Diet Friendly Beef Stir Fry

Ingredients

1 lb sirloin steak (sliced into 1/2 inch strips)

1 onion (chopped)

2 cups broccoli (fresh uncooked)

1 green bell pepper (sliced into strips)

1 red bell pepper (sliced into strips)

5 gloves garlic (sliced)

1 tbsp olive oil

Preparation

In a large skillet, add the olive oil and add the garlic and steak. Once steak is nicely browned, add the rest of the ingredients cook on med to high heat and stir fry for 3-5 minutes. Remove, serve, and enjoy!

Cucumber Salad Picnic Side Dish

Ingredients

2 large cucumbers

2 large tomato

2 tbsp olive oil

dash of fresh oregano

dash of fresh parsley

Preparation

Wash and skin the cucumbers. Cut the cucumber into 1 inch slices. Cut the tomato’s into 4 quarters. Add to bowl and add olive oil, fresh oregano, and fresh parsley. Chill before serving for best flavor!

Pinto Bean Dip

Ingredients

2 – 15 ounce can pinto beans, drained

8 slices canned jalepeno and 2 tablespoons of juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

Puree all ingredients in food processor or blender on high speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve with baked tortilla chips or on chalupas with lettuce, tomatoes and low fat cheese.

Raw Tomato Carrot Soup Recipe

Ingredients

3 cups water

3 large carrots

1 apple – core removed

1 avocado- pit and skin removed

Fresh ginger – small piece, size of tip of finger

1 can coconut milk

1 tomato

Directions

In a food processor or high powered blender combine all the ingredients till smooth. Serve with a basil leaf garnish.

Basic Corn Bread Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup buttermilk

3/4 cup corn meal

1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 cup egg substitute

Directions

Blend or mix well until smooth. Pour in a number 5 skillet that has been sprayed with vegetable oil spray and preheated (be sure it’s very hot). Bake at 400

Mushroom and Scallion Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 small bunch scallions, sliced, whites and greens separated

1 small garlic clove, finely chopped

4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and caps thinly sliced

4 cups water

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and sliced

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4 -inch cubes

Directions

In a very large soup pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat.

Add the scallion whites and garlic; cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.

Pour the water into the pot. Add soy sauce and ginger. Let simmer for 2 minutes.

Place the chicken in the broth. Reduce heat to low; cover and poach until the chicken is just cooked through, about 7 minutes.

Transfer the chicken evenly to 4 bowls. Pour broth over the chicken. Garnish with the scallion greens.

(Makes 4 Servings)

Ramped Up Tuna Salad Recipe

Ingredients

3 cans tuna in water

1 onion (chopped)

2 tbsp mustard seed

1 egg beaten

2 tbsp minced cilantro

3 gloves garlic

2 tsp olive oil

twist of lemon juice

Preparation

Put the olive oil in a sauce pan and turn on high 2-3 minutes. Mix the egg, tuna and onion first. After mixed by hand add the remaining ingredients in a bowl and form into 2 equal patties. Place patties in sauce pan and sear one side for about a minute. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook for about 5 minutes on each side. When finished, give each patty a twist of lemon juice. Serve and enjoy!

Fresh Fruit Salad with Dressing

Ingredients

1/2 cup plain lowfat yogurt

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon grated fresh lime peel

2 cups diced peeled cantaloupe

2 cups diced peeled honeydew melon

1 cup seedless red or green grapes

1 cup fresh blueberries

2 cups diced peeled cored fresh pineapple

1 cup raspberries or blackberries

1 1/2 cups halved hulled strawberries

Directions

Whisk together yogurt, lime juice and honey in small bowl to blend; set dressing aside. Wash and clean fruits. Add fruit to a large bowl. Cover dressing and fruit separately and chill until ready to serve, up to 6 hours. Mix dressing into fruit. Let stand 15 minutes to blend flavors. Note: You can easily interchange different fruits – this dressing will also taste great with nectarines, peaches, etc.

Whole Wheat Pancakes for Breakfast

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

2 tbsp honey

Directions

Whisk whole-wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.

In a small bowl, combine egg, buttermilk and honey.

Make a well in dry ingredients and stir in egg and buttermilk mixture. Allow batter to rest for a few minutes.

Set a nonstick frying pan to medium-high heat. Drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls on to griddle or pan. Cook until the edges begin to dry and bubbles appear in the pancakes. Flip and cook for 1-2 minutes more.

(Makes 8 pancakes)

Roasted Eggplant Spread

Ingredients

1 medium eggplant

1 large sweet red bell pepper

1 small sweet red onion

1 clove garlic, finely minced

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Pinch of fresh ground black pepper

Minced fresh Italian parsley leaves for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Stab eggplant all over with the tines of a fork. Place on a rack in roasting pan and bake in preheated 375 degree oven for about 40 minutes.

Prick onion and pepper all over with the fork as well and place on rack beside the eggplant. Continue roasting for 30 more minutes until vegetables are very soft. Let cool until you can handle.

Remove stem of eggplant, cut in half. Remove as many seeds as possible, then chop. Remove from skin and chop eggplant coarsely and place in a food processor. Cut pepper in half, remove skin, seeds, stem and membranes. Chop and add to the food processor. Coarsely chop onion and add to processor.

Add garlic, lemon juice, oil, black pepper and process until mixture is somewhat chunky. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes to one hour before serving. Garnish with minced parsley.