Monday, February 25, 2013

Spaghetti Topped with Pan Fried Chicken and Homemade Marinara


This is a super meal for as few as one or multiply to accommodate a crowd. I typically put my chicken breasts in the marinade one night and then cook the next evening. The, from start to finish takes way less than an hour.
For those of you who are working, but want a good gluten free home cooked meal at the end of long day, this recipe just might be what you have been looking for.

When You Are the Chef: Stocking a Pantry for One

Coconut Panna Cotta


Panna cotta of any type is one of my favs for desserts for a couple of reasons. One is that the return-on-investment of time has a huge payoff when it comes  to taste and eye appeal. Remember that people eat with their eyes first. The other is that panna cotta is very versatile. The possibilities are endless.

The one draw back is, like most desserts, panna cotta is sweet, thus usually fairly high in calories. If you don't believe me, just check on my other two that are posted on this blog. For example, my Mocha Panna Cotta (click for recipe) has over 700 calories per serving and my Panna Cotta with Candies Orange Slices (click here for recipe) has over 400 calories per serving. But, they are to die for.

In my efforts to develop a low cal, allergy friendly version, I came up with this one. Not only does this beauty have less than 150 calories person serving, it is also casein free, corn free, peanut free and soy free in addition to being gluten free plus vegetarian and vegan to boot. Unless someone is specifically allergic to coconut, this recipe lacks tree nuts.


The only problem I have with this recipe is that it also nutrition free, thus the addition in the picture above of a fruit skewer. In our zeal to eat healthy, ridding our diets of highly processed, refined sugars and all other things associated with allergens, we need to keep in mind that nutritional balance is the ultimate goal when eating any type of restricted, not just lowering the caloric count. 

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Don't Believe Everything You Read on Shelf Labels


If you are Celiac or gluten intolerant and go through the grocery store picking up whatever you might see that looks interesting based on the shelf talker alone, you may be in for a rough few days ahead ahead. The dried mango (pictured above), produced and packaged by American Importing, Inc. just happens to be one or those products. 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Chocolate Pudding Topped with Pink Whipped Topping and a Chocolate Heart


Nothing says Valentine's Day like a chocolate dessert topped with a heart.

While this is not a stellar dish when it comes to nutrition, it does stand out in the crowd when it comes to pretty. Although it looks as though it takes a long time to make, it really doesn't. While the pudding is chilling, you can make the hearts and keep them in the freezer until show time. 

This dessert can be changed up for St. Patrick's Day by simply using green food coloring and a shamrock instead of a heart. So many possibilities! 

Cooking for One: Part One


Living alone means cooking many meals a week for one person. And let’s face it: (a) most recipes are designed for huge proportions in the first place, and (b) most of us tire of a dish for six to 12 people long before we can eat the entire dish.
While it may seem strange, I choose the week of Valentine’s Day, a special day set aside each year just for lovers, to begin a series of devoted to cooking meals for just one or two people. In response to many requests from my readership, that is precisely what I am going to do.
Every time I see someone at the grocery store stocking up on television dinners, frozen meals made for one and any number of other pre-prepared foods, I conclude that person is either raising a family on pre-cooked and fast foods (how sad) or lives alone. There is a third possibility—that soul simply doesn’t know how to cook, such as the assistant Rick hired to help me when I was catering. Why would someone apply for a job as an assistant cook while not knowing even how to turn on the oven? Beats me, but that is another bag of worms to be opened another day.

Italian Chicken for One

Delicious recipe that is easy to make. I usually purchase my chicken breast at Publix because they carry a brand that is individually frozen, making it super simple to take out just one or two. We also like to experiment with various types of exotic rices.

Don't let the initial calorie count dissuade you. Yes, it is high, but you are getting lots and lots of good quality nutrition in this dish, making it satifying, almost like a meal in one.

Shrimp and Rice for One

This is a relatively low calorie entree, and just look at all the really good nutrition jammed into this one dish.

Here is my recipe:
1/2 cup rice (of choice)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
2 spears asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt to taste
1/8 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
6 medium shrimp (16- 20 count), peeled and deveined with tails removed

Monday, February 4, 2013

Creamed Spinach With Bacon, Mushrooms and Asiago

This one is a winner in my book. I know; I have never been a fan of cooked spinach either, but the process of creaming spinach is really more like lightly sautéing until the fresh leaves are completely wilted. Not only is it pretty, preparation is a snap as in being on the table in less than 20 minutes. When you come home exhausted and want a green veggie, creaming spinach is the way to go in my book. If you are a little concerned about cholesterol, you can substitute olive oil for the bacon and use low fat milk while omitting the cheese. It is still yummy and gorgeous. Do not use frozen or canned spinach.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Mixed Berry Crumble


Looking for a quick, easy and pretty dish that may be served at breakfast or for dessert. Then you are in luck! And, this crumble is low in calories (less the frozen gluten free yogurt) and very versatile. Don't have a bag of mixed fruit? No problem! Simply substitute whatever fruit you have on hand. 

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Super Bowl SUPER Dips--Party Plan Made Simple


Here is the South—the absolute heart of collegiate football—tailgating whether at home on outside the stadium is oh so familiar. And, food is pretty much synonymous with waiting for the game to begin. Continuing for my strategy to a stress free tailgate party at home.