Chef In Making » 400 calorie lunch

Basil Pesto and Tomato Sandwich

soniaabrol — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 07:03:26 +0000

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 on one slice and butter on the other.
2. Slice the tomato and arrange it on bread with Pesto
3. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste
4. Cover and cut the sandwich diagonally

Serve with a side like a cup of fruit or small garden salad.

Basil Pesto and Tomato Sandwich is a post from: Chef

Hawaiian Toast

GuestOfTheWeek — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:27:35 +0000

Recipe by Heidemarie Swanepoel

Hawaiian Toast

Today we visited Gran, and she dished up my childhood favourite treat. When we came home from school, on a cold or wet day, she would be standing by with a delicious slice of Hawaiian Toast. My kids love it now, just as much as I loved it then (and still do!)

Ingredients: (per slice of toast)

1 slice of toasted bread
1 slice sandwich ham
1 pineapple ring (canned)
2 – 4 slices cheddar cheese
Butter (optional)

Pre-heat your grill.
Toast your bread, and butter it.
Start off by placing your ham on the toast.
Place the pineapple ring on top.
Top with Cheddar cheese.
Place under the grill, until the cheese is nicely melted.
Serve hot.

Hawaiian Toast is a post from: Chef

Mediterranean Style Bean Wrap

soniaabrol — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:30:28 +0000

Mediterranean Style Bean Wrap

I am a big fan of Fitness magazine’s 400 calorie lunches. Basically their mantra is 300 calories breakfast,400 calories lunch, 500 calories dinner and 2 snacks 150 calorie each. A sensible diet on this calorie plan and moderate work out and you will lose pounds without losing on taste! Here is my attempt for a 400 calorie lunch where I wanted to have Taco Bell style burrito lunch but with less fat. I switched the cheese with ‘good fat’ and filling hummus, regular tortilla with whole wheat tortilla, added some whole beans and salsa. I did not leave the crunch either although I switched the tortilla chips with my favorite Stacy’s baked pita chips. All under 400 calories!

You need:
1 whole wheat tortilla
1 tbsp hummus (I used roasted garlic)
1/4 cup refried beans (I used Taco Bell’s)
1/4 cup black beans
1 tbsp fresh salsa

Handful of pita chips on side served with 2 tbsp Seven Layer Dip or salsa of your choice

1. Wrap the tortilla in a paper towel and microwave for 10 seconds. Alternately you can also warm up the tortilla on a griddle.

2. Warm up the beans. You can even use just refried beans or black beans. I just like to blend different textures and flavors.

3. Spread the hummus on the tortilla. Spread a layer of beans and top it with salsa. Wrap it or make a burrito.

4. Serve it with pita chips and salsa on side. I had some seven layer dip so I added a couple of tbsps of that as well.

Mediterranean Style Bean Wrap is a post from: Chef