Recipes

Air-Popped Microwave Popcorn

categories: Posts, Recipes, Snacks

 

 

 

Air-popped popcorn in the microwave? Yes, it can be done and it’s so simple! I was just reading an article in USA Today about the newly-discovered health benefits of popcorn (namely antioxidants). So popcorn lovers out there, this is for you. Air-popped is the healthiest, and lowest-calorie way to enjoy this crunchy snack. The best part is that you can season however you want! Don’t have an air-popper you say? Don’t you worry, you can make sir-popped popcorn in the microwave.

Air-Popcorn

I admit, it took me a couple tries before I got it right. The first time, I put it in for too long, not only did the popcorn burn, it started smoking up the house and I think I inhaled some before I opened up all the windows and doors and tried to get both the smoke and the smell out. Needless to say that bag made it into the trash. It’s not difficult at all – and if you follow my instructions, you won’t repeat the mistake I made.

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Air-Popped Microwave Popcorn

Yield: 1 serving

Calories per serving: 120

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 brown paper bag

Instructions

  1. Pour the popcorn kernels into the brown bag.
  2. Fold the bag over twice, and lay sideways in the microwave, fold-side-down.
  3. Microwave for 1 minute and 45 seconds to 2 minutes. 
  4. Remove from microwave, and sprinkle with your favorite topping - I used garlic salt. 
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Panini Grilled Za’atar Chicken

categories: Chicken, Posts, Recipes

 

I grew up eating za’atar wih labaneh in a sandwich, or as a dip with Arabic bread. Lately, I’ve been noticing a zaatar craze outside middle eastern households. It’s starting to catch on, like hummus. So I found this great recipe for Za’atar Chicken that I adapted from Bon Appetit, and I thought why not try something new with a food I’m used to having a much different way. Well, I tried it and the my dad’s taste buds were utterly confused. Give it a try, and let me know what you think.

Panini Grilled Za’atar Chicken

Ingredients

2 Chicken Breasts
4 cloves Garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons zaatar
juice from 1 lemon
1 tablespoon dry Rosemary
 

Directions

Mix together zaatar, olive oil, lemon juice and dry rosemary in a large ziplock bag. Add chicken and coat chicken well. Marinate 1 hour to overnight. 
Grill the chicken on the panini grill until cooked through. Sprinkle with zaatar before serving.
 

 

Servings: 2

Nutrition Information: Cals 276. Carbs 12g. Fat 17g. Protein 24g. Sodium 259mg.

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Spring Focaccia Bake

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Breads, Posts, Recipes

 

It’s been feeling a lot like summer around DC lately. Strange, considering it’s March and we had a very mild winter and practically no spring. Honestly, spring time is my favorite time of year. I may be a bit biased because my birthday is in April. What’s not to love though? The weather is usually amazing – warm during the day with little-to-no humidity, and there are more outdoor gatherings. When the weather gets warmer, I start to crave lighter foods. That mean, more fruits, veggies and salads. The following is an easy recipe for Spring Focaccia Bake.

Adapted from D’s Kitchen.

Spring Focaccia Bake Recipe

Ingredients

1 loaf Focaccia Bread, cubed (or frozen cheesy focaccia rolls, cubed)
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1 Buffalo Mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch squares
1 package fresh Basil, chopped
15-20 Grape Tomatoes, halved
 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Sprinkle olive oil on the bottom of a baking dish (or corning ware dish)
Lay focaccia squares in the dish, top with mozzarella, and then tomatoes.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Top with basil and serve.
 

 

Servings: 4

Nutrition Information: Cals 436. Carbs 53g. Fat 18g. Protein 16g. Sodium 554mg.

 

 

 

Pizza Cups

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Pizza, Posts, Recipes

 

Healthy Pizza – yes, it’s been done…. in my kitchen. Only 35 calories per cup, these pizza cups are the perfect snack, or even finger food. The best part? Prep to finish in less than 20 minutes.

Pizza Cups Recipe

Ingredients

24 Wonton Wrappers
1 can Tomato Paste
1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
1 cup Shredded Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
24 slices Turkey Pepperoni
 

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Carefully place the wonton wrapper in a muffin tin (one wrapper per cup)
Mix together Italian Seasoning, tomato paste and a little bit of water (to loosen it up a bit).
Put a small amount of tomato sauce in each cup.
Cut the turkey pepperoni into fours, then arrange four cut up slices of pepperoni in each cup, top with mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 10 minutes.
 

 

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition Information: Cals 35. Carbs 4g. Fat 1g. Protein 2g. Sodium 74mg.

 

 

Red Snapper with Tahini-Parsley Sauce

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Posts, Recipes, Seafood

 

I love fish. All fish, really. I especially love crab legs – but that’s a discussion for another time. Because I try to limit my red meat intake to once a week, I have to get creative with chicken and fish. Enter red snapper with my mom’s tahini-parsley sauce. Usually, we make this sauce with Sayyadiyeh (a fish and rice dish). It’s super easy and so delicious with white fish.

Red Snapper with Tahini-Parsely Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

4 Red Snapper filets
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 tablespoon I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Light
2 tablespoons Seven Spice
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup water
Lemon Juice, from one lemon
Sea Salt, to taste
3 tablespoons Chopped Parsley
 

Directions

For the Fish: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over high heat.
Season the snapper filets with seven spice and sea salt, to taste.
Carefully add the fish to the skillet, bring down to medium-high heat and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side.
 
Tahini Sauce: Mix together tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic and parsley. Stir until mixed well. The consistency should be a little bit runny.

Garnish with toasted pine nuts

 

Servings: 4

Nutrition Information: Cals 401. Carbs 3g. Fat 25g. Protein 38g.

 

Arabic Food Made Easy Series: Imnazzaleh

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Arabic Food Made Easy, Posts, Recipes, Vegetables & Sides

 

Let’s face it, Arabic food takes forever to make. There are lots of steps and long cooking times, time I don’t have when I’m working full time and trying to conserve my culture simultaneously. That’s why I’ve decided to start a recipe series featuring traditional Arabic dishes, made much easier for those of us that have full time jobs and prefer to keep weekday cooking to 30 minutes or less. This is the fourth installment of the series. Don’t forget to check out previous posts in the Arabic Food Made Easy Series.

I’ve mentioned before my love for eggplant. I know for most it’s an acquired taste, but it’s a truly delicious veggie. A few months ago, I spent some time at my Tayta’s. My last night over, she asked me to come back the following night just for dinner. She was making a dish she had been craving for a while – Imnazzaleh (pronounced em-naza-lee). Well, she never got around to making it because she caught a bad case of pneumonia. I did, however, get her recipe and several weeks later I decided to try it out and bring her the dish she was craving.

Tayta’s Imnazzaleh Recipe

Ingredients

2 large Eggplants
1 can Diced Tomatoes
2 cloves Garlic (whole)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon Seven Spice
Sea Salt, to taste
Olive Oil
 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cut the eggplant into 1-inch cubes.
Coat the eggplant with olive oil and place on a baking dish (or two).
Bake for 40 minutes.
In a large skillet, over high heat sauté onions until translucent.
Add Eggplant, diced tomatoes, and garlic.
Add seven spice, and sea salt. Mix well.
Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 15 minutes.
 

Serve with Arabic Bread.

Servings: 6

Nutrition Information: Cals 157. Carbs 13g. Fat 12g. Protein 2g.