Lose the Clutter, Lose the Weight (28 page)

Grill, Broiler, or Stove Top

PROTEIN (UNCOOKED WEIGHT)
STARCHY SIDE
VEGGIE SIDE
8 oz peeled and deveined shrimp
2 soft white corn tortillas (6''), warmed
1 cup mixed vegetables (cooked from frozen) + 1 tsp butter
4 oz boneless center-cut pork chop
½ cup cooked rice pilaf
⅓ cup cubed fresh Hass avocado
5 oz boneless, skinless chicken thigh
⅔ cup rinsed and drained canned black beans, warmed
12 spears cooked asparagus + 1 tsp olive oil or butter
4 oz flank, top round, or sirloin steak
⅔ cup cooked quinoa
1 cup cooked green beans + 1 tsp butter
6 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast
⅔ cup cooked brown rice
1 cup cooked spinach or chopped kale + 1 tsp olive oil or butter
6 oz pork tenderloin
8'' flour tortilla, warmed
1 cup cooked broccoli florets + 1 tsp butter
4 oz wild salmon fillet
6½'' whole wheat pita
1 cup cooked sliced carrots + 1 tsp butter
4 oz beef tenderloin
1 cup cooked whole wheat pasta
½ cup pasta (tomato) sauce, warmed
6 oz baked sweet potato + 1 tsp butter
3 cups bagged romaine salad blend + 5 cherry tomatoes + 2 Tbsp light Italian dressing
6 oz plain baked potato + 1 tsp butter
¼ cup salsa + ½ cup shredded romaine + 2 Tbsp Cheddar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the grill or broiler or heat a skillet coated with cooking spray over medium to medium-high heat.

Brush/rub the meat or seafood with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with a flavor booster (see opposite page) if desired.

Cook as desired until the food reaches the proper doneness (see chart). Let stand 5 minutes before eating. Serve with a starchy side and a veggie side.

DONENESS SIGNS

FOOD
IT'S DONE WHEN . . .
Shrimp
It turns pink and gets firm
Pork chop or pork tenderloin
Internal temperature reaches a minimum of 145°F, plus a 3-minute rest
Boneless, skinless chicken thigh or breast
Internal temperature reaches a minimum of 165°F
Flank steak or beef tenderloin
Internal temperature reaches 145°F (medium-rare) to 160°F (medium), plus a 3-minute rest
Salmon
It flakes easily with a fork

FLAVOR BOOSTERS

Make your meat tastier with these go-to rubs. Mix up a batch and store in an airtight container.

All-purpose (chicken, beef, pork, fish, vegetables)

One tablespoon dried thyme
plus
2 teaspoons dried oregano
plus
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
plus
1 teaspoon cumin
plus
1 teaspoon onion powder
plus
½ teaspoon garlic powder
plus
¼ teaspoon cayenne
plus
¼ teaspoon salt
plus
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Sweet and spicy (beef, pork)

Two tablespoons chili powder
plus
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
plus
1 tablespoon ground coffee
plus
1 teaspoon cumin
plus
1 teaspoon onion powder
plus
½ teaspoon garlic powder
plus
¼ teaspoon cayenne
plus
¼ teaspoon salt
plus
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Basic jerk (chicken, pork, beef, shrimp)

Two tablespoons allspice
plus
1 tablespoon dried thyme
plus
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
plus
1½ teaspoons nutmeg
plus
1½ teaspoons cayenne
plus
1 teaspoon black pepper

SMART SHORTCUTS FROZEN ENTRÉES/MEALS

PRODUCT
CALORIES
PAIR WITH . . .
Stouffer's Homestyle Classics Beef Pot Roast
230
5.3-oz container 0% vanilla Greek yogurt + ¾ cup fresh blueberries
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Top Chef Chicken Fresca with Chardonnay
240
Blake's Organic Shepherd's Pie
240
Lean Cuisine Market Collection Salisbury Steak
260
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Top Chef Crust- less Chicken Pot Pie
280
½ cup unsweetened applesauce + 2 graham cracker squares
Organic Bistro Alaskan Salmon Cake Entrée
370
1 medium peach

Pasta

PASTA
2 oz dry pasta (white, multigrain, whole wheat, gluten-free, etc.)
SAUCE (PICK 1)
½ cup jarred pasta sauce
1 Tbsp pesto
½ Tbsp butter + 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp olive oil + 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
PROTEIN (PICK 1)
½ cup browned 93% lean ground turkey
½ cup chopped or sliced cooked chicken breast
2 (1 oz each) frozen turkey meatballs, cooked
½ cup browned 90% lean ground beef
3 or 4 frozen vegetarian meatballs (about 120 calories), cooked
1 link (3 oz) fully cooked chicken sausage, sliced
VEGETABLES (PICK 2)
½ cup sliced bell peppers
½ cup cut asparagus
½ cup cut green beans
3 cups fresh spinach
½ cup shredded carrots
6 frozen artichoke hearts
1 cup small broccoli florets
¼ cup frozen peas
1 cup chopped kale
TOPPING (OPTIONAL)
2 tsp chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tsp pine nuts

DIRECTIONS

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook per package directions.

Steam the vegetables until tender in a colander set above the pasta water (or add to the pasta water) during the last 3 to 5 minutes of cooking time.

Drain the pasta and return it to the pot over low heat. Add the vegetables, protein, and sauce. Stir to combine and heat through.

Transfer to a plate and serve sprinkled with topping, if using.

FLAVOR BOOSTERS

• Fresh herbs

• Lemon juice/zest

• Red-pepper flakes

QUICK PASTA MEASURING GUIDE

2 OUNCES DRY
APPROXIMATE MEASURE
APPROXIMATE COOKED YIELD
Spaghetti (and similar shapes)
⅔-inch diameter (held in fist)
1 cup
Elbows (and similar small shapes)
½ cup
1 cup
Penne (and similar large shapes)
⅔ to ¾ cup
1 to 1¼ cups
Orzo (and similar soup/salad shapes)
¼ cup
⅔ cup

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