FOOD FAVORITES!

These are staples in our house!  I thought I would share them after Thanksgiving to give you something maybe a little lighter for your and something the whole family would enjoy.  Most important........They are SUPER EASY!!!!

Chocolate Muffins- 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

1 box of chocolate cake mix

1 can of solid pumpkin

Stir the 2 together.  NO ADDING WATER, EGGS, MILK, OIL....NOTHING!!!!!!!!!  Should look like brownie batter.

Scoop into either a regular muffin pan or a mini muffin pan and bake.  Regular muffins will bake for 20 minutes.  The mini muffin pan will back for approx. 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Chicken and Pasta

 1 pound of boneless/skinless, cut into bite sized pieces

 2 tablespoons olive oil

 2 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed

 1 tsp basil, dried

 1/2 tsp oregano

 Salt and Pepper to taste

 1 large can of diced tomatoes or a jar of home canned tomatoes

 1 pound of any kind of pasta (prefer Whole Wheat)

Place chicken, garlic and olive oil in saute pan.  Saute chicken until it's cooked.  Add basil, oregano, salt and pepper and tomatoes.  Turn down to medium low so that water can evaporate from the tomatoes and sauce will thicken.  Cook pasta as directed.  When pasta is completed, drain and toss in pan with tomatoes and chicken.  Mix well.  Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese if you like. 

 Breakfast Burritos

Serves 4

 150 calories per serving

 5 slices of turkey bacon

 Non stick spray

 6 egg whites beaten

 1 small tomato, cored, seeded, and chopped

 1/2 cup low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese

 4 six inch low-carb tortillas

 2 cups salsa for garnish

Place the bacon between two paper towels on a paper plate.  Microwave on high 4-5 minutes, just until the bacon is crisp.  Break into pieces.  Spray a skillet with non stick cooking spray and heat on medium.  Scramble the egg whites in skillet until almost done.  Add tomato and bacon.  Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.  Heat the tortillas for 10 seconds in the microwave or you can warm them in a pan for a minute or two.

 Spoon the egg scramble equally into center of tortillas.  Sprinkle with lo-fat cheese on the top.  Fold burrito style.  Serve immediately with salsa to taste.

Marsha's Salad

1 bag of baby spinach leaves

1 container of feta cheese or you can use bleu cheese crumbles

1 small can of mandarin oranges, drained well

1 bag of candied walnuts or you can use pecans if you have those

1 cup of dried cranberries or cran-raisins

1 bottle of Raspberry Vinegarette Salad Dressing (Ken's Steakhouse is my favorite)

1-2 cups of a plain crouton

Mix salad together WITHOUT the dressing. Allow people to add as much as they like. It is an awesome salad. Great to take places or eat at home.

This is awesome with left over grilled chicken or shrimp!!!!!!

Broccoli and Cheese Crustless Quiche

Serves 6                   

150 calories per serving

Nonstick spray

 12 egg whites, beaten

 1 cup light sour cream

 8 ounces shredded low fat Cheddar cheese

 10 ounce package of frozen broccoli , thawed, drained, and pressed dry

 1/2 tsp black pepper

 Spray a slow cooker with nonstick spray.  In a large mixing bowl, combine, egg whites, sour cream, cheese, broccoli, and paper, then add to the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low 4 hours.

 ENJOY!!!!!

Coach Pam