Something Yummy

A friend of mine passed this little treat along to me and I just knew i had to try it! Thanks Jana! It is a nice healthy snack and something that has satisfied my sweet tooth multiple times. Not sure what to call it--maybe Yogurt/Ricotta Parfait?

Yogurt Ricotta Parfait

1/4-1/2 cup Skim Ricotta cheese
1/4-1/2 cup Lowfat Vanilla Yogurt (I use organic Brown Cow)
Mix these together well.
Top with berries (I have used blackberries and blueberries, but I'm sure any kind would be delicious!)
Sprinkle sliced almonds on top

Simple, but delicious and packed with antioxidants!

Baked Cheesy Zucchini

One of my goals for my family is healthy eating. I decided a while back that once a week, we will have both a vegetarian meal and a meal with fish in it. Although I must admit I don't always get the fish in, I do find that vegetarian meals are not only cheaper, but healthier and easier! I tried this recipe last night and it took me about 5 minutes to prepare AND it was tasty. I love the cookbook "101 Things to do with a Casserole" so this recipe comes from there, but I varied it as listed below:

Baked Cheesy Zucchini

3 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1/2 sweet onion, thinly sliced
3 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
2 T butter, melted
3/4-1 cup Italian-flavored breadcrumbs
2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese (I didn't have Mozzarella, so I used my cheddar/grated mixed cheeses and it was delicious)

Preheat oven to 350.
In a greased 9x13 pan, layer zucchini, onion and tomatoes. Drizzle butter over vegetables. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over top. Cover and bake 45-50 minutes or until veggies are tender. Remove from over, uncover and sprinkle cheese over top. Bake 5-7 minutes more or until cheese is bubbly.

This was before I baked it.


Final Product

Cut the Carbs, Eat Lettuce Wraps

I was pleasantly surprised how these turned out. They were fairly easy to make and very yummy!

Lettuce leaves (I used Romain)
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 T. soy sauce
1/4 c. hoisin sauce (I used a bit more)
2 t. minced ginger
1 T. rice wine vinegar
1 8-oz. can chopped water chestnuts
1 bunch chopped green onions
2 t. olive oil
Chopped peanuts

1. Rinse lettuce and let dry.
2. In a medium skillet over high heat, brown ground beef in 1 T. oil, stirring often. Drain and set aside to cool. Cook onion in same pan; add garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger and vinegar to onions; stir well. Stir in water chestnuts, green onions and oil; continue cooking until the onions just begin to wilt (about 2 min.)
3. Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter and pile meat mixture in the center. To serve, spoon portion into lettuce leaf, top with chopped peanuts and wrap around like a burrito. Enjoy!
Serve with rice on side if desired.

Quick and Easy Breadsticks

I must make these at least once a week. My family loves them and there is nothing easier--truly! And they make so much that I usually freeze half of them or use for two meals in a row. Start to finish, these might take you at the most 30 minutes, so you could have these with your soup or casserole tonight. They were a big hit at my family get-together last weekend and my bread-loving twin nephews salivate every time I make them (or any bread--they love bread!). Make your family salivate tonight:

2 1/4 c. warm water
2 T yeast
3 T sugar
1 T salt
2 T oil
4-5 cups flour
1/4 c. butter
garlic salt
1 c. Parmesan cheese
dry parsley

Mix warm water, yeast and sugar in bowl and let dissolve. Add salt, oil and some of the flour; mix. Knead in remaining flour to get soft dough. Let rest 10 min. Preheat oven to 400 and grease large jelly roll pan cookie sheet. Press dough into pan and cut into breadsticks of our size-liking. Melt butter and stir in garlic salt to taste. Brush breadstick with garlic mixture and sprinkle with cheese and parsley. You really can put whatever you want on top of these because they are so universal. My family likes lots of cheese and not so much garlic. Bake 10 min or until light golden brown. YUMMY!