Pumpkin Bran Muffins

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups unprocessed oat bran

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup cooked mashed pumpkin

1/2 cup skim milk

2 egg whites, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking oil spray

Directions

Combine bran, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a large bowl and stir well. Make a small well in center of mixture. In a second bowl, combine pumpkin, milk, beaten egg whites and vegetable oil. Stir until well mixed. Add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Spray 2 muffin tins with cooking oil spray or use paper liners. Spoon into the muffin tins until each is 3/4 full. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from pans immediately; serve warm or at room temperature.

Classic Minestrone Soup Recipe

Ingredients

4 tablespoons margarine

3/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped carrots

1 (19 ounce) can cannellini beans

1/2 cup shredded cabbage

1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 1/2 cups cubed potatoes

1 quart vegetable broth

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup elbow macaroni

Directions

Melt margarine in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots; saute for a few minutes.

Add beans, cabbage, tomatoes, tomato paste, potato, stock, garlic, parsley, and salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat. Simmer for approximately 1 hour until vegetables are barely tender.

Add pasta, and simmer for 30 minutes more. Correct seasoning, and serve hot.

Pinto Bean Dip

Ingredients

2 – 15 ounce can pinto beans, drained

8 slices canned jalepeno and 2 tablespoons of juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

Puree all ingredients in food processor or blender on high speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve with baked tortilla chips or on chalupas with lettuce, tomatoes and low fat cheese.

Grilled Spicy Island Beef Kebabs Recipe

Ingredients

Marinade

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1 tablespoon ground allspice

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon chopped fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 habanero or serrano peppers, seeded

Kebabs

1 1/2 pounds boneless top sirloin, trimmed and cut into 30 cubes

1 red bell pepper, cut into 18 pieces

2 black-ripe plantains, peeled, and each cut into 9 pieces

Cooking spray

Diagonally cut green onions

Lime wedges for Garnish

Directions

Prepare grill.

Combine marinade ingredients in a food processor or blender; process until smooth. Place marinade mixture, beef, and bell pepper pieces in a large zip-top plastic bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator 20 minutes.

Remove beef and bell pepper pieces from bag; discard marinade. Place beef, bell pepper pieces, and plantain pieces in a large bowl; toss well to coat.

Thread 5 beef cubes, 3 red pepper pieces, and 3 plantain pieces alternately onto each of 6 (12-inch) skewers. Lightly coat kebabs with cooking spray or use olive oil mister. Place kebabs on grill rack coated with cooking spray. Cook 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare or until desired degree of doneness. Garnish with green onion pieces and serve with lime wedges.

Roasted Pepper and Turkey Sandwiches Recipes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon fat-free mayonnaise

1 tablespoon brown spicy mustard

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup chopped bottled roasted red bell peppers

2 tablespoon chopped green onions (including tops)

8 – 1 ounce slices of pumpernickel bread

3/4 pound thinly sliced smoked turkey breast

1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts

4 leaves of green leaf lettuce

Directions

Combine first four ingredients and stir until smooth. Stir in red bell peppers and green onions. Spread 1 slide of each bread slice evenly with cream cheese mixture. Top 4 bread slices evenly with turkey, sprouts and lettuce. Top with remaining bread slices. Cut in half and serve with pickle spears.

Sesame Noodles With Chicken

Ingredients

1 bag Japanese buckwheat soba noodles

5 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

2 tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 tbsp sesame oil

2 tbsp honey

2 tsp honey mustard

1 tbsp creamy peanut butter

3/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast

5 scallions

Directions

Cook noodles according to package.

In a large bowl whisk together next 6 ingredients to make dressing.

Cook chicken until cooked through. Shred and add to peanut mixture.

Add drained noodles, scallions and toss until combined.

(Makes 4 Servings)

Low Calorie Omelette

Ingredients

6 egg whites

1 whole omega-3 egg

1 green pepper

1/2 small onion

1 slice cheddar (28 ounces)

2 tsp of coconut oil

6 oz turkey ham

Preparation

Whisk all eggs in a large bowl. Chop peppers and onions to desired size. Next, saut the onions in 2 tbsp in coconut oil. After lightly sauted, pour eggs into pan and wait a second or two so it evens out. Add peppers, cheese, and turkey ham to the top and continue to cook on low, covered for 3-5 minutes. Remove from pan and enjoy!

Low Calorie Breakfast Idea: Nectarine Fruit Salad

Ingredients

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon or lime peel

2 teaspoons fresh lemon or lime juice

1/3 cup ginger ale

2 nectarines, pitted and sliced

1 cup seedless green grapes

1 cup fresh raspberries or blackberries

Directions

In a large bowl, combine peel, juice, honey and ginger ale. Add fruit and toss lightly. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Sauce Adds a Kick to Dinner

Ingredients

1 – 8 ounce carton fat-free sour cream

1/4 cup minced fresh Italian parsley leaves

1/4 cup prepared horseradish

1 teaspoon white wine Worcestershire sauce

1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 – 2 pound beef tenderloin

Cooking oil spray

1/2 teaspoon salt free lemon-herb seasoning (Mrs. Dash)

Directions

Combine sour cream, parsley, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper in a bowl. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 500

Low Calorie Mushroom and Scallion Chicken

Ingredients

1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 small bunch scallions, sliced, whites and greens separated

1 small garlic clove, finely chopped

4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and caps thinly sliced

4 cups water

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and sliced

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4 -inch cubes

Directions

In a very large soup pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat.

Add the scallion whites and garlic; cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.

Pour the water into the pot. Add soy sauce and ginger. Let simmer for 2 minutes.

Place the chicken in the broth. Reduce heat to low; cover and poach until the chicken is just cooked through, about 7 minutes.

Transfer the chicken evenly to 4 bowls. Pour broth over the chicken. Garnish with the scallion greens.

(Makes 4 Servings)