Roasted Tomato Bruschetta – well…the goodies that go on top at least!

 

ROASTED TOMATO BRUSCHETTA

I know bruschetta should have some sort of crusty, crispy bread involved…and you can add it to this wonderful topping.  But being that I try to eat low-carb, the bread is a bit off the radar for me!

I love this so much, though.  On top of burgers, fish, omelets, chicken…stirred into cottage cheese, ricotta, or even Greek-style plain yogurt, or over slices of fresh mozzarella…it’s so good.

Inspired by Biba’s recipe in her book Biba’s Italy, this has been a favorite in my house for a long time…and will be forever!

Add it to the top of toasted bread if you must…you will want to just eat it out of the spoon, too!

The process seems daunting, but it’s worth it.  And the sweetener REALLY adds to the end flavor.  (I’ve actually reduced the amount of sweetener Biba suggested, but don’t leave it out!)

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1 pound cherry or grape tomatoes

5 Roma tomatoes

4 teaspoons Splenda/Whey Low Granular/sugar, if you can have it

7 fresh basil leaves, chopped

3 cloves of garlic (put through a garlic press or finely minced)

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salt

Black Pepper

1/3 cup Shaved Parmesan cheese

If you are so inclined:

1 baguette – sliced, drizzled with olive oil and broiled till golden (turn and do other side, too!)

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Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Cut cherry or grape tomatoes in half. Lay cut side up in a pie plate – single layer. Squeeze them in to fit! Sprinkle with 2 of the minced cloves of garlic. Sprinkle with Splenda/sugar.  (Don’t skip the sweetener- it’s what makes this SO good!) Roast in oven, uncovered for about 2-2 1/2 hours, stirring three or four times.

Tomatoes will be shriveled and almost dry. Remove from oven and let cool. Meanwhile, cut Roma tomatoes in quarters and squeeze to remove seeds and then dice them. Add to roasted tomatoes along with remaining clove of garlic, basil, oil and cheese. Toss well. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to marinate and get BETTER!!

Makes 8 servings – 1/4 cup each

Per Serving (does not include bread): 102 Cal; 2 g Protein; 8 g Tot Fat; 5 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 1 g Sugar; 64 mg Sodium

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Fish and Zucchini – how much healthier can you get?!

FISH & ZUCCHINI

A dish full of good for you veggies and high-protein fish – moist flavorful protein and very low in simple carbs.

This dish is easy to put together…while it’s simmering make a pot of rice for your family (use chicken broth for part of the water and throw in some herbs) and toss together a crispy green salad. Dinner’s ready with hardly any fuss.

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2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup diced zucchini
1/2 cup diced celery
2 garlic cloves, minced
One 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 bay leaf
1 pound Talapia or other firm, white fish, cut into 1-inch pieces (OR shrimp)
1/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon cornstarch

In a large skillet, cook onion, celery, zucchini, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until tender – about 5 minutes. Stir in undrained tomatoes, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Discard bay leaf. In a small bowl stir together water and cornstarch. Stir cornstarch mixture and fish into tomato mixture. Simmer over low heat 5-7 minutes or until thickened and fish flakes easily with a fork. Makes 6 servings.

Per Serving: 142 Cal; 15 g Protein; 6 g Tot Fat; 8 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 2 g Sugar; 60 mg Sodium

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Ditch the can…go homemade!

CREAMY TOMATO SOUP

Most supermarket tomato soups contain quite a bit of sugar and lots of sodium. This one is homemade and so good. You could leave it chunky or puree it…use fresh, diced tomatoes or the canned. Either way it’s great.

A grilled cheese on whole grain bread for the family and there ya go…lunch or light dinner is wholesome and super easy!

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2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (2 sprigs fresh)
1/2 teaspoon dried basil (4 leaves fresh)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Two 16-ounce cans diced tomatoes, UNDRAINED (2 pounds diced fresh)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons flour
3 cups chicken broth, divided
1 teaspoon Splenda
1 cup evaporated milk

In a large saucepan heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and seasonings and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender and golden. Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir and simmer for 10 minutes.

In a small bowl whisk together the flour and 1/4 cup of the chicken broth. Stir into tomato mixture until well blended. Add the remaining broth. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. In small batches puree the soup in a blender or immersion blender. Return mixture to the pan if using blender and add the Splenda and evaporated milk. Heat through. Makes 8 servings.

Per Serving: 120 Cal; 5 g Protein; 6 g Tot Fat; 13 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 2 g Sugar; 422 mg Sodium

 

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Sí, señor! Sopa tacos!

LINDA’S FAMOUS TACO SOUP

This is easily my most popular recipe!  It’s quick, can be altered to fit whatever you have in your pantry at the moment…can be made vegetarian, garnished with anything, and freezes great.

I spoon it over tortilla or corn chips for the family, lots of sour cream, avocados, diced tomatoes…whatever suits your mood.

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2 tablespoons olive oil (if using meat sub or ground turkey)
1 pound ground beef or turkey OR 1 pkg. Morningstar Crumbles
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Splenda
One 16-ounce can chili beans, undrained (NOT chili, just chili-seasoned beans)
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, undrained
1 cup frozen corn – optional
One 10-ounce can tomato soup, undiluted
2 cups water
Two 14-ounce cans peeled and diced tomatoes, undrained and pureed
One 4-ounce can diced green chilies
One 4-ounce can sliced olives
One 1.25-ounce envelope taco seasoning
3 teaspoons Penzey’s Chili 9000 or chili powder

If using hamburger: In a large saucepan brown hamburger until just no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon into small chunks. Remove from pan and drain grease, reserving 1 tablespoon. Sauté the onions and garlic with the Splenda in reserved grease, until onions are soft and golden. Return hamburger to the pan.

If using veggie meat or turkey: In a large saucepan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onions and garlic with the Splenda until onions are tender and golden. Add turkey or crumbles and sauté until turkey is no longer pink, breaking into small chunks.

Add to the meat/onion mixture the chili beans, kidney beans, corn, tomato soup, water, tomatoes, green chilies, olives, taco seasoning, and chili powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 1 1/2 – 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with your choice of toppings, such as tomatoes, avocados, shredded cheese, sour cream, etc. Makes 12 servings about 1 cup each.

Per serving: Calories 241; Protein 13; Fat 11 g; Carbs 18; Sodium 470 mg

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A little crabby? This should help…

TOMATO-CRAB BISQUE

One is good…more is better.  At least when it comes to variations of tomato soup!

This one has the addition of sweet crab, but leaving it out, or adding something else instead would be fine.

 

Team this up with a Caesar salad and some breadsticks for the family to dip. Makes a quick lunch or light dinner that is elegant and impressive.

For a vegetarian version leave out the crab and add in a scoop of cottage or ricotta cheese.  SO GOOD!

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3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons finely minced onion
1 large clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons flour
3 cups low-sodium tomato juice
One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Splenda
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
10 ounces lump crab meat

In a stockpot, over medium heat, combine olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook for 10 minutes or until softened. Stir in flour very well and cook for one minute. Stir in tomato juice, evaporated milk, thyme, basil, Old Bay Seasoning, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, Splenda, salt, and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring ocassionally, for 15 minutes or until thickened. Stir in crab meat and heat through.

Makes 6 servings.

Per Serving: 231 Cal; 16 g Protein; 12 g Tot Fat; 15 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 4 g Sugar; 471 mg Sodium

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Gorgeous way to get your veggies!

CAPRESE-INSPIRED SALAD

This salad would be great to spoon on top of chicken breasts, baked fish fillets, or on top of burgers.  It’s easy to put together and the addition of the white balsamic vinegar keeps it pretty!

Add some marinated artichoke hearts and brined olives for a different taste.

I get my white balsamic at Trader Joe’s – inexpensive, but really, really good.

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2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced

1 cucumber, diced

1 red onion, diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup fresh Perlini mozzarella balls (the tiny ones!) or diced fresh mozzarella

2 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (I like the white in this so it doesn’t discolor)

Kosher salt and black pepper

Combine tomatoes, cucumber, onion, basil and cheese. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and serve. Makes six servings.

Per Serving: 98 Cal; 5 g Protein; 7 g Tot Fat; 5 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 1 g Sugar; 88 mg Sodium

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