Kristen's Recipes

Cooking oil spray
2 T. low saturated fat margarine
2 large onions, finely chopped
6 celery ribs, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 T. minced garlic
1 tsp. thyme leaves
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper (less if you don’t like it too hot)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 C. dry red wine
One 28-ounce can Italian plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped, juices reserved
3 bay leaves
2 1/2 quarts fish stock or light chicken stock or 1 1/2 quarts bottled clam juice mixed with 1 quart water
6 C. fresh or thawed frozen okra, sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick
1 1/2 pounds lump crabmeat, picked over to remove cartilage
1/2 C. chopped fresh basil
Tabasco sauce

In a large, heavy nonstick pot, melt 2 T. of the margarine. Add the onions and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, bell pepper, garlic, thyme and crushed pepper. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and boil over moderately high heat until reduced to a syrup, about 1 minute. Add the tomato juices and bay leaves and boil until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Add the stock, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking oil spray and heat over medium high heat. Add the okra, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring a few times, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Stir the okra and tomatoes into the soup and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes longer. Discard the bay leaves. Add the crabmeat to the soup and simmer until just heated through. Stir in the basil and season with salt, pepper and Tabasco. Ladle the soup into shallow bowls and serve.

Yield: 10 servings
Calories: 160
Fat: 2g
Fiber: 3g

1 lb. tiger prawns with shell
4 C. chicken stock
3 stalks lemon grass
3 T. fish sauce
0.25 C. lime juice
2 T. chopped green onion
10 kaffir lime leaves, torn in half
1 C. straw mushrooms
1 T. chopped fresh cilantro
4 red chile peppers, seeded and chopped
2 green onions, chopped

Shell and devein the prawns, reserving the shells. Rinse the shells and place them in a large saucepan with the chicken stock. Bruise the lemon grass stalks, and add them to the broth along with half of the lime leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Return the stock to a simmer, and add the mushrooms and prawns. Cook until the prawns are pink. Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, 2 T. green onion, cilantro, red chilies, and remaining lime leaves. Taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 190
Fat: 2.2g
Fiber: 0g

1/4 C. chopped onion
1 T. butter or margarine
1 T. flour
2 C. milk
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) Cream Cheese, cubed
8 oz. (1/2 lb.) Light Velveeta Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut up
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped broccoli, cooked, drained
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. pepper

Cook and stir onion in butter in 2-quart saucepan on medium-high heat until tender. Reduce heat to medium.
Add milk and cream cheese; cook until cream cheese is melted, stirring frequently. Stir in remaining ingredients; cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. Great Substitute: Substitute 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach; frozen cauliflower, chopped; or frozen asparagus spears, chopped; for the broccoli.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 220
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 2g

1/2 C. Reduced Fat Italian Dressing
2 C. cubed peeled potatoes (1 inch)
2 pkg. (9 oz. each) frozen peas and pearl onions
2 cans (14 oz. each) low sodium chicken broth
1/2 C. Light Sour Cream
2 T. chopped fresh mint

Mix all ingredients except sour cream in large saucepan. Bring to boil on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 15 min. or until vegetables are tender. Transfer vegetable mixture to blender container in small batches; cover. Blend until smooth; pour into medium bowl. Repeat until all of the vegetable mixture is pureed. Stir in sour cream. Serve warm sprinkled with mint.

Yield: 7 servings, 1 C. each
Calories: 110
Fat: 5g
Fiber: 1g

1 T. each of olive oil and unsalted butter

1 tsp. dried tarragon

1 small carrot, diced

1 small onion, diced

1/4 C. dry white wine

1 tsp. saffron threads

4 C. chicken broth

2 C. fish stock or clam juice

4 fresh plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into fine dice

1/2 C. tubettini

1 pound shrimp, (weighed before peeling) peeled, deveined and chopped

1 C. thawed frozen petite peas

Salt and cayenne pepper, to taste

2 T. chives, snipped

 

Heat olive oil and butter in saucepan. Add tarragon, carrot and onion, cover and simmer over very low heat for 5 minutes or until tender. If vegetables are too dry, add a T.ful of white wine, cover and cook. When vegetables are tender, remove the cover, add remaining wine, and saffron and evaporate until almost all of the wine is gone. Add the broth, fish stock and diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Add the pasta and cook uncovered for 5 minutes or until just tender. Add the shrimp and peas and bring back to a simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with chives or scallions.

4 C. boiling water
2 chicken cube
1/2 C. onion, sliced
1/2 C. carrot, sliced
1/2 C. celery, sliced
1/2 C. tomato, sliced
1 garlic salt

Bring the water to a boil while you slice the vegetables. When boiling, add the vegies and boil for 5 minutes, before adding the chicken cube for a further minute until dissolved.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 42 cals
Fat: 0.4g
Fiber: 1.6g

5 ounces frozen leaf spinach (half a 10-ounce package)
1 large baking potato (8 ounces), peeled and thinly sliced
4 scallions, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 C. canned chicken broth diluted with 1-1/4 C. water, or 2-1/4 C. homemade broth
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 C. low-fat (1%) milk
1 tsp. unsalted butter
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

In a large saucepan, combine spinach, potato, carrot, scallions, garlic, diluted broth, pepper, and salt. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until potato and carrot are tender, about 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer solids to food processor or blender and process to a smooth puree. Return puree to saucepan. Stir in milk and butter and warm soup over medium heat, stirring frequently. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan. Garnish with bell pepper.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 108
Fat: 3.6g
FIber: 2.2g

46 ounces no-salt-added tomato juice
2 C. beef broth
2 bay leaves
6 whole cloves
3 T. minced dill weed
1/2 T. marjoram
1/2 T. sweet basil
1/2 T. oregano
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, (optional)
1 lemon, thinly sliced

Place all ingredients, except lemon, in the tomato juice and beef broth and let stand 1 hour to allow flavors to blend. Heat tomato-herb bouillon to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove bay leaves and whole cloves. Pour into serving bowls and top each with slice of lemon.

Yield: 6 Servings
Calories: 70
Fat: 1g
FIber: 1g

2 medium eggplants, cut in 1/2 lengthwise
1 tsp. olive oil
l large onion, peeled and thinly sliced
2 T. water
1 T. chopped fresh thyme leaves
4 C. chicken or vegetable stock

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lightly brush eggplant halves with oil. Place cut side down on a cookie sheet and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until flesh feels soft. Allow to cool. When the eggplant has cooled, scoop out flesh, chop coarsely and set aside. Meanwhile, place onion slices in skillet with water, cover and cook over low heat until soft, about 10 minutes. Combine with eggplant, thyme and stock in a 2 quart saucepan. Simmer for 15 minutes. Ladle into soup bowls.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 102
Fat: 2.6g
Fiber: 7g

1 T. plus 1 tsp. olive oil
1 C. finely chopped carrot
1/2 C. diced celery
1/4 C. chopped shallots or onion
6 garlic cloves–2 minced and 4 thinly sliced
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes in puree
3/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
4 ounces small rice pasta shells
3 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes

In large nonstick saucepan, warm 1 T. of oil over medium heat. Add carrot, celery, shallots and minced garlic, and sauté until vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in basil and sugar. Add tomatoes, water, pepper, and salt, and break up tomatoes with a spoon. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes to blend flavors. Return soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in pasta shells, pepper and salt. Reduce heat to medium and cook until pasta is tender, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small nonstick skillet, warm remaining 1 tsp. oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced garlic and sauté just until garlic begins to turn brown, about 1 minute. Immediately scrape garlic and oil into a small heatproof bowl to stop cooking. To serve, divide mozzarella cubes among 4 soup bowls. Ladle hot soup over cheese, sprinkle each soup with some of browned garlic and serve.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 268
Fat: 8.5g
Fiber: 3.9g

1 T. olive oil
6 scallions, thinly sliced (1 cup)
1 large clove garlic, minced
3 C. canned tomatoes, coarsely chopped with their juice
1 cup carrot juice
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup evaporated milk (using evaporated skim milk might also work and cut some fat and calories, but I haven’t figured the alternate yet since I haven’t tried it)

In medium saucepan, heat oil over low heat. Add scallions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and their juice, cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly thickened. Stir in carrot juice, salt, cumin, ginger, and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until flavors have blended. Stir in evaporated milk and cook just until heated through about 1 minute longer; do not boil.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 106
Fat: 6g
Fiber: 1.2g

2 tsp. olive oil
8 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems trimmed and caps thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. grated fresh ginger
8 ounces bottled clam juice
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. salt
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 carrot, thinly sliced
5 scallions, thinly sliced
2 T. reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 T. cider vinegar
2 tsp. dark sesame oil
6 ounce skinless, boneless cod fillet, in large chunks
2 C. watercress
6 ounces medium shrimp, shelled, deveined, and halved horizontally

In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Add garlic and ginger and cook 2 minutes, until garlic is tender. Stir in clam juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and 2 C. of water and bring to a boil. Add bell pepper, carrot, scallions, soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil and boil 3 minutes. Add cod and cook 2 minutes. Add watercress and shrimp and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until cod and shrimp are cooked through.

Nutritional Information
Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 185
Fat: 6g
Fiber: 2g

vegetable cooking spray
1 C. chopped onion
1 C. vegetable broth – canned
1 C. chopped cauliflower
1/2 C. sliced carrot
1/2 C. sliced green beans
1 jalapeño pepper – halved lengthwise
1/4 C. all-purpose flour
3 C. 2% low-fat milk
1/4 tsp. white pepper
1 Dash ground red pepper
11 oz. whole-kernel corn – drained
2/3 C. shredded reduce fat sharp cheddar cheese – (2-2/3 oz.)

Coat a large saucepan with cooking spray; place over medium heat until hot. Add onion; sauté until tender. Add broth, cauliflower, carrot, green beans, and jalapeño; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Place flour in a medium bowl. Gradually add milk, stirring with a wire whisk until blended. Add milk mixture, white pepper, red pepper, and corn to pan; stir well. Cook over medium heat until thickened (10 minutes), stirring constantly. Whisk in cheese. Serve hot.

Yield: 4 servigns
Calories: 230
Fat: 6g
Fiber: 2.4g

2 C. lentils (do not presoak)
1 16-oz. (450 gms) can (2 C.) tomatoes, cut up with a spoon
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 green pepper, cleaned out and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 canned whole pimento, drained and chopped
4 T. olive oil
2 T. all-purpose flour
1 T. salt
8 C. water

Cook onion, pimento, and green pepper in olive oil, until soft, in a large kettle. Stir in flour. Add tomatoes, carrots, lentils, salt, and water. Cover and simmer over very low heat for about 2 hours.

Yields: 12 servings
Calories: 166
Fat: 5.1g
Fiber: 2.22

2 T. olive oil
1 bunch leeks (1 lb.) white part only, sliced
2 portobello mushrooms (8 oz.), diced
7-1/2 C. fat-free chicken broth
5 medium carrots, cut into strips
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 C. peeled, diced butternut squash
1 medium zucchini (8 oz.), diced
1 large bunch spinach (1 lb.)
1 C. quick-cook barley

Cook quick-cook barley according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Cook leeks 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes more. Add broth, carrots, salt, thyme and pepper. Bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and stir in squash and zucchini; simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in spinach and barley; continue simmering until spinach wilts. Serve with Parmesan and breadsticks, if desired. (Not figured in nutritional information)

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 163
Fat: 7.2g
Fiber: 2.9g

1 C. reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
1 can (15 oz.) reduced-sodium crushed tomatoes, undrained
10 oz. smoked deli turkey, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
12 oz. frozen gnocci
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
2 C. broccoli florets
2 C. cauliflower florets
1/2 C. chopped fresh basil
1/4 C. (1 oz.) shredded provolone cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

Combine chicken broth, tomatoes and liquid, turkey, gnocci, and poultry seasoning in large saucepan. Heat to boiling;

reduce heat and simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Stir in broccoli and cauliflower; simmer 5 minutes longer. Add basil and
cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 221
Fat: 2.1g
Fiber: 1.4g

1 package (10 oz.) frozen baby lima beans
1 small onion (enough for 1 C. finely chopped)
4 garlic cloves
1 medium zucchini (enough for 1 C. small dice)
1/4 C. chopped fresh parsley (optional)
2 dozen littleneck clams (see note)
1/2 C. dry white wine
2 T. olive oil
1 tsp. dried fennel seeds
6 C. low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 C. uncooked small seashell macaroni
1/4 tsp. hot red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 C. grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Prepare the ingredients: Thaw the package of lima beans under warm running water or in the microwave; finely chop the onion to measure 1 C.; mince the 4 garlic cloves; cut the zucchini into small dice to measure 1 C.; if using, chop enough fresh parsley to measure 1/4 C.. Rinse the 2 dozen littleneck clams under cold running water; place in a 6-quart saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the 1/2 C. dry white wine. Cover, bring to a boil over high heat, and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the clams just open, about 8 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open. Reserve. In a 6-quart heavy-duty saucepan, heat the 2 T. olive oil over medium heat until hot. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and 1 tsp. fennel seeds and cooking, stirring, 3 to 5 minutes, until the onion is soft. Add the 6 C. chicken broth and thawed lima beans and bring to a boil. Add the 1/2 C. macaroni and 1/4 tsp. hot red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add the diced zucchini and cook 2 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked just until al dente. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the steamed clams in their shells, including all the liquid in the pot. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the 1/4 C. chopped parsley, if desired.

Note: You can make this soup with preshucked clams, if you prefer. Simply ask your fishmonger to shuck the 2 dozen clams in this recipe for you. (Or look for a container of preshucked clams, which are stocked in some fish markets in the fish case.) Ask the fishmonger to save all the liquor (clam juice) as well, as it will add more flavor to the soup. If you choose to use preshucked clams, add them to the soup about 2 minutes before the end of the cooking time. If you overcook clams, they get tough.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 290
Fat: 7.5g
Fiber: 2.6g

1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained
butter-flavored cooking spray
1 cup sliced leeks, white part only
2 1/2 cups 98% fat free, no-salt-added canned chicken broth
2 T. light sour cream

Finely chop artichoke hearts in a food processor, or by hand. Lightly coat a large nonstick pot with cooking spray. Add leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are tender, but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add chopped artichoke hearts and cook for another minute or two. Stir in chicken broth, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Transfer mixture to a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Place puree in a covered container and chill for several hours. When ready to serve, whisk in sour cream and ladle into chilled soup bowls. Serve cold.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 64
Fat: 1g
Fiber: 1g

1 medium onion(s), chopped
1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
2 lb. broccoli, tough ends removed, stems and florets chopped
4 C. chicken broth, or vegetable broth
1 C. fat-free evaporated milk
1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1/8 tsp. table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp. black pepper, or to taste

Put onion and garlic in a 2-quart saucepan with 1/4 C. water and simmer until onion is soft, about 10 minutes; spoon into large pot. Add broccoli and broth to onion mixture and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn down heat and simmer until broccoli is soft but still green, about 8 minutes. Do not cover pot while broccoli is cooking or it will turn gray. Remove soup from heat and puree in batches in a blender until smooth. (Note: Be careful not to overfill blender to prevent the hot liquid from splattering.) Add evaporated milk and hot pepper sauce, and season with salt and pepper.

Yield: 4 servings
Serving Sze: 1 3/4 C. per serving

Calories: 137
Fat: 2.3g
FIber: 2.4g