8/15/11

The Really Really Big 150 Calorie Cocktail

If you've ever been on a diet, or if you're one of those perpetually healthy eating people, you will know that cocktails are a big calorie no-no.  The alcohol and mixers are just a big lump of empty calories and can easily throw you off your diet wagon.
 
But sometimes - just sometimes - you're a few hundred calories under your goal on a certain day, or you worked a little extra time on the eliptical and you think you deserve a treat...nothing that will leave you remorseful after consuming, but just a little something delicious.  Sure, you could have a beer, but 116 calories even for a light, nearly tasteless one?
 
How about an 8oz daiquiri instead?
Impossible, you say?
Well, don't go counting on this to keep you full, though it does help you stay away from snacks in addition to the drink - and don't replace a meal with it, for sure, but if you do find yourself with a few hundred treat calories by the end of the day... go to this delicious low-cal cocktail to quench your craving.  The prep work alone will keep you from making this summer-sweet treat too often LOL!
 
Watermelon Daiquiri
 
2 cups frozen watermelon puree
2 cups ice cubes
4 Tbsp powdered sugar
1.5 oz spiced rum
1.5 oz triple sec
2 Tbsp water (if needed)
 
To make the watermelon puree - slice half a watermelon into chunks (peeled), de-seed, and puree in food processor until smooth. Freeze at least 4 hours in an ice cube tray (makes about 1.5 trays). This is the part that takes the most work - you'll see, you gotta work for it!
 
Once watermelon is frozen, combine all your cubes with the ice, sugar, and alcohol in a blender.  Blend until very smooth. Add a little water if it's not liquid enough to move in the blender.
 
Garnish each glass with a thin sliver of sliced watermelon!
 
Makes 4 servings at a little under 150 calories a drink!

Have a happy Happy Hour!

8/8/11

Lasagna Cupcakes

This recipe has been modified to use every day pantry and fridge ingredients. I guess some people might plan far enough to have all of the original recipe's items and spices on hand...I usually say to myself "I have this, this and this...what is something healthy I can make that my beau, my toddler, and myself will all enjoy?"
That necessary combination usually leaves me high and dry on ideas. Lately I have been engrossed in searching the Skinny Taste (.com) and Hungry Girl blogs for recipes.
This was one of Hungry Girl's recipes, but I changed just a few things to fit my pantry and taste. These are so easy to make even my 3 year old pitched in to help. (We called them spaghetti cupcakes and he was super excited to get to eat what he helped make.)
Lasagna Cupcakes
Ingredients
24 wonton wrappers (near tofu in produce section)
1 1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese
1 egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 lb browned ground turkey
Low moisture part skim Mozzarella cheese shreds
Cooking spray
Preheat oven to 375.
Mix together the egg (beaten), cottage cheese, and Parmesan. In a separate bowl, mix together sauce and turkey. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Press one wonton wrapper into each cup. Spoon cottage cheese mixture, followed by meat mixture into the wonton. Sprinkle just a little cheese on top. Press a second wonton on the top of each then repeat layering, ending with mozzarella.
Bake in oven about 20 minutes or until exposed corners of the wontons are brown and crispy. Allow to cool until set. Loosen edges with a knife before removing from pan.
Enjoy one with a side salad at about 170 calories each! Talk about portion control!