Asian steak salad

Asian Steak Salad

Not too long ago, I went to a library book sale and purchased a bag of cookbooks. This included the Betty Crocker Heart Healthy Cookbook which drew me in by the colorful cover.

Written in partnership with one of America's most respected cardiologists and a nutritionist from the Bell Institute of Health & Nutrition, this complete resource is packed with over 140 tempting recipes plus information and advice that will do your heart—and your family—good.

Click here for the recipe!

Light lunch: Quick orange chicken salad

Quick Orange Chicken Salad

Quick orange chicken salad that shines as a tasty yet satisfying lunch option.

The key to this recipe is to find a big, fresh and juicy, yet firm orange. The rind will become a colorful serving container on your plate.

Click here for the recipe!

Healthy desserts: Blue ribbon sour cream coffee cake

Healthy Desserts: Blue Ribbon Sour Cream Coffee Cake

If you love dessert and hate to give it up, but vowed that 2012 would be the year to get slim, this guilt free treat is a delicious solution.

The perfect cold weather comfort, the Blue Ribbon Sour Cream Cake, is made extra flavorful with applesauce, blueberries, and a crumbly brown sugar topping.

Click here for the recipe.

Foodie Examiner Roundup for January 9, 2012

Are you looking for a few new recipes to make in the crockpot, serve at parties, or bring to a potluck? Then you might enjoy this week’s recipe roundup from the Wauconda Food Examiner.

Appetizers: Bacon and cheese dip

Looking for something interesting to serve at your next party?  Appetizers are perfect to serve at graduation parties, on New Year's Eve, showers, at cocktail parties, before dinner to keep your guests appetite whet, or at the next Super Bowl Sunday event.

Side dish: Oven baked fries

Create healthy side dishes to go along side your favorite meat dishes.

Become a Mindful Eater

Most of our healthy habits focus on what to eat instead of how to eat. The core concept of mindful eating is to eat when you are hungry, instead of for other reasons such as boredom, stress, anxiety, or anger.

Healthy eating: Winter lentil soup

You promised to eat healthy this year and even add a few new food items to your repertoire. Then consider making this heart healthy soup of winter lentil soup filled with lentils, leeks, sweet potatoes, and kale.

Slow cooker: Hearty potato soup

Pull out your slow cooker/crockpot and let it do all the work in your kitchen. Instead of venturing out into the cold night air for fast food, fill homemade Italian bread bowls with hearty chunky potato soup featuring potatoes, onions, carrot, celery, and savory seasonings.

Happy Eating!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Foodie Examiner Roundup: January 2, 2012

As one of the new Food Examiner writers, last week I introduced my new column with recipes for breakfast, healthy side dish alternatives, leftover holiday meal recipes, appetizers, how to keep a healthy kitchen, and the first of my “read it and eat” series.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Many New Year’s resolutions include eating right and exercising. We all know vegetables are a staple in any healthy diet, so why not increase your vegetable intake and incorporate them into every meal including breakfast.

Easy breakfast strata

This crowd pleaser is easy to make, uses healthy ingredients, and has them all asking for more.

Healthy cheesy potatoes

Healthy doesn’t mean skimping on taste. Add these cheesy potatoes as a yummy side dish to any meal.

Turkey Paella

Try a new recipe for leftover holiday turkey or substitute holiday ham.

Quick Party Appetizers

Prepare quick and easy appetizers for your next party!

Healthy kitchen: Foods to keep in stock

The new year is here which means creating a healthy kitchen filled with foods for you and your kids.

Read it and eat: Eggs in Purgatory

Enjoy a new food related cozy mystery series by Laura Childs including recipes!

Happy reading and eating!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Recipe Friday: Southwestern Chicken Rollups

Lately I have been finding myself eating the same dishes over and over due to time and convenience, so I decided to pull out my recipe binder. Inside, I found this recipe from Cooking Light which is not only fast and easy to make but healthy and extremely tasty. I usually serve it with a side of broccoli or asparagus spears and a large dinner salad.

Ingredients

6 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

6 tablespoons (about 3 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese

6 tablespoons picante sauce

6 cilantro sprigs

6 tablespoons Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs

Cooking spray

Preparation:

• Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
• Top each breast half with 1 tablespoon cheese, 1 tablespoon picante sauce, and 1 cilantro sprig.
• Roll up jelly-roll fashion, beginning at narrow end.
• Dredge chicken rolls in breadcrumbs.
• Place rolls, seam sides down, on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; lightly coat rolls with cooking spray.
• Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until chicken is done.

Once you make this recipe, I am sure you will agree that this will become a part of your family's favorite dishes.

Happy Eating!

Creativity Bug - Sue