(54) Creamy Broccoli Soup with Cheddar Crisps

I purchased the bags of broccoli florets to use in this, so I only had to chop the onion and celery. That made this relatively speedy to make. I used an extra 1/2 cup of water - use your judgment, it might need a little bit more than the recipe calls for. For not having any cream or even any broth in it, this soup was amazingly creamy!! We all enjoyed it. I couldn't really enjoy the cheese crisps because of my teeth, but my husband and daughter devoured them with the soup!! I will make this again, for sure!

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Creamy Broccoli Soup with Cheddar Crisps

Yield: 4 servings
Source: Food and Wine Magazine, February 2008

For an ingenious twist on the classic combination of broccoli and melted cheddar, Barbara Lynch serves a warming broccoli soup with cheddar crisps. Try making the crisps with Mimolette, an orange-hued semihard cheese from France, which has a milder, nuttier flavor than cheddar. The soup is equally good with cauliflower or celery root in place of the broccoli.

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 large white onion, chopped
3 small celery ribs, thinly sliced (1 cup)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 pounds broccoli, cut into florets
3 1/2 cups water
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Cheddar Crisps, for serving

1. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, celery and garlic and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes.

2. Add the broccoli and water to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes.

3. Transfer the contents of the saucepan to a blender and puree until smooth. Season the soup with salt and pepper and serve with the Cheddar Crisps.


Make Ahead
The broccoli soup can be refrigerated overnight.

Nutritional Information (per sparkrecipes.com)- this includes 2 crisps
Calories 149, Total Fat 9.8 g, Cholesterol 7.4 mg, Sodium 120.9 mg, Potassium 678.0 mg, Total Carbohydrate 12.0 g, Dietary Fiber 6.0 g, Protein 7.3 g

Without the crisps
Calories 120, Fat 7.4g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 76.8mg, Potassium 671mg, Carbohydrates 11.9g, Fiber 6g, Protein 5.6g

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(38) Pasta e Fagioli

I know I say that a lot of the recipes I cook are quick and easy, but this one should be put at the top of the list! There was nothing difficult about this. I minced my own garlic, which took 2 seconds as did opening the cans. Soooo, easy!!

I used regular spicy Italian sausage (not turkey - the plain was on sale!) and used 2 links. It was plenty spicy - certainly didn't need any extra red pepper! If you don't like spice, go for the sweet Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes until the heat is right for you! I wasn't sure if this was going to be filling enough, but it definitely was! We give this two thumbs up for sure!

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Pasta e Fagioli

Source: Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2000
Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

1 tablespoon olive oil
6 ounces hot turkey Italian sausage
1 1/2 tablespoons bottled minced garlic
1 cup water
1 (16-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 (8-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 cup uncooked small seashell pasta (about 4 ounces)
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans or other white beans, drained
Minced fresh parsley (optional)
Crushed red pepper (optional)

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage and garlic; sauté 2 minutes or until browned, stir-ring to crumble. Add water, broth, and tomato sauce; bring to a boil. Stir in pasta, 1/4 cup cheese, oregano, salt, pepper, and beans; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 8 minutes or until pasta is done. Let stand 5 minutes; sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese. Garnish each serving with parsley and red pepper, if desired.

CALORIES 353 (26% from fat); FAT 10.2g (sat 3.1g,mono 4.1g,poly 2.3g); IRON 4.5mg; CHOLESTEROL 34mg; CALCIUM 177mg; CARBOHYDRATE 45.6g; SODIUM 742mg; PROTEIN 20.5g; FIBER 4.5g

(37) Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Another excellent quickie for a weeknight dinner! I have to take this moment to tell you that I DESPISE garlic in the jar! Use the real stuff (ginger, too!) - it's so worth it! I used 4 cloves of garlic to get 1 Tbsp of minced. The sauce was not runny, but just sticky enough (like you get at the local Chinese place!) and very flavorful! If you don't like spicy things, cut the red pepper flakes down to 1/8th of a tsp.

I served this over rice and with some mini-eggrolls.  In the time it took the rice to cook, this dish was ready! This is a repeater for sure!

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Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Source: Cooking Light, JANUARY 2008
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

Stir-fry a zesty shrimp dish for a quick weeknight dinner. Spoon over basmati or jasmine rice. Try the recipe with chicken or steak, too.

1/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups small broccoli florets
1 cup vertically sliced onion

Combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Heat 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ginger and garlic to pan; stir-fry 30 seconds. Sprinkle shrimp with salt. Add shrimp to pan, and stir-fry 3 minutes or until done. Remove shrimp mixture from the pan.

Add remaining 1 teaspoon canola oil to pan. Add broccoli and onion to pan; stir-fry 4 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender. Add shrimp mixture and broth mixture to pan; cook 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly.

CALORIES 220 (27% from fat); FAT 6.7g (sat 0.8g,mono 2.4g,poly 1.9g); IRON 3.6mg; CHOLESTEROL 172mg; CALCIUM 105mg; CARBOHYDRATE 11.8g; SODIUM 577mg; PROTEIN 26.2g; FIBER 2.8g

(32) Broccoli and Cheese Soup

I was looking for something quick and warm tonight for dinner. I was expecting the soup to be a bit thicker and after reading some of the reviews on CL's website, I apparently was not the only one. Many readers suggested using only 2c of milk and also maybe using 5 oz of Velveeta and 3oz of shredded sharp cheddar for a stronger cheese flavor.

This soup was incredibly mild and flavorful, just as written. The broccoli (I used fresh) was very tender and hit the spot for me. So don't be afraid to make it just as written, if you don't like experimenting! It's not a super filling bowl of soup, but with a sandwich or a baked potato, it would be a perfect light supper! The baby liked it and so did I. I will make this again for sure.

PS: I don't think the blender step is a must, so if you don't have one or are lazy, you can skip it without stressing out :)

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Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Add voluptuous texture to a low-calorie soup by using processed cheese, which melts beautifully. Mix a small portion of the soup in the blender to add body.

Source: Cooking Light Magazine, January 2002
Yield: 6 servings (1 1/3 cup each)

Cooking spray
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 (16-ounce) package broccoli florets
2 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces light processed cheese, cubed (such as Velveeta Light)

Heat a large nonstick saucepan coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute 3 minutes or until tender. Add broth and broccoli. Bring broccoli mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook 10 minutes.

Combine milk and flour, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Add milk mixture to broccoli mixture. Cook 5 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Stir in pepper. Remove from heat; add cheese, stirring until cheese melts.

Place one-third of the soup in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Return pureed soup mixture to pan.

CALORIES 203 (28% from fat); FAT 6.3g (sat 4g,mono 1.8g,poly 0.4g); IRON 1.2mg; CHOLESTEROL 24mg; CALCIUM 385mg; CARBOHYDRATE 21.7g; SODIUM 897mg; PROTEIN 15.6g; FIBER 2.9g

(21) Parmesan Polenta with Sausage and Mushrooms

I need to get something off my chest before I review this recipe. Dear Cooking Light - what the hell kind of recipe serves FIVE?!? Weird. At the suggested serving sizes, I got 4 servings of polenta and 5 servings of sausage, which is fine because the baby will love the sausage serving. Ok, vent over.

This is a solid, quick, weeknight meal. I had it on the table in 30 minutes and there was little to no chopping, which is always a bonus!! I think this meal has potential, too. I think it would be great with some caramelized onions and a little fresh garlic in with the tomatoes. I also should have used fresh basil, but we're budget cooking this week, so dried had to do (it was fine!). I added a touch of red pepper flakes because I only had sweet Italian sausages in my freezer.

The polenta was delish (I used regular old cornmeal, not 'instant polenta') and a beautiful soft contrast to the sausage and mushrooms. My only suggestion to you is to slowly add the cornmeal to the water and whisk while you're doing it. Otherwise you'll end up like a few clumps. I speak from experience here, I promise!

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Parmesan Polenta with Sausage and Mushrooms

Source: Cooking Light Magazine, October 2000
Yield: 5 servings (serving size: about 3/4 cup sauce and 3/4 cup polenta)

3 (3-ounce) links hot turkey Italian sausage
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 (8-ounce) packages presliced mushrooms
2 tablespoons chopped fresh or 2 teaspoons dried basil
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
4 cups water
1 cup instant polenta (such as Contadina)
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pierce sausages; cut each diagonally into 1-inch pieces. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage; cook 3 minutes or until browned. Add the wine and mushrooms; cover, reduce heat, and cook 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove sausage from pan. Cook the mushroom mixture over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates. Stir in the basil and tomatoes; cook 1 minute or until heated. Return sausage to pan; keep warm.

While sauce is simmering, prepare polenta. Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan; stir in polenta, garlic powder, sugar, and salt. Reduce heat to low; cook until thick (about 5 minutes), stirring frequently. Stir in cheese. Serve with sausage mixture.

CALORIES 288 (30% from fat); FAT 9.5g (sat 3.3g,mono 3.6g,poly 2.4g); IRON 2.5mg; CHOLESTEROL 58mg; CALCIUM 95mg; CARBOHYDRATE 35.1g; SODIUM 689mg; PROTEIN 18.2g; FIBER 1.6g

(4) Corn and Bell Pepper Chowder

We live in Florida. It's normally warm here, but this week, brrrrrrrrrrrrr! It was in the 20s when we left for work this morning and didn't break out of the 40s during the day. That kind of weather calls for SOUP! This recipe is a quickie, great for a weeknight dinner. A little chopping, a little stirring, 30 minutes later, you've got soup! This is a hearty bowl, too. This soup, a nice green salad, and some crescent rolls = happy family!! I can't wait to have the leftovers!

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Corn and Bell Pepper Chowder

Yield: 4 servings (about 1.5 cups each)
Source: slightly tweaked recipe from Bon Appetit

4 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (thawed if frozen), divided
2 cups low-salt chicken broth, divided
2 Tbsp butter
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 5-6oz Yukon Gold potato, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3 large shallots, chopped
2 Tbsp whipping cream
Chopped green onions

1) Blend 2 cups corn and 1 cup broth in blender until almost smooth.

2) Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add next 3 ingredients; saute 5 minutes.

3) Add 2 cups corn, 1 cup broth, and puree from blender. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Mix in cream.

4) Season chowder with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls; sprinkle with onions.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 255, Total Fat: 10.9 g, Cholesterol: 25.8 mg, Sodium: 494.2 mg, Total Carbs: 38.5 g, Dietary Fiber: 4.8 g, Protein: 6.8 g

(3) Pork Chops with Maple Mustard Glaze

This was absolutely delicious!! I had to go out and buy real maple syrup... SO worth the money! This is a glaze, not a sauce, so don't be expecting to cover rice with this. It coats the pork chops beautifully and is sweet, but tangy. It's the perfect balance of flavors. (and it's EASY!!)

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Pork Chops with Maple Mustard Glaze

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 pork chop and about 1 tablespoon sauce)
Source: Cooking Light, May 2006

Maple syrup makes a fine stand-in for honey or sugar in sauces. Here, it adds a rich, sweet note to herbed mustard sauce. This sauce goes nicely with sautéed chicken breasts as well.

1 teaspoon butter
4 (4-ounce) boneless pork loin chops, trimmed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons heavy cream

Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle pork chops evenly with salt and pepper; add pork to pan. Cook 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Remove from pan; keep warm.

Add broth and next 4 ingredients (through thyme) to pan. Bring to a boil, and cook for 3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in cream, and reduce heat to medium. Return pork to pan; simmer 3 minutes or until pork is done, turning once.

CALORIES 214 (22% from fat); FAT 5.2g (sat 1.9g,mono 1.9g,poly 0.6g); IRON 1.2mg; CHOLESTEROL 68mg; CALCIUM 38mg; CARBOHYDRATE 14.6g; SODIUM 751mg; PROTEIN 26.3g; FIBER 0.3g

(1) Turkey Reuben Sandwiches

I know, I know, this is not exactly a recipe, more like a method, but whatever, I needed some guidance! I normally don't put dijon on a reuben, but it was quite tasty!! They were easy and quick and filling. And a good way to use up that leftover New Year's Day sauerkraut! YUM!

PS: I used some light butter-spread stuff instead of canola oil.

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Turkey Reuben Sandwiches

Source: Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2006
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 sandwich)

Smoked turkey stands in for corned beef in this lightened variation of a deli favorite. Serve with a pickle wedge and chips.

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
8 slices rye bread
4 (1-ounce) slices reduced-fat, reduced-sodium Swiss cheese (such as Alpine Lace)
8 ounces smoked turkey, thinly sliced
2/3 cup sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup fat-free Thousand Island dressing
1 tablespoon canola oil, divided

Spread about 3/4 teaspoon mustard over each bread slice. Place 1 cheese slice on each of 4 bread slices. Divide turkey evenly over cheese. Top each serving with 2 1/2 tablespoons sauerkraut and 1 tablespoon dressing. Top each serving with 1 bread slice, mustard sides down.

Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 sandwiches to pan; top with another heavy skillet. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden; remove sandwiches from pan, and keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and sandwiches.

CALORIES 255 (38% from fat); FAT 10.7g (sat 4.8g,mono 3.9g,poly 1.5g); IRON 0.7mg; CHOLESTEROL 44mg; CALCIUM 311mg; CARBOHYDRATE 18.9g; SODIUM 865mg; PROTEIN 19.6g; FIBER 3.4g

(93) Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch

I was looking for a chex mix-ish type recipe to make for our annual pumpkin carving party. I found this recipe and was glad I did!! I couldn't find the cinnamon cereal, but just used Rice Chex instead. My husband requested a repeat appearance at Thanksgiving, so I'd say this is a winner!

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Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch

Source: Chex.com
Yield: 16 servings (1/2 cup each)

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups Cinnamon Chex® cereal
2 cups Wheat Chex® cereal
2 cups Honey Nut Chex® cereal
8 oz pecans

1. In small bowl, mix brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice; set aside. In small microwave-safe dish, microwave butter on High about 30 seconds or until melted. Stir in vanilla. In large microwavable bowl, mix all cereals and pecans. Pour butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly distributed. Add sugar and spice mixture and stir until coated.

2. Microwave uncovered on High 5 minutes or until mixture begins to brown, stirring every minute. Spread on wax paper or a cookie sheet to cool. Store in airtight container.

Nutritional Information
1 serving: Calories 180 (Calories from Fat 80); Total Fat 9g (Saturated Fat 2.5g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 10mg; Sodium 150mg; Total Carbohydrate 23g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 7g); Protein 2g


% Daily Value: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 2%; Calcium 6%; Iron 30%

(91) Easy Shepherd's Pie

This is a modified version of this recipe. SUPER easy and flavorful. The filling had tang (almost like sloppy joe casserole?!). We all liked it, though, and I will make it again for a quick weeknight meal!

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Easy Shepherd's Pie

Yield: 6 servings

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2/3 cup ketchup
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
16 oz bag of frozen mixed veggies (corn, carrots, peas, green beans, etc) - THAWED
24 oz container of prepared mashed potatoes (such as Simply Potatoes)

Heat oven to 400° F.

Place the beef in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until no trace of pink remains, about 5 minutes. Spoon off and discard any fat. Stir in the ketchup and Worcestershire. Add the vegetables and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Spoon the beef mixture into an 11x7" baking dish.

Spread the potatoes over the beef and bake until heated through, 15-20 minutes (or until slightly browned on top). Divide among individual plates.

(80) Ancho-Rubbed Flank Steak

I got so excited to eat this that I forgot to take pictures. Oops! VERY flavorful and tender. This goes into the super easy/fast category, too! I served with mashed sweet potatoes and broccoli. This one's a keeper!!

PS: Check at Penzey's if your local store doesn't carry the ancho chili powder!

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Ancho-Rubbed Flank Steak

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 3 ounces)
Source: Cooking Light, MAY 2009

Make a main dish with ingredients almost entirely from the pantry. Roasted, simply seasoned potato wedges and a tartly dressed salad topped with smoky bacon complement this satisfying main dish.

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ancho chile powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Dash of freshly ground black pepper
1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed
2 teaspoons olive oil

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl; rub evenly over both sides of steak.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak; cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes; cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices.

CALORIES 175 ; FAT 7.8g (sat 2.6g,mono 3.8g,poly 0.5g); CHOLESTEROL 37mg; CALCIUM 19mg; CARBOHYDRATE 0.8g; SODIUM 286mg; PROTEIN 23.8g; FIBER 0.1g; IRON 1.5mg

(79) Fresh Tomato, Sausage, and Pecorino Pasta

This was another superfast and delish dinner. It was also SUPER filling. 2 cups of pasta!?! Sign me up!! If I could make one suggestion, it would be to let the dish sit after you add the pasta in... just let it sit for like 5 minutes so the sauce can soak in!

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Fresh Tomato, Sausage, and Pecorino Pasta

Ripe, late-summer tomatoes are juicy and delicious in this entrée, with no seeding or peeling necessary.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 2 cups pasta mixture, 1 tablespoon cheese, and 1 tablespoon basil)
Source: Cooking Light Magazine, September 2009

8 ounces uncooked penne
8 ounces sweet Italian sausage
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup vertically sliced onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/4 pounds tomatoes, chopped
6 tablespoons grated fresh pecorino Romano cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.

2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add sausage and onion to pan; cook 4 minutes, stirring to crumble sausage. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in pasta, 2 tablespoons cheese, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese and basil.

Wine note: Italian sausage craves a clean-tasting wine with the substance to complement the rest of the dish without overwhelming it. The smoky 2006 San Lorenzo Verdicchio Vigna Delle Oche ($23) is a great choice. -Gary Vaynerchuck

Nutritional Information
Calories: 389, Fat: 10.7g (sat 4g,mono 4.5g,poly 0.7g), Protein: 21.6g, Carbohydrate: 53.5g, Fiber: 4.5g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Iron: 3.3mg, Sodium: 595mg, Calcium: 159mg

(78) Mushroom-Herb Chicken

Truly a 30 minute meal, this recipe is filling and delicious!! My chicken breasts were HUGE but didn't take too long too cook. My only suggestion/tweak for this recipe is to cook the mushrooms and shallots in the sherry for more than a minute. Our mushrooms tasted a little boozy (is that a word?!), so don't let the shallots burn, but sautee for longer than the 10 seconds that the recipe suggests! I served with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.

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Mushroom-Herb Chicken

Marjoram is oregano's mild cousin. Crush the dried leaves to release their delicate flavor. For this recipe, use the largest shallots you can find; three large shallots should yield 1 cup of slices. Refrigerated mashed potatoes and broccoli complete the meal.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half and 1/3 cup mushroom sauce)
Source: Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast, Oxmoor House, APRIL 2009

4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
3 large shallots, peeled
1 (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
1/3 cup dry sherry
1 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

1. Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/3-inch thickness using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet. Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; coat with cooking spray. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; cook 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until browned.

2. While chicken cooks, cut shallots vertically into thin slices. Remove chicken from pan. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add mushrooms and shallots to pan; coat vegetables with cooking spray. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in sherry and marjoram. Return chicken to pan; cover and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until mushrooms are tender and chicken is done. Transfer chicken to a platter. Pour mushroom mixture over chicken; sprinkle with freshly ground pepper, if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 226 (10% from fat), Fat: 3g (sat 0.6g,mono 0.5g,poly 0.6g), Protein: 41.6g, Carbohydrate: 5g, Fiber: 1g, Cholesterol: 99mg, Iron: 1.9mg, Sodium: 262mg, Calcium: 33mg

(77) Barbecue Sirloin and Blue Cheese Salad

YUM! This was easy and very flavorful. I didn't measure the lettuce and used half of the dressing on 1 salad. I'll just make more for the leftovers. Delish! Please serve this with crusty bread to sop up the leftover cheese bits and vinaigrette!!

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Barbecue Sirloin and Blue Cheese Salad

Lean sirloin steak sits atop a bed of fresh veggies for an easy weeknight main-dish salad. Top with crumbles of rich blue cheese to bring out the bold flavors in the homemade vinaigrette.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups salad, 3 ounces steak, and 2 tablespoons cheese)
Source: Cooking Light Magazine, September 2009

2 teaspoons chili powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 pound lean sirloin steak, trimmed
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
6 cups torn Bibb lettuce
3/4 cup thinly sliced peeled cucumber
1 cup red bell pepper strips
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese

1. Combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; rub evenly over both sides of steak.

2. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add steak to pan; cook 5 minutes. Turn steak over; cook 4 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Place steak on a cutting board; let stand 5 minutes. Cut across grain into thin slices.

3. Combine vinegar, mustard, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add oil, stirring with a whisk. Combine lettuce, cucumber, bell pepper, and shallots in a large bowl. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad; toss gently to coat. Top salad with steak and cheese.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 269, Fat: 12.4g (sat 4.9g,mono 5.4g,poly 0.8g), Protein: 29.5g, Carbohydrate: 9.4g, Fiber: 2.6g, Cholesterol: 57mg, Iron: 2.8mg, Sodium: 671mg, Calcium: 141mg

(75) Pork Tenderloin with Paprika Spice Rub

Quick and easy weeknight meal. The rub is very flavorful!

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Pork Tenderloin with Paprika Spice Rub

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 3 ounces)
Source: Cooking Light Magazine, November 2008

1 tablespoon Paprika Spice Blend
1 (1-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed
Cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 500°.

2. Rub Paprika Spice Blend over pork. Place pork in a roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 500° for 20 minutes or until a thermometer registers 155°.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 191 (26% from fat), Fat: 5.6g (sat 1.9g,mono 2.2g,poly 0.5g), Protein: 32.1g, Carbohydrate: 0.9g, Fiber: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 90mg, Iron: 1.8mg, Sodium: 284mg, Calcium: 10mg