What's for Dinner

9.7.12- Spaghetti Pizza 

Not too long ago my boyfriends mother told me about a simple dish that she prepared with leftover spaghetti. Not only did it sound delicious, but convenient and really easy. So I decided to try it. 



Ingredients
Whole wheat spaghetti (already cooked: I had half a box cooked already)
2 eggs
1 tsp grated cheese
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup part skim mozzarella cheese 
1 Tbsp Olive oil 

Directions
1. Beat 2 eggs and grated cheese in a bowl.
2. Pour over spaghetti and toss to coat.
3. Put olive oil in a skillet and heat until very hot.
4. Pour spaghetti mixture in the skillet and let it cook until brown.
5. You have to flip the spaghetti so put a plate on top of the skillet and flip.
6. Then put spaghetti mixture back in until cooked on the other side.
7. Remove from skillet put 1/2 cup tomato sauce (preferably low sodium) on top and 1/2 cup cheese.
8. Once cheese melts, serve in slices. 

**This was very easy to make and with preparation and cooking time was done in 20 minutes. 

Tip: Can yield 8 slices , limit yourself to 2 and have a side of vegetables with it. 

9.3.12- Parmesan Chicken with Roasted Potatoes and Veggies

I always see this one commercial, possibly for hellmans mayonnaise, that paints the chicken with mayo and sprinkles parmesan cheese on top. It looked so good and easy I decided to try it. 




Ingredients
(4) Chicken Cutlets (preferably thin sliced to reduce cooking time)
4 Tbsp. Low-fat hellmans mayonnaise
4 tsp. Parmesan cheese
1 lb. small potatoes (I love the multicolored for presentation) 
3 carrots, sliced 
1 lb. green beans 
Ground black pepper to taste
Garlic powder to taste
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Clean and quarter small potatoes.
3. Put 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a pan and place potatoes evenly out. Sprinkle with pepper and garlic powder. Toss to coat. 
4. Wash and clean chicken, pat dry. Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange chicken  in the pan side by side.
5. Put 1 Tbsp. low fat mayonnaise on top, spread with a butter knife. Sprinkle with 1 tsp. parmesan cheese.
6. Put both chicken and potatoes in the oven for 25-30 minutes. 
7. While chicken and potatoes are cooking wash and clean carrots and string beans. Slice them into thin strips. Bring water to a boil and then add green beans and carrots for 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. 

This recipe was really easy to make, took about 35-40 minutes with preparation and cooking time. It was delicious and nutritious, a great recipe for any night. 

Tip: Remember to make 1/2 your plate fresh fruit or vegetables, 1/4 protein (ex: chicken) and 1/4 starch or grains (roasted potatoes). Enjoy! 

8.29.12- Peanut Sauce over Buckwheat Noodles
*My friend Chelsey (also an aspiring dietitian) loves to cook, especially asian cuisine. She gave me this recipe which she made up and it is not only nutritious but delicious! Very simple, inexpensive and a great recipe for anyone who loves peanut butter! 





Ingredients
Sauce
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (you can use rice vinegar)
1/4 cup water 
2 tsp soy sauce, low sodium
2 tsp sesame oil 
garlic powder to taste 

1 pkg. (8 oz) buckwheat noodles 
1 sm. can water chestnuts
1 sm. can bean sprouts 
1 sm. can bamboo shoots 
1 bag chopped broccoli, frozen
Sesame seeds to garnish


Directions
1. Mix all ingredients for sauce in either a blender or a sauce pan and heat over medium heat. Once warm, set aside in a separate bowl. 
2. Cook buckwheat noodles as per package directions
3. Sautee tofu until golden brown on each side in a separate pan. Add vegetables.
4. Add cooked buckwheat noodles and stir.
5. Add peanut sauce, toss and heat for 1 minute. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve immediately. 

One of the most important aspects of studying dietetics is applying what you learn. This is done through a combination of eating healthy, staying active and always being informed. Although many of us are busy and eat out eating healthy becomes much easier when you cook for yourself because you are in control of what goes into the recipe.

What's for dinner is a page that will provide you with the recipe and picture of what I have cooked that night. I will also try to provide you with the nutrition facts for each recipe. If you have any questions about how to modify your recipes, suggestions on new recipes that I should try or want to have some of your recipes featured here please feel free to email me at dietitianambitionja@gmail.com.

I look forward to posting and hope you enjoy the recipes! Stay tuned.

-Jessica