Crispy Garlic Potato Bites

So, we all know that french fries are absolutely delicious.

We also know that hidden inside that crispy, mouthwatering, irresistible sliver of deep-fried goodness is a whole bunch of bad-for-you-calorie-filled-artery-clogging-fat!

WHY OH WHY MUST EVERYTHING DELICIOUS BE SO BAD FOR ME????

Don't worry...not everything delicious is bad for you...take this recipe for example...

Crispy Garlic Potato Bites

4 medium red potatoes (any potato would probably work)

1 1/2 tsp olive oil

2-3 garlic cloves

garlic powder

salt

pepper

Dice up the potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Cut the garlic into chunks. Place the potatoes and garlic in a medium pot filled with lightly salted water. Boil for about 7 minutes. Pour the contents of the pot into a strainer. Dump the potatoes and garlic onto a greased baking sheet and spread them apart evenly. Spread with olive oil and add spices to taste. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and flip over the potatoes, add additional spices if desired. Return to oven and bake for an additional 15-25 minutes (depending on how crispy you want them).

These babies are bursting with flavor and are a great alternative to the typical french fry.

Another cool thing about this recipe is that you can mix and match different spices to make different types of potatoes!

Examples:

1) garlic, lemon juice, oregano, Greek seasoning, salt, garlic powder = Greek Potatoes

2) season salt, pepper = Simple Potatoes

3) garlic, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, olive oil, thyme, basil = Rosemary Potatoes!

I could go on, but I'm sure your cullinarily inclined minds get the picture.

Also, feel free to comment on any of my posts to let me know how your version turned out!

May the odds be ever in your flavor! 

 

Banana Cookies

Let's face it, we all have a dream...a dream to be able to eat an entire batch of cookies completely guilt free!  A dream to be able to eat an entire batch of delicious cookies completely guilt free. 

Well folks, I am here to announce that we are one giant step closer to that dream...

Banana Cookies

 

 

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 small ripe bananas (mashed)

1 egg white
2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

2 tbsp light brown sugar

1 tbsp domino light sugar stevia blend

*1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

*1 tsp cinnamon

 

Mix everything together in a large mixing bowl.  Drop cookies onto a greased baking sheet and bake at 350 degress for 8 minutes. 

 

*You can pick either one to mix into the cookies...or even do both!  Just depends on your taste preference.  I did half a batch with chocolate chips and half with cinnamon and both turned out awesomely!

 

These cookie-licious wonders are only 30 calories per cookie (40 if you use the dark chocolate chips)! 

 

You're welcome in advanced!

 

May the odds be ever in your flavor!

 







Almost Apple Pie

Sometimes I just really really want some apple pie...and there are only two things standing in my way

1) The amount of time and effort it takes to make a delicious apple pie

2) The amount of calories per piece of the delicious apple pie

So what's an apple-pie-lovin' girl to do?

Answer:

Almost Apple Pie

 

 

1 apple

ground cinnamon

 

Simply dice up an apple, place in a microwaveable bowl, sprinkle with cinnamon, and microwave for one minute!

 

Voilá!  An easy, healthy way to combat the apple pie craving!

 

The hardest part is waiting for the apples to cool off...I may or may not have burned my tongue a couple of times after making this...

 

This treat is good for breakfast, snacks, and, of course, dessert! 

 

May the odds be ever in your flavor!



Low Fat Pumpkin Bars

♪ Yummy yummy yummy I've got pumpkin in my tummy and I feel like eating more! ♪

Seriously, that is what you will be singing once you eat some of these...

 

Low Fat Pumpkin Bars

 

Adapted from this recipe

 

6 tbsp liquid egg whites

A little under 1/2 cup stevia-sugar baking blend

1/4 cup applesauce

1/4 cup vegetable oil

7.5 ounces canned pumpkin

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

 

Mix all of the ingredients together.  Place in a greased 8x8 pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. 

 

These are crazy delicious...and addicting...good thing they are only 53 calories per square!

 

 

*NOTE:  My mother prefers to have hers with the icing...

4 ounces light cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

(Combine ingredients, chill in the fridge for 10 minutes, spread over cooled pumpkin bars)

 

May the odds be ever in your flavor!





Spaghetti Meatballs

This post is about a splendid little meal called spaghetti meatballs.

Not spaghetti and meatballs mind you...

spaghetti meatballs

Spaghetti Meatballs

 

1 1/2 lbs ground chicken

3 slices whole wheat bread

1 egg

6 ounces spaghetti (uncooked)

1 jar red pasta sauce

italian seasoning

garlic powder

onion powder

adoboe

 

Put the bread slices in a food processor and pulse until they form crumbs.  Cook the pasta according to directions, breaking into small pieces.  Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl (only use 2 tbsp of the sauce and reserve the rest).  Roll the mixture into large balls (I ended up making 11...which drove me crazy since it wasn't even!)  Place in a heated skillet.  Add water as needed to prevent sticking.  Cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes or until the whole meatball is no longer pink.  Pour the rest of the sauce over the meatballs and simmer until heated through. 

 

It is the deliciousness of a classic Italian dish all packed into one ball of meat....and it is so easy to make!   

 

Go ahead, put this down on your dinner menu for the week.

 

May the odds be ever in your flavor!





Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

You're welcome!

Oh wait...you didn't say thank you yet did you?

Well, you certainly will after reading this post!

Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

 

 

 

2 small bananas mashed

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup oatmeal

1 egg white

 

Mix all of the ingredients together and spoon onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

 

So simple...and yet so tasty!  And......wait for it......only 50 calories per cookie!

 

This recipe is brought to you by yours truly.  That's right!  I had a random brainstorm and it produced this wonderful concoction!

 

You're welcome :)

 

May the odds be ever in your flavor!

Low Fat Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Once upon a time, a young girl began an intense love affair with banana bread.  She would eagerly anticipate the days when the bananas lingering in her kitchen would turn spotted and brown, knowing that her mother would soon bake them into the delicious treat.
Years later, that young girl has grown up and is able to make the sacred banana bread all on her own, with a few little twists....

Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins:  Low Fat!

  

4 tbsp butter or margerine

4 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup stevia-sugar baking blend

1 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

3 medium ripe bananas (mashed)

2 eggs

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

 

 

The directions are simple...mix everything together and spoon into greased mini muffin tins!  Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes. 

This recipe makes approximately 48-55 mini muffins with roughly 60 calories per muffin.

My mother claims that I make the best banana muffins every time and eats two everyday with her breakfast!  She isn't biased at all of course ;)

 

 

For a SUPER low fat banana muffin option, see recipe below...

 

2 tsbp margerine

6 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

3/4 cup stevia-sugar baking blend

1 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

3 medium ripe bananas (mashed)

4 egg whites (or 6 tbsp liquid egg whites)

1 tsp cinnamon

 

Following this recipe will give you 40-45 calories per mini muffin. 

May the odds be ever in your flavor!



 





Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

I like food that is tasty.  I also like food that is healthy.  So when I find meals that are both tasty and healthy I eat them.  Here is a picture of tonight's dinner...

 

Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

 

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 spaghetti squash

chicken meatballs

 

For the meatballs:

1 package of ground chicken

1 egg

two slices of whole wheat bread

italian seasoning

garlic powder

onion powder

adobo

 

Place the spaghetti squash on a pan and stick it into a 375 degree oven for 50 minutes.  Remove the squash and allow to cool for a few minutes.  Cut the squash in half longways with a serated knife and place flesh side down on the pan.  Cook for another 10 to 15 minutes.  Take out the spaghetti squash and let it cool again.  Flip it over and remove the fleshy middle and seeds.  Run a fork along the inside of the squash to create the stringy spaghetti-like look.

NOTE!  Cooking times will vary according to squash size. 

Meanwhile.... 

Put the two slices of whole wheat bread in a food processor and pulse until they are all crumbs.  Mix the ground chicken, egg, bread, and spices in a medium bowl until well blended.  Using a small cookie dough scooper, scoop the meat into little balls and place in a pan.  Cook them over medium heat for about 20 minutes adding water as necessary to prevent burning and sticking.  Add the sauce and reduce heat to a simmer.  Cook on low for an additional 5-10 minutes. 

Put everything on a plate and eat it!

 

There are about 40 calories in one cup of cooked spaghetti squash....as opposed to the 220 found in regular cooked spaghetti!  

 

May the odds be ever in your flavor!