THE 1,500-Calorie-a-Day Cookbook (25 page)

SERVE WITH

2 medium red bell peppers, cut into thin strips (2 cups)

Calories 20; total fat 0g (saturated fat 0g); protein 1g; carbohydrates 5g; fiber 2g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 0mg; vitamin A 50%; vitamin C 270%; calcium 0%; iron 2%

4 medium star fruit, sliced (4 cups)

Calories 30; total fat 0g (saturated fat 0g); protein 1g; carbohydrates 6g; fiber 3g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 0mg; vitamin A 2%; vitamin C 50%; calcium 0%; iron 0%

8 sugar-free frozen fruit pops

Calories 35; total fat 0g (saturated fat 0g); protein 0g; carbohydrates 6g; fiber 0g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 5mg; vitamin A 0%; vitamin C 20%; calcium 0%; iron 0%
Spring Greens and Swiss Chicken on English Muffins

with Cinnamon-Sugared Apple Slices

Calories 350; total fat 8g (saturated fat 2.5g); protein 37g; carbohydrates 31g; fiber 4g; cholesterol 80mg; sodium 480mg; vitamin A 10%; vitamin C 15%; calcium 25%; iron 8%

¼ cup honey mustard

1½ tablespoons diet mayonnaise

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (1 pound total), flattened to ¼-inch thickness

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

¼ teaspoon salt

4 1-ounce slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese

2 whole-wheat English muffins, halved

¼ cup thinly sliced red onion 2 cups (4 ounces) packed spring greens

 

  • Combine the mustard and mayonnaise in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Sprinkle both sides of the chicken pieces with the pepper and salt. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot, and coat the skillet with cooking spray. Cook the chicken 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until no longer pink in the center. Remove from heat, top each chicken piece with a cheese slice, cover, and let stand 1 minute to allow the cheese to melt slightly.
  • Meanwhile, toast the muffins and spread equal amounts of the mustard mixture on each muffin half. Top the muffin halves with equal amounts of the onion and greens. Top each with the chicken and cheese.

 

Calories 310; total fat 8g (saturated fat 2.5g); protein 37g; carbohydrates 19g; fiber 2g; cholesterol 80mg; sodium 480mg; vitamin A 10%; vitamin C 8%; calcium 25%; iron 8%

TIME-SHAVER TIP:
To flatten chicken quickly, place all four pieces on a large sheet of plastic wrap, cover with another sheet, and use a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy bottle to pound to a ¼-inch thickness. This makes for easy cleanup too!

Excellent source of calcium

Good source of fiber and vitamins A and C

Makes 4 open-face sandwiches total

Serves 4
(1 sandwich, ¾ cup apple slices, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon sugar per serving)

SERVE WITH

3 medium apples, sliced (3 cups), sprinkled with 2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar

Calories 45; total fat 0g (saturated fat 0g); protein 0g; carbohydrates 12g; fiber 1g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 0mg; vitamin A 0%; vitamin C 6%; calcium 0%; iron 0%
Grilled Ham, Onion, and Rye

with Baked Potato Chips, Celery Sticks, and Watermelon

Calories 350; total fat 7g (saturated fat 2.5g); protein 20g; carbohydrates 59g; fiber 9g; cholesterol 25mg; sodium 820mg; vitamin A 30%; vitamin C 60%; calcium 30%; iron 15%

8 slices reduced-calorie rye bread

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons dijonnaise

4 1-ounce slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese

¼ pound turkey ham, sliced thin

8 medium green onions (white part only), chopped fine (½ cup)

 

  • Lightly spray one side of each of the bread slices with cooking spray. Turn the slices over and spoon 1 teaspoon of the dijonnaise on each. Top four bread slices with a cheese slice and equal amounts of the turkey and onion. Top with the other four bread slices, dijonnaise side down.

 

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot, and coat skillet with cooking spray. Add the sandwiches and cook 3 minutes or until golden brown. Coat the bread with cooking spray, turn, and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until browned on the bottom.

Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 2 minutes.

Calories 190; total fat 6g (saturated fat 2.5g); protein 16g; carbohydrates 22g; fiber 6g; cholesterol 25mg; sodium 580mg; vitamin A 6%; vitamin C 4%; calcium 25%; iron 10%

TIME-SHAVER TIP:
Turkey ham is often sold in one piece or sliced. If you buy it in one piece, have the butcher slice it thin for you. When you get home, separate it into smaller quantities and store it in small freezer bags. Pop them into the freezer and pull them out as you need them.

Excellent source of fiber, vitamins A and C, and calcium

Good source of iron

Makes 4 sandwiches total Serves 4
(1 sandwich, 1 ounce chips, 3 celery pieces, and 1½ cups water-melon cubes per serving)

SERVE WITH

4 ounces baked fat-free potato chips

Calories 80; total fat 0g (saturated fat 0g); protein 2g; carbohydrates 17g; fiber 1g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 180mg; vitamin A 0%; vitamin C 15%; calcium 0%; iron 2%

4 medium celery stalks, trimmed and cut into 3 pieces each

Calories 10; total fat 0g (saturated fat 0g); protein 1g; carbohydrates 2g; fiber 1g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 50mg; vitamin A 2%; vitamin C 8%; calcium 2%; iron 2%

6 cups watermelon cubes

Calories 70; total fat 0g (saturated fat 0g); protein 1g; carbohydrates 17g; fiber 1g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 0mg; vitamin A 25%; vitamin C 30%; calcium 2%; iron 4%
Country Herbed-Cheese Crostini

with Grapefruit Sections and Baby Carrots

Calories 350; total fat 7g (saturated fat 3.5g); protein 15g; carbohydrates 59g; fiber 6g; cholesterol 35mg; sodium 920mg; vitamin A 360%; vitamin C 130%; calcium 20%; iron 20%

8 ounces French country bread or sourdough bread, cut in 4 slices

½ cup (4 ounces) light garlic and herb cream cheese spread, such as Alouette

16 small fresh basil leaves

1 medium tomato, sliced thin (1 cup)

2 cups (4 ounces) packed spring greens

¼ pound oven-roasted deli turkey, sliced thin

 

  • Place the bread slices on a baking sheet and place in a cold oven. Set the oven for 350°F. Turn the bread after 4 minutes. When the oven reaches 350°F (about 8 minutes total), turn it off, remove the bread, and cool completely.
  • Top each slice with equal amounts of (in order) the cheese spread, basil, tomato slices, greens, and turkey. Serve open face; cut in half, if desired.

 

Calories 260; total fat 7g (saturated fat 3.5g); protein 13g; carbohydrates 35g; fiber 2g; cholesterol 35mg; sodium 830mg; vitamin A 20%; vitamin C 15%; calcium 15%; iron 10%

TIME-SHAVER TIP:
Placing the bread in the oven while it is heating allows the bread to "slow toast," making it crispy without overbrowning or having to wait the extra minutes for the oven to heat up.

Excellent source of fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron

Makes 4 open-face sandwiches total Serves 4
(1 sandwich, ¾ cup grapefruit sections, and about 10 baby carrots per serving)

SERVE WITH

3 cups pink grapefruit sections

Calories 60; total fat 0g (saturated fat 0g); protein 1g; carbohydrates 14g; fiber 2g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 0mg; vitamin A 30%; vitamin C 100%; calcium 2%; iron 0%

1 pound baby carrots (about 40 total)

Calories 40; total fat 0g (saturated fat 0g); protein 1g; carbohydrates 9g; fiber 2g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 90mg; vitamin A 310%; vitamin C 15%; calcium 4%; iron 4%
Lemon Vinaigrette Greens on Italian Bread

with Sweet Grape Tomatoes and Pineapple Spears

Calories 350; total fat 11g (saturated fat 2g); protein 11g; carbohydrates 53g; fiber 7g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 580mg; vitamin A 25%; vitamin C 35%; calcium 10%; iron 20%

6 ounces Italian bread, cut into 8 slices, lightly toasted, and cooled

2 medium garlic cloves, halved crosswise

4 cups (8 ounces) packed spring greens

1 15.5-ounce can navy beans, rinsed and drained

¼ cup finely chopped red onion

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice or cider vinegar

 

  • Rub the toasted bread lightly with garlic. Top each serving with equal amounts of the greens, beans, onion, and basil. Spoon 2 teaspoons of the oil and 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice over each serving.

 

Calories 290; total fat 11g (saturated fat 2g); protein 10g; carbohydrates 38g; fiber 6g; cholesterol 0mg; sodium 570mg; vitamin A 15%; vitamin C 10%; calcium 8%; iron 15%

COOK'S TIP:
Don't skip the garlic-rubbing step. The garlic provides an extra layer of flavor.

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