Archive → June, 2009
Skillet Summer Squash Recipe
Skillet Summer Squash
2 lbs summer squash, cut diagonally into ¼” slices
4 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
½ tsp garlic salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 can (14.5 oz) Italian-style diced tomatoes
2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (preferably reduced fat cheese)
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
½ lb whole wheat spaghetti
Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Season the squash slices with half of the garlic salt and pepper. Arrange squash evenly on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. Season the sliced tomatoes with the remaining garlic salt and pepper and set aside. Place about 1/3 of the diced tomatoes in the bottom of a large skillet. Add half of the squash and half of the tomato slices. Top with 1/3 of the diced tomatoes and half the Italian cheese blend. Repeat the layering and top everything with Parmesan. Cover tightly and simmer over low heat for about 25 minutes.
In the meantime, cook spaghetti according to package instructions and drain. Add squash mixture to spaghetti and toss well.
Fall Cleaning in the Kitchen
Fall Cleaning
I am starting my fall cleaning this week. I always want to do a deep cleaning when the weather starts getting a little cooler and before the cold weather starts. I always seem to have so much to declutter that I can hear my house breathe a little better when I take the bags of accumulated clutter ouitside.
I am starting in the kitchen and this is some of my list:
I like to do the basics first and get that out of the way:
1. Do the dishes
2. Sweep
Now on to the other stuff:
1. Clean off counters
2. Clean off my desk
3. Clean ceiling fan/light fixture
4. Do windows
5. Wash curtains
6. Unclutter top of fridge
7. Dust and clean other shelving and cabinet top
8. Clean and wash out cabinets
9. Wash off cabinet doors and drawers
10. Clean out drawers
11. Sweep Again and Mop
12. Clean out fridge
13. Clean out freezer on fridge
I think that is it for the kitchen but if I have forgotten something I will do it when I come to it.
Who wants to join me?
4 Low Fat Grilling Ideas
4 Low-Fat BBQ Ideas
If you like the taste of grilled food, you can enjoy it without all the fat. Grilling is a healthy way to eat food without all of the fat. The fat simply drips away, leaving you with succulent meat to enjoy. And the grill is versatile. You can cook more than just hotdogs, hamburgers and ribs. Start by trying one of these tasty grilling recipes.
Healthy BBQ treats
1. How to Grill Pineapples – Pineapple rings are a great addition to the grill. You can use them to top your favorite burger, eat them alone or use them as a base or topping for a dessert.
Begin by slicing your pineapples. Remove them from the juice and let drain if you are taking them from the can. Once the grill is hot, place them on the grate. Now, you will have to watch them to be sure that they don’t burn or dry out. The grilling will concentrate their juices for a sweeter, smoky flavor. When you see grill marks appearing, remove them promptly.
2. Caramelized Vegetables – You can even cook vegetables on the grill. Place the veggies of your choice in a piece of aluminum foil. Sprinkle them with some extra virgin olive oil. Tent the foil securely over them. This allows the space to turn into a convection oven and cook them evenly. Add a bit of soy sauce to the veggies so it can caramelize them. Try onions, sliced bell peppers, hot peppers and zucchini.
3. Grilled Corn on the Cob – Soak your corn in the husk in cool water for an hour. This removes any unmentionable bugs and saturates the corn and husk for better grilling. Pull the husk back to remove the hairs and then re-cover and tie with string. Close the husk to create a kind of convection within as you grill the corn. Place the corn directly on the grill for about thirty minutes. Dress corn with parmesan cheese, salt and butter spread.
4. Make Tasty Babobs – You can put just about anything on a kabob and flavor it to taste good on the grill. In the interest of low fat treats, skewer your kabobs with veggies and lean meat. Try chicken chunks, shrimp and lean beef.
If not using metal skewers, soak the wooden ones in water for about thirty minutes so they won’t burn. Add your meat and vegetable cubes. If you want to cover them in a succulent teriyaki or barbecue glaze, wait until they are about done cooking and then place on a piece of foil so the marinade can caramelize.