Recipes for Intermittent Fasting Days

Fasting While Feasting

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Lent is one of the times of the Christian calendar when people think about fasting: reduced calories, meatless meals, more fish, no eggs.  Now at the Lenten season, it is not too late to begin Fasting: either for religious reasons or health reasons.  Just like dieting, if you stray, you can always get back onto the path.  Here are some suggestions for meals that will meet the requirements any day you choose.  Welcome to MLE who is now following. [Thanks, Peg.]           Check out the bottom of the page for next week’s shopping list and a recipe for some fabulous Mexican Pickled Vegetables.

Moroccan Tuna posted under ‘Western Med’ February 5, 2017

Tuna-Bean-Garlic Patties posted under ‘Rich Flavors’ February 28, 2016Tuna:bean:garlic patties

Spinach/Fish Timbals posted under ‘Keep the Faith’ February 7, 2016Spinach-Fish Timbales w: gr beans

Chili non Carne posted under ‘Go Wild’ March 2, 2016

Minestrone Soup posted under ‘Mmmmmm….’ February 3, 2016

Mediterranean Vegetables with Couscous posted under ‘…Summer…’ February 3, 2016Mediterranian Meal

Salmon Roasted with Tomatoes posted under ‘What do we do now?’ January 3, 2016Roasted slamon w: tom + sug-snap peas

Red Beans and Rice posted under ‘Some of That’ October 7, 2015

INGREDIENTS LIST FOR NEXT WEEK’S MEALS: one portion servings                               breakfast:

1 two-oz egg 1.5 two-oz eggs
¼ oz bleu cheese 3 Tbsp Mexican Pickled Vegetables
cottage cheese cheese, low-fat [or ricotta] 1/3 oz Cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese pear or apple
salt, pepper
Applesauce [unsweetened], 2 oz [or pear]
Whatever you need for your smoothie Whatever you need for your hot beverage
Whatever you need for your hot beverage Whatever you need for your smoothie

dinner:

2.5 cups baby salad greens 1 oz thinly sliced corned beef
2.5 oz beets 1/3 cup Bechamel sauce, plain
1.25 oz bleu cheese 1/4 oz Swiss cheese, from deli
1.5 oz tomatoes, fresh 1.5 cups cabbage
1 oz white beans, canned
Olive oil + balsamic vinegar

Mexican Pickled Vegetables: This Yucatan treat comes to us via It’s All American Food by David Rosengarten. Quantities given to make one quart. Easily doubled.                       NB: Will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.                                                                       NB: The longer it sits, the spicier it gets. Super as a side dish; a nibble; an ingredient.

2 cups cauliflower florets                                                                                                                                             1 and ¼ cup carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4” thick on the diagonal                                                        ½ cup zucchini, sliced into 1/3” rounds                                                                                                            2-3 jalapeno peppers, sliced thinly                                                                                                                 ½ cup white vinegar                                                                                                                                             1 cup cider vinegar                                                                                                                                                 1 cup water                                                                                                                                                                3 Tbsp sugar [do not use sugar substitute when pickling]                                                                          1 Tbsp kosher salt                                                                                                                                                  1.5 tsp dried oregano, Mexican if you can get it                                                                                                                   ¾ tsp peppercorns                                                                                                                                                 ½ tsp coriander seeds                                                                                                                                           ½ tsp dried thyme                                                                                                                                                   1.5 bay leaves, crumbled                                                                                                                                       ½ large onion, thinly sliced                                                                                                                                 3 cloves garlic, halved

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the cauliflower and carrot. When the water returns to a boil, boil the vegetables for 2 minutes. Drain the vegetables and refresh under cold water. Put the cooked vegetables in a large bowl with the zucchini and jalapenos and stir to combine. Put into a heat-proof one quart glass jar [ex: a Mason jar], and set aside on a cutting board.                                                                                                                                                          In a sauce pan, combine the vinegars, water, and all remaining seasonings. Bring to a boil, then simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors. Take off the heat and immediately pour over the vegetables in the jar. [I had a little left over, which I saved to pour in later] Let cool to room temperature, then put a lid on it and refrigerate until cold. Very pretty. Very yummy.

Marching Along

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It is now March.  If you have been diligent about Fasting, then you are marching along toward your goal of a new-looking you. A long journey begins with a single step, and a quest to control your eating begins with a single meal. You have your ‘marching orders.’ For other menu suggestions, read https://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/fast-diet-recipes-low-calorie-meals-120306312–abc-news-lifestyle.html which is based on Dr. Mosley’s original appearance on Good Morning America in 2013.

Ham Bake: 286 calories   7.2 g fat   1.9 g fiber   15.5 g protein   35 g carbs   282 mg Calcium GFham-souffle

1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                                  ¼ oz 3 % fat ham from the deli, minced                                                                                                           1 Tbsp reduced fat ricotta                                                                                                                                       1 tsp Parmesan cheese, grated                                                                                                                        large pinch of crumbled sage + salt & pepper to taste                                                                                      ¼ cup blueberries or 2 oz unsweetened applesauce                                                                                     blackish coffee, blackish tea, or lemon in hot water                                                                                   5-6 oz smoothie or natural apple cider

Spritz a ramekin with non-stick spray and set the toaster oven to 350 degrees F. Vigorously whisk the egg, ham, cheeses, and seasonings and pour into ramekin. Bake 15-17 minutes until puffed, not until golden. Portion the fruit, pour the beverages and this will surely be a good day.

Lobster Thermador:   269 calories   13.4 g fat   5.5 g fiber   29 g protein   18.4 g carbs  130.5 mg Calcium   PB GF   Lobster is wonderful for the Fasting Lifestyle, whether you get it pre-cooked or raw. The damage comes when it is slathered in butter. I think that butter masks the clean, pure taste of the lobster, so I haven’t dunked my lovely crustacean in it for years. This recipe is so elegant yet lacks calories to such an extent that I have added a very French dessert course: fresh peaches and raspberries.lobster-thermador

¾ cup lobster, cooked and cut into chunks                                                                                                       1 Tbsp heavy cream                                                                                                                                                   2 Tbsp Béchamel sauce [see: 1789, posted on July 13, 2016.] HINT: I always keep Béchamel sauce frozen in small amounts.                                                                                                                         ½ tsp Dijon mustard                                                                                                                                                     flat-leaved parsley, chopped, for garnish                                                                                                         3 oz green beans                                                                                                                                                 dessert: 1 oz raspberries [fresh or frozen] +  2 oz peaches, cut into cubes [fresh or frozen]

Stir together the cream, Béchamel, and mustard. Lightly fold in the lobster. Heap into a ramekin, sprinkle on the parsley, and heat at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cook the beans and put the fruits in a lovely bowl for dessert.

Lenten Fasting

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Fasting is a tradition for the Lenten Season.  It shows a willingness to forgo some of life’s pleasures to atone for sins.  Fast Days used to be a staple in the old days:  the king or the Church would declare a day of fasting to drive away an invading army or to halt the spread of plague.  History does not say how well that worked, but I can tell you that if you stick to 2 Fast Days each week [and eat reasonably the other days], this diet will work for you.  Today at the start of Lent, meals which feature neither eggs nor meat.                   Are you up for a challenge?  If you haven’t yet begun a full 5:2 Fasting Lifestyle [dabbled around the edges but not ready to commit], try it for the next 6 weeks. You will find that by the end, it will be almost second nature.  Go ahead! Do it.

Red White and Blue  295 calories   1.4 g fat  3.8 g fiber     20 g protein   45 g carbs    504 mg Calcium   PB   GF–if using GF bread    Ricotta is higher in protein and Calcium than cottage cheese, but you could substitute that if you wish.Red White & blue

½ cup fat-free ricotta                                                                                                                                                                 ¼ cup blueberries, fresh or frozen [if frozen, keep frozen until ready to use]                                              ½ cup sliced strawberries, fresh or frozen [after slicing, put in a strainer to drain the juices]                                                                                                                                                                            1 slice of 70-calorie multi-grain bread [Nature’s Own] cut into a star with the largest cookie cutter that will fit the bread                                                                                                                                            2 large pinches of cinnamon sugar                                                                                                       blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                 5-6 oz fruit smoothie, green smoothie or natural apple cider

Cut your slice of bread with a large star cookie cutter, freezing the scraps for use in Crab Cakes or Stuffed Clams or Crab-Stuffed Flounder. Sprinkle the bread with a small pinch of cinnamon sugar and toast it. Measure the ricotta onto your plate. Put the fruit on top. [I do not recommend stirring the fruit into the cheese, since it will ‘stain’ the cheese.] Top with a small pinch of cinnamon sugar and plate with the toast. Pour the hot beverage and the smoothie.

Felafel with Cucumber Raita:   276 calories   10.2 g fat   16 g protein   33.5 g carbs PB GF    The felafel is from the Eastern Mediterranean, while the raita is from India.  A happy blend of flavors and cultures.                           NO PHOTO                                                                                                                                                        5 felafel patties [see Because It’s June! June 1, 2016]                                                                                                    1 cup raw spinach                                                                                                                                                   1/2 tsp olive oil                                                                                                                                                       large pinch ground nutmeg                                                                                                                                          4 oz plain, non-fat yogurt                                                                                                                                         1 scant cup cucumbers, cubed                                                                                                                               1 tsp white wine vinegar                                                                                                                                         1 ½ tsp fresh mint, chopped or dried dill weed

Thaw out 5 of those felafel patties what we prepared last June 1. Heat them in the toaster oven or in a non-stick pan on the stove. Do not cook them in oil. Cut the spinach into a chiffonade [make a pile of leaves and cut thinly across their width]and put into a bowl. Cube the cucumbers. Stir together the yogurt, vinegar, and dill or mint. Add the cucumber cubes and stir gently to combine. Toss the spinach with the olive oil and nutmeg. Plate it and love it.

INGREDIENTS FOR NEXT WEEK’S MEALS: one serving size

Breakfasts

1 two-oz egg
¼ oz ham
Ricotta cheese, low-fat [or cottage cheese]
Parmesan cheese
sage, salt, pepper, rosemary, crushed red pepper
Applesauce [unsweetened], 2 oz [or pear]
Whatever you need for your smoothie
Whatever you need for your hot beverage

Dinners

¾ cup lobster meat
Cream or ½ & ½
Bechamel sauce, 2 Tbsp
Dijon mustard
Green beans, fresh or frozen
Raspberries, 1 oz
Peaches, 2 oz

Flavor-Full

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You should know by now that here we like food that packs a punch of flavor.  Not because of lots of salt or MSG or some fake additive, but because the food is made with good ingredients that taste great.  Eating food that is full of flavor can make the Fast Day meals something to look forward to.  I think that you will find that today’s menus leave nothing to be desired in the full-of-flavor category. Go on: enjoy your food!     And then read this article from England for some more encouragement: https://www.yahoo.com/style/we-tried-the-52-fasting-diet-and-the-results-were-surprising-085517013.html

Chicken Provinçal Bake:  280 calories    5.4 g fat   3 g fiber   15 g protein   39 g carbs    220.7 mg Calcium  PB GF   What wonderful flavors! Based on the dinner of the same name. chicken-provincal-bake

1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                                  2 Tbsp crushed tomatoes, slightly drained                                                                                                  ½ anchovy, [use canned fillets, rinsed and chopped]                                                                                         1 Tbsp low-fat cottage cheese                                                                                                                                      ¼ oz cooked chicken breast, minced                                                                                                      thyme  +   rosemary  +  pinch red pepper flakes                                                                                            1 oz strawberries                                                                                                                                                      5-6 oz fruit smoothie or natural apple cider                                                                                        blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water

Spritz a ramekin with non-stick spray and set the toaster oven for 350 degrees F.   Whisk together the first 6 ingredients [not the berries!] and pour into the ramekin. Bake for about 15 minutes while you portion the berries and prepare your beverages. Great way to start the day.

Shrimp Egg Rolls:   238 calories     3.5 g fat       2.5 g fiber      15.6 g protein      28.8 g carbs   45.8 mg Calcium  PB   I learned to make egg rolls when I worked for Jerry Willis. These have always been a favorite. But they are NOT deep-fat fried, which keeps their calories and fat down to permissable levels. HINT: This recipe makes 4 rolls and one serving = 2 rolls. Put 2 in the freezer for another day or eat for lunch later in the weekshrimp-egg-rolls-w-tomato.3 oz shrimp, fresh or frozen, shells removed                                                                                              1 Tbsp oyster sauce                                                                                                                                              1 Tbsp soy sauce                                                                                                                                                      one slice of ginger, minced                                                                                                                                ½ garlic, sliced                                                                                                                                                         2 oz carrot, sliced                                                                                                                                                     1 oz onion, sliced                                                                                                                                                     3 oz cabbage, sliced                                                                                                                                                4-5 six-inch egg roll wrappers                                                                                                                                1 tsp canola oil                                                                                                                                                           3 oz tomato slices                                                                                                                                       dipping sauce:  1 Tbsp plum sauce + 1 Tbsp hot sauce [wasabi or Sriracha]

If shrimp are frozen, thaw them in advance. Then slice in half across the body and mix with the oyster and soy sauces, the garlic and onion. Prepare the vegetables and put them all into a hot wok or wide saute pan with ¼ cup water and a squirt of Sriracha. [If the pan gets too dry, a a bit of the marinade combined with a few spoonsful of water.] Stir-fry the ingredients for 4 minutes or until the vegetables are just a little shy of done. Add the shrimp and marinade and stirfry about one minute longer – shrimp should be thoroughly cooked. Put everything from the wok into the food processor and run until coarsely chopped. [If a lot of liquid remains, cook it down some more until it is thick and add back to the ingredients.]                                                                                                            Lay one of the wrappers on a flat surface and moisten the edge farthest from you with water. Measure out 1/3 cup of the filling and roll up the wrapper. There are usually diagrams on the back of the package to show you how. [NB: If you end up with extra filling, either roll another roll or put it aside to mix with eggs for a breakfast.]  Put the oil in a clean, flat-bottomed pan and heat it. Put the egg rolls in the pan and roll them around to coat with the oil on all surfaces. Heat until the rolls are beginning to get brown and blister-y on one side, then turn to cook on the other side. HINT: Take the rolls you are not eating tonight and cool them.  Then freeze for another meal later. Don’t try to freeze them without the cooking-in-oil step.  You could continue cooking in this way or you could put the pan in a 375 degree oven until they are crispy. Plate with the tomato slices and the dipping sauce.

Anything is Possible

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I used to love to teach my students about Clyde Tombaugh. He was a Kansas farm boy with a high school education who wanted to be an astronomer. By pluck and luck, he ended up working for the Lowell Observatory and discovered the ‘planet’ Pluto. [Feb 18 is the anniversary of that]  His story shows that anything is possible if you work hard. So it is with losing weight and learning to eat a healthier diet. There is no magic fix: you have to work at it. But the result is worth it. You too can achieve your goals.  Think you won’t make it to dinner without breaking your Fast? Read this: http://www.cheatsheet.com/health-fitness/curb-your-appetite-5-ways-to-stop-feeling-hungry-so-often.html/?a=viewall                Welcome to Splendidfitness who is now following.

Breakfast Quiche:      304 calories       0.9 g fat      9 g fiber      14 g protein      37 g carbs 362.4 mg Calcium     GF PB     Since the late 1960s, quiche has been the staple of the brunch table. Updated for our use as Fasters, it packs a lot of Calcium as well as tasting very good. NOTE: this makes enough for 2 meals. Invite a guest or triple the recipe and have a party.  quiche w: melon-Bbs

For 4 [four] muffin-sized quiches – two for breakfast, two for lunch tomorrow.                            1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                               1 Tbsp + 1 tsp nonfat ricotta or cottage cheese, both drained                                                                         2/3 oz mozzerella cheese, grated                                                                                                                        2/3 oz Jarlsberg cheese, grated                                                                                                                              1 oz broccoli florets, steamed, chopped HINT: do this the night before or use leftovers from a dinner                                                                                                                                                           1/3 oz onion, chopped                                                                                                                                marjoram, salt, pepper                                                                                                                                               2 0z melon + 2 Tbsp blueberries

Steam the onion and chopped broccoli until cooked. Distribute among 4 prepared muffin tins. [I used silicone muffin pans. You could use cupcake papers as well. Both choices avoid added fat and calories.] Add the grated cheeses. Mash any lumps in the cottage cheese/ricotta and whisk in the egg. Spoon over vegetables in muffin cup, putting an equal amount in each. Sprinkle with salt and marjoram. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, until quiche filling is set. Prepare the fruit, the hot beverage, and the smoothie. 

Antipasto with Tuna: 252 calories   10.6 g fat   4.3 g fiber  20.6 g protein   23.7 g carbs  250.7 mg Calcium      PB   GF    This one is a keeper. Simple, off the shelf, pretty on the plate, good to eat. The photo shows enough for 2 people. Invite a guest who is Fasting, too.  The recipe is for ONE PERSON.amtipasto-w-herbs

1 oz roasted red pepper, without oil [I roast my own, slice and freeze them]                                          1 oz mozzerella, cut into ‘sticks’ [I buy blocks of mozzerells for slicing]                                             1/2 of a 5-0z can tuna, packed in water, drained and broken into large chunks                                       2.5 oz tomato slices                                                                                                                                                                    1.5 oz whole green beans, steamed, drained                                                                                                   3/4 oz marinated mushrooms                                                                                                                            3 Tbsp. garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained if canned                                                                                   2 black olives, pitted and sliced                                                                                                                              1.5 slices pepperoni, chopped                                                                                                                                  1/2 tsp flavored oil  +  salt  +  chopped fresh herbs: basil, chives, oregano

Prepare the ingredients and keep separate. Now combine the red peppers and olives.  Stir the pepperoni in with the garbanzos. On a platter, arrange the ingredients in rows as shown in the photo. Suit your own artistic nature as to what goes where. Be liberal with the fresh herbs.

Happy Birthday #2

~ me ~ Leave a comment

Tomorrow will be my husband’s birthday.  If ever there were a poster child for the Fasting Lifestyle, he’s it.  When nay-sayers look at diets, they say that fasting is probably unsustainable; that no-one would want to stay on that diet for very long.  We are almost to 4 years on the diet, and still follow it.  Even when I’m not home, my husband sticks to the diet.  Because he enjoys the food and he realizes the benefits of the plan.  I’m glad he’s on board, because I love him and want him to be healthy for years to come.  P, YTQ.

Rustica Scromelette:   292 calores  8.9 g fat      1.4 g fiber     16 g protein     33 g carbs       270 mg Calcium   PB GF   One of our favorite dinners for a Slow Day is Pasta Rustica. So why not enjoy those flavors at breakfast? The cheese, the herbs, and the eggs combine for a real WOW in the morning.rustica-scromelette

1 ½ two-oz eggs HINT: If you are serving one person, crack three 2-oz eggs into a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Whip up those eggs and pour half of their volume, crack three 2-oz eggs into a jar with a lid and put it in the ‘fridge for next week.                                       ½ Tbsp crushed tomatoes                                                                                                                                  ½ Tbsp low-fat ricotta cheese                                                                                                                          1/8 oz mozzerella, chopped                                                                                                                                1/3 oz onion, chopped                                                                                                                                                  ¼ clove garlic, minced or pressed                                                                                                                     basil + oregano + salt + hot pepper flakes HINT: I combined the tomato, cheeeses, herbs and spices the night before.                                                                                                                             1 oz melon                                                                                                                                                             blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                 5-6 oz green smoothie or fruit smoothie or unpasturized apple cider

Heat a well-seasoned cast iron or non-stick pan and spritz it with oil or cooking spray. Add the prepared onion and garlic and stir to cook briefly . Whisk the eggs with the cheeses and seasonings and pour over the onions in the pan. Scramble to your favorite degree of doneness. Plate the fruit, prepare the beverages. You are in for a treat.

Turkey Picatta: 257 calories   5 g fat   1.3 g fiber   31 g protein   21 g carbs   28 mg Calcium GFturkey-piccata

4 oz uncooked turkey breast                                                                                                                             salt & pepper                                                                                                                                                          ½ tsp olive oil                                                                                                                                                              1 Tbsp white wine                                                                                                                                                    1/3 cup chicken stock                                                                                                                                            1.5 tsp lemon juice                                                                                                                                                         2 Tbsp shallots, minced                                                                                                                                 pinch garlic powder                                                                                                                                                         2 tsp capers                                                                                                                                                                      3 oz tomatoes, sliced                                                                                                                                            ¼ cup brown rice [saved from a previous cooking time and frozen — a great time-saver today since brown rice can take 40 minutes to cook]

Combine the wine, stock and lemon juice. Put your hand on the turkey breast and cut it parallel to your hand into 2 pieces. If needed, pound the pieces to even out the thickness. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the turkey on both sides until cooked through, adding a little of the stock mixture if needed. Remove turkey to a plate and keep warm. Add the stock mixture and shallots to the pan along with the garlic powder, stirring up the brown bits on the pan. Cook down until only 3-4 tablespoons of sauce remain. Lastly add the capers. Warm the rice [if using cooked left-over rice],  slice and plate the tomatoes. Plate the rice, drizzling 1 Tbsp sauce over it. Plate the turkey, pouring the remaining sauce on it. 

INGREDIENTS FOR NEXT WEEK’S MEALS, portions for one person:                                    Breakfast: NB: breakfast on Monday makes enough for a breakfast and a lunch.                  breakfast on Thursday makes enough for a breakfast and a lunch.

3 two-oz eggs + 1 egg white 4 Tbsp + 1 tsp low-fal ricotta
1.4 oz mozzerella cheese 1 oz mushrooms
1 clove garlic 2/3 oz Jarlsberg cheese
1 cup cooked spinach Broccoli, 1 oz could use left-over
Nutmeg, salt, pepper, marjoram, chives, Onion, 1 oz
Melon, 1- 2 oz Grapes, 1 oz or substitute melon
Blueberries, 2 Tbsp
Whatever you need for your hot beverage Whatever you need for your smoothie

Dinner:  NB: dinner on Thursday involves some preparation in advance

Roasted red pepper 1 0z Mozzerella 1 oz
3 oz canned tuna or 2 oz fresh, grilled Tomato 2.5 oz
1.5 oz whole green beans [could use leftovers] ¾ oz marinated mushrooms
Garbanzo beans 3 Tbsp Black olives, 2, oil-cured
1.2 slices peperoni Red onion 2 tsp chopped
½ tsp flavorful finishing oil Broccoli 1.5 oz
1.75 oz chicken breast meat, cooked Bechamel sauce 2.5 Tbsp from a larger batch
3 part-buckwheat crepes – make batter ahead using recipe from Holy Crepes, Oct 13, 2015    need: buckwheat flour, unbleached white flour, 2 eggs 1.5 c. chicken stock        carrot slice           onion slice     3 T butter      ½ c half & half                                 3 T white whole wheat flour                              ½ c skimmed milk                                                     1 wedge Laughing Cow cheese

 

New Look

~ me ~ Leave a comment

On this day in 1953, Christian Dior presented his fashion collection which came to be called ‘The New Look.’  It featured a belted waist and a wide skirt, sans poodle.  Would you like your own new look?  More svelte, perhaps?  It is possible with the Fasting Lifestyle. Shop today for ingredients, and start working on your new look tomorrow.    And then read this review of the Fast Diet by WebMD.  http://www.webmd.com/diet/fast-diet-review

Sausage-Egg Bake:  303 calories   7.6 g fat     1.4 g fiber    17.2 g protein    32.7 g carbs    211 mg Calcium    GF      Quick and yummy: can’t beat that.sausage-egg-bake

1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                                1 chicken breakfast sausage, cooked [I like AlFresco frozen sausages, 50 calories/link]                                                   1 Tbsp low-fat cottage cheese                                                                                                                                                       pinch marjoram, salt, pepper                                                                                                                            ½ oz unsweetened applesauce                                                                                                                    blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                  5-6 oz fruit smoothie, green smoothie or natural apple cider

With the back of a spoon, mash the cottage cheese through a sieve to break up the lumps and make it smooth. Whisk the cheese with the egg and seasonings. Spritz a ramekin with oil or non-stick spray. Dice the sausage and put it into the ramekin. Pour the egg mixture on top and bake in the toaster oven 12-15 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs. Brew your warm beverage, shake and pour the smoothie, dish that sweet little dab of applesauce. Nice start to your day.

Crab-Stuffed Flounder: 273 calories      PB GF – if using GF bread      HINT: Serves 2 [two] but recipe could easily be cut in half.  Simply delicious.crab-stuffed-white-fish

½ cup crab meat                                                                                                                                                      2/3 ounce egg [white and/or yolk]                                                                                                                               3 Tbsp scallion, chopped                                                                                                                                                 2 tsp Dijon mustard                                                                                                                                             1.5 Tbsp fresh bread crumbs made using 70-calorie whole-grain bread                                              chopped parsley, salt, and pepper                                                                                                                     11 oz flounder or sole fillets. This must be as 4 [four] fillets if serving 2 diners                                  1 tsp butter                                                                                                                                                                       2 tsp shallots, chopped                                                                                                                                         ¼ cup white wine                                                                                                                                                per person: 1 cup lettuce dressed with ½ tsp olive oil and ½ tsp vinegar 

Combine the crab, egg, scallion, mustard, bread crumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper. Melt the butter in an oven-proof dish and add the wine. Lay two fish fillets in the dish and top with the crab stuffing. Lay the other fish fillets on top of the stuffing and lightly press down. Spoon some of the butter/wine on top of the fish. Sprinkle with the chopped shallots. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until the fish is cooked and opaque. Prepare the salad. When serving the fish, pour the pan sauce over top.

Iberian Itinerary

~ me ~ Leave a comment

How this Fast Diet  Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow, for a calorie total of less than 600. On another day this week, eat the meals from a different post, another day of eating 600 calories or less. Eat sensibly the other days of the week. That’s it. Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.

Last time we celebrated the cuisines of the Western Mediterranean, so let’s linger longer in this part of the world.  Today we will be in Spain. The breakfast is a variant of our old favorite Tapas dish, Flamenco Eggs. This time it appears in a ScrOmelette.  The dinner takes the same flavors of tomato and onion, combines them with garbanzos [Spanish word for ‘chickpea.’]  Several varieties of garbanzos are grown around Spain, coming from Andalusia, Extremadura, the Castilian plains, Zamora,  and Castile-Leon.  These are foods that Hemingway would have loved.  Enjoy your day in Espagña.

flamenco-scrom

Flamenco ScrOmelette:     287 calories     7.7 g fat    2.7 g fiber     15 g protein     38.6 g carbs   225 mg Calcium     PB GF    Tapas flavors in your breakfast scramble. Very good.

1 ½ two-oz eggs HINT: If you are serving one person, crack three 2-oz eggs into a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Whip up those eggs and pour half of their volume into a jar with a lid and put it in the ‘fridge for next week                                                                            1.5 Tbsp tomato puree                                                                                                                                          ¾ oz bell peppers, chopped                                                                                                                               1.5 Tbsp onions, chopped                                                                                                                                           pinch cayenne pepper + pinch parsley + salt to taste                                                                                                      1 oz melon                                                                                                                                                                     5-6 oz fruit smoothie or natural apple cider                                                                                     blackish coffee or tea or lemon in hot water

If stating the night before: Put the peppers and onions in a micro-wave safe container and nuke them for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato puree and the seasonings. Leave on counter overnight.   Next morning, stir the cooked vegetables in the sauce pan before adding eggs.                                                                                                                                              If starting at breakfast-time: Spritz a saute pan with non-stick spray and heat it. Put the chopped vegetables into the hot saute pan to cook, then add the eggs, seasonings, and tomato paste. Scramble together [or cook like an omelette] until the way you like it. Plate with the melon, pour the hot and cold beverages. Great flavors.

Chickpea Ragout with Beef**:                       GF   PB         nb: entire batch                                                                  of Ragout has 484 calories, so divide the whole thing into portions                     divided in 2:  242 calories   4.8 g fat    10.7 g fiber   11.7 g protein   40.3 g carbs   51.3 mg Calcium   divided in 4:   121 calories   2.8 g fat   5.3 g fiber    5.8 g protein    20 g carbs   26 mg Calcium  This is from Jacques Pepin’s Fast Food My Way. Although he doesn’t mean my kind of ‘Fast Food,’ Pepin has long been a proponent of healthy cooking. He presents this as a side dish, but for our purposes is best prepared as a main course with  meat for more protein. [If you want to eat it without the beef, top it with some cheese.]  

½ tsp olive oil                                                                                                                                                            ½ cup diced onions                                                                                                                                              ½ cup scallions, chopped                                                                                                                                      1 Tbsp garlic                                                                                                                                                              2 cups diced tomatoes, fresh or canned and drained                                                                                    1 and ½ cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed if canned                                                                              ½ cup chicken stock                                                                                                                                                                 ½ tsp salt +  ½ tsp pepper                                                                                                                                        ** 2 oz lean beef pieces, not ground beef

Heat the oil in a saute pan. Add the onion, scallion and garlic. Stir briefly over the heat then add the tomatoes, chickpeas, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat until liquids are mostly evaporated. If using now, separate out your portion and keep warm. Cool the remaining ragout and freeze it in serving portions.   If the meat is previously cooked, mix in with the ragout to warm the meat.  If the beef is raw, add to the pan along with the tomatoes and chickpeas to cook it.

SHOPPING LIST FOR NEXT WEEK:   for one person servings                                                                                               3 two-oz eggs : 2 whole eggs + one white + one yolk                                                                                 1-2 shallots           1 slice onion            1/2 clove garlic            pinch  garlic powder                                                                                                                                                1 Applegate chicken sausage [33 cal]                                                                                                           1/4 oz mozzarella cheese                                                                                                                                     2 Tbsp ricotta or cottage cheese, low-fat type                                                                                                   2 0z fruit + 2 oz banana [for smoothie]                                                                                                                     basil             oregano              hot pepper flakes           parsley          salt                pepper                                                                                                                                       2 oz applesauce or 2 oz strawberries [or 1 oz of each]                                                                             1/4 cup crab meat                                                                                                                                                    1 scallion                                                                    1.5 tsp lemon juice                                                                                          Dijon mustard                                                         1/3 cup chicken stock                                                                                                                                                   1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs                                 3 oz tomato                                                                                                      4 oz [2 fillets] flounder or sole                            olive oil                                                                                               2 tsp butter or olive oil                                         4 Tbsp white wine                                                                          4 oz turkey cutlet                                                    1/4 cup cooked brown rice

Western Med.

~ me ~ Leave a comment

Remember Club Med — all those sleek, happy people frolicking on the beach in the ads?  I don’t even know if it exists anymore, but who doesn’t dream of a beach vacation in February? [OK: those of you reading from Australia and New Zealand are having beach weather now. But not those of us a 44° North latitude.] If you can’t get away, at least your food can evoke sunny climes.  Breakfast in Southern France and dinner in Morocco — how does that sound? And Fasting will prepare us for future days in the sun, wearing bathing suits…hold that thought.

Chèvre & Spinach Bake:   279 calories   7.3 g fat   2.9 g fiber   13.4 g protein   39 g carbs 230 mg Calcium   PB GF  The goat cheese makes a sublime partner for spinach and the egg.chevre-spinach-bake-w-pear

1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                            ¼ cup cooked spinach, drained/squeezed                                                                                                         2 tsp creamy chèvre cheese                                                                                                                               lemon-dill seasoning + salt + pepper                                                                                                                1 oz pear OR apple OR applesauce                                                                                                        blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                     5-6 oz fruit smoothie, green smoothie or natural apple cider

Combine the spinach, cheese, and seasonings. Whisk in the egg and pour into a lightly-oiled or spritzed ramekin. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 12-15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the hot beverage and smoothie; plate the fruit. What a nice way to start the day.

Moroccan Tuna:    278 calories  1.4 g fat    7.2 g fiber     34.3 g protein     20.4 g carbs   PB GFMorrocan Tuna w: beans, clementines

4 oz tuna steak [When I see frozen tuna steaks at the supermarket, I get a few to freeze]                               Moroccan spices or  a mixture of ground cumin, mint, and cilantro                                                   1/3 cup white beans, rinsed and drained [Goya brand is always reliable]                                                            1 slice preserved lemon OR 1 slice fresh lemon                                                                                            side vegetables, choose ONE:     1/3 cup peas with mint OR 1/2 cup broccoli florets sprinkled with cumin OR 2/3 cupgreen beans sprinkled with cilantro                                                                     ½ of a clementine

Rub tuna on both sides with Moroccan spices. Chop the lemon and stir into the beans. Bake the tuna on a cast iron skillet for 4-5 minutes per side in a 400 degree oven. When the vegetable is cooked, drain and stir in the seasoning. Section the clementine and plate it all artistically.

This article nicely sums up what I’ve been saying:  Fasting is good for you! https://www.yahoo.com/style/fasting-affects-metabolism-233917630.html                                                    summary: Health perks though that appear to come from intermittent fasting.    When compared to traditional dieting, research suggests that intermittent fasting:                                                                                                                     Causes greater fat loss in abdominal area                                                                                                                 Causes less loss of lean body mass                                                                                                                          Improves cholesterol numbers and fasting insulin                                                                                                Decreases inflammatory markers.

Chinese New Year

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How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow, for a calorie total of less than 600. On another day this week, eat the meals from a different post, another day of eating 600 calories or less. Eat sensibly the other days of the week. That’s it. Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.

Happy Year of the Fire Rooster. May it bring you luck and joy. In honor of the 5-day festival, I invite you to partake of Chinese recipes, one is an old favorite, one is a new favorite.  Both fit the requirements of the Fasting Lifestyle which goes to show that Fasting can fit into any cuisine.  It is possible to celebrate a variety of cultures without sacrificing a healthy diet.

jian-bing-w-granny-smith

Chinese Pancakes ‘Jian Bing’:     300 calories     6 g fat   3.5 g fiber    15 g protein   59 g carbs  202.7 mg Calcium         PB   This delicious treat is popular Chinese street-food. And now it is popular in our household. Quick to cook and fun to eat. The crisp tart apple is a nice foil to the salty-spicy food. HINT: this recipe makes 4 of which 2 will do for the breakfast. Save the remaining 2 to eat cold for lunch tomorrow.

1/3 cup all-purpose flour        1.5 Tbsp white whole wheat flour      

1 Tbsp semolina flour     1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ½ cup water      ¼ cup chopped scallions, white and green parts                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1 egg, whisked                     Kosher salt            2 tsp Sriracha sauce + 2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce [or more to taste]                                                                                                                                                                                                     per person: 1 oz tart, crisp apple                                                                                                                      optional: blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon juice & hot water                                                                                optional: 5-6 oz fruit or green smoothie or natural apple cider

Whisk together the flours, one egg, and water until lumps are gone. Hint: this can be combined the night before. Whisk again in the morning. In a separate bowl, beat the other egg thoroughly. In a custard cup, combine the hot sauce and soy sauce. Using a good non-stick pan, add 2 brief puffs of non-stick spray, then wipe with a paper towel. [Keep the paper towel handy.] Heat the pan and add 3-4 Tbsp of batter, swirling the pan quickly to distribute the batter evenly to make a thin pancake that coats the bottom of the pan. Let cook for a minute or 2, then spoon some of the egg on top and smear it around. Sprinkle with a small pinch of salt and one quarter of the scallions. Cook until the egg on top is a bit set, then flip the pancake over. Brush the hot sauce mixture on top. Cook for 30 seconds, fold the pancake in 4ths, and plate. Use the paper towel to wipe the pan and repeat until all the batter and scallions are gone. Nb: I had whisked egg left over. If your hot beverage is brewed, your apples are sliced, and the smoothie is ready, then you are set for a real good start to your New Year.

Shrimp Spring Rolls

Shrimp Spring Rolls:     281 calories      6.5 g fat      4.5 g fiber      22.4 g protein     29.4 g carbs 126 mg Calcium     GF PB     Spring rolls are always a treat for Chinese New Year, for they represent luck. The Spring Roll wrappers look like 8” disks of opaque plastic, but after soaking for 10-15 seconds in water, they become clear and very pliant. If you are not accustomed to wrapping spring rolls or egg rolls, you might want to practice using wonton wrappers which are easier to manipulate.

3 oz raw shrimp, cut in half across the body         2 oz carrot, peeled and sliced into thin coins or cut as julienne                                                                        2 oz green cabbage, sliced thinly            1 oz chopped green onion           1.5 tsp soy sauce                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1 tsp olive oil                  3 eight-inch Spring Roll wrappers                                                                                                                    2 oz broccoli, steamed               Sriracha sauce

Chop and prepare all the ingredients and put them in small dishes near the stove-top. Heat a cast iron skillet or wok until hot and add the oil. When it is hot, add the carrot and cabbage. Stirfry for 3 minutes on heat high enough to keep the vegetables sizzling. If the pan becomes dry, add some water. This is supposed to be a no-no in stir frying, but we are cutting down on oil, OK? Add the shrimp and stir fry about 1 minute, until it is cooked. Add the green onion and soy sauce. Stirfry a bit longer until all is mixed and warm. Take off the heat. Remove the cooked mixture to a bowl. [if you want to, run it briefly through the food processor. This step is optional but it can make the mixture easier to roll.]  Steam or stir fry the broccoli separately.

Put a pie plate of warm water on the counter. Add one of the spring roll wrappers and let it soak a bit. When it turns clear, remove it and lay it flat on a dish towel. Spoon 1/3 of the filling mixture onto the wrapper. Roll up a bit, then fold in the sides, then finish rolling. Wipe out the pan and put a mere film of oil on it. Turn on the heat to medium-low. Put the roll in the warm pan. Repeat with the other rolls.  In the pan, turn the rolls until they are warm and slightly browned. Serve with hot sauce for dipping.