Recipes With a Twist
Quick Meal
Suji Kheer
Aug 5th
By Amanat Khullar
This morning I had an urge to eat something sweet. I wanted to keep it quick, healthy and ofcourse “YUMMY” to satisfy my cravings.First thought that popped in my mind was kheer. Since calorie amount can be a bit scary in rice kheer, I decided to use suji instead of rice and 1% milk instead of whole milk.If you are not familiar with Suji (semolina), it is a nutritious Indian wheat granulated but not pulverized. It has a lot of health benefits but the one I remember is that my mother used to give me suji halwa with warm More >
Basil Pesto and Tomato Sandwich
Nov 12th
Basil Pesto and Tomato Sandwich
Here is an easy to put together lunch-ready in less than 5 minutes and can be prepared ahead and packed to go. It is a no brainer if you have some Pesto on hand. I usually prepare a big batch of Pesto and keep some frozen. The sandwich when combined with a healthy side qualifies for the ’400 calories or less’ lunch category.You need:
2 slices of bread, I used white bread 1 tbsp Basil Pesto 1/2 medium tomato 1/2 tbsp butter (I used I can’t believe its not Butter spread) salt and pepper to taste
1. Spread Pesto More >
Creamy Pesto Macaroni
Aug 18th
Creamy Pesto Macaroni
I wanted to try making it ever since I noticed my son liked a ‘Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta’ from a local Italian restaurant. That inspired me try making Basil Pesto Sauce and this is what I made first using the Pesto sauce. This is not a perfectly low calorie dish. I can say it might be lighter than what I have looked online for an easy Alfredo or white sauce. It makes a creamy, indulgent and very flavorful pasta (thanks to the Basil Pesto) that I think everyone should enjoy once in a while. I used elbow macaroni as my More >
Savoury Hurry-up Muffins
Jun 29th
Savoury Hurry Up Muffins
By Heidemarie SwanepoelThese are quick and easy muffins, with a delicious filling in the centre. I find that these muffins are also a good way of using up those little bits of left-overs that are too little to use for another meal, but too much to just throw away. I like using these little bits in crafty ways – even my boys enjoy their veggie muffins.
Ingredients 1 cup milk 2 eggs ½ cup oil 1 cup flour ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon BBQ salt 2 teaspoons baking powder
Filling:1 onion 3 rashers bacon ½ – 1 sweet pepper
Directions: Preheat More >
Toddler Approved Spaghetti with Collard Greens and Broccoli
Jun 24th
Toddler Approved Spaghetti with Collard Greens and Broccoli
So what do you do if your skinny little one gets most of his carbohydrates from pasta? Well try to invent recipes that makes the same old pasta taste different with some added nutrition. Sometimes I use traditional Ragu pasta sauce with some meat or make white sauce with some cheese and Spinach. So different variations for same old pasta! This time I had little bit time on hand, so I tried to make pasta with a homemade onions, tomatoes, and vegetables sauce. This also gave me some satisfaction of putting together a meal More >
Tortellini with roasted vegetables
May 27th
Tortellini with Roasted Vegetables
Here is a great example of under 500 calorie dinner. Very easy to prepare and great on taste buds. 500 calorie dinners are part of Fitness magazine’s popular diet plan when combined with moderate exercise helps you lose weight in a healthy manner.
Tortellini pasta is anyways filling and addition of roasted vegetables adds a lot of flavor and bulk without adding too many calories.
You need:
1/2 cup boiled tortellini pasta (I used 3 cheese filling) 1/2 cup pasta sauce (about 90 calories ) 3/4 cup roasted vegetables 1 tsp grated parmesan cheese dash of Tobasco or red pepper flakes (optional)
1. More >
Easy Turkey Meatballs
May 24th
Turkey Meatballs
It is always great to have some meatballs on hand when you are in hurry and need to put together a quick and delicious meal. You can make sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, serve with pasta and even throw in soups. I usually make lean turkey meatballs instead of fatty beef ones and make more than I need so I can freeze some for quick meals (as a full time working mom I am usually short of time!). This is very basic recipe and is great for little ones since the meatballs do not have any kind of strong flavor. Even better, More >
Baby spinach salad with carrot and cucumber ribbons
May 2nd
Baby Spinach Salad with carrot and cucumber spinach ribbons
With days warming up a bit, I prefer having salads for lunch or as a side (sometimes bigger than a side portion) for dinner. I am big fan of low calorie salsa based Mexican style salads-which one of these days I will put together for my blog as well. However, these days I am experimenting with baby spinach and carrots and I am loving it. Here is a low calorie salad with a light home made dressing made with buttermilk. I use carrot and cucumber shavings that add lot of crunch to the More >
Chipotle Chicken Kebabs
Apr 26th
Chipotle Chicken Kababs
Here is one flaming hot recipe. I have been trying to imitate Chipotle Mexican Grill’s chicken for quite some time. Although this may not be the exact same thing, but it comes quite close – only slightly hotter. Since I like hot food and usually am never too embarrassed of putting Tobasco/Tapatío or any other hot sauce on almost everything, I quite liked the results. Moreover, Chipotle peppers also add a smoky flavor.1 lb boneless Chicken pieces – medium sized (I used thigh meat) 1/2 can Chipotle peppers in Adobo Sauce (about 3.5 oz – I did use More >
Lemon Rice with Carrot Raita
Apr 16th
Lemon Rice
This is yet another favorite dish that I make when I have leftover rice on hand and (as usual) I am in a hurry to put together a delicious yet healthy meal. This version of Lemon Rice is based on traditional South Indian flavors although I am not sure if I always follow the tradition religiously and do try different variations now and then.Carrot Raita
I usually serve this rice with ‘Carrot Raita’ – Yogurt based condiment that is used as a side or sometimes a dip as well. There are numerous types of ‘raitas’ that you can make More >
