Rice Bowl Southwestern Style

Rice Bowl Southwestern Style

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Makes: 2 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped vegetables (try a mixture - bell peppers, onion, corn, tomato, zucchini)
1 cup cooked meat (chopped or shredded), beans or tofu
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 Tablespoons salsa, shredded cheese or low fat sour cream

Directions

1. In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet).  Add vegetables and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp.
2. Add cooked meat, beans or tofu and cooked rice to skillet and heat through.
3. Divide rice mixture between two bowls. Top with salsa, cheese or sour cream and serve warm.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• For a spicier dish, add chili powder, red pepper flakes or taco sauce in Step 1.
• You can use any leftover cooked grain in this recipe. Try white or wild rice, quinoa, barley or oatmeal.

Pear Quesadillas

Pear Quesadillas

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 servings
Serving Size 2 wedges

Ingredients

4 medium whole wheat tortillas
1 cup grated cheese (try cheddar or jack)
1 cup pear cubes (fresh or canned/drained)
1⁄2 cup finely chopped green or red peppers
2 Tablespoons minced onion (green, red, or yellow)

Directions

1. Lay two tortillas on a clean cutting board or on two plates.
2. Place 1/4 of the cheese on each tortilla.
3. Divide pears, peppers, and onion between the two tortillas.
4. Divide the remaining cheese between the two tortillas. Top with remaining two tortillas.
5. Heat a skillet or griddle to medium (300 degrees in an electric skillet). Place one quesadilla in pan. Cook for 2-4 minutes, or until bottom of quesadilla begins to look a little brown.
6. With large spatula, gently turn quesadilla over and cook the other side until a little brown, 2-4 minutes.
7. Gently slide quesadilla onto plate. Cook the second quesadilla.
8. Cut each cooked quesadilla into 4 pieces and serve.
9. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Put pear cubes on a paper towel for a couple of minutes to help dry them out. This will help your quesadilla stick together!
• Out of pears? Try diced fresh apples, halved grapes, or even sliced bananas.
• Flavor boosters: add some chopped cilantro, or use pepper jack cheese.

Vegetables and Turkey Stir-Fry

Vegetables and Turkey Stir-Fry

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Makes: 8 servings
Serving Size 3/4 cup

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon oil
2 cups chopped vegetables, fresh, frozen or canned (try a mixture - celery, mushrooms, water chestnuts, bok choy, cabbage, zucchini, carrot or broccoli)
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 thin slices ginger root, minced
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 cup cooked ground turkey or turkey breast cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
3 cups cooked brown rice or whole grain noodles

Directions

1. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet).
2. Add vegetables, garlic, ginger root and salt. Stir fry for 2 to 4 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to prevent scorching. Add cooked turkey and sugar. Cook until vegetables are tender and turkey is heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Serve warm over rice or noodles.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Turkey Cranberry Quesadilla

Turkey Cranberry Quesadilla

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Makes: 1 serving
Serving Size 1 quesadilla

Ingredients

1 8-inch whole wheat tortilla
2 Tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
2 Tablespoons cranberry sauce or dried cranberries
2 Tablespoons cooked turkey, chopped or shredded
1⁄3 cup spinach

Directions

1. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over one half of the tortilla. Add cranberry sauce or dried cranberries, turkey and spinach, then fold the tortilla in half over the filling.
2. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet). Lightly spray with cooking spray, then place tortilla in the skillet. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until the outside is golden brown and contents are heated through.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Substitute beans, tofu, or other cooked meat for the turkey.
• For extra flavor, add a dash of cayenne pepper or chili powder before folding the quesadilla in half.

Tortilla Casserole

Tortilla Casserole

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 12 servings
Serving Size 1 wedge

Ingredients

1 cup medium salsa
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) whole-kernel corn, drained (or 1 cup frozen corn, thawed)
1⁄2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
4 whole wheat tortillas, 10-inch diameter
6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Lightly oil or spray a 10 inch casserole dish. 
2. In a small bowl, mix salsa and tomato sauce.
3. In a medium bowl, mix black beans, corn and cilantro.
4. Place 1 tortilla in baking dish, and spread 1/4 of salsa mixture over tortilla. Top with 1/3 of bean mixture and 1/3 of cheese.
5. Repeat layering 2 more times; spread last of salsa mixture over top of last tortilla.
6. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until cheese melts and filling is hot. 
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. 

Notes

• Try kidney or pinto beans instead of black beans.
• Add leftover cooked chicken, turkey or ground beef.
• Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans.

Tomato Melt

Tomato Melt

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Makes: 2 servings
Serving Size 2 muffin halves

Ingredients

1⁄4 cup shredded cheese (try cheddar, mozzarella or a blend)
1 Tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise
1⁄2 teaspoon mustard
2 English muffins (try whole wheat)
1 medium tomato, cut into 4 slices

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine cheese, mayonnaise and mustard.
2. Cut English muffins in half and spread mixture evenly over all 4 halves.
3. Broil 5 inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
4. Place a tomato slice on each English muffin half.
5. Serve as is or broil for 2-3 minutes more to heat tomato.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• For extra flavor try fresh avocado or basil leaves under the tomato or add 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder to the cheese mixture.

Sunshine Roll-Ups

Sunshine Roll-Ups

Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes: 4 servings
Serving Size 1 'wrap'

Ingredients

1 cup cooked, diced chicken
1⁄2 cup finely chopped celery
2⁄3 cup canned, drained mandarin oranges
1⁄4 cup minced onion (green, red, or yellow)
2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
1 large whole wheat tortilla
4 medium lettuce leaves, washed and patted dry

Directions

1. In medium bowl, mix chicken, celery, oranges, and onions.
2. Add mayonnaise, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper. Mix gently until chicken mixture is coated.
3. Lay tortilla on clean cutting board or large plate. With a knife or clean scissors, cut tortilla into four quarters.
4. Place 1 lettuce leaf on each tortilla quarter, trimming leaf so it doesn’t hang over edge of tortilla.
5. Place 1/4 of chicken mixture in the middle of each lettuce leaf.
6. Roll tortillas up into a cone, with the two straight edges coming together and the curved edge creating the opening of the cone. Eat like a sandwich!
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• No oranges? Use halved grapes or diced apples.
• Instead of chicken, try using 1 cup cooked/drained garbanzo beans, or 1 cup of small tofu cubes.

Salmon Pasta Skillet

Salmon Pasta Skillet

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 1/2 cup       

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 cups whole grain pasta (try shells, elbow, or bow tie)
1 Tablespoon margarine or butter
2 Tablespoons chopped onion
1 can (5 ounces) canned salmon, drained (about 1/2 cup cooked fresh salmon)
2 small tomatoes, chopped
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon chopped parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
1⁄4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, then set aside.
2. While pasta is cooking, heat butter in a medium skillet over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet). Add onion and cook until tender.
3. Add cooked pasta, salmon, tomato, lemon juice, parsley and salt. Cook until heated through.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Garden Sloppy Joes

Garden Sloppy Joes

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 12 servings
Serving Size 1/2 bun

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped or shredded
1 green pepper, chopped
1 pound lean ground meat (15% fat) (turkey, chicken or beef)
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (15 ounces) whole tomatoes, crushed
1 can (8 ounces) mushrooms or 1/2 pound chopped fresh mushrooms
1⁄4 cup barbecue sauce
6 whole wheat buns, split in half to make 12

Directions

1. Saute onions, carrots, green pepper and ground meat in a 2-3 quart saucepan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
2. Add tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms and barbecue sauce.
3. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally.
4. Toast buns if desired. Spoon sauce over bun halves. Serve open-faced.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Add your favorite fresh, canned or frozen chopped vegetables.
• Try whole wheat English muffins instead of buns. 

Bulgur Pilaf

Bulgur Pilaf

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons oil
1⁄2 cup chopped celery
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup bulgur, uncooked
1⁄2 teaspoon Salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable) (see notes)

Directions

1. Add oil, celery, onion and bulgur to a medium skillet.
2. Stir constantly over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet) until vegetables are tender and bulgur is golden brown.
3. Add seasonings and broth and bring to a boil.
4. Cover pan and reduce heat to low.
5. Simmer 15 minutes.  Liquid should be gone. Serve.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Broth can be canned or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon.
• Add other vegetables such as peas, grated carrots, chopped bell peppers.
• Try additional flavors such as dill weed, oregano, sage, marjoram, or parsley.

Yogurt Parfait

Yogurt Parfait

Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

4 bananas
24 ounces low-fat vanilla yogurt
2 cups low-fat granola

Directions

1. Peel and chop bananas.
2. Take half of the fruit and split it between the bottom of six cups or bowls.
3. Take half of the yogurt and split it between each cup or bowl, placing it on top of the fruit.
4. Sprinkle each cup with 1/4 cup granola.
5. Repeat layers.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Drizzle with honey and top with chopped nuts.
• Try other fruits, such as strawberries, apples, oranges, etc. (Use 2 cups fruit for the recipe.)
• Use different flavors of yogurt, such as lemon or strawberry, or plain for less sugar.
• Honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old.

Super Sundae

Super Sundae

Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
2⁄3 cup canned chopped peaches
2⁄3 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
2 Tablespoons granola

Directions

1. Divide yogurt between 2 clear glasses or dishes.
2. Spoon half of the peaches and blueberries on top of the yogurt.
3. Sprinkle each sundae with granola.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Substitute any fruit you have on hand: try sliced bananas, canned mandarin oranges, or grapes cut in half.
• Try different flavors of yogurt like lemon or strawberry.

Rice Bowl Breakfast with Fruit and Nuts

Rice Bowl Breakfast with Fruit and Nuts

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 cup cooked brown rice
1⁄2 cup nonfat or 1% milk
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped fruit (try a mixture - apples, bananas, raisins, berries, peaches)
2 Tablespoons chopped nuts (try unsalted walnuts or almonds)

Directions

1. Combine cooked rice, milk and cinnamon in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on HIGH for 45 seconds. Stir and heat for another 45-60 seconds, or until rice mixture is heated through.
2. Divide rice mixture between two bowls. Top with fruit and nuts. Serve warm.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Use a combination of fresh, canned, frozen and dried fruit in this recipe.
• You can use any leftover cooked grain in this recipe. Try white or wild rice, quinoa, barley or oatmeal.

Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 16 servings
Serving Size 2 x 2 inch bar

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup honey
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups rice cereal
2 cups quick oats
1 cup raisins, or other dried fruit

Directions

1. In a saucepan bring honey to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to low and stir in peanut butter.
3. Add dry cereal, oats and raisins; mix well. Remove from heat
4. Lightly spray or oil an 8 inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Press into prepared 8-inch pan. When cool, cut into 16 bars.
5. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Notes

• Try this recipe with 4 cups of unsweetened cereal flakes instead of the rice cereal and oats.
• Honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old.
• To avoid peanuts or peanut butter, try sunflower seeds or sunflower seed butter.

Gingerbread Pancakes

Gingerbread Pancakes

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size 2 pancakes (4-inch)

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup whole wheat flour
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 egg
2 Tablespoons molasses
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup low-fat buttermilk

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, beat egg. Stir in molasses, oil and buttermilk.
3. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients; stir together lightly.
4. Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet). For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle.
5. Cook until pancakes are puffed and dry around edges. Turn and cook other side until golden brown.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• No pumpkin pie spice? Use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon dry ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon cloves or nutmeg.
• No buttermilk? Place 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar in measuring cup and fill to the 1 cup line with milk. Stir and let set to thicken slightly.  
• To see if skillet is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If drops skitter around, heat is just right.
• Top with applesauce, fresh fruit or yogurt.

Carrot Pancakes

Carrot Pancakes

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yield: 5 servings
Serving Size 3 pancakes

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned)
3⁄4 cup buttermilk
1⁄2 cup carrots, finely grated
1 egg
1 Tablespoon oil
1⁄4 cup non-fat or 1% milk
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1⁄2 cup all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions

1. Mix oatmeal and buttermilk and set aside to soak.
2. Peel and grate the carrot with a fine grater.
3. Add egg, oil, milk and vanilla extract, if desired, to the oatmeal mixture; beat well. Stir in the grated carrot.
4. Measure dry ingredients and stir into the wet ingredients until batter is fairly smooth. If it seems too thick add a small amount of milk.
5. Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet). For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle.
6. Cook until pancakes are puffed and dry around edges. Turn and cook other side until golden brown.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• To see if skillet is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If drops skitter around, heat is just right.
• Top with applesauce, fresh fruit or yogurt.

Breakfast Pumpkin Cookies

Breakfast Pumpkin Cookies

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yield: 24 servings
Serving Size 2 cookies

Ingredients

1 3⁄4 cups cooked, pureed pumpkin (15 ounce can)
1 1⁄2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1⁄2 cup oil
1 1⁄2 cups flour
1 1⁄4 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts or hazelnuts, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Mix pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, and oil thoroughly.
3. Blend dry ingredients and add to pumpkin mixture.
4. Add raisins and nuts.
5. Drop by teaspoonfuls on greased baking sheet, 1 inch apart.
6. Gently flatten each cookie (use a spoon, bottom of glass, or palm of your hand).
7. Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

Apple Spice Oatmeal

Apple Spice Oatmeal

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients
1 apple
2 cups nonfat or 1% milk or water
1 cup quick cooking or old fashioned rolled oats
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
1⁄8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1⁄8 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

Directions

1. Rinse the apple, remove the core and cut into small chunks.
2. Bring the water or milk to a boil in a saucepan.
3. Add the oatmeal, salt and apple chunks. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute if using quick cooking oats or 7 to 10 minutes if using old fashioned rolled oats. Stir a couple times while cooking.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg, if desired.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• To increase the apple flavor, use apple juice for all or part of the water. Mixing apple juice with milk may cause milk to curdle.

Whole Wheat Yogurt Rolls

Whole Wheat Yogurt Rolls

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Yield: 10 rolls
Serving Size 1 roll

Ingredients
1 1⁄2 cups whole wheat flour
1 3⁄4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1⁄4 cups low-fat plain yogurt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Stir flour, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Add yogurt to the center and stir until a dough forms.
3. Divide dough into 10 equal sized balls. Dust hands with flour and roll each ball lightly until surface is smoothed.
4. Place on baking sheet and flatten each ball to ½ inch thick.
5. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until light golden brown. Serve warm with a soup or salad.

Sweet Potato and Orange Muffins

Sweet Potato and Orange Muffins

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Yield: 18 servings
Serving Size 1 muffin

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1⁄2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 can (16 ounce) sweet potatoes (yams), drained
2⁄3 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 cup orange juice
1 carrot, shredded
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil muffin tins for 18 muffins.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.
3. In a large bowl, mash sweet potatoes. Add brown sugar, eggs, orange juice, carrots and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Add dry ingredients to liquid ingredients and mix well.
5. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake 15-20 minutes, until tops are brown. Let cool and remove from tins.
6. Cool completely then store in an air-tight container at room temperature.