame oil
• 16 oz. cooked diced chicken, or, 16 oz. peeled and deveined cooked salad style shrimp 100/150 ct. (optional)

Cook rice according to package directions.

Mix together  rice wine, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil, set aside

Meanwhile in a small 8 inch nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking oil over medium heat, scramble the eggs, set aside. In a large 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the canola oil. When heated up add onions, peas, carrots, garlic and ginger, sauté for 2 minutes.

Add cooked rice to skillet with vegetable mixture, add soy mixture and scrambled egg, stirring constantly. If adding chicken or shrimp do so now. Stirring constantly for about 2 more minutes, or until mixed well and all is heated through.

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

My buddy Emily inspired me to make this one. I was visiting her at her house and she picked 2 eggplants out of her garden for me. Thank you Em!

I love Eggplant Parmesan but I find that when it is fried it soaks up the oil. So this is a way to cut back on fat and the mess of frying, too. Double dipping, I just love that. I actually like this version much better too. Mangia!

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

• 1 or 2 eggplants
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ¼ cup milk, I used fat free
• about 2 cups panko bread crumbs
• 1 jar pasta sauce, I used Muir Glen Organic Roasted Garlic
• Pam Olive oil spray
• Sargento reduced fat grated, 4 cheese Italian
• grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Meanwhile slice eggplant into 1/2 inch thick slices. I had a small eggplant and a medium one that made 12 slices.

In 2 medium size bowls add the eggs and milk and mix well then add panko to the other bowl. Dip eggplant into egg mixture, then into panko pressing into panko on both sides. Place on a large baking sheet coated with olive oil spray. When all are coated spray the top of the eggplants with the oil too.

Place in oven and total bake time is 40 minutes but you will need to flip the eggplant after 20 minutes and spray the tops with oil, back to the oven it goes for 15 more minutes.

Meanwhile microwave about half of the jar of pasta sauce until it is hot. Remove eggplant from oven and add the hot pasta sauce on top, then the grated cheeses, cook for 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted and it's golden brown on top.

Easy clean up tip: Line baking sheet with foil before baking.

Baked Beef Stew

Baked Beef Stew for a crew. This recipe is so easy you just throw the ingredients into a roasting pan and bake. No need to brown the meat and it makes its own gravy. Now how cool is that! The meat is so tender and it is a nice hearty meal for a cold chilly day. Warm up your chilly bones from the inside out. Comfort food = Love.

Baked Beef Stew

• 3 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes in juice
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. Minute Tapioca
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. freshly grated black pepper
• 1 tsp. granulated garlic powder
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 slices bread, crust removed and cut into cubes
• 2 cups onion cut into chunks
• 2 cups celery cut into chunks
• 1 lb. bag of baby style carrots
• 8 cups of potatoes cut into chunks, skin on or small baby potatoes w/ skin on
• 4 1/2 lb. Beef Stew meat
• cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Meanwhile add first 10 ingredients into a very large bowl and mix well, make sure you break up bread pieces it is important. Then add the rest of the ingredients. I cut the meat into smaller chunks if they are really large and trim off  any membrane if there is any, the size of the meat and potatoes is your preference.

Spray a large roasting pan (17 x 14 x 31/2 inches) with cooking spray. Place stew mixture into pan and cover with foil, bake on center rack for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until meat is tender. Remove from oven and carefully remove foil, serve immediately. Enjoy!

This would be a perfect meal for the crew if you are on ski trip, hunting, cross country skiing, etc.  A great meal for a cold days activities if you want an easy to fix meal that will satisfy. This is a variation on a recipe that I found years ago in The Taste of Home magazine.

Shepherd's Pie

When my Stud muffin and I got married, this was the only recipe that he had me ask my MIL for, Shepherd's Pie. She was surprised that this was the one that he wanted. Through the years I have altered it to make it lower in fat (98% fat free cream of mushroom), but you can do the original version if you so choose. It's nothing special to look at but it is very tasty. Seems to me you could turn it up a notch by sautéing 8 oz. mushrooms (sliced thin) and adding about 1 cup of frozen petite peas (thawed, of course) to meat mixture. Also, I must say that a yellow meat potato makes the best tasting mashed potato. It's a nice frugal but tasty casserole for the chilly days ahead. Leftovers microwave well. Enjoy!

Shepard's Pie

• 1¼ lb. Ground Turkey 99% lean or Ground Beef
• ½  cup diced onion
• 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup 98% fat free, undiluted or high test
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce with turkey or if using beef use 3 Tbsp.
• Mashed potatoes, already prepared
• cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile brown meat and onion in nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking oil. Cook until meat is cooked through and no longer pink, only drain fat if using beef and set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together soup and Worcestershire sauce and mix well. Stir in meat mixture, coating  evenly.

Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and spread meat mixture evenly into casserole dish.

Then place a layer of mashed potatoes over top, about 1 inch thick. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Fiesta Chicken Casserole

I love spicy and this one will warm you up from the inside out. No spice wimps are allowed to try this one, i.e., no cry babies. This version is lower in fat, but big in taste. It's a double win when spice and low fat come together so deliciously. The cool fall days will soon be here for you to enjoy this one.

Fiesta Chicken Casserole 

• About 4 cups leftover diced chicken
• 1 4 oz. can diced green chiles
• 1 16 oz. can black beans, drained & rinsed
• 1 14.5 oz. can salsa style fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup hot salsa
• 1 Tbsp. Chili powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. ground chipotle powder
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 8 flour tortillas, 6 inch size
• cooking spray

Topping

• 1 2.25 oz. can sliced black olives, drained
• 1 jar sliced pickled jalapenos, only using desired amount
• Sargento 4 cheese Mexican reduced fat cheese, 8 oz.
• Utz baked Tostitos, 2 cups crushed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and add first 11 ingredients. Simmer over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile spray a 9x13 inch Pyrex dish with cooking spray, then evenly cover bottom and side with tortillas, overlapping slightly.

After simmering the chicken mixture, spread evenly over tortillas. Top mixture in following order: crushed Tostitos, cheese, olives and jalapenos. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Enjoy!

Balsamic Dijon Chicken Breast

The reason I love to marinate meat is to infuse the flavors and with the right ingredients it will tenderize it as well. I am happy to say that this recipe does both. The chicken was so tender and moist. I can see where this one can become a family favorite. So try a new one, I don't know about you but as much as I have my old favorites I crave a new recipe at times.

Balsamic Dijon Chicken Breast

• 4 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 3 Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil, extra virgin
• 1/4 tsp. dried Thyme
• 4 Chicken breast halves, boneless and skinless
• 1 large gallon size Ziploc freezer bag

In a small bowl mix together first 4 ingredients well with a wire whisk. Place chicken breast in bag and add marinate, seal and refrigerate overnight or at least 6-8 hours.

We cooked ours on our gas grill on high at 400 degrees by a direct cooking over flames for 12 minutes. Of course every grill is different, just cook until no longer pink inside. Or you may bake it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until no longer pink inside.

If you want a tender moist chicken breast then this is a must try for you. I believe this marinade would go well on pork or beef too, even though I did not try it. Enjoy!

Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers

You are only three ingredients away, well, four if you count the olive oil spray from these delicious stuffed peppers. The first part that blew me away was that it only took me about 5 minutes to prepare these. Then we ate them and I realized that I nailed it on ease of preparation with limited ingredients, and the scrumptious level went through the roof. I served mine with risotto and kale but I could see these going well with mashed potatoes and a veggie. My goodness it would be so good served with spaghetti too. Let your mind wander about your possibilities as you savor the aroma of these babies baking on a cold day. 

I always try to cut back on fat without compromising flavor, and hence the use of turkey sausage. I have tried many brands and Shady Brooks Farms is by far my favorite. Parmesan cheese is a high calcium low fat cheese. So enjoy low fat, Italian style.

Of course if you may substitute an Italian Sausage of your choice.

Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers

• About 5 Cubanelle peppers
• 1 can Pizza sauce, 15oz.
• 1 pkg Shady Brook Farms Sweet or Hot Italian turkey Sausage, 1.25 lbs

Pick through peppers at store to find ones that will have a easier shape to stuff. Some are curly and others are more straight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut off the tops of peppers and remove seeds leaving a hollow pepper tube. Open package of sausage and slice through casing, then remove the meat. Gently stuff meat into hollowed out peppers, some will need a little more then one link and some will only take one link to fill up pepper. I found that the six links filled the five peppers generously. Just eye this because peppers will vary in shape and size.

Place in a rectangular glass pyrex dish sprayed with Pam Olive Oil spray, then spray tops of peppers too then cover peppers with pizza sauce. Cover peppers with foil and bake for 60 minutes. Optional garnish: Parmesan cheese.

Blackened Fish Tacos

Chilly weather does not stop us from using the grill, it's a year round event for us. Talk about a quick and easy meal that is delicious, it does not get any better than this. I like my fish tacos seared, not fried. Also you may replace the Tilapia loins with another mild white fish filet if you want to. The best fish taco recipe is right here in front of you so please enjoy it.

Blackened Fish Tacos

• 3 tilapia loins
• 3 tortillas, about 10 inch size
• Smart balance margarine
• Sargento's reduced fat grated cheddar cheese
• fat free sour cream
• romaine lettuce, chopped
• jalapeno slices, pickled in jar
• Cholula hot sauce, original
• blackened seasoning

You will need a gas grill with a side burner and a 12 inch cast iron skillet with a lid for this recipe. Preheat skillet on high for 5 minutes. Meanwhile generously sprinkle the Tilapia with the blackened seasoning and wash and chop romaine.

After skillet is preheated melt 2 heaping Tbsp. of margarine into skillet and add fish after it is melted. Sear fish on both sides over high heat for 2 1/2 minutes per side. Remove from skillet to platter.

I like one fish filet per tortilla but my Stud Muffin is a heartier eater then I and likes to eat two filets per tortilla. Flatten fish filet out off to one side with a spatula to spread over half of tortilla, then sprinkle with some cheese on top. Fold over in half and microwave it for 30-50 seconds to warm up the tortilla and melt the cheese.

Serve immediately and my preferred toppings are sour cream, lettuce, jalapenos and hot sauce. Also I like to serve this with my red beans and rice recipe. If you want to cook for a crowd just heat up the grill on medium/ low and place a large pyrex dish inside of grill. This will keep fish warm while you are blackening the rest of the filets. Repeat directions for remaining fish, never cooking more the three per skillet at a time.

I buy my Tilapia loins at Costco in the frozen fish section. Place them in refrigerator the night before to thaw or soak in sink in cold water for about 30 minutes or until thawed. These are great because you can have plenty of fresh tasting filets for a quick and easy dinner.

I find the La Tortilla Factory Tortillas at my local Giant or Weis stores in front of the deli section. I like the traditional flavor the best that is made with extra virgin olive oil. I love the fact that they are only 90 calories, 3 g of fat and 13 g of fiber.

Blane's Chili

This is a one pot meal perfect for the cold chilly fall days. My goodness there are so many variations in chili recipes, but this is one of my favorites. I love to serve it with Corn Muffins. Also, optional garnishes are shredded cheese, sour cream and freshly chopped onions. So warm up those chilly bones from the inside out. It's a perfect feasty while watching the football games or a casual dinner. Don't forget to make a chili dog or two. Enjoy!

Blane’s Chili                    

• 3  Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 
• 3   garlic cloves peeled & chopped
• 3   jalapeno’s  diced  & deseeded
• 2   medium sweet onions
• 2   medium green bell pepper diced & deseeded
• 3  Tbsp. chili powder
• ½tsp. ground chipolte chile
• ½tsp. cayenne pepper
• ½tsp. ground cumin
• ½tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp. Emeril’s original spice 
• 1 tsp. tabasco
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 (20.8oz) pkg. Shady Brook ground turkey 99% lean
• 1 (40.5oz) can red kidney beans, undrained
• 1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (28oz) can chopped tomatoes

In a large soup pot over medium heat saute the first 14 ingredients until onion is translucent, then add the turkey stirring and breaking up into crumbles. Cook until meat is no longer pink. Then add kidney beans and tomatoes to soup pot and simmer for 2-3 hours. This is an original recipe from our good friend and cycling buddy Blane. He says this is a one pot meal. Thank you Blane!

Whole Beef Tenderloin

 Whole Beef Tenderloin

• 1 whole beef tenderloin (about 6 lbs. or so)
• garlic flavored olive oil
• freshly ground sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• cooking twine
• paper towels
• heavy duty aluminum foil
• bar-b-q brush
• gas grill

About 1 hour before you cook the tenderloin remove it from refrigerator to clean the meat. I like to line a sheet of tin foil with a double roll of paper towels underneath the meat. You will need to pat excess juice from beef with paper towels. 

With a sharp knife remove silver like sheath on outer edge and all visible fat, discard. This will take about 20 minutes or so. You need to take your time and work on it moving meat around and following the silver like sheath and fat until there is nothing left but pure lean tenderloin.
On the thinner tail end of the meat fold over and tie the end together two times with twine so that meat is an even thickness for cooking. If thicker end of the meat has separated some tie that area as well but just once. 

Coat both sides of beef well with olive oil using a Bar B Q brush, also a  light coat of sea salt and black pepper. Let meat rest on counter until ready to cook, about 1 hour total from prep time to cooking time.

Preheat your grill to 450 degrees. Cook beef directly on grill for 10 minutes on each side, then 5 minutes on each side. Remove from grill onto a serving platter and let meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing into individual steaks. This is for a rare steak, cook longer if you want it more well done.

My family said this is the best Filet Mignon they have ever eaten.
 
Horseradish Sauce

• 1/2 cup Hellman's light mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp. grated hot horseradish from jar
• 1/4 tsp. ground white pepper