The Jolly Kitchen

So simple to make and very good! Also, this is much lighter than traditional Alfredo.

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (16 oz) penne pasta
1/2 pound (1 head)broccoli florets
3/4 cup reduced fat ricotta cheese
3/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 tsp chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it until is 2 minutes short of being done, then add the broccoli for the final 2 minutes of cooking.
2. While the pasta cooks, use a blender or food processor to combine the ricotta, yogurt, butter, garlic, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, basil, pepper, and salt. Blend until it is smooth.
3. When the pasta and broccoli are cooked; drain then and toss them with the sauce. Serve pasta warm.

**Note** I ommitted the walnuts because my son is under 2 years old.**
***Note*** This recipe calls for 1 box of pasta. This made A LOT and the pasta seemed to need more sauce so the next time I make this, I will only use 1/2 box of pasta. If you are feeding a lot of people, use 1 box of pasta and double the ingredients for the sauce.***

Low Fat Burgers with Caramelized Onions on Whole Wheat Bun
Apple Coleslaw

The burgers were delicious! The Apple Coleslaw was ok, but could do without the scallions. I will post the recipe anyway for those who may enjoy it. I know I just said it, but the burgers were fabulous! The husband, the toddler, and I loved them! I know I sound like a mad woman raving about a simple burger, but have you ever tried to make a burger with lean beef? It is so difficult to make them come out juicy. These were great!

Low Fat Burger

1Lb Lean Ground Beef
1/2 Cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
2 Egg Whites
1/2 Cup Low Fat Milk
2 TB Light Soy Sauce


Combine ingredients by hand and form into patties. Grill or broil 4-6 minutes each side. Serves 4.

Caramelized Onions

Heat a heavy bottomed pan on medium heat. Add a Tbsp of extra virgin oil to the pan. Thinly slice 1 large onion. Put onions in the heated pan and add 1 tsp of sugar. Cook for 15 minutes stirring occasionaly.


Apple Coleslaw
8oz Cabbage (any kind you like)
1 coarsely shredded carrot
1 coarsely shredded apple
1 thinly chopped scallion
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 freshly squeezed lemon
2 Tbsp Light Mayonaise
Salt & Pepper to taste

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl until combined. Refrigerate until right before serving.

I made Low Fat Blueberrry Bran Muffins today and they turned out really well. They are very healthy and do not have any oil. Surprisingly, they are really moist and taste really good...especially for being healthy and low fat. I gave the little one a couple of bites tonight and he really loved it. He kept coming back for more, which is always a good sign! The husband liked them as well, which is a good sign coming from someone who slathers all of his food in ranch or cheese-LOL!


INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups wheat bran
1 cup nonfat milk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup white wheat flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup blueberries

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or use paper muffin liners. Mix together wheat bran and milk, and let stand for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix together applesauce, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla. Beat in bran mixture. Sift together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir into bran mixture until just blended. Fold in blueberries. Scoop into muffin cups.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until tops spring back when lightly tapped.


Nutritional Information
Servings Per Recipe: 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 123

Total Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 18mg
Sodium: 244mg
Total Carbs: 28.1g
Dietary Fiber: 4.3g
Protein: 3.7g

This is my first post here. In the next week, I will be adding recipes and pictures of dishes I have made in the past or make during the week. I love to cook, but haven't been as creative as I used to be before my son was born. I am ready to get back into the kitchen and come up with great tasting, healthy meals for the family.