The weather is supposed to drop down into the teens tonight and tomorrow is going to be really chilly. Dinner tomorrow night is going to call for some major comfort food.... this sounds good to me. The recipe calls for a can of beer. What a great excuse to pick up a 6'er! I'm going to throw this into my slowcooker in the morning before work...
Slow Cooker Pork Roast w/Veggies
Ingredients:
1 - 2 to 3 pound pork roast (butt or tenderloin)
1 can of beer (any type except dark)
1 packet Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix
1 packet Good Seasons Garlic Dressing Mix
Nonstick spray
1. Spray the bottom of slowcooker with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Pour italian dressing mix on bottom, lay roast on top and sprinkle with the packet of garlic dressing mix. Pour the can of beer over all.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
You can add cubed potatoes, carrots, or whatever veggies you like. I usually wait until the final 2 hours or so or else the potatoes will get too mushy. If you plan to put them in the morning, just be sure not to cut them too small.
If you're a gravy maker, the drippings make a wonderful gravy. Simply transfer the drippings to a small sauce pan. Mix a tbsp of corn starch with a small amount of water. Add to the drippings and stir constantly until the gravy thickens.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Tuesday's Dinner...
Wondering what to make for dinner tonight? It's so cold right now and a nice hot bowl of chili sounds wonderful. Here is a quick and easy way to do it.
Elaine's Chili
1 pd lean ground turkey
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 14 oz. Can tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 cans black beans
¼ cup chopped onion
1 pkg Williams Chili Seasoning (or any kind really, I just prefer Williams)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper
Brown turkey. Add to pot with remaining ingredients. Simmer 1 hour or longer and serve!
Elaine's Chili
1 pd lean ground turkey
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 14 oz. Can tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 cans black beans
¼ cup chopped onion
1 pkg Williams Chili Seasoning (or any kind really, I just prefer Williams)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper
Brown turkey. Add to pot with remaining ingredients. Simmer 1 hour or longer and serve!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Monday Dinner.... Deep Dish Pizza
This is one of my favorite things to make! One, because it's so good and two, because it's super easy and anyone can do it. Jay loves it when I make this because he says it tastes good but healthy and without all the grease you get with normal pizza. The great thing about this is that you can make it a million different ways. I am always trying new topping combinations and welcome suggestions!! Try serving with a fresh salad and you'll have a great meal.
Deep Dish Pizza
6 servings (approx. 4 weight watchers pts. per slice)
1 10oz pkg of Pillsbury pizza dough
1 cup mozzarella cheese - I use 1/2 cup 2% part skim and 1/2 cup of fat free combined
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
Turkey pepperoni, black olives, red onions, mushrooms, peppers – whatever toppings you like
Salt, pepper, italian seasoning
Fat free cooking spray
Preheat oven according to the pizza dough directions. I think it's 375. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with the fat free cooking spray. Spread out the pizza dough in the dish, with the dough coming up halfway on the sides. Pre-bake in the oven for about 8 minutes. While the dough is pre-baking, chop your veggies and prepare your toppings. Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven and spread the diced tomatoes over the crust. Add toppings and the cheese, sprinkle with Italian seasoning and bake again for another 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is a golden brown.
Remove from oven and let sit for 2 minutes. Cut and serve immediately.
Some topping variations I have tried: Canadian bacon & pineapple chunks; artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, red onions & feta cheese (this is delicious!).
Deep Dish Pizza
6 servings (approx. 4 weight watchers pts. per slice)
1 10oz pkg of Pillsbury pizza dough
1 cup mozzarella cheese - I use 1/2 cup 2% part skim and 1/2 cup of fat free combined
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
Turkey pepperoni, black olives, red onions, mushrooms, peppers – whatever toppings you like
Salt, pepper, italian seasoning
Fat free cooking spray
Preheat oven according to the pizza dough directions. I think it's 375. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with the fat free cooking spray. Spread out the pizza dough in the dish, with the dough coming up halfway on the sides. Pre-bake in the oven for about 8 minutes. While the dough is pre-baking, chop your veggies and prepare your toppings. Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven and spread the diced tomatoes over the crust. Add toppings and the cheese, sprinkle with Italian seasoning and bake again for another 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is a golden brown.
Remove from oven and let sit for 2 minutes. Cut and serve immediately.
Some topping variations I have tried: Canadian bacon & pineapple chunks; artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, red onions & feta cheese (this is delicious!).
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Oatmeal Berry-Licious Cookies...
Ok so, I love cookies, sweets, cakes, candy, whatever! After 4 days "sugar free", my sweet tooth is starting to twitch so I figured it was a good idea to make something to take care of the problem. Jay also loves something sweet in the evening (as if I'm not enough!). I made a batch of these little suckers yesterday and I have to say that they turned out pretty good.
I have baked with whole wheat flour in the past but it's been a really long time. I pulled out an old recipe and tweaked it a bit and this is what I came up with.... If you are used to eating sugary, rich, luscious desserts, then you will probably hate these cookies. However, if you are like myself and trying to reduce your sugar and be a little heathier while still enjoying an occasional treat, then these are for you! I know the oil seems daunting and you might wonder "Is canola oil really healthy?", well, I thought the same thing. Actually we all need a little healthy fat in our diet every day. I think olive oil would be a healthier alternative and I'm going to try that next time. Well, here you are....
Oatmeal Berry-Licious Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (I use Hodgson Mills)
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup egg substitute
3 tbsp canola oil
3/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
2/3 cup Splenda brown sugar blend
2/3 cup mixed berries (I use Walmart brand - you can find them near the raisins)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
In large bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
In medium bowl, cream together the egg substitute, oil, apple sauce, vanilla and brown sugar until well mixed.
Fold egg mixture into flour, mixing well.
Drop by rounded tsp onto cookie sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes.
Makes about 36 cookies
Approximately 70 cal, 1.5 fiber per cookies. Weight Watchers Points = 1 per cookie
(Disclaimer: These cookies ain't pretty!)
I have baked with whole wheat flour in the past but it's been a really long time. I pulled out an old recipe and tweaked it a bit and this is what I came up with.... If you are used to eating sugary, rich, luscious desserts, then you will probably hate these cookies. However, if you are like myself and trying to reduce your sugar and be a little heathier while still enjoying an occasional treat, then these are for you! I know the oil seems daunting and you might wonder "Is canola oil really healthy?", well, I thought the same thing. Actually we all need a little healthy fat in our diet every day. I think olive oil would be a healthier alternative and I'm going to try that next time. Well, here you are....
Oatmeal Berry-Licious Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (I use Hodgson Mills)
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup egg substitute
3 tbsp canola oil
3/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
2/3 cup Splenda brown sugar blend
2/3 cup mixed berries (I use Walmart brand - you can find them near the raisins)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
In large bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
In medium bowl, cream together the egg substitute, oil, apple sauce, vanilla and brown sugar until well mixed.
Fold egg mixture into flour, mixing well.
Drop by rounded tsp onto cookie sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes.
Makes about 36 cookies
Approximately 70 cal, 1.5 fiber per cookies. Weight Watchers Points = 1 per cookie
(Disclaimer: These cookies ain't pretty!)
Friday, January 1, 2010
White Bean and Sausage Soup
Delicious Delicious Delicious!! If you are a fan of Northern White Beans, you will LOVE this recipe! It only takes an hour to make and is so worth every minute of it. I made this for New Year's Eve dinner and served it with some fresh baked corn bread. Did I say "YUM!"??? :)
White Bean and Sausage Soup
1 cup smoked turkey sausage, cut into small pieces (I use 4 Johnsonville Turkey Sausage links)
3 cans of northern white beans
2 cans of fat free chicken broth
1 cup water
1 tbsp olive oil
1 celery stalk, chopped fine
2 carrots, chopped fine
1/4 cup onion, chopped fine
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp Thyme
Salt to taste
1 tbsp corn starch
water
Mash 1 can of the beans and set aside. Saute the celery, carrot and onion in olive oil in a medium sized pot until tender. Add the chopped turkey sausage and cook about a minute longer. Add the chicken broth and water and stir. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low for about an hour or longer (if you have the time). In a separate bowl, mix the corn starch with a little bit of water until smooth and creamy. Add to the soup and stir continually until it thickens. Simmer a little longer and then serve. Enjoy!!
White Bean and Sausage Soup
1 cup smoked turkey sausage, cut into small pieces (I use 4 Johnsonville Turkey Sausage links)
3 cans of northern white beans
2 cans of fat free chicken broth
1 cup water
1 tbsp olive oil
1 celery stalk, chopped fine
2 carrots, chopped fine
1/4 cup onion, chopped fine
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp Thyme
Salt to taste
1 tbsp corn starch
water
Mash 1 can of the beans and set aside. Saute the celery, carrot and onion in olive oil in a medium sized pot until tender. Add the chopped turkey sausage and cook about a minute longer. Add the chicken broth and water and stir. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low for about an hour or longer (if you have the time). In a separate bowl, mix the corn starch with a little bit of water until smooth and creamy. Add to the soup and stir continually until it thickens. Simmer a little longer and then serve. Enjoy!!
Peach Glazed Chicken
This is a recipe I made Wednesday night. I was searching for something new and delicious (and healthy) to make with chicken. I discovered this recipe and added a few tweaks of my own. Jay and I loved it! I was juicy and flavorable. I made it with a little brown rice, steamed spinach and yellow squash. mmmm... so healthy!!
Peach Glazed Chicken
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Smucker's Sugarfree Peach Preserves
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon worcestshire sauce
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Arrange chicken in a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Mix remaining ingredients together well in a bowl and spoon over chicken breasts making sure to get some on every piece.
4. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until cooked through.
Makes 4 servings
Weight watchers points per serving: 5
Peach Glazed Chicken
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Smucker's Sugarfree Peach Preserves
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon worcestshire sauce
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Arrange chicken in a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Mix remaining ingredients together well in a bowl and spoon over chicken breasts making sure to get some on every piece.
4. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until cooked through.
Makes 4 servings
Weight watchers points per serving: 5
Welcome 2010
Hello! The New Year brings a fresh start to everything and I have decided to really make some changes starting RIGHT NOW! The year 2009 was a continual learning experience for me and I'm ready to put my lessons learned into action.
I am a former sugar addict (3 days clean now!) and plan to keep it that way. I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer the end of 2008 and finished all treatments by May of 2009. I have read all of the literature on the subject and know that cancer just loves sugar but why haven't I been able to give it up? I prayed a lot on this subject and with the help of God, I know that I can kick this terrible habit.
At the request of my wonderful fiance, Jay, I have began to cook healthy again incorporating lots of fresh fruits and grains into our diet once again. We were talking about this around Christmastime while stuffing our mouths with all of the delectable goodies that come with the holidays. I decided to "jump start" our New Year resolution a few days early and so far it's going well!
One of my "life changes" is going to be to cook healthy dinners every day. When I come across a really good one, I will post it here. Of course, they ALL will be good! :)
I welcome all suggestions and comments. I hope everyone (who reads this) will give them a shot and try to incorporate healthy eating into your life... my motto for 2010 and the rest of my years is: Eat to Live! :)
Lots of love,
Elaine
I am a former sugar addict (3 days clean now!) and plan to keep it that way. I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer the end of 2008 and finished all treatments by May of 2009. I have read all of the literature on the subject and know that cancer just loves sugar but why haven't I been able to give it up? I prayed a lot on this subject and with the help of God, I know that I can kick this terrible habit.
At the request of my wonderful fiance, Jay, I have began to cook healthy again incorporating lots of fresh fruits and grains into our diet once again. We were talking about this around Christmastime while stuffing our mouths with all of the delectable goodies that come with the holidays. I decided to "jump start" our New Year resolution a few days early and so far it's going well!
One of my "life changes" is going to be to cook healthy dinners every day. When I come across a really good one, I will post it here. Of course, they ALL will be good! :)
I welcome all suggestions and comments. I hope everyone (who reads this) will give them a shot and try to incorporate healthy eating into your life... my motto for 2010 and the rest of my years is: Eat to Live! :)
Lots of love,
Elaine
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
