Creamy Noodles

Ingredients:
2 cups egg noodles, uncooked
1 cup baby spinach, but into thin ribbons
1 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp. flour
2 tbsp. light cream
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp. parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Onion powder
Pepper to taste

Directions:
1- Preheat the over to 400.
2- Cook the egg noodles and pour them into a small baking dish. Toss in the spinach, stir.
3- In a small bowl combine the chicken broth, flour, light cream, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Stir well, until the flour is no longer clumpy.
4- Pour it over the noodles and spinach, stirring well.
5- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, uncovered, stirring halfway through. The broth should thicken up and coat the noodles. Stir well and serve.

Breakfast Cookie

Ingredients:
1/3 cup oats
1 tbsp. nut butter
1-2 tbsp. milk (approximately)
1/2 scoop protein powder
Mix ins of your choice

Directions:
1- Put the oats and protein powder in a bowl.
2- Add the nut butter and smush it into the oats until its fine and crumbly.
3- Add the milk, stir well.
4- Add the mix ins.
5- Plop the mixture on an appetizer sized plate and smush it down with the back of your spoon.
6- Refrigerate over night.

Yields 1 cookie

Crockpot Honey Glazed Chicken

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/8 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup bbq sauce
3 chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Pepper & Salt

Directions:

Place the chicken in the crockpot. Stir the remaining ingredients together in a bowl, then pour over the chicken. Cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4-6 hours.

For freezing: Place all ingredients int a 1-gallon freezer bag. Lay flat in freezer. To thaw: Take the bag out of the freezer the night before, making sure the frezer bag is completely sealed. Dump contents in the crockpot and follow the directions above.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup applesauce
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg. Combine dry ingredients; add alternately with applesauce to the creamed mixture. Stir in oats and chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin tins 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes.

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tbsp. butter, softened to room temperature
1/3 cup applesauce
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 TBL milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup uncooked quick rolled oats
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

- Combine the sugars in an electric mixer.

- Cream the sugars with the softened butter.

- Add in the egg, vanilla, applesauce, and milk. Cream until smooth.

- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, soda, baking powder, and salt. Add slowly to the wet mixture.

- Once smooth, stir in the oats, chocolate chips, and walnuts.

- Using a teaspoon or a small ice cream/cookie scoop, drop rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Makes around 2 dozen (depending on the size of your cookies).
You might also like:

Mini Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:

5 packets of cinnamon instant oatmeal (or any flavor)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/4 cup canola oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350*F
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl
Coat a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray
Pour batter into muffin cups
Bake for 15-20 minutes
Allow to cool and enjoy!

Banana Oatmeal Cups with Chocolate Chips

Ingredients:

3 mashed bananas (the more ripe the better!)
1 cup 1 % milk
2 eggs
1 tbsp baking powder
3 cups (240g) Old Fashion or Rolled Oats
2 tsps vanilla extract
3 tbsp (42g) mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Mix all ingredients except the chocolate chips together, and let sit while you prepare the muffin pans.

Spray a muffin pan and/or liners with with non-stick spray.

Stir the chocolate chips into the oatmeal batter.

Divide batter into 15 muffin cups. They should be just about filled.

Bake 20-30 minutes, you’ll see the edges just starting to brown and they will be firm to the touch.

The muffins may stick when hot but are removed easily when cooled for a bit.

Steak Marinade

Steak Marinade

Ingredients:
1 pound of steak
3 tbsp. worcestershire
3 tbsp. A1 sauce
2 tbsp. ketchup
1/2 teaspoon steak seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon seasoning salt

Directions:
1- Combine all of the ingredients, except for the steak, in a bowl. Mix well.
2- Place the steak in the bowl, flipping to coat both sides.
3- Allow to sit in the marinade at least 1 hour, up to 24.
4- Cook the steaks with your preferred method of cooking

Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 (12-16 oz.) package egg noodles (we use Light 'N' Fluffy brand)
- 1 packet Lipton Beefy Onion Soup
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup water
- 1 (16 oz.) container of sour cream (we use light sour cream)

Directions:
1. Start water to boil for noodles. In medium skillet, brown beef over medium-high heat.

2. Once beef is brown, add soup packet with enough water to moisten it. Mix well until soup mix is combined with beef.

3. When water is boiling, add egg noodles and cook according to package instructions. Once done, drain. Return noodles to pot and put back on stove over low heat.

4. Add beef/soup mixture to noodles. Add sour cream until creamy (we usually end up using the whole container). Stir until well combined and heated through. Serve immediately.

Cheesy Italian Tortellini in the Crock Pot

Found this on D is for Dinner....sounds good!


INGREDIENTS


•1 pound ground beef
•1 container marinara sauce (15 ounces)
•1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
•1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
•3/4 tbsp Italian seasoning
•1 tsp garlic powder
•1 package refrigerated cheese tortellini (9 ounces)
•1 cup shredded mozzarella or pizza style cheese
DIRECTIONS

1.Cook beef over medium heat until brown. Drain grease.
2.Spray inside of slow-cooker with cooking spray then add beef , marinara sauce, mushrooms and tomatoes.
3.Mix, then cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hours.
4.Stir in tortellini and sprinkle with cheese.
5.Cover and cook on low another15 minutes, until tortellini is tender.

King Ranch Chicken Spaghetti

Got this recipe from a friend of mine...can't wait to try it.


1 package of spaghetti noodles
1/2 of a large block of 2% Velveeta –cubed
1 1/2 cups chopped/shredded chicken
1 can of diced tomatoes (drained) or 1-2 cups of fresh chopped tomatoes
1 can of diced chiles... See More
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar, packed
Pre-heat oven to 350o. Boil noodles with some bouillon or salt. Turn off heat, drain noodles, put back into the pot. Add all ingredients to noodles, stir until mixed. Pour into 13X9 casserole dish, sprinkle with cheddar, bake for 20 minutes. I like to add some “Slap Ya Mama” seasoning (which is like Tony’s—just better).

Jalapeno Garlic Tilapia

2 1/2 cups Penne Pasta
1/3 cup margarine, melted
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 (4 oz) tilapia filets
1/3 c flour
2 tbspn olive oil
1/4 c heavy cream
2 1/2 tbspn lemon juice
2 jalapeno peppers, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayanne pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 (5 oz) package baby spinach leaves
1 roma tomato, chopped

boil pasta in salted water and drain well in colander in sink.

While pasta cooks, combine the melted margarine and garlic in shallow dish. Place the flour in another shallow dish. Dip the fish in the garlic butter and dredge in the flour. Heat olive oil in large skillet over med-high heat cook the fish int he oil until golden brown turning once about 5 mins total.

pour the cream, lemon juice and remaining garlic butter into the skillet. stir in jalapenos, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, papricka and garlic powder. bring to a simmer and allow to cook until sauce has reduced slightly and fish flakes easily with fork. about 2-3 minutes. stir in baby spinach and cook until wilted. toss in tomato and pasta.

Broccoli Parmagiano

Found this recipe on Obesity Help website, on the Lap Band message board. Think I may try it out soon!


Ingredients:

2 pounds broccoli rabe or broccoli, cut into florets, stems peeled and cut into 1/2 pieces
1 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, pushed through a press
1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:

In a large, deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and pepper flakes; saute 30 seconds.
Add broccoli rabe, water, lemon juice and lemon zest; mix well.Cover skillet and cook over medium heat 8 minutes, until broccoli rabe is crisp-tender.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer broccoli to a serving dish and sprinkle with Freshly Grated Parmesan.




Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 179 g

Amount Per Serving
Calories 95 Calories from Fat 42
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4.6g 7%
Saturated Fat 1.8g 9%
Cholesterol 7mg 2%
Sodium 191mg 8%
Total Carbohydrates 4.6g 1%
Protein 6.8g

Taco Cresent Bake

I found this on another blog and we had it tonight for dinner. It was really good! I didnt make any big changes, just made it as low in fat and calories I could. I used low fat/reduced fat and light anything I could. I don't know the calories on this, but it couldnt have been much.

1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls (Reduced Fat)
1 cup crushed corn chips, divided (baked tostitos)
1 pounds ground beef (lean ground beef)
2 cups fresh spinach leaves, shredded
1/2 jar tomato sauce
3/4 envelope taco seasoning
1/2 cup (8 ounces) sour cream (light)
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese (I used WW mexican shredded)
DIRECTIONS

Unroll crescent dough into a rectangle and press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. x 9-in. baking dish.

Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of chips.
In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
Stir in tomato sauce and taco seasoning; then bring to a boil.

Add shredded spinach, reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

Spoon over chips and top with sour cream, cheese and remaining chips.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until crust is lightly browned.

Gravy Baked Pork Chops

4 pork loin chops
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
butter
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup water
DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350.
In a skillet, melt butter and brown pork on both sides for 5 minutes.
Add salt, pepper and garlic as meat is browning.
In a bowl, mix soup, milk and water.
Spray olive oil into a baking dish and put in the pork chops.
Pour soup/gravy mixture over meat.
Bake for 45 minutes or until meat is cooked through.

Creamy Chicken, Veggie and Penne Skillet

Trying to find some new recipes, and I found this one at D is for Dinner, one of the blogs I follow.


2 chicken breasts, diced
3/4 lb green beans
1 lb fresh spinach, washed well and shredded
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes

1/2 box Penne (I use Barilla Plus)
1 tsp olive oil
Mrs. Dash, to taste
1/2 cup Half and Half
1 tbsp butter

DIRECTIONS

Cook chicken in olive oil in a skillet until cook just through. Make sure not to overcook.

Meanwhile, steam green beans until soft and cook pasta.
Once chicken is just cooked through, add tomatoes and spinach.
Cover and cook until spinach is wilted.
Add cooked green beans, pasta, butter and Half and Half. Mix well, cover and cook for another 5 minutes.
Serve hot and enjoy!

Pecan Crusted Tilapia

Not a big fish eater, but a friend gave me this recipe to try and it was really good!! I didnt have regular seasoned salt, just had Tony's...it gave it a bit of a kick!


Pecan Crusted Tilapia

Ingredients:
1 oz pecan pieces
4T bread crumbs
2 T flour
1/2 t seasoned salt
1/2 C milk
1/2 beaten egg
2 T oil
2 to 4 Tilapia filets

Instructions:
Chop pecans finely; combine with bread crumbs.
Place flour in a 2nd bowl.
Combine egg and milk in a 3rd bowl.
Preheat large pan on medium heat.
Sprinkle both sides of fish with seasoned salt.
Dip both sides of fillets in flour then dip into egg mixture.
Lastly, dip into pecan mixture.
Place oil in pan; swirl to coat pan.
Add fish; cook 2-3 minutes on each side until golden.

Outback's Mustard Vinaigrette

I love Outbacks Mustard Vinaigrette, so I may try out this recipe...



Outback Steakhouse Dressing (Mustard Vinaigrette)


1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup white wine vinegar (or any vinegar)
1 pinch salt
1 pinch fresh ground black pepper
1 teaspoon mustard (French or English)
Directions
1Shake all ingredients in tightly covered container.
2Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
3Shake well before serving

S'mores Cupcakes

These are from Bakerells...and look DIVINE!!

Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup cocoa
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup oil
6 jumbo marshmallows cut in half, plus more for decorating

Graham Cracker Crumb topping
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted

Ganache
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda together with a wire whisk.
Separate the mixture in half into two bowls.

Stir cocoa into one bowl and the graham cracker crumbs into the other.
Add 1/2 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 cup oil to the cocoa mixture and beat on medium until combined.
Repeat adding the same ingredients to the graham cracker crumb flour mixture.

Prepare the graham cracker crumb topping.
Add the brown sugar and crumbs in a small bowl and pour on the melted butter. Stir until combined.

Pour a little graham cracker cake batter into the bottom of your baking cups and then sprinkle the topping mixture lightly on the surface.
Place a marshmallow half on top and then cover the marshmallow with the chocolate cake batter until it is about 3/4 full.
Sprinkle with more topping mixture.

Bake cupcakes for about 15 minutes. Place a cookie sheet underneath when you bake just in case. I had a little bit ooze over into the oven. Oops.

This recipe will make at least 12 cupcakes. I had a some batter from each left over so you can probably get more like 14-16.

Let cool and top with ganache.

Heat the butter and cream on the stove. Heat until just before it boils. Remove and pour over chocolate. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
Pour over cupcakes and add more marshmallows if you desire.