healthy food

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When I asked my grandson to rate this on a 1-5 scale, he gave it a 10.

Pumpkin Spinach Lasagna

6 moderate servings – I would serve with a cooked green veggie on the side or a big leafy green salad on the side.

4 no boil lasagna noodles, pour boiling water over them and soak for 5 minutes, then remove and drain in a single layer on paper towels, they will be softened but still slightly firm.

1 C reduced fat ricotta cheese

1 C shredded part skim mozzarella

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 C pumpkin

1/4 C skim milk

1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 C cooked, drained, chopped spinach

1 Tsp finely snipped fresh sage

1/2 cup each shredded mozzarella and parmesan, additional sage – mixed together

Mix ricotta, mozzarella, salt and pepper in a large bowl, then divide in half into 2 bowls.

Add the pumpkin, pie spice, and milk to one bowl and mix well.

Add the spinach and sage to the other bowl.

To assemble

Use a bread loaf pan – spray with non stick spray, such as PAM

Place 1/4 of the pumpkin in the bottom of loaf pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle with a little

Parmesan mixture. place 1 noodle on top, then spinach layer, parmesan, noodle, repeat, pressing down a little after each noodle to make sure it is all evenly distributed in each layer. until all noodles used and finish with a layer of pumpkin on top, and sprinkle with part mixture. cover with foil and bake at 375 for 40 minutes, remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until lightly browned and bubbling hot.

After covered with foil may be refrigerated over night and cooked the next day if you wish.

226 calories, 16 carbs, 10 fat, 19 protein

Green Bean uncasserole

I love green beans and grew up with the ubiquitous green bean casserole at the holidays. I have looked for ways to have something with the same elements, but with out the goopy high sodium soups, and often over cooked, limp green beans. I also did not want the high fat fried onions on top.

My tastes have changed and I want the fresh tastes of the vegetables to shine through. I think this dish accomplishes that goal, and takes only minutes to prepare.

1 lb. fresh green beans, ends trimmed, See note below about using frozen green beans for easier prep

1 tsp olive oil

1 cup red onion thinly sliced

8 oz baby portabella, white button, and/or shitaake mushrooms, thinly sliced, will equal about 3 cups sliced

1 -1 1/2 tsp lemon pepper

1/4 C vegetable or chicken broth (I use premade ones, from a box)

Drop green beans into about 2-3 inches of boiling water in a large deep skillet or wok, and cook for 5 minutes, remove green beans and place to the side on a plate. If you are prepping in advance they can be placed in a bowl of ice water to quickly chill and stop further cooking.

Pour water out of skillet, and dry with a paper towel.

Place olive oil into skillet over medium high heat and when it is hot add onions and mushrooms, stir around to get coated a bit in the oil and cook for about 5-8 minutes until mushrooms and onions are soft and lightly browned.

Return green beans to skillet, add broth, lemon pepper and salt to taste, cover with a tight fitting lid, and cook over high heat for another 3-5 minutes until all is hot and green beans are tender but still brightly colored.

note, you may use a 1 lb bag of frozen green beans that have been completely thawed. if you do, omit the initial boiling. If I do use frozen beans, I like the very thin green beans from Trader Joes or Aldi. They taste very fresh this way, are high quality and visually attractive.

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Pumpkin and Spinach Lasagna

Green Bean Uncasserole