Recipe for Raspberry Lemon Bars

Here’s a "special treat" recipe I developed for a contest (sponsored by Earth Balance but I wasn't paid or given product to participate or blog about it).  It was a bake off and we had to bake some type of brownie or bar.  I thought about submitting my Double Chocolate Zucchini Brownies but wanted to try something new.  The recipe didn't win the contest (but my pie won in the pie section!)

Weekly Wrap

Well, as the East Coast is hit by another winter storm, I'm happy to be living on Maui!  (Don't hate me.)  Here is the recap of this week's posts and stuff I bookmarked from around the web.

Monday-a breakfast treat low in fat and calories and high on the easy and yummy scale.  Anyone can have a fast and good healthy breakfast!

Microwaved Egg White Breakfast Treat

PICTURE THIS: Herbs From Our Garden

Cilantro, garlic chives, rosemary (lots of rosemary!) and parsley.

Recipe for Lemon Parmesan Pork

The herb garden is flourishing! This recipe includes generous amounts of parsley and rosemary which I have in abundance right now.  This would also be great made with chicken.  Next time I make it I will try cooking it on the stove top-I’d like it to be a bit crunchier which I couldn’t get in the oven without overcooking the thin pieces of pork.  It was good, but I think it could be great!

Recipe for Salmon and Peas in Parmesan Wine Sauce

There is an old adage “don’t use cheese with fish” so if you are a purist you won’t like this recipe.  We, however, loved it!  I’m always looking for new fish recipes and hadn’t come across anything lately that really impressed me, so I went with my gut and pulled this together.  It took less than thirty minutes from start to finish and it will definitely be in the rotation going forward.

Makes 4 servings, each approximately 344 calories, 16 grams fat, 13 grams carbs, 3 grams fiber, 32 grams protein; 8 WW Points+     (plus whatever pasta you use)

Recipe for Slow Cooker Pork Verde



We had a hankering recently for Mexican but wanted something different than our “go to” of chicken fajitas, and pork shoulder roasts were on sale.  A popular recipe that was floating around during my South Beach days was Chicken Escondido, a delicious chicken cooked on the stove top in salsa verde, tomatoes and black beans.  So I thought I’d use some of the components of that recipe in the slow cooker with the pork.  I’ve never cooked a pork shoulder roast in the slow cooker but have read lots about how tender and flavorful the meat is so I thought I’d give it a try.  Muy bueno!

Recipe for Microwaved Egg White Breakfast Treat

This is sooooooo easy, very quick to make and tasty.  Inspired by Danica’s fluffy microwaved egg whites, this breakfast treat is high in protein, low in fat and calories and very filling.  Use veggies and other lean meats for variety.  Pair it with toasted whole grain bread, english muffin, or, as I do, overnight oatmeal.  No excuse for not getting a good start to the day with this quick and easy breakfast!

Makes 1 Breakfast Treat, approximately 57 calories, 2 grams fat, .7 grams carbs, 0 fiber, 10.4 grams protein, 2 WW Points+

Weekly Wrap

How was your week?  It couldn't have been more beautiful here.  The sun was out, the trade winds were blowing, the whales were jumping!  You should come to Maui!

PICTURE THIS: Winery Lunch, Colchagua Valley, Chile, February 2010

Pumpkin Soup at Viu Manent

Courtyard just off the restaurant at Viu Manent

Wonderful setting for lunch, Viu Manent

Recipe for Leek and Bacon Tart

I had 2 large leeks hanging out in my fridge from our week’s veggie delivery.  The rest of this came together in my head during my morning bike ride.  Great flavors, if I do say so myself!  This would be lovely for brunch.  We had it for dinner, room temperature, with some grilled sausages and then I had it cold from the fridge the next couple of days for lunch with a small green salad.

Recipe for Whole Wheat Pancakes with Banana and Almond Butter

On a lazy Sunday morning, I surprised Mr. ELEB with these healthy and filling pancakes.  They are the basic whole wheat pancake recipe with a banana and some almond butter added.  I thought about adding some chocolate but restrained myself!  I think it would be a good add though, so let me know if you go all out.  This is another use for frozen bananas.

This is a kid-friendly recipe so if you have kids (or grab your neighbors'/friends' kids) try this recipe and cook with them.  For more kid friendly recipes check out Make Time For Change, sponsored by Frigidaire.    Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner are teaming up to inspire families everywhere to roll up their sleeves and get cooking together. Starting today, people can join in the Frigidaire Kids' Cooking Academy to get great recipes, how-to videos and tips, all designed to help involve kids in the kitchen.  If you join, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children to help make sure that more children have access to healthy foods. Plus, to help spread the word, everyone who participates will be entered for a chance to win the daily prize, a kids' apron set, and the grand prize: a new Double Oven Range from Frigidaire.

Made 9 pancakes, each approximately 112 calories, 5 grams fat, 15 grams carbs, 2 grams fiber, 4 grams protein without butter or syrup; 3 WW Points +

Recipe for Blueberry Banana Smoothie

I've mentioned previously how I make my smoothies using coconut water and yesterday I showed you my stash of frozen bananas.   Here’s a great smoothie made using both of them.

Makes one smoothie, approximately 231 calories, 2.8 grams fat, 36 grams carbs, 6 grams fiber, 11 grams protein, 5 WW Points+

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana

½ cup fresh blueberries

¾ cup coconut water

¼ cup egg whites

1 TBSP ground flax seed

Method:

Combine all ingredients in blender and process until smooth.  Drink immediately or let sit if thicker consistency is preferred.

Are you a smoothie person?  What quick snacks (healthy) do you eat?

Printable Recipe

Dont' Throw Out Those Brown Bananas!!

When my Mom was growing up in England, the war was winding down but the impact on working class folks was still huge.  She has described how food was rationed and the many things they couldn’t get.  Fresh fruit was one of those things.

When they finally could get fresh bananas, she asked her father what the brown bits were in the middle and he said “flies wings”.  She didn’t eat bananas until she was grown!

Weekly Wrap

Boy oh boy, did this week fly!  It doesn't seem like things have settled back to their normal routine since the holidays, does it to you?  Here's a look back at this week's posts and some fun things from other websites.  Enjoy.

PICTURE THIS: A Beautiful Sight

No Words Needed

Recipe for Quick and Easy Pantry "Succotash" and Rice

After yesterday’s “Big Eats” veggie dish, it was time to get back to basics.  This is a great stand by when you want something simple or just don’t feel like cooking much but want something tasty and filling.  It isn't a true or conventional succotash as I use edamame instead of lima beans and there is no corn (but you could easily add it in!).

Makes 4 servings, each approximately 145 calories, 2 grams fat, 25 grams carbs, 2 grams fiber, 7.5 grams protein, 4 WW Points+

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked brown rice (leftovers or, as I used, steam bag)

1 cup shelled edamame

1 cup canned fire roasted tomatoes with garlic

½ cup canned fire roasted green chiles

1 tsp cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Cook edamame per package directions.  Warm tomatoes and chiles together.  Season with cumin.  Drain cooked edamame and add to tomato/chile mixture.

Serve veggies with warm rice.

Do you have a quick and easy side dish?

Printable Recipe

Recipe for Cauliflower Sformato

This recipe for Cauliflower Sformato definitely goes on the “Eat Big” list!  At 283 calories per small serving, you can see why.  It’s also full of eggs, milk, parmesan, butter, olive oil, flour…  I lightened up the original recipe as much as I thought I could get away with and switched out regular flour for white whole wheat and it turned out quite good.  Delicate and soothing, like comfort food!

Recipe for Pineapple-Blueberry Smoothie Made with Coconut Water

There is also flax seed and egg white in this concoction I made up this morning but including that in the title made it too long!  This is a new twist for me-using coconut water in my smoothies instead of soy milk and non-fat Greek yogurt. 

I wanted to lighten up the calorie load and still make a nutritious smoothie.  The coconut water is low calorie, no fat, no added sugar, and contains 5 essential electrolytes (more potassium than a banana).  The egg white adds some protein, and the flax seed contributes important Omega-3s and fiber.

And the good news-it was tasty and satisfying and filling!

Makes 2 servings, each approximately 141 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 23 grams carbs, 4 grams fiber, 8 grams protein, 4 WW Points+

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh pineapple chunks

½ cup fresh blueberries

1 cup coconut water

2 TBSP ground flax seed

½ cup egg whites

Method:

Add all ingredients to blender and process until smooth.  Drink right away or let sit until it thickens to your preference.

Have you tried coconut water?

Printable Recipe

Recipe for Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This recipe for sweet and sour meatballs is easy to make but it does take a bit of time, so I think it is best suited for a night when you have plenty of time. Don't let that dissuade you though, it really is easy and straightforward and a very tasty asian flavored dish that is under 300 calories (not including the rice).

Weekly Wrap

Ah, the end of the first "real" week of the year.  My focus this week was aimed at getting back on track eating healthy most of the time and having the "big eats" as occasional treats.  Here's the week's line up plus some things I noted on other places on the web.

PICTURE THIS: Dumplings, Xian China

Hundreds of dumplings, all in the shape and/or color of the inside ingredients.

Recipe for Turkey Broccoli Bake

I don’t seem to do a lot of casseroles, but this Turkey Broccoli Bake will be in the regular rotation going forward.  It was born, as so many recipes are, from necessity-what I had on hand and a determination not to go to the grocery store.

This casserole is rich and cheesy without being too high in fat or calories.  Mr. ELEB gave it two thumbs up.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.  I served it with brown rice.

100th Post! Recipe for Bacon and Cumin Lentils

I just noticed that with this recipe, I have 100 posts on my blog!  Woo Hoo!

ANYway, we were getting ready to head to the mainland for the holidays so I wanted to use up what was in the fridge and pantry, including some lentils.  This lentil recipe is another inspiration taken from the pages of “The Flavor Bible”, by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg.   The smoky flavors of the bacon and the cumin combine with the lentils, onion and green pepper for a delightful side dish.

Makes 6 generous servings, each approximately 85 calories, 3 grams fat, 10 grams carbs, 3 grams fiber, 5 grams protein;   2 WW Points +

Recipe for Black Eyed Pea Hummus

There’s the old superstition about eating black eyed peas on New Year’s Day to bring you good luck.  I don’t really buy into it but was intrigued by this recipe on Kalyn’s Kitchen for a hummus (which I love) made with black eyed peas so I thought I’d give it a try.  It was AMAZING!  Don’t wait for New Year’s to give this tasty and healthy recipe a try.

Veggie and Hummus Sammys

Perhaps like yourself, I am trying to reign in my holiday eating and get back on track with healthy eating most of the time and only occasional treats (unlike what the past month or so has been).  I don't know what it is about the New Year that compels us to "start", but this past weekend on NY's day I got my head organized around how I am going to eat and some attainable short and long term goals for healthy eating, which will translate into a few pounds lost over the near term.

WEEKLY WRAP

I hope the New Year has started off well for you!  Here's a look back at this week on Eat Little, Eat Big and some things I marked of interest around the blogosphere.

Monday-a "how to" on fish

Recipe and method for pan sauteed halibut







Tuesday-a favorite side dish

Mushroom rice






Wednesday-my winning entry in a pie contest!

Creamy Dreamy Chocolate Almond Pie






Thursday-a versatile pot-luck side dish

Curried rice salad







It was a busy week with travel and family visits but here are a few things that I noted on other blogs.

A delicious sounding meatball recipe from Ree.
Top 10 recipes from 2010 at Kalyn's Kitchen.
And finally, Gina's top 20 skinny recipes of 2010.

I hope you are having a great start to 2011.  Cheers!