Spring Gardens
Ingredients
- 4-6 pita bread
- 16oz plain Greek yogurt
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 2-3 cucumbers, sliced
- 2-3 tomatoes, sliced
- 8-10oz mushrooms, sliced
- chopped green onion (optional)
- sliced black olives (optional)
- shredded cheese
Directions
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Step 1
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| Mix the ranch seasoning into the Greek yogurt |
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Step 2
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| Preheat the oven to 350 degrees |
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Step 3
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| Slice all veggies and place pita bread on a baking sheet |
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Step 4
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| Put a dollop of ranch dip on the pita and spread into a thin layer |
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Step 5
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| Add any and all veggies that you desire! |
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Step 6
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| Sprinkle a layer of cheese on top and bake in the oven for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted |
The SuperBowl….a great excuse for a party! But not a great excuse for busting through your belt! Here are some easy and enjoyable dip recipes to bring to your football fiesta! All can be served with fresh vegetables (low calorie and high in fiber), or whole grain crackers or tortillas.
Extra-Easy Hummus
Hummus is a great choice for dipping! With fiber and protein from the chickpeas, it leaves you feeling more satisfied than many others. It can also be very versatile in flavor. Try adding more garlic, roasted red peppers, or experiment with other herbs and spices to change the flavor!
Ingredients
- 15-oz can low sodium chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- lemon juice to taste
- minced garlic to taste
- crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Directions
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Step 1
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| Combine all ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth. Serve with fresh vegetables or whole grain crackers. |
Quick & Easy Black Bean Dip
Per 1 tablespoon: ~20kcals, 3g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g protein.
Ingredients
- 15-oz can low sodium black beans, rinsed
- 1/2-1 cup prepared salsa
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
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Step 1
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| Combine black beans, salsa, lime juice, cilantro and cumin in a food processor. Process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. |
Skinny and Satisfying Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
- 14-oz can artichoke hearts, rinse, drained and chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup plain non-fat greek yogurt
- 1/2-3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon whole grain breadcrumbs, seasoned
Note
This dip is super easy to prep and much better for your waist then typical artichoke dip recipes. Still creamy and cheesy, but with less fat and calories, and more protein from the greek yogurt!
Directions
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Step 1
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| Preheat oven to 375F. Combine chopped artichokes,greek yogurt, garlic and cheese in medium bowl until well-mixed. Transfer to glass backing dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake until bubbling, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool for 5 to 7 minutes before serving. Serve with fresh vegetable sticks or whole grain tortilla chips. |
- On August 15, 2013
- By Lindsay
- In Appetizers, Breakfast, Desserts, Entrees, Nutrition Education, Quick and Easy, Recipes, Salad/Vegetables, Sides, Vegetarian
Zucchini is in full blast this time of year…so, take advantage of this versatile vegetable! Here are some quick, easy, healthy, AND delicious recipes to try out- of course they all feature ZUCCHINI!!!
For an easy appetizer, try these Zucchini Pizza Bites
Simple Zucchini Pizza Bites
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Prep time
| 5 minutes |
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Cook time
| 4 minutes |
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Total time
| 9 minutes |
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Website
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skinnytaste.com
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Ingredients
- zucchini, cut in 1/4-inch slices
- olive oil spray
- marinara sauce
- part-skim shredded mozzarella
- basil, oregano, pepper to taste
Note
This is a simple appetizer recipe that will surely be a hit! Plus its a great way to use extra zucchini, and slash a craving for pizza!
Directions
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Step 1
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| Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch thick slices. Lightly spray both sides with olive oil spray. Season with basil, oregano, pepper to taste. Grill or broil zucchini for about 2 minutes on each side. Top with marinara sauce and shredded cheese, and return to grill, or broil for additional 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted. |
For a main dish…Basil, Shrimp, and Zucchini Pasta!
Basil, Shrimp and Zucchini Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh basil. chopped
- 8oz tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons plus 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1lb peeled and deveined raw shrimp
- 2 cups whole wheat pasta
- 2 zucchini
- salt, pepper, cayenne powder to taste
Directions
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Step 1
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Combine 1/4 cup basil, tomato sauce, 2 teaspoons oil, garlic, salt, pepper and cayenne in a medium bowl. Stir in shrimp; let stand for 10 minute to 30 minutes.
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Step 2
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While shrimp is marinating, cook pasta in a large pan of boiling water until just tender(about 8-11 minutes) and drain.
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Step 3
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Cut zucchini in quarters lengthwise, and then cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the shrimp mixture along with zucchini slices. Cook, stirring, until the shrimp are pink and just barely cooked through (3 to 4 minutes). Stir in the pasta and heat, stirring, until piping hot (1 to 2 minutes). Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup basil and season with pepper.
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And here’s a simple side to go along… Presto-Pesto Zucchini
Presto- Zucchini with Pesto!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pesto
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
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Step 1
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Preheat oven to 500°F. Place baking sheet on oven rack in middle of the oven. In a large bowl, toss zucchini with oil. Spread the zucchini on the preheated baking sheet in a single layer. Roast until beginning to brown (5-7 minutes). Turn the zucchini and continue roasting until just tender (7-9 minutes). Return the zucchini to the bowl. Add pesto, salt and pepper; toss to coat.
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Of course, we can’t forget dessert! Zippy Zucchini Bread!!
Zippy Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
- 1 Medium overripe banana, mashed
- 1 Egg, or equivalent egg substitute
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 Teaspoons Truvia Baking Blend
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cups low-fat or fat-free milk
- 1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon gound cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cup grated zucchini
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Note
This super easy, and extremely delicious zucchini bread is incredibly low in sugar and fat. With 100kcal, 1.5g of fat, 20g carbs, 3g fiber, 4g sugar, and 4g protein in 1/12th of the loaf, this makes a great alternative for your typical zucchini bread loaded with sugar, butter, and white flour. Enjoy with a cold glass of low-fat milk, a smear of nut butter, or simply on its own!
Directions
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Step 1
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| Preheat oven to 365F. In a large bowl, mash banana. Mix in vanilla, egg, milk, and Truvia until well-blended. Add dry ingredients, until mixed thoroughly. Fold in zucchini, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Pour batter into sprayed loaf pan. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. |
Before you know it…your abundance of zucchini will be gone!
Looking for a quick, easy and delicious granola recipe? Give this one a try! A few basic ingredients, and then you add your favorite nut or seeds, and dried fruit. Flax meal adds an extra boost of omega 3’s!
Groovy Granola
Experiment with your favorite combinations!
Here are some tasty ideas:
-Almonds and craisins, using honey
-Walnuts and raisins, using maple syrup
-Hazelnuts and chopped apricots, using maple syrup
-Cashews and craisins, using honey
-Pecans and chopped apricots, using maple syrup
Each 1/4 cup servings contains:
-1 grain/starch equivalent
-1 fat/oil equivalent
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup nuts and/or seeds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried shredded coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup raisins or other dried fruit
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup flax meal
- dash salt
Directions
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Step 1
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| Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, sweetener and salt in a large heatproof bowl. |
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Step 2
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| Spread evenly onto a large rimmed cookie sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes, stirring it every 10 minutes to brown evenly. |
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Step 3
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| Transfer the cooked granola from the cookie sheet back to the bowl.Add flax meal. Drizzle with vanilla and allow to cool. Mix in the dried fruit. |
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Step 4
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| Enjoy! (Place remaining in a cool and dry place) |
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