Popcorn Snack Mix

13 cups popcorn (I use air popped)
1 egg white (lightly beaten)
2 tbsp honey (I used sugar free cause that is what I had)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup splenda (I used about half of this -- seemed like alot)
1/2 cup craisins
1/2 sliced or slivered almonds (could substitute peanuts too)

Preheat oven to 325

Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray. Put popped corn in large bowl.
Combine egg white, honey, vanilla, salt and splenda, whisk until blended. Stir in almonds and craisins. Pour mixture over popped corn, toss to coat. Spread mixture on prepared pan.

Bake 25 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Taco Pizza

I must give credit here. This recipe has been used in my family for as long as can remember but it comes from a restaurant called the Corner. Those of you Columbia Falls folks will definitely remember it. I think I am safe in sharing it since the restaurant has been closed for awhile. It's a family favorite and now my husband loves it too!!


1 can Pillsbury pizza crust (or homemade -- I will post the homemade crust recipe soon)
1 can tomato sauce
1 pkg taco seasoning (I use hot)
1 lb ground beef or turkey
3 cups shredded cheese (I use 2% sharp cheddar)

Sour cream, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives to top.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spread crust on your pan. Mix together half your taco seasoning and your can of tomato sauce. Spread seasoned sauce evenly over the pizza crust. Top with your shredded cheese. Top with ground turkey or ground beef (already browned and mixed with the other half of the seasoning packet).

Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Once cooked let cool briefly then top with taco toppings as desired.

Pumpkin Bread

2/3 cup shortening (I use applesauce)
2 2/3 cup sugar (I use 2 cups splenda and 2/3 cup sugar)
4 eggs (I use egg beaters)
16 oz. can of pumpkin (can substitute 3 cups shredded zucchini if you prefer)
2/3 cup water
3 1/3 cups flour (I use 2 cups whole wheat and 1 1/3 cup regular)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease and flour pans

Mix all ingredients together. I mix dry and wet separately and then mix all together. Spread in loaf pans.

Bake 40 - 50 minutes.

Banana Bread

1 1/4 cups sugar (I use 1/2 cup sugar and 3/4 cup splenda)
1/2 cup butter (I use applesauce)
2 large eggs (I use egg beaters)
3 medium ripe bananas
1/2 cup milk (I use light vanilla soy milk)
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour (I use 1 1/2 cups whole wheat and 1 cup regular)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt (I just use a dash)
1 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts today)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour pans

Mix all ingredients together. I mix all dry and all wet separately and then add all together.

Spread into loaf pans

Bake for 40 - 50 minutes (does not take as long to back as the original recipe which takes more than an hour)

Baked Chicken with Peaches

4 medium boneless chicken breasts
2 cups fresh peaches (they can be frozen too, but I wouldn't recommend canned)

Seasoning
2 tbsp flour
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp all spice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp thyme

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix together all dry seasonings. Spray a glass baking pan with olive oil. Dip chicken breasts in seasoning mix and lay in bottom of glass pan. Top with peaches. If you use frozen peaches add 1/2 of apple juice for moisture.

Bake for 60 minutes. May need a bit longer. Check to make sure the chicken is fully cooked.

Strawberry Shortcake

Angel Food Cake (You can use a box mix too if you prefer)

12 large egg whites
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 sugar (I use half sugar, half splenda)
1 cup cake flour

Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325F.

Put the egg whites into a large bowl and beat until foamy. Add the salt and cream of tartar and whip to the soft peak stage.

Add vanilla extract and gradually beat in the sugar, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, and whip until stiff peaks form.

Sift the cake flour onto the batter and gently fold it in until no streaks or visible flour remain.

Transfer to an ungreased angel food cake pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Invert the pan onto a bottle neck and let cool completely before removing from the pan. I always run a thin knife around the edge first, being careful to press the knife against the pan, not the cake.

Strawberry Topping
1 1/2 lbs strawberries sliced
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp splenda

Cook over medium heat strawberries, lime juice and splenda. Let boil about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Store in refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Slice angel food cake add strawberry topping as desired. Top with whipped cream (I use fat free ready whip so it doesn't add too many extra calories. It's still very good.)

Crepes with different fillings

Crepes

1 cup flour
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk (I used light vanilla soy milk)
2 eggs (I used egg beaters)
2 tbsp butter (melted) -- I did use real butter for this...didn't know if applesauce would work.

Whisk all ingredients together. In a hot Teflon pan (if it's not a really good pan use a little oil) on the stove pour batter in and roll pan to make very thin on the bottom. Let cook about two minutes or until the edges start to look cooked. Then loosen with spatula and flip. Let cook about 2 more minutes.

Fillings -- you can fill with whatever you like. We did a fruit puree (recipe below) in some and then scrambled eggs (egg beaters), turkey bacon with a little laughing cow light swiss spreadable cheese.

We liked the egg option better, but both were good.

Fruit puree
1 cup fresh mixed berries
2 tbsp light vanilla soy milk
1 tbsp splenda
2 tbsp orange juice

Blend together. This worked but next time I would just use the berries whole...you live and learn.

Next time I am going to try with whole wheat flour...just didn't have enough in the house this time.

Baked Crusted Halibut

1 pound halibut (fresh is best but frozen will work)
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp black pepper
pinch of salt
a handful of saltine crackers
Lemon juice or sliced lemons

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Crush the crackers and mix with the flour, pepper and salt. Dip halibut in the crumb mixture. Place in baking dish. Drizzle with lemon juice or top with lemon slices (whichever you prefer).

Bake for 40 minutes. I cook longer because I like my fish really done so it is totally up to you.

Craisin, Walnut Salad with homemade dressing

1 romaine lettuce heart
1/3 cup mixed red and green peppers
1/4 cup crasins
1/4 cup walnuts

Dressing
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp splenda

Wash and shred your lettuce. Top with chopped red and green peppers, craisins and walnuts. This is a great salad to accompany a meal. If you would prefer you could add chicken as serve as an entree. (It's really good that way too).

For the dressing mix together oil, vinegar and splenda. It does not fully mix together but the splenda dissolves. Drizzle over your salad and enjoy!!

Quesadilla

Red and green peppers diced
Red onion diced
Canned Corn
Black Beans
Chicken or Shrimp (if you like can make vegetarian too)
Tortillas (I use La Tortilla Factory Whole Wheat)
2 tbsps Sour Cream (I use light or fat free)
1-2 tbsp Taco Sauce or Salsa
1/3 - 1/2 cup Shredded Cheese (I use 2% sharp cheddar)

In a warm pan place tortilla add shredded cheese, peppers, onions, corn, bean, chicken or shrimp (or both). Either fold in half or top with second tortilla depending on how much you want.

Once cheese begins to melt flip in pan. Once cheese is totally melted remove from pan. Slice with pizza cutter. Use sour cream and salsa for garnish. Guacomole is always good too.