Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Red Lobster’s Cheddar Biscuits

My neighbor Wendi brought these biscuits with dinner when we had Truman. They were tasty. I made them tonight and once again - they were tasty. Easy, quick, and not a boring biscuit.

Red Lobster’s Cheddar Biscuits
Wendi Condie

2 cups Bisquick
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Mix Bisquick, cheddar and milk into soft dough. Beat with a wooden spoon for about 30 seconds. Spoon on to greased cookie sheet. Smooth down tops. (Bisquick forms sharp hard points otherwise) Bake for 8 to 10 min at 450 degrees. While baking, melt butter in pan and stir in garlic powder. Take biscuits from oven when done and brush butter on tops and serve hot. Makes 10 biscuits.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Carrot Cake Muffins

Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons trans-fat-free soft tub Margarine spread/butter
1 cup carrot puree
1/2 cup cauliflower puree
1 large egg
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice

Frosting:
1 package cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice

1. preheat oven 350 degrees

2. Mix the sugar and margarine until smooth, stir in purees, orange juice, and vanilla. Then add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and allspice. Stir until everything is blended together, do not overmix.

3. Divide batter into muffin cups and cook for 12 to 15 minutes.

4. frost with frosting. These are also good with out the frosting.

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have not personally made these, but one of my friends made them and I tried them and they were good. Be advised, do not eat too many at one time.

Nonstick cooking spray
1 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
3/4 cup trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread (I would probably still use real butter, because margarine is nasty)
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 can chickpeas, strained and rinsed
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. In a large mixing bowl beat the sugar and margarine (butter) until smooth. Beat in egg whites and vanilla, then add chickpeas and chocolate chips. Add flour, oats, baking soda, and salt and mix just until it is all mixed together.

3. cook for 11 to 13 minutes; do not overbake.

Healthy Hamburgers

1/2 pound lean ground turkey or hamburger
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup cauliflower puree
1/4 cup nonfat milk
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cloves garlic chopped
1/8 teaspoon pepper
nonstick cooking spray
8 wholegrain dinner rolls

1. preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, stir together the meat, breadcrumbs, cauliflower puree, milk, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper. Form into 8 small patties.

3. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat. when the skillet is hot, the burgers and cook until nicely browned on one side, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the burgers over, then slide the skillet into the oven and bake for 4 to 5 minutes longer, until the burgers are no longer pink in the center.

Healthy Macaroni and Cheese

1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni (I usually use more because this recipe makes a lot of sauce)
Nonstick cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup nonfat milk
1/2 cup cauliflower puree
1 1/2 cups shreaded reduced fat cheddar cheese
4 onces reduced fat cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon paparika
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Cook macaroni. While it is cooking, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the oil, then the flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture resembles a thick paste but has not browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk adn cook, stirring every now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cauliflower puree, cheese, cream cheese, and seasonings, and stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Stir in macaroni and serve warm.

Scrambled Eggs

Here are a few of my favorite recipes from the book Deceptively Delicious. Jolene gave me this book for Christmas a few years ago. I think all the recipes I like call for pured cauliflower. I usually steam a whole head of cauliflower and when its soft I add a little water and puree it. Then I freeze whatever I don't use in little zip lock bags.

2 large eggs
4 large egg whites
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 cup cauliflower puree
2 tablespoons grated parmesan
pinch of salt
Nonstick cooking spray

Wisk together eggs, egg whites, sour cream, cauliflower puree, parmesan, and salt. Coat pan with nonstick cooking spray over, then set pan over meduim high heat. Cook eggs.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Cooking Healthy

Anyone! Help! I am on a new health kick, but the only problem is that I don't know how to cook healthy. I love comfort food. Usually if it has at least 1/2 cup of butter and a cup of whipping cream, then I make it (and love it). What do health conscious people eat? That tastes really good? :) I know there are lots of healthy good things to make, I just don't know about them. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Asian Orange Chicken

We tried this last night and it's delicious!!!

Ingredients

Sauce:
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water

Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Pour 1 1/2 cups water, orange juice, lemon juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce into a saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Stir in the orange zest, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, chopped onion, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and cool 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Place the chicken pieces into a resealable plastic bag. When contents of saucepan have cooled, pour 1 cup of sauce into bag. Reserve the remaining sauce. Seal the bag, and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
3. In another resealable plastic bag, mix the flour, salt, and pepper. Add the marinated chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake to coat.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken into the skillet, and brown on both sides. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels, and cover with aluminum foil.
5. Wipe out the skillet, and add the sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Mix together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water; stir into the sauce. Reduce heat to medium low, add the chicken pieces, and simmer, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.