Spaghetti Squash Marina Casserole

I found a recipe that sounds fantastic on this site http://jackiedoesdomestic.blogspot.com/2012/12/spaghetti-squash-marina-casserole.html
I am going to Dukanize it so that we can have it for dinner tonight.

Ingredients

-1 spaghetti squash
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1/2 tbs dried oregano
- 1 jar pasta sauce/pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup skim milk/ Fat Free mozzarella
-  Turkey Pepperoni


Directions

Heat the oven to 475. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove the guts and seeds.

Drizzle the olive oil over the halved spaghetti squash and sprinkle the oregano on top. Add cracked sea salt and pepper as you see fit. Place on a tin foil lined baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes. (to see who to roast the squash see this site: http://www.ehow.com/how_5672295_properly-roast-spaghetti-squash.html)

 Brown the ground turkey in skillet.


When the spaghetti squash is done use a fork to shred the roasted squash into their familiar spaghetti like texture. If you can't do this easily, you need to cook it a little longer. This may go without saying, but give it a couple minutes to cool off and use an oven mitt to hold the squash steady as you shred.

Place the shredded spaghetti squash in a casserole dish and pour the marinara on top. Add in the ground turkey and stir until the squash is evenly coated in sauce.

Sprinkle the mozzarella on top and place the turkey pepperoni slices over the cheese.

Reduce the oven to 375 and bake for about 25 minutes or until the cheese is golden and the mixture is bubbly. Then you're ready to serve! Beyond dinner, this is great to make ahead on Sunday and reheat for lunches all week long.

Note: this is not easy for someone with back issues. I tried to cut the spaghetti squash but ended up calling my In-laws to come over and cut it for me because I could not do it.   Even just forking the squash out made me hurt and the dish was heavy to put in the oven so I had to have someone pull it out for me when it was done.

Corn Flour Empanadas and Salad

I found a recipe to make empanada dough out of Meseca on this site: http://www.mexicoinmykitchen.com/2009/02/how-to-make-empanadas-with-corn.html

I am going to make Empanadas for Dinner tonight. Unlike the above site says I am going to bake my empanadas instead of frying them.

Ingredients :

• 2 cups of masa harina
• 1-¼ cups of warm water (amount may vary depending on air humidity and other wheatear conditions). I had to use about 2 1/2 cups of water 
• 2 pieces of round plastic cut out from a bag. (freezer bags are ideal for this purpose). I used parchment paper instead of plastic.
• 2 cups of filling ( I did two kinds:ground turkey with taco seasoning and breakfast sausage and onion ((Normally I just use ground beef, yellow and red and green peppers, onion, green olives Adobo and Sazon seasoning but those are not Dukan approved)) Note: Filling must be cold to keep the dough in shape. and don't over fill or they fall apart.
• smidgen of olive oil (to sprits  on the empanadas before putting in the oven to bake 

Preheat the oven to 375degrees

1. Prepare the dough in a bowl, mixing the masa harina, salt and warm water to form a ball, knead dough until smooth. Divide the dough in 12 balls, and flatten and slightly cover with plastic wrap. Set aside.

2. Place one ball of dough between two pieces of plastic and press using a tortilla press, a heavy skillet or a dish. I know, you have seen the tortilla press, but somehow I love to use my glass dishes for this step. So, do not be afraid, use whatever you have.

Remove the top piece of plastic and spoon some of the stuffing onto the tortilla. Leaving enough room to seal the edges.

Using the piece of parchment (or plastic) fold the dough over to make a half moon shape turn over. Pinch the edges, making sure they seal to avoid any leaking of the mixture while frying. Remove the empanada from the plastic set aside on a large plate or tray and cover with a plastic wrap. Keep working with the rest of the dough making the empanadas.

Bake the empanadas at 375degrees for 15-20minutes. 

for me they were too dry so I will have to correct that next time but still tasted good

 

For the Salad we just use baby field green lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, fat free cheddar cheese, turkey pepperoni, and any fat free dressing you like.

Banana Bread, Bacon Wrapped Cheese stuffed Pork Chop recipe, Stuffing

Microwave Bread for French toast in the morning.

The shape of the bowl determines how your bread will look using a square bowl/dish will give you a more bread like appearance and a deep round bowl gives a more roll like appearance.

Microwave Dukan Banana Bread  - Version using Baking Powder

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons of Oat Bran (This will usually be enough for two days)
• 1 teaspoon of Baking Powder
• 2 tablespoons of fat free Greek Yogurt (I used Greek Banana Crème flavor)
• 2 Whole Eggs

Method

1. Beat the eggs in a microwavable bowl with the yogurt
2. Add the oat and wheat bran and yeast and mix well.
3. Allow the mixture to rise for around 30 minutes.
4. Microwave on full power for between 3 and 5 minutes depending on the thickness of mixture.  A mixture made in a shallower bowl will cook quicker than one made in a deeper bowl.  You may need to experiment a little to get the timing right.
5. When cooked remove from bowl and allow to cool.
6. Slice in half and toast.

Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Pork Chop
(I found a recipe on http://www.cookingwithbooks.net/2013/10/bacon-wrapped-pork-chops-stuffed-cheese-apples.html am am Dukanizing it)

Ingredients

• 4 boneless pork chops
• Fat Free Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 
• 8 strips Turkey bacon   
• drizzle of olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste (or use Hidden Valley Ranch packets for a ranch flavor)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Remove excess fat from the sides of pork chops. Make a slice on the side of the pork chop to create a small pocket. Stuff with cheese. (If using ranch seasoning put on seasoning now after stuffing with cheese)
3. Wrap each pork chop with two slices of bacon.   
4. Place the pork chops in a skillet. Drizzle and season with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. Roast for 30-40 minutes until bacon is crispy and pork chops are cooked through. If you'd like extra crispy bacon, broil the pork chops for the last 4 minutes. Enjoy!

I would love to make this Stuffing!!!

Stuffing Recipe found on this website: http://hapacouple.blogspot.com/2011/11/dukan-stuffing.html

(the above website is one of my favs for recipes)

Serves 4-6
Prep Time: 30-45 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

1 batch Dukan Cheddar Bread croutons (we used Becky's bread recipe with Janice's jalapeno sub for the dill.  After you bake your bread and let it cool, cut them up into crouton sized cubes.  Bake them on a cookie sheet at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, then let them cool.  Spray them with a little bit of olive oil spray before baking.

2 stalks celery, diced small
1/2 red onion, diced small
3 water chestnuts, diced small (I am not using these I am on the cruise phase and cant have nuts)
6 oz. low fat turkey sausage (any low fat sausage would work), chopped
1/2 t. dried rosemary
1/2 t. dried thyme
1 T. fresh parsley
kosher salt and pepper to taste
1 c. low sodium chicken broth
1/2 c. oat bran
1 egg

(add mushrooms and olives ((olives are not allowed on the cruise phase)) both chopped if you like)

Saute celery, onion and chestnuts (mushrooms and olives if you choose to add them) until veggies are soft.  Add sausage, cook for a couple minutes.  Add herbs, salt and pepper.  Mix and let cook for a couple minutes.  Add chicken broth, then croutons and oat bran.  Let cook for a couple minutes.  Add the egg, mix well and cook for a couple minutes.  Transfer stuffing to pan, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes (uncover for the last 5 minutes).

Oh this was delish. My mom and I had one chop

And my husband had two chops!!! 

This was so delicious!!!

My Birthday (we made it a cheat day)

   So yesterday was my birthday. We decided to make it a cheat day (which we are not suppose to have but for my birthday we bent the rule). 

   My birthday dinner was stuffing, roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli and cheese, pecan rolls, fruit cups, and a coconut cake!! Then we had popcorn and Champaign at the Gallagher Last Smash Tour. Man was it good, but I am paying for it in weight gain right now---I gained 2lbs!!!   :-(    That's not to mention that I gained 2lbs the other day also because I have been more active(muscle). But the weight gain from yesterday is due to fat. 
 
  The next couple of days I will have to behave extremely well. It doesn't help that I can not do the exercise I am suppose to do because of my back issues. 
  

Cheddar garlic biscuits

I am making Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 cups corn flour
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (I always use more than the called for garlic)
• 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter cut into pieces
• 1 1/2 cups skim milk (add more if it is still too dry) 
• 1 cup (2 oz.) shredded fat free cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup parsley fakes  

For the Garlic-Butter Sauce:

• 1/4 cup butter (or margarine or Earth Balance spread), melted
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

 

Instructions

 

Preheat oven to 425degrees

• stir corn flour, garlic powder, and parsley in a bowl and mix.
• cut in the butter till it looks likes course
• add the milk
• add the cheese

   Press out dough to desired thickness and cut with a biscuit cutter. Put parchment paper on the cookie sheet and spray it with Pam. Put the biscuits on the sprayed paper and back for 30-45mins or until golden brown. Insert a toothpick and make sure it comes out clean.

   In a small heat-proof cup, add butter and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; melt in microwave for about 20 - 30 seconds. Alternatively, you may heat it in a sauce pan on the stove top. Baste warm biscuits with garlic butter sauce and serve warm.

 

 

 

Tuna Patties, Microwave Bread

Tonight I am making Tuna Patties for dinner.  We like crab cakes so I am hoping we will like these also.  I found the recipe on this website: http://mydukandiet.com/recipes/tuna-patties.html



Ingredients
Chives handful- to taste

 Eggs -1

 Oat bran -1.5 Tbsp

 Salt & Pepper -to taste

 Shallots handful- to taste

 Tuna, canned in water1 can (about 165g)

 

Instructions

1 Chop the chives and shallots.

2 Mix all ingredients together into patties.

3 Fry for about 3-4 mins on each side.

4 You can experiment with adding various herbs & spices.


I am also making Microwave Bread for French toast in the morning.


Both of the recipes I’ve given below are suitable for use in any phase of the Dukan Diet.
Microwave Dukan Bread  - Version using Yeast
Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of Oat bran (You are allowed up to 2 tablespoons of oat bran in the Attack and Cruise Phases but if you want to maximize the impact of the Attack phase it is better aiming for 1.5 tablespoons.  You can have up to 3 tablespoons if you are suffering with constipation.)
• 1 tablespoon of Wheat bran (You are allowed one tablespoon of wheat bran on any day of any phase of the Dukan Diet.  This is additional fiber in your diet is also a great help if you are prone to suffer with constipation.)
• 1 Whole Egg
• 2 Egg whites
• 3 tablespoons of fat free Greek Yogurt
• 1/2 pack of Yeast

Method

1. Beat the eggs in a microwavable bowl with the yogurt
2. Add the oat and wheat bran and yeast and mix well.
3. Allow the mixture to rise for around 30 minutes.
4. Microwave on full power for between 3 and 5 minutes depending on the thickness of mixture.  A mixture made in a shallower bowl will cook quicker than one made in a deeper bowl.  You may need to experiment a little to get the timing right.
5. When cooked remove from bowl and allow to cool.
6. Slice in half and toast.

The shape of the bowl determines how your bread will look using a square bowl/dish will give you a more bread like appearance and a deep round bowl gives a more roll like appearance.

Microwave Dukan Bread  - Version using Baking Powder
Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons of Oat Bran (This will usually be enough for two days)
• 1 teaspoon of Baking Powder
• 2 tablespoons of fat free Greek Yogurt
• 2 Whole Eggs

Method

Same as for the version using yeast.

You can use IHOP sugar free syrup on the French toast!! NomNom

Liver and Onions

I found a recipe that I am going to Dukanize for dinner tonight. I found it on http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=352991

 

 

Granny's Liver and Onions

 

 

Introduction

I love liver! It is great with smothered, sliced red potatoes, grits, or mashed potatoes (but those are not allowed on the Dukan Diet). Add some green beans (which is allowed) and you're all set. I love liver!                                                

Minutes to Prepare: 15

Minutes to Cook: 20

Number of Servings: 6

Ingredients

1 lb calves liver (I use beef liver and I am going to cook it with turkey bacon)
1 med onion, cut into large pieces
3 Tbs Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c flour (I use corn flour because that's allowed on the Dukan Diet)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Water 

Directions

Heat oil in skillet Flour pieces of liver and place in skillet, if you cook it with turkey bacon it will give it a better flavor. Brown on each side and remove from pan. Add onions and garlic powder. Saute onions until clear. Add flour one tablespoon at a time until oil is absorbed and flour is lightly browned. Add water to flour & onion mixture until it reaches gravy consistency that you desire. simmer for about 5 minutes and then return liver to pan. Cover and simmer for another ten to fifteen minutes. Serves four to six.

Number of Servings: 6