Lower Fat Lemon Spaghetti

I experimented and came up with a recipe for Lemon Spaghetti using fat free half and half, lowfat milk and fresh lemon juice.  This recipe yields approximately 8 servings at 272 calories per serving.

Lower Fat Lemon Spaghetti

1 pound whole wheat spaghetti
2 Tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic cloves (I used 4 cloves and it had a strong garlic flavor)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Juice and zest from 2 Lemons
1/2 cup fat free half and half
1/4 cup lowfat milk
1 Tablespoon whole wheat flour (to thicken sauce)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
12 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Small handful of italian parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound asparagus, steamed and cut into 1 inch pieces
Shredded parmesan cheese for garnish

Boil and cook spaghetti as package directs and drain.

Saute the garlic cloves and crushed red pepper for a couple of minutes in olive oil.

Juice and zest 2 lemons.

Add lemon juice, half and half, and lowfat milk to the garlic cloves, olive oil and crushed red pepper.  Add 1 Tablespoon flour to thicken sauce.  Raise the heat to medium to bring to a low boil.  Add lemon zest and parmesan cheese to the cream sauce.  Season with salt to taste.  Add the pasta and remove from heat.  Let the pasta soak up the flavors of the sauce for a couple of minutes.

I steamed the asparagus in water in the microwave for about 3 minutes.  Toss the pasta with the fresh basil, italian parsley, and steamed asparagus.  Serve while hot.

Enjoy!

Lower Fat Scalloped Potatoes

I experimented and came up with a lower fat recipe for scalloped potatoes.  I used a blend of Jarlsberg Lite Reduced Fat Swiss cheese and sharp cheddar cheese with fat free Half & Half.  I was pleased with the results.  This recipe yields 6 servings at approximately 270 calories/serving. 

 

Lower Fat Scalloped Potatoes  

 

4 cups thinly slice potatoes (approx. 4 Russet potatoes)

2 Tablespoons olive oil (I used Berio olive oil for Sauteing & Grilling)

1 Tablespoon Olivio buttery spread
1/4 medium onion, sliced thin
3 Tablespoons whole wheat flour (or white flour if preferred)
1 1/2 cups fat free Half & Half
1 teaspoon salt
1 dash cayenne pepper
3/4 cups Jarlsberg Lite Reduced fat swiss cheese, shredded
3/4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Paprika

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a small pan, combine the olive oil and olivio spread.  Cook at a low temperature until warm.  Add sliced onions and saute until tender.

Add flour and stir until combined. Let blend for approximately one minute.  Add Half & Half and stir mixture using a whisk.  Add salt and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.  Cook at a low temperature until mixture begins to boil.  Add 1 cup of the cheese mixture reserving 1/2 cup of cheese to sprinkle on the top layer.

Place 1/2 of the sliced potatoes in a one quart casserole dish.   I sprayed the surface of the pan with Pam spray to prevent sticking.  Pour 1/2 of the melted cheese mixture over the layer of potatoes.

Repeat with second layer of potatoes and cheese sauce.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the reserved shredded cheese mixture on top.  Sprinkle with paprika for some color.

Bake uncovered for about 1 hour.  Remove from oven.

Makes 6 servings at approximately 270 calories per serving.  Enjoy!

Financial fitness

This is not a typical subject which I have posted about in this blog.  However, lately I have been giving a lot of thought to "financial fitness".  One of my goals for the upcoming year is to practice more self-control when it comes to finances.  Although I do not think of myself as a big spender, I need to work on limiting my day to day spontaneous purchases. 

I must confess, I love coffee.  When I am running around town and drive past a Dunkin Donuts, I cannot resist the urge to pull up to the drive through to get a coffee to go.  And while it is okay to treat myself once in awhile, this should not be a daily event.  I have stocked up on my favorite Dunkin Donuts coffee and I will bring a refillable mug with me when I leave the house.  If I start to save all the money I could have spent on "convenience coffee", I could start planning my next cruise.   Yes, I am proud of myself, I have gone almost a week without giving into the temptation.

I also love keeping up with the latest fashions and going window shopping. But from now on, I will limit my visits to the mall to when I actually need, and not just want, something.  The next time I have the urge, instead I will go to the gym and burn off the excess energy taking exercise classes!

My goal for the year ahead is to practice more self control so that I can save more for the things that my family and I really want.  A little bit of planning can go a long way. 

Fruit Pizza

I wanted to make a healthy after dinner dessert for Christmas dinner at our home.  This is a great way to serve healthy fruits.  The difficult part was coming up with a tasty crust.  This crust is a mixture of whole wheat flour, olive oil, and buttery spread.  It tasted very similar to a graham cracker crust which was a surprise to me.  I used 1/2 cup Filippo Berio Olive oil (for Sauteing and Grilling) which did not overwhelm the taste of the crust.

Fruit Pizza

1/2 cup olive oil (I used Filippo Berio olive oil for sauteing & grilling)
2 teaspoons Promise light spread
1/2 cup sweetener of choice (or sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
8 ounces fat free cream cheese
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sweetener of choice (or sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit topping can be a variety of fresh fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, mango and pineapple, etc.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

For the crust, in a large bowl mix together olive oil, promise light spread, sweetener of choice (or sugar), vanilla and egg until blended.  And flour and baking powder to the oil and egg mixture and combine.  The texture will be crumbly, similar to a graham cracker texture. 

Spread mixture on a pizza pan or cooking sheet.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes and then cool.

Mix together cream cheese, sweetener of choice (or sugar), and vanilla.  Spread over the cooled crust using a pastry bag or similar method as the cream cheese mixture will be very sticky.

Arrange fresh fruit over the top of the pizza.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Enjoy! This recipe yields approximately 12 servings.

Cranberry Orange Sauce with Honey

I wanted to try making a healthier cranberry sauce using less sugar and sweetened naturally with honey.   This recipe has become an annual tradition and I am serving this sauce with our Thanksgiving dinner.

Cranberry Orange Sauce with Honey

1 cup water
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup sweetener of choice (or sugar)
12 oz. bag of fresh cranberries
Juice of 1 fresh orange
1 Macintosh apple chopped fine
orange zest
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Combine water, honey, and sweetener of choice (or sugar) over medium heat and bring to a boil.  Add cranberries, orange juice, chopped apple, cinnamon and nutmeg and return to a boil.

Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Cover and cool at room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Not A Typical Fall Day in Buffalo

What a difference the warmer weather makes as I prepare for the transition from fall to winter in western NY.  I have been recovering from surgery this fall and have been unable to participate in my favorite aerobics classes at the gym.

The milder fall weather has been a dream come true for me. Although I could ride the stationary bike at the gym, it is just not the same as a long walk outside.

 

I looked up at the bright sky and had to remind myself, that yes, it really is the middle of November.

I was suprised by how peaceful it was during my stroll.  Although I passed a few random joggers, I couldn't help but wonder why the streets were so quiet.

I guess it just didn't register that in about a week it would be Thanksgiving Day, because the temperatures didn't feel like it outside.

It wasn't until I made it out to the supermarket later in the day that I understood why.

Most everyone else in the Buffalo area must have been shopping at Wegmans in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday!

25th Year College Reunion

The week finally arrived to attend my 25th year college reunion.  My family and I packed up the car and made the 7 hour drive to Plattsburgh from Buffalo, NY.  When I arrived I was anxious to explore the downtown area to see how it has changed.

I stopped for a bite at a local Mexican restaurant and sampled the chicken fajitas.

My son, a pizza lover, sampled the local fare.  This restaurant was not here the year I graduated.  I discovered they opened a year later in 1988 after speaking with the owners.

It took awhile to settle in that wow, it really has been 25 years since I left this place.

My favorite part was the opportunity to mix and mingle at the coordinated events planned for the alumni.

It was wonderful to be able to reconnect with friends I haven't seen for so many years. I am glad I made the effort to attend.

My family and I enjoyed seeing the sights.  The weather was beautiful and summer was the perfect time for a visit.

We enjoyed an outdoor concert in the park, there were many activities going on downtown.

A visit with my friend from Dunkin Donuts while we waited for the fireworks display.

An awesome show of lights not to be missed, I love my college town.

A wave goodbye to our college mascot.  I look forward to making the trip back again for my 30th reunion!

Thanks for the memories!