One Pot Jambalaya Recipe

A quick one pot way to celebrate Fat weekend!

Ingredients:

Veggies: 1/2 White Onion, 1 green pepper, 2 carrots, 3 celery stalks
Meat: 1 Chicken Breast, 1 package andouille sausage, 1/1 lb raw peeled shrimp
Pantry: 2 Cups Dry Rice, 2 cans dice tomatoes drained, 2 cups chicken stock, vegetable oil, 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp hot sauce


Directions:

1.Dice all the vegetables and place aside. Tip: Cut vegetables into uniform strips then cut a bunch of strips to make a uniform dice. Chop the raw chicken breast and the sausage into bite size pieces.

2.In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp of oil to medium heat. Brown the chicken and set aside. Then, brown the sausage and set aside.

3.In the same pot the meat was browned in place all the diced vegetables. Don’t do anything to the pot once you remove the browned meat. The bottom will be full of wonderful flavor bits! You may need to add a tbsp or more of oil.

4.Let the vegetables cook until tender, about 10 minutes.

5.Add all of the pantry ingredients plus 1 cup of water to the pot and stir. Let the liquid come to a simmer, may need to increase the heat to medium-high, then lower heat to low.

6.The rice will absorb the liquid, but stir occasionally to ensure the bottom doesn’t stick. This should take about 20 minutes.

7.Once the rice is tender and the liquid add the chicken, the sausage and the raw shrimp to the mixture. The heat should still be on low at this time. The shrimp will cook from the heat of the mixture, this takes about 10 minutes.

8.Once the shrimp is pink and opaque the jambalaya is ready to serve!

How to make Chili Stew

This thick zippy stew from Amy Short of Lesage, West Virginia is loaded with familiar ingredients, such as ground beef, tomatoes, kidney beans and chili beans. Chili powder and green chilies season it just right.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
2 cans (16 ounces each) hot chili beans, undrained
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Yield: 10 servings.

Nutritional Analysis: One 1-cup serving (recipe prepared with lean ground beef and 1-1/2 cups frozen corn) equals 263 calories, 5 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 17 mg cholesterol, 812 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrate, 10 g fiber, 19 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 lean meat, 1 vegetable.

How to make a Refreshing Cold Avocado Soup

Cool and velvety smooth, our cold avocado soup is the perfect way to start a leisurely summer dinner.

This recipe is so easy and delicious. I never have a radish so I top the soup with a little yogurt and the mint sprig. It's even better the next day.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 seedless cucumber, chopped
1 medium avocado, peeled and pitted
1 shallot , chopped
2 tablespoon(s) plain yogurt
2 tablespoon(s) fresh mint
1 sprig(s) fresh mint
4 teaspoon(s) fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1/4 teaspoon(s) ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
1 radish, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

Place the cucumber, avocado, shallot, yogurt, 2 tablespoons mint, lime juice, salt, pepper, cumin, and 1 cup cold water in a blender, and process until smooth.

Chill for at least 1 hour. Serve garnished with the radish and remaining mint leaves.

Easy to make Carrot with Cilantro Soup Recipe

Perfect for any occasion from a spring dinner party to a light lunch, this smooth carrot soup flavored with loads of fresh cilantro and coriander seed is tasty and healthy.

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon(s) olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon(s) coriander seeds, crushed
1 pound(s) carrots, sliced
3 cup(s) vegetable stock
1 bunch(es) (about 1 cup) fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

In a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and coriander. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until onion is softened but not browned, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add carrots. Cook, covered, until softened, 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a separate pot, bring stock to a boil. Add onion-carrot mixture and bring back up to a boil. Transfer to a blender or food processor and blend (in batches, if needed) until smooth. Season with sea salt.

To serve, return soup to pot, stir in chopped cilantro, and reheat on low. Ladle soup into warmed bowls and garnish with cilantro

Recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup

Wide noodles, chunky pieces of skin-on breast meat, and a garnish of fresh dill and sweet caramelized leeks update this classic comfort food. Use already-made roast chicken in this soup.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

2 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
3 leeks, white and light-green parts only, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch pieces with rings intact
Coarse sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
7 cup(s) chicken broth, preferably homemade
1 clove(s) garlic, smashed
1 1/4 cup(s) (about 6 ounces) wide noodles
3 cup(s) sliced roast chicken, skin on, breast meat
2 cup(s) frozen peas, thawed
2 tablespoon(s) finely chopped fresh dill, plus more leaves for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Carefully add leeks in a single layer, so rings don't unravel. Reduce heat to medium-low, season with salt and pepper, and cook 9 minutes; turn leeks, set heat to low, and cook until golden, about 9 more minutes.

Meanwhile, in a 5-quart pot, bring broth and garlic to a boil. Stir in noodles; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still firm, 10 to 12 minutes. Discard garlic.

Set aside a few leeks per serving for garnish. Add remaining leeks to soup, along with chicken, peas, and dill, and cook for 2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and garnish with reserved leeks.

Potato and Leek Soup Recipe

Potato soups are often heavy, creamy, and full of fat. But this recipe from Jamie Oliver uses healthy chicken broth as its base instead of cream, for a lighter, healthier version. To round out your meal, serve with a piece of hearty, whole-grain bread.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoon(s) olive oil
3 medium leeks, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 medium onions, roughly chopped
2 carrots, roughly chopped
2 stalk(s) celery, sliced
2 clove(s) garlic, sliced
2 quart(s) chicken broth
1 pound(s) white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
Salt
Freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

In a large skillet over high heat, heat oil. Add leeks, onions, carrots, celery, and garlic and stir to combine. Partially cover skillet, reduce heat to medium, and cook until carrots are tender, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large pot over high heat, heat broth until boiling. Add potatoes and vegetables and stir to combine. Return to a boil; then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.

How to make Pumpkin and Chicken Chowder?

Stewed in this hearty soup, October's most famous squash possesses a versatility that earns it a place of honor on any fall menu. Our Pumpkin and Chicken Chowder is chock-full of corn, red and jalapeño peppers, leeks, and, of course, pumpkin.

INGREDIENTS:

2 (about 14 ounce) red bell peppers
2 (about 1 ounce) jalapeño peppers
2 tablespoon(s) olive oil
1 1/2 pound(s) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
3 leeks, white and light-green parts only
1 (about 2 pounds) pumpkin, peeled, seeded, cut into 1-inch chunks
3 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
1 teaspoon(s) chili powder
1 teaspoon(s) salt
1/2 teaspoon(s) fresh ground pepper
1 ear(s) (1 cup) corn, kernels removed
3 can(s) (14 1/2 ounces each) low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon(s) Fresh oregano leaves
1/2 cup(s) sour cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Roast the peppers: Preheat oven to broil. Place the red peppers and jalapeños on a baking sheet and cook under the broiler, turning occasionally, until the skins blacken, about 10 minutes. Seal the charred peppers in a plastic bag for 10 to 12 minutes. Peel, stem, seed, and cut peppers into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.

Make the soup: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned. Remove the chicken and keep warm. Add the leeks and pumpkin and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add the flour, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the corn, peppers, chicken, broth, and oregano and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, about 30 minutes. Garnish with sour cream if desired and serve hot.

How to make Vegetarian Moussaka

In this meatless version of the classic Greek dish, bulgur wheat stands in for ground meat in a spiced-tomato filling surrounded by eggplant layers and topped with a béchamel sauce. The eggplant and bulgur pack this dish with fiber. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Ingredients

3 peeled eggplants, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 2 1/2 pounds)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Cooking spray $
2 cups chopped onion $
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup uncooked bulgur
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups organic vegetable broth
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon butter $
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup 1% low-fat milk $
2 tablespoons finely grated fresh Romano cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten $

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler to high.

2. Brush eggplant slices with 1 tablespoon oil. Place half of eggplant on a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray; broil 5 inches from heat for 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure with remaining eggplant. Set eggplant aside.

3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add chopped onion to pan; sauté 8 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add bulgur; cook 3 minutes or until bulgur is lightly toasted, stirring frequently. Add ground allspice, cinnamon, and cloves; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in vegetable broth, oregano, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.

4. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk until well blended. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly with a whisk. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. Stir in cheese and salt. Remove from heat, and cool slightly. Add egg, stirring well with a whisk.

5. Preheat oven to 350°.

6. Arrange half of eggplant in an 11 x 7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spread the bulgur mixture evenly over eggplant; arrange remaining eggplant over bulgur mixture. Top with milk mixture. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes, and remove from oven. Increase oven temperature to 475°. Return dish to oven for 4 minutes or until the top is browned. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Banana Split Ice-Cream Sandwiches Recipe

The vanilla cookies are very thin and are made from a batter that requires chilling before shaping. They'll be soft when warm but light and crisp after they cool. Gooey toppings make this a good knife-and-fork sandwich. Assemble just before serving.

Ingredients

Cookies:
7 tablespoons powdered sugar
6 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg

Filling:
2 cups vanilla low-fat ice cream, softened
3/4 cup ripe mashed banana (about 1 1/2 medium bananas)
6 tablespoons coarsely chopped dry-roasted peanuts, divided

Toppings:
6 tablespoons frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
6 maraschino cherries, drained

Preparation

To prepare cookies, combine sugar and flour, stirring with a whisk. Add vanilla and egg, and beat with a mixer at medium speed 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw 6 (3-inch) circles on paper. Turn paper over, and secure with masking tape. Spoon about 1 tablespoon batter into center of each drawn circle; spread batter to outside edge of each circle. Bake at 350° for 6 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Carefully remove cookies from paper, and cool completely on wire racks. Repeat procedure with the remaining batter, reusing the parchment paper.

To prepare the filling, combine the ice cream, banana, and 1/4 cup peanuts, stirring well.

Place 1 cookie on each of 6 plates. Carefully spread about 1/3 cup ice cream mixture over flat side of each cookie. Top with remaining cookies, flat sides down, pressing gently. Top each sandwich with 1 tablespoon whipped topping, 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup, 1 teaspoon peanuts, and 1 cherry. Serve immediately.

How to make Banana Ice Cream

Banana Ice Cream is a cinch and uses just three ingredients. It’s low in sugar and calories, high in heart-healthy omega-3s from the walnuts, and packed with 4 grams of Resistant Starch.

Ingredients:

1 small banana, peeled, sliced, and frozen
3 tablespoons 1% low-fat milk
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts

Procedure:

1. Place frozen banana pieces and milk in a blender or food processor; process until thick. Top with walnuts.

Cheesy Chicken Casseroles

Turn to these easy casseroles packed with tender chicken and bubbly melted cheese when you need to satisfy your dinner crowd.

The Cooking Light version of this classic dish is a great way to use leftover cooked chicken. The thin pasta soaks up the sauce, forming a casserole that you can cut with a fork. To make it easier to toss the pasta and sauce, break the vermicelli in half before cooking.

A classic that makes great use of leftover turkey or chicken. It’s so creamy and comforting that you’ll be glad it makes two casseroles—one for now and one for later.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Cooking spray
1 cup finely chopped onion
2/3 cup finely chopped celery
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 (8-ounce) packages presliced mushrooms
1/2 cup dry sherry
3 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2/3 cup)
3 (14.5-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 1/4 cups (9 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 cup (4 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
7 cups hot cooked vermicelli (about 1 pound uncooked pasta)
4 cups chopped cooked chicken breast (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 (1-ounce) slice white bread

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, black pepper, salt, and mushrooms; sauté 4 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Add sherry; cook 1 minute.

3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Gradually add flour to pan; cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly (mixture will be thick) with a whisk. Gradually add broth, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.

4. Add 1 ¾ cups Parmesan cheese and cream cheese, stirring with a whisk until cream cheese melts. Add pasta and chicken; stir until blended. Divide pasta mixture between 2 (8-inch-square) glass or ceramic baking dishes coated with cooking spray.

5. Place bread in food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs form. Combine breadcrumbs and ½ cup Parmesan cheese; sprinkle evenly over pasta.

6. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly. Remove casserole from oven; let stand 15 minutes.

To freeze unbaked casserole: Prepare through Step 5. Cool completely in refrigerator. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing to remove as much air as possible. Wrap with heavy-duty foil. Store in freezer for up to 2 months.

To prepare frozen unbaked casserole: Thaw casserole completely in refrigerator (about 24 hours). Preheat oven to 350°. Remove foil; reserve foil. Remove plastic wrap; discard wrap. Cover casserole with reserved foil; bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 1 hour or until golden and bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes.

Easy Cheesy Chicken Casserole

This cheesy dish is similar to the potluck classic known as poppyseed chicken casserole, or Ritz cracker chicken casserole. For even more variations, experiment with adding your favorite veggies, substituting different cheeses, or swapping in low-fat sour cream to reduce the calorie load.

Ingredients

3 to 4 cooked chicken breasts, chopped
16-oz. pkg. wide egg noodles, cooked
24-oz. container sour cream
2 (10 3/4-oz.) cans cream of chicken soup
8-oz. pkg. shredded Cheddar cheese
8-oz. pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 sleeve round buttery crackers, crushed
1/4 cup margarine, melted
2 tablespoons poppy seed

Preparation

Combine chicken, noodles, sour cream, soup and cheeses in a large bowl. Pour into a lightly greased 13"x9" baking dish. Mix together cracker crumbs and margarine; sprinkle over top. Sprinkle poppy seed over cracker crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until crackers are crispy and golden and cheese is melted.

Classic Meat Loaf for Dinner

Combining three types of ground meat lends more depth to the overall flavor of this meat loaf recipe. Serve with roasted carrots and onions.

Ingredients:

1 (1 1/2 ounce) slice white bread
2 tablespoons fat-free milk
1/2 cup ketchup, divided
2/3 pound ground beef, extra lean (raw)
1/2 pound lean ground veal
6 ounces lean ground pork
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large egg whites
Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Place bread in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse breadcrumbs measure 1 1/2 cups.

3. Combine breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons ketchup and remaining ingredients except cooking spray.

4. Shape meat mixture into a 9 x 5-inch loaf on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Spread remaining 6 tablespoons ketchup over top of meat loaf. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a thermometer registers 160°. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut the loaf into 12 slices.