Hey Goodlookin', Whatcha Got Cookin?

[mommy2boyz]

Hey Goodlookin', Whatcha Got Cookin?

I love cooking healthy meals for my family, but I'm getting bored with my usual rotation. I thought (since we're spending so much time and energy getting back in shape) that we could share a favorite *healthy* recipe or two. No fried foods allowed!! LOL!

Here's mine:

Spinach, Chicken, & Pasta Salad

(Makes one GIANT bowl full)

16 oz. bowtie pasta, cooked (whole wheat pasta if available)

Dressing:
1 cup olive oil
2/3 cup bottled teriyaki sauce
2/3 cup white wine vinegar
6 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Blend dressing and mix with pasta and marinate for 2 hours.

Add the following (right before serving) and toss:

1 1/2 (10 oz) bags spinach
1 (6 oz) bag craisins
3 cans madarin oranges
2 cans sliced water chestnuts
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 bunch green onions
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
6 oz honey roasted peanuts
2 cups chicken

Of course you can omit any of these ingredients you don't like. I usually leave out the water chestnuts. Husband isn't a fan. And I'll probably replace the sugar with Stevia.

 

[4noisyboys]

Jordan...that sounds amazing! A few of my boys would LOVE that!

I'm doing weight watchers...and I guess if I measured and counted everything beforehand, I could figure out the points!

I usually stick to basics. Tonight we had grilled flank steak, I made some nasty pasta stuff for the boys that they love, roasted veggies (in the oven) and they had some french bread too. I had half a slice with a bit of butter! I've been good all week and if I don't use all those extra points by tonight, I lose them!

My kids' fave salad is Chinese Chicken Salad. Like yours, it uses a lot of oil though...not sure how to cut that down.

Chinese Chicken Salad

1 boneless chicken breast cooked and shredded (I usually buy rotisserie chicken)
1 pound shredded cabbage (about 1/2 of a large packed head)
4 green onions
2 oz slivered almonds
2 T sesame seeds
1 package chicken ramen noodles (save the flavored packet for dressing)

Toast almonds and sesame seeds under broiler. Cool.
Chop onions and mix with cabbage and chicken. Add noodles, almonds and sesame seeds. Add dressing 1/2 hour before serving.

Dressing:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 T sugar
1/2 tsp salt ( I don’t use this)
3 T red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp pepper
1 pkg chicken flavor from noodles

 

[mommy2boyz]

Ooooh, Debra! That sounds amazing!! For my recipe, I have always thought the oil was a bit much and the pasta a bit too oily. I actually only use 1/2 -3/4 of a cup and it's plenty. That's just what the recipe called for.

 

[groenhop]

I do weight watchers and I love, love, love Skinny Taste blog. I've gotten some uber amazing recipes from there. Our favorites would be chicken nuggets (baked and SO good!) and BLT wraps

 

[Lor]

Oh gosh, that does sound yummy!!! I must try it!

Here is a salad I just made last weekend and it was pretty tasty and easy-peasy! It doesn't have a name, cuz I made it up.

Shredded Red Cabbage
Shedded Green Cabbage
Shredded Carrot
Shredded Celery
Toasted Almond Chips
Asian Dressing

And add any other veggies that suite your fancy...

 

[RebeccaH]

one of the side dishes we do about 3 or 4 times a week is grilled veggies. i just chop up whatever fresh veggies i'm in the mood for - ones that work well are broccoli, onion, peppers, mushrooms, carrots, squash, zuccini, carrots, green beans - and toss them in a bowl with olive oil and italian seasoning (the kind you get to mix your own dressing... in the salad dressing isle). then grill them in a grill basket. YUM. super easy. delish.

 

[MelissaL88]

Last night I did broiled stuffed tomatoes:

4 large Heirloom Tomatoes cut in half and seeded (I get mine at the local Farmer's Market)
Portobella mushrooms, baby bell peppers, green onions (including tops) and spinach: chopped
1 clove minced garlic
Fresh thyme (2 or three sprigs)
Grated Parmesean Cheese

Spray a broiler pan or cookie sheet covered with foil with non-stick spray. Sprinkle the cut halves of tomatoes with salt & pepper. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in skillet. Add mushrooms and cook for 1 - 2 minutes, until soft. Add other veggies except for the spinach. Season with salt & pepper. Cook for another couple minutes. Add the garlic & thyme. Stir. Add the spinach. Saute until wilted. Remove from heat.
Spoon the mixture evenly into the cut halves of the tomatoes. Sprinkle the top with Parmesean cheese.
Broil until the top is golden brown and delicious.

 

[RebeccaH]

I have a few different recipes posted on my blog that are yummy & healthy. and my kids love them. i don't post them up there if the kids don't like them... here are some of our fave's:

Spinach Tortellini Soup

Baked Spaghetti

Best Chicken Noodle Soup EVER

Meatless Stuffed Shells

Stuffed Peppers (my kids L.O.V.E. these)

 

[mommy2boyz]

one of the side dishes we do about 3 or 4 times a week is grilled veggies. i just chop up whatever fresh veggies i'm in the mood for - ones that work well are broccoli, onion, peppers, mushrooms, carrots, squash, zuccini, carrots, green beans - and toss them in a bowl with olive oil and italian seasoning (the kind you get to mix your own dressing... in the salad dressing isle). then grill them in a grill basket. YUM. super easy. delish.

Since we grill about 3 or 4 times a week during the summer, I MUST try these!

Thanks for the yummy ideas, girls!

 

[amandajane]

Debra, I have a similar recipe and its a favorite here too. As is this: roasted haloumi, bacon and tomato salad I usually add more baby spinach and we have it on its own or with a small portion of grilled fish.

We also love to do summer rolls, sushi and chinese dumplings.

 

[lmccandless]

I make these Ginger Me up Chicken! Low Fat Honey & Ginger Chicken Breasts with Apple Summer slaw (usually sub Stevia for the sugar). Easy, healthy and delish.