Spritzer Cocktails – The Many Flavors of Deep Eddy

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Club Soda, cocktail, Cranberry, Deep Eddy, Drink, Food, Fresca, lemon, low calorie, vodka

  
We were having lunch at our local golf course patio (see ealier blog post on Champions Bar and Grill) and our server, who we know really well, asks me if I like Fresca. Yes! I love the soda Fresca! That grapefruit flavor is so crisp, clean and refreshing. He goes on to tell me that he has a drink I need to try. I told him to bring it on!

He introduced us to a new product called Deep Eddy. Deep Eddy is a line of flavored vodka’s. And when I say flavored vodka’s, I mean FLAVORED vodka’s. These don’t just have the essence of lemon, it has the bold, bright taste of lemon. And that’s just one of the flavors! Luckiy, our local grocery store carries their Cranberry, Lemon and Ruby Red Grapefruit flavors. In looking at their website, I see they also have a plain vodka and a sweet tea flavor. 

You can drink it straight over ice, but that is pretty intense. We were introduced to this in the form of a spritzer. This cuts the sweetness and actually makes it into a fairly low-cal cocktail that’s not overly strong. They are delicious! The pink grapefruit flavor, when mixed with club soda, does indeed taste just like a Fresca! Very crisp and refreshing on a hot summer (or in California, a hot autumn) day!

Deep Eddy Spritzer

1 part Deep Eddy flavored vodka – Pick your flavor!

2 parts club soda

Fill a glass with ice, add the two ingredients and stir well. Enjoy!

Garlic Carrots – So Tasty!!!

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Carrots, Cooking, Food, garlic carrots, healthy, low calorie, low-fat, side dish, vegetable

 

I REALLY don’t like cooked carrots! Let’s just say my mother got new carpet when I was a kid, because my father forced me to eat my carrots and I didn’t make it to the bathroom in time. I’ll let you use your imagination.

As an adult, I do try new things and I try things in new ways to see if I like them. My husband and son-in-law both love cooked carrots, so I do make them occasionally, so they can get their fix.

Our family has also fallen in love with the multi-colored carrots (yellow, purple, etc.). You can see them in the photo above.

This particular carrot recipe is my favorite so far! They were really delicious! And that’s from a carrot hater! I hope  you enjoy!

Garlic Carrots

8 full size carrots, cut into bite-size pieces

1 tbsp ollve oil

2 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped or through garlic press
  

Boil carrots for 10 to 15 minutes until softened. Add remaining ingredients to a sauté pan and sauté for about five minutes in medium high heat. 

Enjoy!

Low-fat Quiche Recipe – Keeping the Great Flavor While Reducing Fat

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Breakfast, Brunch, Cooking, Dinner, eggs, Food, frozen meals, healthy, low calorie, low-fat, Lunch, no crust, Quiche

 

Who said, “Real men don’t eat quiche”??? My husband eats quiche and LOVES it!!! I love me some quiche too, but if you’re not careful it can be a very fattening meal choice. One night I was craving some quiche, but also wanted a low-fat, low-cal meal. I mentally started deconstructing my quiche recipe and taking out the fattening ingredients; Pie crust (gotta go!), cheese (uh uh!), sausage (I can feel my butt growing!). But what have I got without that good stuff???

I was determined to still have my quiche!

• Problem #1 – The Pie Crust – While delicious, pie crust is very fattening. I started thinking about what could work and I though about potato. Hashbrowns go great with eggs, right??? So I shredded a russet potato on my mandolin slicer, sprayed the bottom of my pan with cooking spray, scattered in the shredded potatoes, lightly salt and peppered them and baked at 400 degrees until lightly golden brown. A low-fat crust is born!

  

• Problem #2 – Cheese – This was an easy fix! I substituted fat free shredded cheddar cheese for full-fat cheese. You could also use a low-fat cheese depending on your taste, but the fat free cheese worked nicely. This ingredient went right on top of the potatoes.
• Problem #3 – Sausage – I love sausage!!! You can substitute a turkey sausage or this last time I diced up turkey bacon.

So I cooked the turkey bacon in a skillet and then added diced onion, kale, fresh basil and mushrooms (Get creative with the veggies! Use whatever you have. Other things that work well in quiche are spinach, broccoli, bok choy, etc). I then added 1/2 cup instant stuffing mix. In a separate bowl, I whisked together 4 eggs (you can also use egg substitute in quiche),salt and pepper, and 1 cup fat free half and half. I put the bacon/stuffing mixture over the potatoes and cheese and then poured the egg mixture in, sprinkled with some paprika and baked in the 400 degree oven for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

If you haven’t had it before, quiche is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It also freezes great! So I will often make 2 at a time; one to eat and one to freeze!

It’s not calorie or fat free, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction! And FYI, our family of 3 devoured that entire dish! I was lucky to get a picture before it all vanished!!!  I hope you enjoy!!!

White Wine Spritzer – A Refreshing, Low-cal Cocktail Choice

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cocktail, Cooking, Drink, drinks, eating, Food, low calorie, spritzer, summer, weight loss, white wine, white wine spritzer, Wine

  
I had always heard of a white wine spritzer and Weight Watchers always mentioned them as a good lower calorie drink choice, but I never tried one until recently. What on earth was I waiting for??? On a hot summer day, this is such a refreshing drink choice and it doesn’t weigh you down like straight wine can. We recently enjoyed these at my birthday picnic (see previous post). They are especially great for people that aren’t big drinkers. My inlaws don’t drink much, but they really enjoyed these!

These are a commonly made drink, so you can easily order them when you’re out on the town. They are also super easy to make, so they’re perfect for home parties or picnics. The other great thing about spritzers is that you can make them to suit your tastes and desires. Below I’ll share a suggested recipe, but if you want to lower calories or alcohol content just increase the amount of club soda to wine ratio. Club soda has zero calories so you  get the bubbly without the alcohol calories!

If you’re like me and are late to the spritzer game, I hope you’ll give this refreshing beverage a try!

White Wine Spritzer

1/3 part club soda

2/3 part white wine (I really like to use Sequin – Delicately Bubbled Pinot Grigio)

1 lime wedge – squeeze into spritzer and then drop in

Just add all ingredients to glass and gently mix. I guess you could make it by the pitcher for a party, but it might go flat over time. I also like to start with ice cold ingredients, so I don’t have to add ice, which will water it down when it melts.

Cheers!

Non-alcoholic Sangria – Our New Favorite Party Drink!

Tags

Drink, drinks, Food, fruit, healthy, juice, low calorie, non-alcoholic, non-alcoholic sangria, sangria, summer

Between Easter, Mother’s Day and family birthdays, we have had a few warm weather get togethers at our house lately. I concocted this non-alcoholic sangria that everyone just loves!!! My young nephew was trying to figure out how he could take every remaining ounce home with him!

It’s such a pretty drink with the colorful juices and cut up fruit floating in it and it’s incredibly refreshing! I usually serve it in a clear beverage dispenser that has a serving spigot. You know the type! This way you can see all the fruit. This does prevent people from getting the fruit in the dispenser into their cup, but I usually set out a bowl with all the same type of fruit, so people can add some to their glass of they choose. Another great thing about this recipe, is it’s family friendly and suitable for all ages. If you want to spike it, that’s completely possible too! We usually have a bottle of wine open and available for adults that might want to add a splash of that! You can use either a white or a red wine.

So here’s the recipe! Party on!!!

• 1 part club soda
• 1 part pomegranate juice
• 1 part white grape juice
• 1 part cranberry juice
• Sliced fruit: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, lemons, limes, oranges, etc. Go crazy!!!

Healthy note: To lower the calories in the recipe, you can use the light versions of the juices mentioned above.

Tip: I want to keep it cold, but ice would just dilute it and my dispenser doesn’t have one of those handy ice compartments. I put some of the sangria mixture with fruit in it, in a plastic cup and freeze it. Keep in mind that your frozen juice needs to be small enough to fit through the opening of whatever dispenser you are serving from. As the frozen juice melts, it doesn’t dilute the sangria, but it does keep it cold. I also recommend starting with cold bottles of juice. If everything is room temperature to start, your frozen juice won’t last very long and your sangria won’t stay cold very long. Also, feel free to try different types of juices; experiment and have fun with it! You can also substitute sparkling lemonade for the club soda if you like your sangria on the sweeter side.

Southwestern Layered Salad

Tags

barbecue, Cooking, healthy, low calorie, low-fat, picnic, potluck, recipe, salad, side dish, southestern salad, southwestern, southwestern layered salad

Since the weather is so pretty, I’ll stick with good barbecue/picnic fare. Today I would like to share a recipe that has been a favorite with our friends and family.  As you can see from the photo, this is a visually beautiful dish and it’s SO delicious! I usually make and serve it in a glass bowl, so I can show off the colorful layers. I also like that there is nothing in this that is incredibly perishable, so it can sit out a little longer than some dishes, which makes it great for entertaining and potlucks. And last but not least, I love the salad because it is low calorie and low fat!

Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for the recipe. I have to give that to Weight Watchers. This recipe is in their Winner’s Circle cookbook. I have to give Weight Watchers kudos on their recipes! I can’t recommend their cookbooks enough! If you’re trying to cook healthy, delicious foods, you will find wonderful recipes in their cookbooks. I have found that after cooking their recipes for years, I have learned numerous tricks that have helped to make my cooking lighter overall. I will share more of these tips and tricks in the future! If you’re looking to buy Weight Watcher cookbooks, there are a number of them available at Amazon.com. You can buy them both new and used.

Southwestern Layered Salad

1 (15 1/2 ounce) can of black beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup prepared tomato salsa

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 cups finely chopped romaine lettuce

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

1 (15 1/4 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained or equal amount of thawed frozen corn

1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced (I actually always use red bell pepper as I think green has an overpowering taste, but this is up to you)

1 red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (reduced fat or fat free)

1/2 avocado, peeled and cubed

2 slices of turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/4 cup fat free Italian Dressing (I’ve also been known to use my homemade balsamic vinaigrette)

1. Combine the beans, salsa and 2 tbsp. of the cilantro in a small bowl. Layer the various ingredients in the bowl in this order: bean mixture, lettuce, tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, onion and cheese.

2. Just before serving arrange the avocado on top. Sprinkle with bacon and remaining cilantro. Drizzle salad with dressing.

My 2 cents: I sometimes change up the order of the layers to make sure the colors vary for aesthetic purposes. I also drizzle some of the dressing half way through the layering process, so it can reach all the ingredients. Also, if you don’t feel like layering it, you can just toss all the ingredients together. I did this the last time I made it. It’s still gorgeous and just as delicious! Enjoy!

This makes 8 servings with 166 calories, 6 g of fat, 2 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 396 mg sodium, 23g carbs, 6 g fiber, 8 g protein.