Authors: Joanne Howard
•
2 green onions, sliced
Directions:
➢
Place a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add sausage slices and cook on both the sides until light brown. Discard the liquids and place the sausages in the slow cooker. To the same pan, add dressing, brown sugar and juice. Simmer until the sugar dissolves. Pour this mixture over the sausages.
➢
Cover and cook on low for 1 ½ hours. Sprinkle green onions and serve
Nutritional value
High protein snack good for parties as an appetizer. You will have the minerals potassium and magnesium in this dish. This dish is also a great source of the Vitamins A and C. This dish is also a great source of iron.
Servings – 8
Ingredients:
•
8 cups apple, chopped
•
1 cup packed brown sugar
•
1/3 cup white sugar
•
1 cup all-purpose flour
•
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
•
6 ½ tablespoons butter, cubed
•
3 tablespoons apple pie spice
•
2 tablespoons apple butter
•
A pinch salt
•
3 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions:
➢
Place apples in the slow cooker. Add apple butter and lemon juice. Mix well such that the apples are well coated. Mix together in a bowl, cornstarch, 1 ½ tablespoons of apple pie spice and white sugar. Pour this over the apples. Sprinkle walnuts and mix well.
➢
In another bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, remaining apple pie spice and salt. Add butter. Use a pastry cutter and make the mixture to resemble a crumbly texture. Sprinkle this over the apples in the cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 4 hours. Serve warm.
Apples have antioxidants and fiber. The walnuts in the dish add the omega 3 fats that your body requires. The apple is a great source of the minerals sodium and potassium.
Servings – 8 - 10
Ingredients:
•
1 ½ cups long grain white rice, rinsed
•
6 cups milk
•
1 ½ cups sugar or sweetener to taste
•
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
•
¼ teaspoon salt
•
2/3 cup butter, melted
•
Whipped cream
Directions:
➢
Add all the ingredients except butter and whipped cream to the slow cooker. Mix well. Pour melted butter over it. Cover and cook on High for 2 ½ hours or on low for about 5 hours. Serve in individual bowls topped with whipped cream
Nutritional value
Milk gives you calcium. This is the calcium that your bones need to develop well. The rice in the dish is what helps in providing you with the required amount of carbohydrates that leave you with an immense amount of energy.
Servings – 12
Ingredients:
•
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour divided
•
2 ¼ cups sugar, divided
•
2 teaspoons baking powder
•
½ cup fat free milk
•
2 eggs, lightly beaten
•
¼ tablespoons canola oil
•
4 cups raspberries
•
4 cups blueberries
•
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
•
¼ teaspoon salt
•
Cooking spray
•
Low fat frozen vanilla yogurt to serve (optional)
Directions:
➢
Mix together in a large bowl, 2 cups flour, ¼ cup sugar, baking powder and ground cinnamon. Mix together in another bowl, eggs, milk and oil. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture. Mix well into a thick batter.
➢
Spray the cooking pot with cooking spray. Pour the batter into the pot. In another bowl, mix together the remaining flour, sugar and berries. Toss well and sprinkle it all over the batter. Cover and cook on High for 2 to 2 ½ hours or until a toothpick when inserted comes out clean. Serve with frozen yogurt if using.
Nutritional value
Berries are full of antioxidants. The milk is full of calcium that is needed for your body. The flour in the dessert provides you with the required amount of carbohydrates.
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
•
2 pounds chicken, uncooked
•
3 cups cooked black beans (either soaked and cooked or canned)
•
3 cups corn kernels
•
3 cups cooked garbanzo beans (either soaked and cooked or canned)
•
2 cups homemade salsa
•
1 cup salsa Verde
•
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Directions:
➢
Mix the ingredients together in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours. Serve with rice or corn tortillas. (Warm the tortillas)
Nutritional value
Packed with proteins and fiber, this dish will leave you with a feeling of fullness. This dish is a well – balanced dish. The dish contains the minerals iron and potassium in abundance.
Serves - 5
Ingredients:
For Meatloaf:
•
1 pound ground beef, extra lean
•
1 large egg
•
1/2 cup zucchini, shredded, squeeze out the extra moisture with your hands
•
2 cloves garlic, crushed
•
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
•
1/4 cup Italian parsley, finely chopped
•
Salt to taste
•
Pepper powder to taste
•
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
•
1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
•
1 tablespoon onion powder
•
Cooking spray
For the topping:
•
2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
•
1 tablespoon Italian parsley, chopped
•
2 tablespoons low fat mozzarella cheese
Directions:
➢
Mix together all the ingredients of the meatloaf in a bowl using your hands. Take aluminum foil, double fold it and line the bottom of the slow cooker. Similarly take another foil and place it criss cross. The flaps should be long enough for you to lift it when it is cooked.
➢
Spray the bottom of the cooker with cooking spray and place the mixture in it. Shape it into a meatloaf with your hands. Close the lid of the cooker and cook on Low for 6 hours or on High for 3 hours.
➢
To top the meatloaf: Spread tomato ketchup on top of the meatloaf. Sprinkle cheese over it. Cover and cook for a few minutes until the cheese melts. Remove the meatloaf from the cooker with the flaps. Sprinkle parsley. Chop into slices and serve with quinoa.
Nutritional value
This dish is high in proteins and low in carbs. The proteins in the dish break down slowly and help in keeping you energetic. You find that you consume lesser meals and are not very hungry. This dish is a rich source of magnesium too.
Serves -5
Ingredients:
For the Greek Chicken:
•
6 large chicken breasts, trimmed of fat, cut into strips lengthwise
•
Juice of 3 lemons
•
Zest of 3 lemons
•
1 1/2 tablespoons gluten free Greek seasoning
•
1 teaspoon Greek oregano
•
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
•
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
•
Cooking spray
For the cauliflower rice:
•
2 medium heads cauliflower, grated to the consistency of rice in a food processor
•
1 large bell pepper, finely chopped
•
1 large onion, finely chopped
•
1 1/2 teaspoons Greek Seasoning
•
1 1/2tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
•
Salt to taste
•
Freshly ground black pepper powder to taste
For Greek salsa:
•
4 medium cucumbers, chopped
•
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, chopped
•
1/3 cup black olives, chopped
•
1/3 cup Italian dressing
•
6 ounce feta cheese, crumbled
•
1/3 cup red onions, finely chopped
•
1/3 cup vinegar dressing
Directions:
➢
To make the chicken: Whisk together lemon juice, zest, olive oil, Greek seasoning, oregano and black pepper powder. Spray the bottom of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Place the chicken in it. Pour the lemon juice mixture over it. Cover and cook on High for 3 hours or on Low for 6 hours. When the chicken is cooked, remove with a slotted spoon and place on your cutting board. Shred the chicken using forks. Place the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and mix well. Keep on warm.
➢
Meanwhile, make the cauliflower rice as follows: Place a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add oil. When oil is heated, add onions and bell pepper. Sauté for a few minutes until the onions are translucent. Add cauliflower rice and sauté for 3-4 minutes for crunchier rice and 5-6 minutes for softer rice. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and keep aside.
➢
To make the salsa: Add together all the ingredients of the salsa in a bowl
➢
Place some cauliflower rice on individual plates or bowl. Place some shredded chicken over it. Top with salsa and serve.
Nutritional value
This is a grain free dish; it is low on carbs and high on protein. The carbohydrates that are provided by the dish leave you with a lot of energy. This dish is rich in the minerals sodium and magnesium. The dish is also a great source of the vitamins E and D.
Serves - 4
Ingredients:
•
1/2 a 15.5 ounce can black beans, rinsed
•
1/2 cup frozen corn
•
1/2 a 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeeze the excess moisture
•
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
•
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
•
1 jar (16 ounce) salsa
•
Salt to taste
•
Pepper powder to taste
•
4-6 corn tortillas (6 inch size)
•
3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
•
2 radishes, chopped into matchsticks
•
1 small cucumber, sliced
•
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
•
1 tablespoon olive oil
•
A few scallions, sliced to serve
•
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Directions:
➢
To a bowl, add half the beans and mash it. Add spinach, corn, cumin, half the cheddar cheese, remaining beans, salt and pepper. Mix well.
➢
Spread half the salsa at the bottom of the crock pot. Divide the bean mixture among the tortillas. Roll the tortillas and place it in the crock pot with its seams facing down in a single layer. Spread the remaining salsa over it. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over it. Cover and cook on Low for 3 - 4 hours.
➢
Meanwhile, mix together lettuce, cucumber, radish, and tomatoes in a bowl. Just before serving, add oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Serve with enchiladas. Scatter some scallions on top.
Nutritional value
This is high in fiber and iron. This fiber is what helps in the proper digestion of the food that you consume. The dish is rich in the vitamin C and K.
Servings - 8-10
Ingredients:
•
2 heads cauliflower, chopped into florets
•
8-10 large cloves garlic, peeled
•
Salt to taste
•
Pepper powder to taste
•
2 bay leaves
•
6 cups water
•
A little milk if required
•
2 tablespoons butter
Directions:
➢
Add cauliflower, water, garlic, salt and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Mix well, cover and cook on Low for 4-6 hours. Discard the bay leaves and excess moisture in the pot. Add butter. Mash the cauliflower with a potato masher or if you like a more creamier consistency, blend with a stick blender. Add a tablespoon or more of milk if it is too dry. Add pepper powder and more salt if necessary. Serve with green onions.
Nutritional value
Are you a lover of mashed potatoes but can't have it because you are health conscious? This mashed potato substitute is just for the weight watchers. It is low in carbs and tastes as good as the original mashed potatoes.