I love food. It’s true. I absolutely admit to loving a good buffet, I hardly have anything I will not eat or try. There was a time in my youth… that did not matter. No matter what I ate, I did not gain. I was not a work out queen either… in fact I can not recall any exercise in those years beyond the required gym class.
Well times… they do change…
As I became older, married, with children… the pounds did not just melt away any more. I came to a point where if I wanted to look the way I well…. wanted to look, then I needed to work for it. In those years, I worked hard at the gym, tried hard to watch what I ate and did maintain the look I wanted for myself.
Now…. (*fast forward to present time), I have actually found things that I enjoy doing that also qualify as “working out and exercise”. Who knew… it could also be fun? 😀
I still fall off track. I get good at it, and then lose my mojo…. and then, like now, work on putting myself back on the track again. Of course…. I still have that “love of food” that has never left me.
When I found this book recently at one of my local book stores I was excited about it. Flipping through it I seen the pictures of the food were mouth-watering and something I would definitely be all for giving a try. I mean, look at some of these:
- Dessert Pizza
- Mini Blueberry Muffins
- Seven-Layer Dip
- Pineapple Mojitos
- Shrimp and Grits
- Cheese “Fries”
- Carrot Soup with a Kick
- Flank Steak with Indian Salsa
- White Pizza with Roasted Mushrooms
And it also is broke into wonderful categories:
- Breakfast
- Starters
- Mains
- Sides/Soups/Salads
- Dessert
AND – if you know me, you know that I do not like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen doing prep work and searching for a long list of ingredients. I was thrilled to see that the recipes were fairly simple to make, took few ingredients, and not a ton of “kitchen duty”. YAY to all of that! 😀
I also like recipes that I can serve to guests or take to potlucks that do not look like they are “healthy foods” (enter the vegie tray….)
I plan to spend some more time in this book yet this afternoon. Many (but not all) recipes have a mouth-watering picture. They all have nutrition information, and a list of ingredients that are pretty easy to find. (I may make the spaghetti squash for dinner) These are recipes my hubby would even enjoy and not feel deprived of flavors (just calories 😉 )
On page 29 I found this little gem which looks tasty and something I could easily prep ahead of time for work:
Asparagus and Goat Cheese Quiche
Recipe:
Cooking spray
4 asparagus stalks, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 large eggs
1 large egg white
3/4 cup low-fat milk- (I use 1%)
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 oz. goat cheese- (I would use a low fat cheese)
1.) Preheat the oven to 425F. Spray four 5 oz. ramekins (I would use my muffin tin) with cooking spray. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water and set aside.
2.) Place the asparagus in a shallow dish with 2 Tbsp water. Cover with vented plastic wrap, and microwave on high until bright green and just tender…about 3 1/2 minutes. Carefully uncover and place in ice bath to cool, and drain.
3.) Whisk together the eggs, egg white, milk, salt, and pepper until well blended. Divide the cheese and asparagus among the 4 dishes, and pour the egg mixture on top.
4.) Bake until just set, about 15 minutes. Serve warm or cool.
I hope to make that this week… maybe even later today as this ends my official week off of work and I am back to it tomorrow morning 😀
I posted this review today as part of Beth Fish Reads Weekend Cooking. Stop over and see what else is cooking this weekend! 😀
In a typical me fashion, after bringing this book home… I seen I already had it on my “To Be Read” Shelves…. so….. my “Doh!” is your “Woo Hoo!” as I am giving my second copy away to one commenter – who shares with me…. what they are having for dinner tonight…. (I will announce the winner of the book Tuesday morning)
Amazon Rating
Goodreads Review
Book Journey 
Those look yummy and I think…from what I have been told…that goat cheese is a
Lower fat cheese…it’s used a lot on South Beach recipes…
I dont think I have ever had Goat Cheese Patty…. I may have to try it….
I need great healthy meal ideas – yes, please!
Tonight, I am making shrimp scampi over linguine. Not low-fat, I know, but my boys love it…and I can’t say no to pasta and garlic and grated parmagiano reggiano. Hey, it’s whole wheat pasta, so it’s not AS bad, right?
Mmmmm that sounds good Alison. I went out to lunch with Navy son so not sure if I will even do dinner…. I feel really full. 😳
😀
Will be having paratha (a flat bread) with cauliflower and maybe chicken curry.
OOH – that sounds yummy!
Sounds like a lovely book. We’re having Indian food for dinner tonight: rice seasoned with a bit of saffron and Madras Lentils. For the most part I don’t like lentils done in the French way, but give me Indian-style lentils, especially in a dal and I am in heaven.
I love Indian food – I wish I knew how to cook it!
I am hoping we’d have caramelized sweet and chili chicken tonight… if the husband would cook it! 🙂
That sounds really good too Christa…. you may need to share that recipe 😀
Oh, I adore Quiche, and most of the time, restaurant offerings are loaded with calories. This one sounds like a good option. Thanks!
Sounds like a great book, too.
I think so too Laurel, and it looks good!
Those little quiche look great. Oh, yeah, I remember the days when I could eat and eat and eat and never gain an ounce. Sigh.
Those were good days Beth…..LOL…. I remember them too…
I’m like you, I like quick and easy with few ingredients. I’ve never had goat cheese, but love asparagus, and that does look good!
I’ll have to find a copy of this book!
Well, I need to start reading clear to the bottom of your post. I rarely read anything by the meme button, but as I was scrolling back up to read the other comments saw some BOLD writing and that’s when I noticed you’re giving away your copy.
I’d love the chance to win this! Thanks!!
Chicken tetrazzini for us – not very non-fattening I’m afraid, so I definitely need to cook myself thin faster! :–)
but sounds delicious!
Those look really delicious! Sounds like you’re enjoying your cookbook 🙂
I am Lu…. lots to look through 🙂
It’s 4.37pm and I have no idea what we’re having for dinner. I’m hoping my mom will call and invite us over. Um…howabout ravioli? I can make that!
LOL – I never know whats for dinner! 😀
How funny you made quiche-I made a quiche lorraine for lunch today. There is a book I reviewed last year-substitute me skinny that talked about what you can substitute to still have a good meal.
I love eggs Esme… I love egg white omelets… scrambled, etc… 🙂
For supper tonight I had a pink lady apple, Irish cheese with some crackers , and an orange-strawberry-yogurt muffin. Yummy! I love goat cheese so can’t wait to try this recipe!
I love asparagus and it is healthy too. Looks good. We had a large lunch and then small dinner due to choir practice and church from 5-7. So I had cheese and crackers for dinner. I LOVE cheese which is not always so healthy. And my DH is our cook and it is hard to get him to good healthy lots of time. *Sigh*
Even though I’m allergic to eggs, your quiche picture makes me hungry. One of my monthly resolutions this year is to replace at least two of my normal, fattening type of meals (sauces, gravies, lots of butter and cheese) with a “good for you but tasty” meal. I think this book might make it on to my shelves as a way to help me do that 🙂
I thawed some awesome steaks and i have a recipe for a crustless quiche…some fresh fruit and ice cream and call it a day!
We’re having the Crispy Fish Sandwich with Pineapple Slaw that I rediscovered last week when I compiled my list of blog recipes from 2011: Wednesday’s Healthy Eating. I’ll serve it with a tossed salad.
These look and sound yummy Sheila (and easy too). Thanks so much
Our family coped out tonight…
We had Domino’s Pizza for dinner this evening!
I only ate 3 small pieces.
Many thanks, Cindi