SKINNY SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP

4 ounces cream cheese

1/3 cup Greek yogurt

1/4 cup Parmesan-Reggiano cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained of moisture

10 ounce jar marinated artichoke quarters, drained and coarsely chopped

1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Using a mixer, blend the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, Parmesan-Reggiano cheese, and garlic.

Be sure all water has been  pressed out of spinach then add the spinach and artichoke hearts to the cheese mixture.

Lightly spray a small baking dish and transfer the mixture to the dish. Top with the mozzarella cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven approximately 20 to 30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.

Serve dip while hot.

Recipe and photo adapted from an old post on Everyday Health

TURKEY AND APPLE WRAPS

4 (6-inch) flour tortillas

8 tsp mayonnaise
4 tsp Dijon mustard
16-20 shaved slices deli turkey breast
2 cups thinly sliced apple
1 cup baby spinach leaves

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard, mixing together well.  Spread mixture of one side of each of the tortillas.  Top with the turkey, apple, and spinach.  Roll up to serve.

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WHITE CHOCOLATE-STRAWBERRY YOGURT PARFAITS

4 pecan crunch crunchy granola bars, crushed to 3/4 cup

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 pkg (3-oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup whipped topping

1/2 cup marshmallow creme

1 oz white chocolate baking bar, shaved

1 carton (6-oz) light fat-free white chocolate strawberry yogurt

1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

Additional sliced strawberries for garnish

White chocolate curls for garnish

Fresh mint leaves for garnish

In a small bowl, mix crushed granola bars and pecans, set aside.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in whipped topping, marshmallow creme, shaved white chocolate and yogurt until well blended.

To assemble, in each of 2 (14-oz) parfait glasses, layer 1/4 cup granola mixture, about 1/2 cup yogurt mixture and 1/4 cup sliced strawberries. Repeat layers. Top each parfait with 1 tablespoon remaining granola mixture. Garnish each with the additional strawberry slices, white chocolate curls and mint leaves. Serve immediately.

Yield: 2 servings

Pillsbury photo

LOW CARB ZUCCHINI DISH

zucchini

olive oil
garlic powder or minced fresh garlic
sliced tomatoes
mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper, to taste

Slice the zucchini in half. Slice off the bottom to keep it stable. Brush with olive oil and top with garlic or garlic powder. Top with sliced tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Use mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese or mixed blend. 

Bake 375 for 20 to 30 minutes until soft.

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BUTTERNUT SQUASH AU GRATIN WITH BACON

1 butternut squash

4 slices bacon, cut up
1 small sweet onion, sliced thin
2 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut the squash in half lengthwise, discard seeds.  Peel and cut each half into thin slices.

Place the squash slices in a saucepan with enough water to just cover squash.  Bring to a boil over high heat; turn heat to medium-low and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until tender.

While squash cooks, fry the bacon in a skillet until crisp.  Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of the drippings.  Set bacon aside and return the tablespoon of drippings to the skillet; add the onion and cook while stirring for about 5 minutes.  Stir in the flour and pepper; cook, stirring for 1 minute.  Add the broth, cook and stir about 3 minutes until thickened.  Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheese.

Drain the squash.

Spray a square baking dish very lightly with nonstick cooking spray.  Arrange half of the squash slices in the bottom of the dish; cover with half the sauce.  Repeat the layers and top with the bacon then the remaining half cup of cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through.

The file photo.

GARDEN FRESH MACARONI & HAM SALAD

1 pkg (7-oz) elbow macaroni

2 cups diced cooked ham
1 cup diced cheddar cheese
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 cup torn or shredded lettuce
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/4 cup minced onion
3/4 cup bottled Italian or Ranch salad dressing (depends on your preference)
1 tsp salt, optional
dash freshly ground black pepper

Prepare the macaroni according to the package directions, omitting any oil or butter; drain well.

Pour the macaroni into a large mixing bowl; add the remaining ingredients and toss to coat well.
Chill until serving time.

HOW TO ROAST GARLIC

1 garlic clove

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Remove as much of the papery covering of the whole garlic head as possible, without breaking up the cloves from the head. Trim the top of the garlic with a knife.

Place the trimmed garlic head in the center of a small piece of aluminum foil. Drizzle with the olive oil. Cover tightly with the foil. Roast in the oven 40 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool about 5 minutes. Remove from the foil and serve immediately (squeezing garlic out of its papery clove skins).

May be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

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SEA SCALLOPS WITH SPINACH

1 1/2 lbs large sea scallops

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp paprika
dash of ground red pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tsp olive or canola oil, divided
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp minced garlic
10-oz fresh baby spinach
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

In a small saucepan bring the sugar, paprika, red pepper, and lemon juice to a boil; cook 4 minutes until thickened.  Allow to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 1 teaspoon olive oil to the pan and swirl to coat pan.  Sprinkle half the salt, and all the pepper over the scallops that have been patted dry.  Add to the pan and cook 2 minutes per side or until done.  Remove from pan; set aside but keep warm.

Add the remaining oil to the skillet along with the garlic.  Cook a few seconds, stirring constantly.  Add the spinach and cook, stirring constantly for 3 to 4 minutes until spinach is lightly wilted.  Stir in the remaining salt.

To serve, place the spinach on shallow serving plate, top with the scallops, and drizzle the boiled mixture over the top.  Sprinkle with the pine nuts.

the file photo

CHEESY CORN CASSEROLE

I consider this a quick fix recipe because it goes together in less than 5 minutes. It does, however, bake for 50 minutes.

3 cups frozen corn
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeds removed and finely diced
1 1/2 cups milk
5 tablespoons butter, melted
5 eggs, whisked
6 tablespoons white whole-wheat flour
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.. In an 8-by-12 casserole baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, add all the ingredients.

Stir with a spoon to mix everything up.

Bake for 50 minutes.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Adapted from Cooktop Cove

STRAWBERRY-BANANA SMOOTHIE WITH RICE BRAN

2 cups fresh (or unsweetened frozen) strawberries

2 bananas, sliced
1 carton (8-oz) low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup rice bran
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp honey

Place the strawberries and bananas in a large zip-top freezer bag and freeze until firm.  This will take at least 4 hours and can be done overnight.

Combine the firm fruit mixture with the remaining ingredients in a blender container.  Process mixture until smooth.

Serve immediately in chilled glasses.

Yield: 4 servings of 1 cup each.

NOTE: This recipe and picture are from the Rice Council over 30 years ago.