Sunday, April 27, 2008

New Recipes for 2008


The following recipes are given in good faith.
If you don't follow them as written, results aren't guaranteed.
This is how I do it and it works for me!!!
Also...some of these recipes call for Diabeti Sweet Brown Sugar substitute - If you don't have that,
DO NOT USE SUGAR TWIN BROWN SUGAR SUBSTITUTE!!!
That leaves a nasty aftertaste that you will NOT like!!
Instead, use Splenda in the same quantity and
1/2 - 1 teaspoon maple extract - this will give you a similar flavor
and no nasty aftertaste.
Happy Cooking!
Part I of my Plan Friendly recipes are here: Healthy Recipes for Living Lean (and most are reducer friendly too!)

Banana Caramel Muffins
3/4 cup rolled oats
¼ cup steel cut oats
1 cup mashed banana
6 Tablespoons flaxseed meal (optional**Reducers use best judgment)
½ cup Splenda
1 Tablespoon Spice Mix II (see recipe below)
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons clear vanilla
2 T. Caramel SF Davinci Syrup
12 egg whites
Preheat oven to 350o F.
In large mixing bowl, stir together all dry ingredients and bananas. In small mixing bowl (or oversize measuring cup), combine all wet ingredients except egg whites. Stir into dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined and all oats are covered. Will be moist. Set aside.
In separate bowl, beat eggs for about 15 secs with hand mixer. Stir into oat mixture and combine well with mixer.
Allow to sit for 15 minutes while oven heats and you prepare the baking pan.
Spray and wipe out a large capacity 6 muffin pan. Divide batter into each section.
Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes in pan. Freeze.
Makes (6) Servings of
2 oz. Protein A
½ cup Carb B
I like to bag and freeze these while still slightly warm. That helps to retain a little moisture when they thaw.

Living Lean Peanut Butter Muffins
(Not recommended for reducers, save for Living Lean)
1 cup rolled oats
½ cup steel cut oats
6 Tablespoons 100% peanuts chunky peanut butter, NSA
(I used Crazy Richard’s brand or Krema brand)
¼ cup Diabeti Sweet brown sugar substitute
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons clear vanilla
¼ teaspoon butter extract
¼ cup water
12 egg whites
Preheat oven to 375o F.
In large mixing bowl, stir together all dry ingredients and peanut butter. In small mixing bowl (or oversize measuring cup), combine all wet ingredients except egg whites. Stir into dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined and all oats are covered. Will be moist. Set aside.
In separate bowl, beat eggs for about 15 secs with hand mixer. Stir into oat mixture and combine well with mixer. Will be really runny so don’t worry.
Allow to sit for 15 minutes while oven heats and you prepare the baking pan.
Spray and wipe out a large capacity 6 muffin pan. Divide batter evenly into each section.
Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan for about 10 minutes. Freeze.
Makes (6) Servings of
2 oz. Protein A
½ cup Carb B
1 T. Peanut butter (healthy fat)
I like to bag and freeze these while still slightly warm. That helps to retain a little moisture when they thaw.

Smokey Top Secret Heinz Ketchup
Variation of a ketchup recipe from Lionstar
One 12-ounce can tomato paste
1/4 cup Splenda
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 capful (about 1 teaspoon) Wright’s Hickory Smoke Flavoring, NSA

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until smooth.
When mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often.
Remove pan from heat and cover until cool. Chill and store in a covered container.
Makes 3 cups.

Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs
A healthier version of the Ham Ball recipe elsewhere on my blog.
3 lbs. ground turkey (93/7 or 99/1 or a combination)
1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
1 Tablespoon dry minced onions
4 egg whites, slightly beaten with fork
Black pepper to taste
Topping:
¼ cup Diabeti Sweet Brown Sugar substitute
2 cups Ketchup, NSA (see recipe above)
2 t. dry mustard
3/8 cup apple cider vinegar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine first 5 ingredients and form into 18 balls. Place in sprayed and wiped large glass pyrex baking dish.
In small mixing bowl, combine all topping ingredients and pour over meatballs.
Bake for 1 hour.
Makes: (18) 2-3 oz. Servings Protein B
Free veggies

Rhubarb Sauce
A few bites of this make your mouth taste good!!
¾ lb of fresh rhubarb, cleaned and cut into 1” pieces
1 cup water
½ cup strawberries
¼ cup Splenda or to taste
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons arrowroot
In medium sauce pan over medium heat, cook together water, rhubarb, Splenda and strawberries. Bring to boil and add vanilla. Cook for 15 minutes or until mushy. Stir with a fork and then stir in the arrowroot. Reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes longer or until desired thickness. Stir occasionally.
Cool. Refrigerate.

Rhubarb is a Veggie ‘A’ – not a freebie. While reducing, eat only at meals where veggie ‘A’ is permitted and then monitor closely.
I enjoy 3 or 4 bites of this after lunch and dinner. Like a treat!!

Real Banana Bread
Moist and smooth!!
2 cups regular rolled oats, uncooked (quick oats work ok, too)
1 cup steel cut oats, uncooked
12 egg whites (large eggs – no yolks), beaten until soft peaks form
3/4 cup Splenda
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
3 cups sliced frozen bananas, completely thawed (will be very runny, that is OK)
1 teaspoon maple extract
2 teaspoons clear vanilla

Preheat oven to 350o F.
In large mixing bowl, stir together all dry ingredients (oats, splenda, and cinnamon). Set aside.
In medium mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients thoroughly except for egg whites. Pour this over dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. Allow to sit for 20 – 30 minutes while you separate and beat the egg whites.
Fold in the beaten egg whites and stir until all the egg foam disappears.
Lightly spray and wipe a 6 loaf silicon baking pan or (6) 2-cup loaf pans. Divide batter evenly into each and bake for 15 - 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 - 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. Store in Ziploc bags. Makes 6 PWO servings. (2 oz. – Protein; 1 cup Carb B, ½ cup fruit; You will need to add ½ cup fruit to make a complete PWO meal.)
To serve, cover and heat in microwave oven for 30 - 45 seconds. If frozen, cooking time may have to be increased a few seconds.
These taste best the next day. They freeze well, too! A healthy breakfast for anyone on-the-go!
My extra ½ cup fruit is either fresh apple or ½ cup of my homemade applesauce
Living Lean variation – Add ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate bits to batter before baking.

C
rustless Pumpkin PieA Lakescape experiment that tasted great!
4 egg whites (large eggs – no yolks)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
2 Tablespoons Splenda
1 teaspoon clear vanilla
½ cup pumpkin
Preheat oven to 350o F.
In medium mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients.
Beat with mixer until well blended (about 3 minutes)
Lightly spray and wipe a 2-cup loaf pan. Spread batter evenly bake for 24 – 30 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Allow to cool. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.
Full recipe makes: 4 – Protein A and ½ cup Carb B. Supplement as required.

Vegetable Soup II
1 small can NSA tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes (NSA)
1 can water [I rinse out the diced tomato can twice]
1 small can water [I rinse out the tomato paste can]
1 large onion, chopped
½ t. black pepper
1 -2 stalks celery diced fine OR 1 tablespoon celery flakes
3 cups NSA turkey or chicken broth (homemade works the best)
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 t. California garlic powder
1 – 2 tablespoons parsley flakes
¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Pasta Seasoning (NSA) from Trader Joe’s
1 small bag frozen green beans
1 small bag baby carrots
½ very large bag of mixed vegetables [I use the king size bag of Bird’s Eye Normandy blend from Wal-mart – broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, and yellow squash]
In large stock pot, sauté onions and celery in about ¼ cup White Balsamic vinegar for about 5-10 minutes. Stir in tomato products and water. Turn heat to medium, add flavorings and bring to small boil. Add vegetables and bring to boil again. Cover and reduce heat to very low and simmer for 60 - 90 minutes.
Better the next day! And it freezes well, too!
I use mostly free veggies and just eyeball the carrot content of each bowl.

Pumpkin Muffins
3/4 cup rolled oats
¼ cup steel cut oats
1 cup pumpkin
¼ cup flaxseed meal (optional**Reducers use best judgment)
½ cup Splenda
1 Tablespoon Spice Mix II (see recipe for this here: Spice Mix II)
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons clear vanilla
1 teaspoon fresh orange zest (optional) OR 2 Tablespoons of Sugar Free Davinci Caramel Syrup
12 egg whites
Preheat oven to 350o F.
In large mixing bowl, stir together all dry ingredients and pumpkin. In small mixing bowl (or oversize measuring cup), combine all wet ingredients except egg whites). Stir into dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined and all oats are covered. Will be moist, but not sopping wet. Set aside.
In separate bowl, beat eggs for about 5 secs with hand mixer. Stir into oat mixture and combine well with mixer.
Allow to sit for 5 minutes while oven heats and you prepare the baking pan.
Spray and wipe out a large capacity 6 muffin pan. Divide batter into each section. It is OK if it fills above the rim.
Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan. Freeze.
Makes (6) Servings of
2 oz. Protein A
½ cup Carb B
I like to bag and freeze these while still slightly warm. That helps to retain a little moisture when they thaw.
Pickled Eggs and Beets
18 – 24 hardboiled eggs, peeled
2 – cans NSA sliced red beets
3/4 cup Splenda
½ cup water
1 cup Heinz white vinegar
In medium saucepan, combine all ingredients except eggs. Over medium heat, bring to boil and boil for 5 – 10 minutes.
Pour over peeled eggs and refrigerate overnight.
**Beets are a Carb A - NOT a freebie!!! Measure them if you are eating them!!


Grilled Mahi-Mahi and other Marinades
My favorite way to make fish!!
3 lbs. Mahi Mahi fillets (or any type of firm, mild fish)
1 bottle Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar from Trader Joe’s**
** Reducers use best judgment – contains a small amount of sugar
1 teaspoon crushed garlic, or to taste
Black pepper to taste
Minced Onion (about ¼ cup or to taste)
Combine all ingredients in marinating pan adding fish last. Coat each side with marinate, cover tightly and allow to sit at least 2 hours or overnight. Grill until opaque and flaky. Pour extra marinate over fish while grilling.
I do mine on my gas grill for about 6 – 8 minutes per side, depending on thickness of fish.
Best the next day and freezes well.
Reducer Friendly variation – as a substitute for the Orange Muscat vinegar, use this instead to make it a POP meal:
¾ - 1 cup White Balsamic Vinegar
Zest from 1 orange
Small amount (about 1-2 tablespoons) juice from the orange (optional)
Herb de Provence marinade:
¾ - 1 cup Raspberry Zinfandel Table wine (or other fruit flavored wine)
1 teaspoon crushed garlic, or to taste
Black pepper to taste
Minced Onion (about ¼ cup or to taste)
Herb de Provence herb blend from Whole Foods (about 1 tablespoon or
to taste)
Sautés
I serve these either plain or mixed into my rice,
barley or steamed squash!!
Also great served with any meal as is since they only use Free Veggies!!
Sauté in about ¼ cup of white balsamic vinegar in medium saucepan over medium heat until transparent or to taste: (amount of each ingredient used is up to you!!)
Mix #1: sweet and/or yellow onions, sliced portabella mushrooms,
green peppers, hot peppers to taste (optional)
Mix #2: celery**, onions, fresh or dried parsley, hot peppers (optional)
Mix #3: green onions (greens and all), sweet onions, bell peppers (mix of red, green, yellow, and orange), mushrooms, hot peppers to taste (optional)
I dice all of my veggies on the larger size, not too small.
All free veggies – good at any meal!!
**Celery isn't a free veggie, but the amount you will get with each serving is minimal.

Mushrooms Italiano
Tastes like pizza and makes your house smell like it too!!
Actual quantities of each ingredient will vary depending on the amount of
mushrooms and tomatoes and size of baking dish.
24 oz (or more) Cleaned mini Portabella Mushrooms (White Mushrooms work fine too) (I slice the bigger ones in half)
6-10 Grape tomatoes
Good white balsamic vinegar (I use Trader Joe’s)
Dry or fresh basil to taste
Dry or fresh oregano to taste
Italian Seasoning to taste
Onion powder to taste
Garlic powder to taste (I use Trader Joe’s California Garlic Powder)
Preheat oven to 400oF. Pour enough vinegar in baking dish to just over the bottom. Wash mushrooms and tomatoes (ok to leave wet). Place in single layer in glass baking dish (9 x 13 or whatever size they will fit into). Fill in gaps with grape tomatoes. Sprinkle generously with white balsamic vinegar making sure each piece is wet, but not submerged. Sprinkle generously (to taste) with onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, Italian seasoning and basil in that order. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly, and then remove to storage container. Scrape any juice/brownings into container, too. Don’t worry if it bakes dry, just allow pan to soak before washing! Allow to cool and then refrigerate overnight for best results. Tomatoes will form a juice when allowed to cool. Serve cold or reheat. Use juice as topping for potatoes, rice, chicken, beef, or as salad dressing! Also great as topping for On Plan Pizza!
Contains all FREE veggies, so reducers can enjoy this at any meal!!

Tuna Salad
Yummy served over a bed of baby mixed greens and a few grape tomatoes!
(And this coming from someone who hated tuna!!)
2 cans NSA canned Tuna (I used Tongol Tuna from Whole Foods)
1-2 tablespoons finely diced onion
1-2 tablespoons finely diced celery
Black pepper to taste
2/3 cup cucumber juice**
In small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and stir well.
Divide into appropriate portions and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Stir before eating.
Makes : (4)- 2 oz. servings Protein A
**Cucumber Juice is the juice from my Sweet and Sour Cucumbers, which is just apple cider vinegar, water, Splenda and sliced cucumbers. I have this on hand all the time, so I just use some of the seasoned juice from this in my Tuna Salad.

Basil-Tomato Herb Muffins
Delicious and portable when served with a Big Salad for a Lite Lunch!

1 cup rolled oats
½ cup steel cut oats
1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes, diced
¼ cup flaxseed meal, optional
1 T. basil
1 T. Oregano
1 T. Italian Seasoning, nsa
1 t. garlic powder
1 T. minced dry onion
1 t. onion powder
¼ cup water
1 cup zucchini, mashed (measure after mashing)
12 egg whites, beaten to soft peaks
Preheat oven to 350o.
In large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients and then remaining wet ingredients except for egg whites. Set aside.
Allow to sit for 20 – 30 minutes while you separate and beat the egg whites.
Fold in the beaten egg whites and stir until all the egg foam disappears.
Lightly spray and wipe an extra large (Texas sized) 6 muffin baking pan. Divide batter evenly into each and bake for 15 - 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 - 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. Store in Ziploc bags. These freeze well.
Makes 6 servings containing 2 oz. – Protein; ½ cup Carb B


Tomato Herb Breadsticks
Enjoy these with your favorite marinara or
toasted and served with Vegetable Soup!
2 cups rolled or quick oats
1 cup steel cut oats
1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes, diced (3 oz package)
¼ cup flaxseed meal, optional
¼ cup oat bran, optional
1 T. basil
1 T. Oregano
1 T. Italian Seasoning, nsa
1 t. garlic powder
2 t. onion powder
2 ½ cups water
4 egg whites, beaten to soft peaks
Preheat oven to 350o.
In large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients and then remaining ingredients except for egg whites. Set aside.
Allow to sit for 20 – 30 minutes while you separate and beat the egg whites.
Fold in the beaten egg whites and stir until all the egg foam disappears.
Lightly spray and wipe (2) 5 x 9 loaf pans. Divide batter evenly into each and bake for 30-45 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 - 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. Cut each loaf into 6 equal pieces. Store in Ziploc bags. These freeze well.
Makes 12 servings containing : ½ cup Carb B, minimal protein (freebie!)

Dee’s Turkey Burger Mix
This mixture really makes turkey burgers come alive!!
Thanks Dee!!
2 pounds ground turkey or chicken breast
4 tablespoons minced dry onion
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoons garlic powder
2 Tablespoons dry Basil
2 Tablespoons oregano
3 oz. package DRY sun dried tomatoes, ground to powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
In small mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
In large mixing bowl, combine meat and dry mix until well blended.
Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Form into patties and grill.

Apple Caramel Flaxseed Muffins
Due to the nature of the ingredients, save this recipe for Living Lean!!
1 ¼ cup flaxseed meal
½ cup Splenda
2 T. Caramel SF Davinci Syrup
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
¾ cup water
1 Tablespoon clear vanilla
4 egg whites, beaten to soft peaks
1 medium apple, finely diced (with peel) or shredded
Preheat oven to 350o F.
In large mixing bowl, stir together all dry ingredients. In small mixing bowl (or oversize measuring cup), combine all wet ingredients except egg whites. Stir into dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined. Will be moist, but not sopping wet. Set aside.
In separate bowl, beat eggs until soft peaks form. Stir into flax mixture and combine well with mixer.
Allow to sit for 20 minutes while oven heats and you prepare the baking pan.
Spray and wipe out a regular sized 12 muffin pan. Divide batter into each section. It is OK if it fills above the rim.
Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan. Freeze.
Makes (12) Servings of 1¼ Tablespoons flaxseed meal, minimal fruit and protein.
I like to bag and freeze these while still slightly warm. That helps to retain a little moisture when they thaw.
Use as a supplement if you suffer from dry skin or constipation!
Recommended serving = 1 muffin per day as needed.

Spicy Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
This recipe is my take on one from the Provida Recipe Exchange.
Meatballs:
2 pounds ground turkey breast (or half breast/half 93/7 turkey)
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
½ Tablespoon crushed garlic
½ Tablespoon NSA Chili Powder (I use Spice Hunters Chili Blend)
Black pepper to taste
Mix garlic and chili powder in small bowl, then mix with meat thoroughly. Sprinkle black pepper and mix again. Set aside.
Sauce:
1 small bunch green onions, diced (greens and all)
White balsamic vinegar (enough to cover the bottom of the pot)
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 pound sliced portabella mushrooms
1 green pepper, diced
3 jalepeno peppers, diced fine with seeds
2 stalks celery, diced fine
Saute above ingredients in large pot until onions are transparent.
Add:
3 cans NSA diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon oregano (or more if you like)
½ Tablespoon crushed garlic
½ Tablespoon NSA Chili Powder (I use Spice Hunters Chili Blend)
Simmer for 30 minutes over low heat.
While sauce is simmering, form turkey mix into meatballs and brown in a small amount of white balsamic vinegar in small nonstick frying pan. Add more vinegar as needed. Brown on all sides and add to sauce.
Cover and simmer on low for 2-3 hours.
Recipe contains: Protein and Free Veggies (the small amount of celery is negligible)
Size of meatballs will determine the number of servings. I made 12 meatballs for serving size after cooking of about 2.5 oz. each.
Yummy served over Brown Jasmine Rice mixed with Saute #1!!
Other Recipes are here: Healthy Recipes for Living Lean (and most are reducer friendly too!)