Lemon Icebox Bars

Ingredients

Crust:

• 14 whole-grain graham cracker squares (7 full sheets)
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Cooking spray

Filling:

• 1 (8-ounce) package 1/3 less-fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature
• 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup pasteurized egg product (such as egg beaters)
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons powdered gelatin
• 3 tablespoons boiling water

Make Crust:

Directions

Place graham crackers in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until crumbs are formed. Add butter, brown sugar and salt and pulse to incorporate, until crumbs resemble wet sand. Coat an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray and pack crumbs firmly into the bottom of it. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Make the filling:

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, condensed milk and pasteurized egg product and beat on high with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add lemon zest and juice and beat until fully incorporated, another 30 seconds. In a small bowl, combine the gelatin and boiling water and whisk until gelatin is entirely dissolved; let cool 2 to 3 minutes. Stir the gelatin into the cream cheese-lemon mixture until well incorporated. Pour the filling over the crust. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight, until filling is firm. Slice into 2-inch squares using a chilled knife coated with cooking spray.

Per Serving:

Serving size is 1 square

Calories 155; Total Fat 5.5 g; (Sat Fat 3 g, Mono Fat 1.5 g, Poly Fat 0 g) ; Protein 5 g; Carb 22 g; Fiber 0 g; Cholesterol 18 mg; Sodium 165 mg

SOURCE:  Lemon Icebox Bars




NOTES:  Health Benefits of Lemon  (from SOURCE)

• As a natural antiseptic, the juice of the lemon will destroy harmful bacteria found in the cuts and other areas of infection.
• For toothache, apply fresh lemon juice on the painful area.
• For skin problems, the juice of the lemon should be applied directly to the skin and allowed to dry especially for acne and eczema, then remove with water with olive oil added. The juice is also good for the removal of blackheads, freckles and wrinkles.
• Lemon juice when applied to hair after rinsing it , will give shine and volume to your hair.
• Lemon juice helps to prevent and cure osteoarthritis.
• Helps to prevent diabetes.
• Lemon juice helps in preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
• Lemon juice is a great liver tonic.

Lemon

Greek Yogurt

Directions

Make your own Greek yogurt: Line a sieve with a coffee filter and set it over a bowl. Place 4 cups plain whole-milk yogurt in the filter and refrigerate for 12 hours (you'll get about 2 cups thick yogurt). Divide among bowls; top with honey, dried fruit and walnuts. Serve with almond cookies.

SNACK:  Greek Yogurt




NOTES:  Learn More About Yogurt

Low Carb Pizza

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups soy flour
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup club soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/8 cup diced red onion
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 3 large Roma tomatoes, diced
• 8 ounces no sugar added tomato sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (may substitute Italian seasoning for dried herbs)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Toppings:

• 24 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• 8 ounces pepperoni slices
• 1/2 cup crumbled Italian sausage, cooked
• 1/2 cup diced Parma ham
• 1/3 cup julienned red bell peppers
• 1/3 cup julienned green bell peppers
• 1/3 cup julienned red onion
• 2 portobello mushroom caps, sliced
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Pinch dried oregano

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Make the crust: Generously spray 2 (12-inch) pizza pans with nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray. In a medium bowl, stir together all of the crust ingredients to make a smooth, thick, pancake-like batter. Using a rubber spatula, spread the batter as thin and evenly as possible over the 2 pans.

Place pizza crusts on center racks of the oven and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown and firm to touch.

Remove crusts from oven and increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.

Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, heat olive oil and then sweat onions and garlic in oil, cooking just until softened and translucent. Add diced tomatoes and the remaining ingredients and simmer for about 2 minutes.

Compile the pizzas: Spread the tomato sauce and then the mozzarella cheese evenly over both crusts. Top 1 pizza with pepperoni, sausage, and ham, and top the other with the bell pepper strips, onions, and mushrooms. Lightly sprinkle 1 tablespoon olive oil over each pizza, and sprinkle each with a dash of dried oregano.

Place the pizzas back in the oven to bake for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese melts and starts to brown. Cut each pizza into 8 slices. 

SOURCE:  Low Carb Pizza

Tuna Burgers with Carrot-Ginger Sauce

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

• 1 small carrot, roughly chopped
• 1 1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• Pinch of sugar
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the Burgers:

• 1 pound sushi-grade tuna
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup spicy sprouts, for garnish
• 4 whole-grain hamburger buns
• 1/2 avocado, sliced

 

Directions

Prepare the sauce: Pulse the carrot and ginger in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar and process until smooth. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons water and combine; season with salt and pepper. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and set aside.

Prepare the burgers: Chop the tuna into chunks. Wipe out the food processor and add the tuna; pulse a few times to break up the pieces. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, the soy sauce, lime juice, cilantro and ginger; season with salt and pepper. Pour over the tuna and process until well blended. Form into 4 patties; brush each lightly with the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil.

Preheat a grill or grill pan. Once hot, add the burgers and cook for 2 minutes on each side for rare, or to desired doneness.

Toss the sprouts in the carrot-ginger sauce. Place the burgers on buns and top with avocado and sprouts.

Per serving: Calories 435; Fat 22 g (Sat. 3.8 g; Mono. 11 g; Poly. 6 g); Cholesterol 43 mg; Sodium 662 mg; Carbohydrate 28 g; Fiber 5 g; Protein 32 g

SOURCE:  Tuna Burgers with Carrot-Ginger Sauce

Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

Dough:

• 1/4-ounce package yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup scalded milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter or shortening
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling:

• 1/2 cup melted butter, plus more for pan
• 3/4 cup sugar, plus more for pan
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup raisins, walnuts, or pecans, optional

Glaze:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 to 6 tablespoons hot water

 

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside. In a large bowl mix milk, sugar, melted butter, salt and egg. Add 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast mixture. Mix in remaining flour until dough is easy to handle. Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes. Place in well-greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size, usually 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

When doubled in size, punch down dough. Roll out on a floured surface into a 15 by 9-inch rectangle. Spread melted butter all over dough. Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over buttered dough. Sprinkle with walnuts, pecans, or raisins if desired. Beginning at the 15-inch side, role up dough and pinch edge together to seal. Cut into 12 to 15 slices.

Coat the bottom of baking pan with butter and sprinkle with sugar. Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until dough is doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake for about 30 minutes or until nicely browned.

Meanwhile, mix butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Add hot water 1 tablespoon at a time until the glaze reaches desired consistency. Spread over slightly cooled rolls.

SOURCE:  Cinnamon Rolls

Santa Fe Veggie Quesadillas

Prep Time 

10 min

Original Recipe Yield 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 (12 inch) flour tortilla
• 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar/Monterey Jack cheese blend
• 1/2 cup whole kernel corn, drained
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup black beans, drained
• 1 chopped green onion
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• Directions

1. Prepare a lightly oiled large skillet over medium heat. Place the tortilla in the skillet and flip it once to ensure an even coating of oil on both sides.
2. Allow the tortilla to heat on one side for 1 minute. Beginning at the center of the tortilla, evenly spread the cheese blend until the tortilla's entire surface is covered. Top the cheese with corn, red bell pepper, black beans and green onion. When the cheese is completely melted, carefully slide the tortilla from the pan onto a cutting board. Slice into 8 wedges and serve warm.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 207 | Total Fat: 7.7g | Cholesterol: 14mg

SOURCE:  Santa Fe Veggie Quesadillas

Refreshing Fruit Dip

Prep Time:  5 Min

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen unsweetened peach slices, thawed
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• Assorted fresh fruit
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• 
  
• Directions
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• In a food processor, combine the first four ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Serve with fruit.
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• Footnotes
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• Nutritional Analysis: One serving (1/4 cup) equals 75 calories, trace fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 8 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 1 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit.
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• SOURCE:  Refreshing Fruit Dip

Tuscan Tuna Platter Recipe

• Total Time: 20 minutes
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INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz fresh green beans, stem ends trimmed
• 1⁄3 cup bottled olive oil and vinegar dressing
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 can (15 to 16 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed
• 3 cups baby arugula (from a 5-oz bag)
• 2 cans (6 oz each) solid white tuna in oil, drained and flaked
• 3 large eggs, hard-cooked, cut in wedges
• 1⁄2 cup sliced red radishes
• 1⁄3 cup pitted kalamata olives
• Freshly ground pepper to taste (optional)

PREPARATION

1. Half-fill a large skillet with lightly salted water; bring to a boil. Add green beans and cook about 4 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain; rinse under running cold water.
2. In a clear measuring cup, stir dressing and mustard with a fork to blend. Put 1 Tbsp into a medium bowl. Add cannellini beans; toss to coat.
3. Line a large platter with arugula. Spoon on cannellini beans. Put green beans in same bowl; add 1 Tbsp dressing and toss to coat. Add green beans to platter.
4. Add tuna, eggs, radishes and olives to platter. Grind pepper over top. Drizzle with remaining dressing, or serve alongside.
Good with crusty Italian bread.

SOURCE:  Tuscan Tuna Platter Recipe