Biggest Loser's Mannicotti

This recipe is really for baked ziti, but I thought it would be fun to make mannicotti instead, so I just substituted a little. :)

What you'll need:
1 box fiber enriched mannicotti noodles
1 (15 oz) container fat-free ricotta cheese
2 large egg whites
8 oz (4 cups) finely shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
1/2 bottle marinara sauce
1/2 bottle alfredo sauce
2 tbs grated reduced-fat parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400*F.  Cook the mannicotti according to packaging directions, about 7 minutes, until al dente.  Drain.

In large mixing bowl, mix the ricotta, egg whites, and all but 1 cup of the mozzarella until well combined.  Add the garlic powder and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.  Fill the mannicotti noodles.

Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish, about 1 cup.  Lay the mannicotti in the dish in rows.  Pour the rest of the sauce over the mannicotti, and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan and mozzarella over the top.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil for 40 minutes, remove, and continue baking for 10-15 more minutes until bubbly and melted.  Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve!  Makes a realistic 5-6 servings, depending on how full you stuff your mannicotti. :)

Per Serving: 350 calories, 22g protein, 57g carbohydrates, 6g fat (3g saturated), 20 mg cholesterol, 8g fiber, 429mg sodium

It is a lot of work, but it's well worth it!  Enjoy!!

Ranch Chicken

Wat you'll need:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
Ranch dressing
Bread crumbs

Thaw chicken.  In one bowl, pour in ranch dressing, and in another, some bread crumbs.  Just estimate about how much you need for how much chicken you're using.  Dip chicken in ranch dressing.  Roll in bread crumbs.  Bake uncovered at 350* for 1 hour for large breasts or about 20 mins for tenders.  Don't overcook, or chicken will come out dry.

I like to pair this with Pasta Roni's Shells and White Cheddar noodles or stuffing, and croissants.  Enjoy! :)

Biscuits and Gravy

What you'll need:

One package of biscuits (I used the Western Family Jumbo ones, because they were on sale for $0.99)
Peppered gravy mix (and follow the instructions on the packet)
Sausage links, ground sausage, or sausage patties

Bake the biscuits as directed.  Make the gravy as directed, and cook the sausage.  Plate two biscuits, 3-4 pieces of sausage, and cover in gravy. Mmmm, makes a wonderful comforting breakfast!  Bon Appetit!

Parmesan Chicken

What you'll need:

4 Chicken breasts
2-3 Eggs
1-2 cups flour
Bread crumbs
Parmesan cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Marinara sauce
Spaghetti noodles
Olive oil

Make noodles as directed.  Butterfly the chicken.  Pound it out really thin.  I use a big ziploc bag, put it over the chicken before you pound it, that way you don't get drippings everywhere.  Dip it in flour, then into the egg, and then bread crumbs mixed half and half with the parmesan cheese.  Heat up some evoo in a pan, and toss the chicken in.  Takes about 5 minutes or so on each side.  Set all the chicken on a cookie sheet, and put it in the oven to stay warm.  Sprinkle some mozzarella on top, and let it melt.  Layer noodles, chicken, then marinara.  YUM! 
*I also like to mix my marinara half and half with alfredo sauce..  Enjoy!

Biggest Loser's Szechuan Beef and Broccoli

Just thinking about this makes me want to make it for dinner again tonight...

What you'll need:
1 (1 lb) top round steak, sliced against the grain into scant 1/4" thick strips (keep it bite size)
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
Olive oil spray
1 (14 oz) bag frozen broccoli (about 5 cups)
1 Tbs freshly minced garlic
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1/4 c bottled Szechuan stir-fry sauce

In large bowl, combine the steak, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and toss until well combined.  Place a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat.  When hot, mist with the olive oil spray.  Add the broccoli and garlic and cook, stirring, for 4-6 minutes, or until the garlic softens and the broccoli is heated through and crisp-tender, being careful not to burn the garlic.  Transfer to a large bowl and cover to keep warm.
Return the pan to high heat and add 1 tsp of the sesame oil.  When hot, add half of the steak in a single layer, and cook until lightly browned on both sides, about 1-2 minutes.  Transfer the steak to the bowl with the veggies and re-cover.  Repeat with the remaining 1 tsp sesame oil and steak.  Return all the steak and veggies to the pan and remove from heat.  Add the sauce and mix well to coat.  Divide among 4 bowls and serve.

**I also made some sticky rice to go with this.  I don't have a rice cooker, so I just made it myself.  Get Calrose Rice (usually with the baking needs in the grocery store) and cook 1 cup of rice to 1 1/2 cups water.  Put both in a pot and let it come to a boil.  Cover, and turn down the heat to simmer.  Let it go for 15-20 minutes, and you have yummy sticky rice!

This recipe makes 4 servings, and is only 191 calories!!  You can feel good about eating this for dinner, that's for sure!  Bon Appetit!

Philly Cheese Steaks

Made these today for lunch, and they were none other than--Delish!

What you'll need:

1/4 Onion, chopped
1/2 Green bell pepper, chopped
2 Cloves garlic
Salt and Pepper to taste
4-5 Strips thinly sliced beef or steak
4-5 Slices Provolone cheese
4 Buns or rolls

*Lightly spray rolls or buns with butter and toast up on a griddle.  Saute onions, bell pepper, and garlic with salt and pepper.  Slice beef or steak into thin strips.  Cook meat and toss in veggies.  Cover with provolone cheese and let it melt.  Stack it onto some rolls, and enjoy!  Bon Appetit!

Mama's Lasagne

I'm not just gushing when I say that my mom makes the best home-made lasagne. I'm being 100% serious. My mom used to cater big events for people like weddings and such. So when I say my mom's the best cook ever, it's an understatement. Anyway, this is her recipe, not mine, but it's definitely one that will be passed down from mother to daughter. :) I LOVE COMFORT FOODS!!

What you'll need:
2 lbs lean ground beef
2 c or so grated mozzarella
1 medium sized carton cottage cheese
12 lasagne noodles
1 jar spaghetti sauce
2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Brown ground beef. Add minced garlic. Pour in spaghetti sauce and let it simmer until the lasagne noodles are still cooking. (Beware of snatchers at this point!) In a 13x9 pan, line bottom with 4-5 noodles, slightly overlapping one another. Layer on 1/2 of the ground beef. Cover with whole container of cottage cheese. Layer a good amount of cheese on top. Layer 4-5 more lasagne noodles (some always seem to break, so it's good to have a few extras, just in case) then pour over the rest of the ground beef. Top off with more cheese, and bake on 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, just until the cheese is melty and gooey. Pure deliciousness. Bon Appetit!