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Fast & Easy Dinner: Potato "Lasagna"

partysugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:30:49 -0800

Although this hearty dish is called a "lasagna," it's somewhere between the classic potato gratin and the old-school casserole. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes are topped with canned tomatoes and a bacon-spinach mixture. Grated cheese finishes off the one-pan meal that pairs perfectly with a simple green salad.

While it needs 45 minutes in the oven, the prep time is minimal. To learn how to make this crowd-pleasing, innovative dish, read more.

Potato "Lasagna"
From Real Simple

Ingredients

1/4 pound bacon (about 5 slices), cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 10-ounce package frozen spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
4 pounds Idaho potatoes (about 4 large potatoes), peeled and cut into 1/8-inch slices
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
4 ounces Swiss, Cheddar, or mozzarella, shredded

Directions

Heat oven to 450° F.
In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the bacon and onion. Cook until the onion is caramelized and golden brown, 9 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, mix in the spinach, and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, salt, and oregano. Set aside.
Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with vegetable spray. Arrange 1 layer of potatoes, overlapping slightly. Spread the tomatoes evenly on top of the potatoes. Pour 1/3 of the milk mixture over the tomatoes.
Add another layer of potatoes and then the bacon-spinach mixture, spreading evenly. Top with another third of the milk mixture. Finish with the last layer of potatoes and sprinkle on the shredded cheese. Drizzle the remaining milk mixture over the dish.
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown. Remove from oven and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 6.

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Healthy Eating Tip: Don't Eliminate, Elaborate!

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:14 -0800

When approaching health and fitness, many of us have the mentality that less is more. While this may be a healthy perspective to avoid overeating and practice portion control, a restrictive diet can wreak havoc on your mood and leave you wondering whether there’s anything out there you can eat. Instead, alter your state of mind: rather than thinking about what foods to cut out, start to think of your daily menu as a chance to add great-tasting, healthy options. Challenge yourself to make the most of your mealtime and see just how many creative and good-for-you foods you can include in your daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine.

To get creative, I like to take a cue from vegan menus. Let me start by saying that I am not vegan. I love poultry and seafood, but each time I decide to dine vegan, I’m always amazed by the variety on the menu. Every item is loaded with healthful, delicious ingredients that remind me to think outside the box the next time I’m planning a meal.

To get creative meal ideas, just read more.

Craving lasagna or a baked potato? Don’t deprive yourself these treats, simply reimagine them and treat yourself to a healthier version. An eggplant stacks is a great alternative to cheesy lasagna, and using fresh herbs, crumbled tofu, and fresh red pepper means it’s loaded with bold flavors and good-for-you ingredients. A baked sweet potato is another great option – and a great way to satisfy your craving for starch. Plus they are one of the healthiest vegetables around, since they contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and fewer calories than your regular potatoes. Even small changes like these can be big steps toward a healthier attitude and a healthier you.

To get creative ideas from your fellow FitSugar readers, check out their healthy food swap ideas.

5 Saltiest Meals, With a Side Order of Hypertension

FitSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Eating out is always a treat, but the problem with eating food someone else makes is that you have no idea how much sodium it's loaded with. 2,300 mg of salt (one teaspoon) is the recommended daily limit for healthy people, but if you have issues with high blood pressure, 1,500 mg is your limit. According to a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), "Unsafe levels of sodium chloride, or salt, in chain restaurant meals increase one's chance of developing hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease." This nonprofit food safety and nutrition watchdog group wants to reveal five meals from popular restaurants that should get a ticket for their obscene sodium contents.

Red Lobster Admiral's Feast with Caesar salad, Lobster-topped mashed potato, cheddar bay biscuit, and a lemonade - 7,106 mg
Chili's Buffalo Chicken Fajitas complete with tortillas and condiments, and a Dr. Pepper - 6,916 mg
Chili's Honey-Chipotle Ribs with mashed potatoes and gravy, seasonal vegetables, and a Dr Pepper: 6,440 mg

To see the rest read more.

Olive Garden Tour of Italy (lasagna) with a breadstick, Garden Fresh salad with house dressing, and a Coca-Cola: 6,176 mg
Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana with a breadstick, Garden Fresh salad with house dressing, and raspberry lemonade: 5,735 mg

They also list five kid's meals that have high sodium content. To see those foods, check out their website.

Food Review: Kashi Tuscan Veggie Bake

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:00:00 -0700

A quick and healthy meal is always appreciated in my life. Since I've had great luck with Kashi's frozen entrées like Pesto Pasta Primavera and Black Bean Mango, I was excited to try its Tuscan Veggie Bake ($5).

This entree is vegan, so it's low in saturated fat and cholesterol. How does it taste though? To find out read more.

I really enjoyed the savory, slightly spicy tomato basil sauce, and the noodles made from Kashi's seven-whole-grain flour were the perfect consistency - not mushy at all. Sandwiched between lasagna noodles were large bits or roasted summer quash, eggplant, onions, and sweet potatoes, which I really appreciated. Another interesting addition to the dish were the lentils that help this meal provide eight grams of fiber and eight grams of protein. When I read the label, I was so pleased to see the dish was under 300 calories and contained no cholesterol. If you're not a fan of onions and eggplant then you won't love this meal since it was chock full of them. Overall this meal was OK, but Mayan Harvest Bake is still by far my favorite.

Serving Size	1 entrée
Calories	260
Total Fat	9 g
Saturated Fat	1.5 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	700 mg
Carbs	42 g
Fiber	8 g
Sugar	8 g
Protein	8 g

Off to Market Recap: Casserole Dish

partysugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:45:52 -0800

When I made lasagna, I was horrified to realize I don't own a large casserole dish. I ended up having to make the lasagna in two pie dishes. To avoid this situation in the future, I asked you to help me find a casserole dish. You headed off to market in search of a large, oven- and dishwasher-safe serving vessel that can hold everything from potato gratin to white chocolate brownies. You saved the dishes in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Casserole Dish.

I'm madly in love with this Le Creuset casserole set in Caribbean blue. Aimeeb discovered this two-piece set that comes with 12-inch rectangular and 9-inch square baking dishes. It's on sale, which means I'll be able to afford it! Browse all the baking dishes you bookmarked below.

Geeksugar has put together an article that explains how to bookmark on TeamSugar. Check it out for more details!

Off to Market: Casserole Dish

partysugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:45:08 -0800

Last week I decided to make lasagna. My sausage tomato sauce was done, the cheese was grated, and the pasta ready, when I realized I don't own a large casserole dish! I ended up having to make the lasagna in two pie dishes. To avoid this situation in the future, I need to invest in a casserole dish. Let's head off to market in search of large, oven- and dishwasher-safe serving vessels that can hold everything from potato gratin to white chocolate brownies. Bookmark the dishes in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Casserole Dish. I appreciate your help!

GeekSugar has put together a post that explains how to bookmark. Check it out for more details! Not sure where to start looking? Be inspired by some of my favorite online stores when you read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Feed a Crowd With Hearty Moussaka

partysugar — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:00:16 -0700

If you've never had moussaka, the popular Greek dish that traditionally consists of ground meat and sliced eggplant, I highly suggest you make it soon. I recently did and couldn't help but wonder why I had never made this fantastic dish before.

Although there are several steps in the recipe, the final result is insanely delicious. First potatoes, zucchini, and eggplant are roasted in the oven. Next a mixture of tomatoes, ground beef, and lamb is cooked on the stove. These components are layered like a lasagna and topped with a creamy béchamel before being baked until bubbly and golden.

Moussaka is the perfect dinner party dish because you can make it in advance and bake it while the party is going on. To check out the recipe, read more.

Moussaka
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

Nonstick olive oil spray
2 12-ounce eggplants, peeled, each cut lengthwise in half, then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 1/2 pounds medium zucchini, trimmed, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1 pound red-skinned potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 pound lean ground beef sirloin
1/2 pound ground lamb
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes in juice
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup plain dry white breadcrumbs
2 large egg whites, beaten to blend
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Low-Fat White Sauce
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray 2 large baking sheets with olive oil spray.
Arrange eggplant slices and half of zucchini rounds, overlapping slightly, on 1 baking sheet. Arrange potato rounds and remaining zucchini, overlapping slightly, on second baking sheet. Spray vegetables generously with olive oil spray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until tender and beginning to brown, about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
Heat 1 teaspoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is tender, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons water if mixture seems dry, about 7 minutes.
Stir in oregano. Add beef; sauté until brown, breaking up with back of spoon.
Add tomatoes with their juices and tomato paste, breaking up tomatoes with back of spoon. Simmer until mixture thickens slightly, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Remove from heat. Mix in 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, egg whites and cinnamon.
Spray 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish with olive oil spray. Sprinkle 1/4 cup breadcrumbs over bottom of dish. Arrange potatoes in prepared dish. Spoon half of beef mixture over.
Arrange eggplant slices over. Spoon remaining beef mixture over.
Top with all of zucchini, overlapping slightly if necessary.
Pour warm Low-Fat White Sauce over moussaka. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cheese over.
Bake until top is golden brown, about 55 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.

Serves 10-12.

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Tips For Veggie Haters

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0800

Our moms didn't push vegetables on us for nothing. They knew that not only are veggies like carrots, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, but they're also low in calories and fat. These days, rather than avoiding them, I crave veggies because I realize how much better I feel after a meal of salad versus a huge bowl of fettuccine alfredo. If you're having a hard time embracing veggies in your diet, here are some tips for all you veggie haters.

Eat them raw. If veggies are overcooked, they can be mushy and flavorless, so you may actually prefer raw versions of cooked veggies you hated as a kid such as broccoli, spinach, or peas.
If raw isn't your thing, grill your veggies. They'll have a slightly softer consistency and a charred or smoky flavor. Grill corn on the cob, asparagus spears, portobello mushrooms, and slices of peppers. Brush them with a little olive oil or Italian dressing to add flavor.

What else is a veggie hater to do? If you're curious, read more.

Cut veggies into small pieces so their flavor and presence is less prominent. Add shredded raw veggies to your sandwiches and wraps to add a crunchy texture, or chop up bits of carrots and peppers and add them to soups or omelets.
Find a salad dressing or dip you love. Sometimes eating raw veggies on their own is way too boring, so find something you can pour over your salad or dip raw veggie sticks in, to make them more appealing. Just be sure whatever you choose is low in fat and calories. I'm a fan of Annie's Gingerly Vinaigrette.
Add veggies to dishes you already love. If you're a fan of pizza, lasagna, or mac and cheese, begin slipping some veggies into those dishes. Since you're already a fan of the food, it will make eating veggies easier.

If you have any other tips for veggie haters, share them in the comment section below.

Source

Ask E. Jean For DearSugar: The Olympics Have Me Down, How Do I Get Motivated?

E Jean Carroll — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Dear E. Jean,

I’ve been watching the Olympics. How do I get as motivated as these athletes? Watching all this extraordinary achievement makes me feel like such a loser. And the worst part is I can’t stop watching them.

I’ve been glued to the TV since they started, and I mean glued! Tonight while I watched the gymnastics I ate three bowls of cereal and a plate of lasagna! God! Am I the only person who's stopped exercising completely and is doing nothing but getting fat watching Shawn Johnson and Michael Phelps? I want to be successful, too!

I keep watching and hoping I’ll find out what their secret is, but nobody can put it into words. Should I just hire a life coach? - Coach Potato Girl

To see E. Jean's answer, read more.

Miss Couch, My Kumquat,

Oh, but the Olympic stars are revealing the secrets of their success. (And I’m not talking about Michael Phelps disclosing that he eats 12,000 calories a day or Nastia Liukin saying she likes to keep her “legs together on the dismount.”) Anybody watching the games has picked up a few Tips of Triumph:

Don’t focus on what’s wrong, concentrate on what’s right.
When an opponent falters, seize the opportunity.
Half the battle is knowing exactly what you want to do.
Play to your strengths. Know what you’re good at. And concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else.
When you can’t go on, go on.
And the single idea which seems to be shared by nearly every athlete: “I suffered all those horrid practices, pains, tears, sweat, blood, and set backs . . . and now that I’ve made it to Beijing, thank God I didn’t give up!”

As for hiring a life coach, well now. I’ve seen a couple of specimens on Oprah who were so brilliant that I gained a brain size just looking at them, but, alas, in the real world, 99 out of 100 life coaches are total douchers.

The motivation required to find a good coach (i.e. a coach who did not receive his “certification” from an online moron factory) and the patience needed to listen to his bull hockey if/when you do locate one, will waste any energy you have left.

Best to form a “Just Do It” group with your friends and enjoy a hilarious time energizing one another, or read Self-Reliance by the great Ralph Waldo Emerson. Old Ralphy will jam you so full of success strategies, you’ll run the 100 meters of life in 10 seconds flat.

To see more advice from E. Jean, visit Elle magazine and AskEJean.com.

Delilicious: Dinners That Magically Appear

babysugar — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 06:00:49 -0800

When a first–time mom comes home from the hospital with her new babe, relatives and friends may bring a few dinners here and there, but eventually the new mama has to fend for her family. So having tasty food delivered to her doorstep is a great gift.

Give the parents a break by setting them up with dinners from Magic Kitchen. They are a nationwide service that delivers delish dishes like chicken kiev to any address in the United States.

Keeping those with food allergies and other restrictions in mind, the menu has something for everyone. To learn more about the prices and see a sample menu, read more.

If you order a week's worth of two serving dinners, it will cost you about $153 plus S&H. If you'd rather let the wee one's parents choose the menu, you can send them a gift certificate in any amount and they can choose the cuisine.

A sample seven day menu includes delectable items like these listed below:

Day one: Chicken Breast Teriyaki, Saffron Rice & Fresh Cut Corn Medley
Day two: Apple-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, Asparagus with Lemon Sauce, & Double Fudge Brownie
Day three: BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Magic Mashed Potatoes & Apple & Sage Stuffing
Day four: Cheese Tortellini with Mediterranean Sauce & Panna Cotta - Our Signature Dessert
Day five: Sliced Beef Tri-tip au Jus, Broccoli & Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce, & Magic Mashed Potatoes
Day six: Pesto Lasagna with Red & White Sauce, “Bada-Bing” Cherry Bread Pudding
Day seven: Verdura Gourmet Artisan Flatbread with Kalamata Olives , “Pucker Up” Lemon Loaf

This sweet treat isn't limited to baby mamas, if you have a friend with a birthday or know someone who has fallen ill, it's a great thing to gift them too.