Spanish Rice

Spanish Rice

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 3 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth (see Notes)
1 package (1.25 ounce) taco seasoning or 1/4 teaspoon each of chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, and oregano
1 cup instant brown rice
1⁄3 cup salsa
1⁄2 cup corn, frozen or canned and drained
1⁄2 cup black beans drained and rinsed

Directions

1. Bring the vegetable broth and seasonings to boil in a medium saucepan (2 to 3 quarts).
2. Add the rice, salsa, corn and beans. Turn heat to low, cover pot, and let cook undisturbed for 10 minutes.
3. Gently stir before serving.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Broth can be canned or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon.
• Substitute 1 1/3 cups of Farmers Market Salsa in place of the last three Ingredients.

Spicy Rice Casserole

Spicy Rice Casserole

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 8 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (15% fat)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small bell or jalapeño pepper, chopped
1 cup rice, uncooked
2 cups chopped tomato, fresh or canned, with juice
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon chili powder (or more to taste)
1 Tablespoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon salt
3⁄4 cup (3 ounces) shredded low fat cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Brown meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet). Drain fat.
2. Add onion and peppers and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until vegetables are soft.
3. Add rice, tomato, 2 cups water, and spices. Mix well and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add more water if needed.
5. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try brown rice and simmer for 10 more minutes.
• If using instant rice, reduce water to 1 cup.
• Try ground turkey in place of beef.

Brazilian Black Beans and Sausage

Brazilian Black Beans and Sausage

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 8 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2 teaspoons oil
8 ounces low-fat polish kielbasa sausage, cut into small pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced, or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup uncooked rice
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups water

1. Directions
2. Heat oil over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet); sauté sausage and onion until onion is clear.
3. Add remaining Ingredients.
4. Bring to boil over high heat, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Add mushrooms or green bell peppers for variety.
• If you like spicy food, add some cayenne pepper or chili powder.
• Try brown rice and simmer for 10 more minutes.
• Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans.

Butternut Squash and Chile Pan-Fry

Butternut Squash and Chile Pan-Fry

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 7 cups
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

1 medium butternut squash, about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds
1 1⁄2 Tablespoons oil
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder
2 cans (4 ounce each) diced green chilies (see Notes section)
1 cup grated cheese (try Monterey jack)

Directions

1. Peel squash, cut in half and remove seeds. Cut the squash into 1/2 inch cubes.
2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet). Add onions and cook, stirring for about 3 minutes. Add the squash, salt and chili powder.
3. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, about 10-12 minutes. Stir in chilies and cook about 3 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with cheese and cover until cheese melts, about 2 minutes.
5. Serve hot. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Prepare fresh chilies by roasting 1 pound fresh green poblano chilies (about 4 whole peppers) either by placing them over a stovetop gas flame or by roasting under an oven broiler. Turn them frequently until all sides are charred black, about 7-10 minutes. Allow peppers to cool, about 15 minutes. Remove the stems and seeds and chop.
• Like more spicy flavor? Use more or hotter chilies.
• Use as a filling for tacos, burritos or wraps!

Fish Tacos

Fish Tacos

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 8 tacos
Serving Size 1 taco

Ingredients

FISH
2 pounds cod fillets
3 Tablespoons lime juice (about 2 limes)
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
3 Tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon oil
1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon salt

SLAW
2 cups shredded red cabbage
1⁄2 cup green onions, chopped
3⁄4 cup nonfat sour cream
3⁄4 cup salsa
8 corn tortillas (6-inch)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place fish in baking dish.
3. Mix lime juice, tomato, onion, cilantro, oil, peppers, and salt and spoon on top of fillets.
4. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep fish moist.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until fish flakes.
6. Mix cabbage and onion; mix sour cream and salsa and add to cabbage mixture.
7. Divide cooked fish among tortillas. Add 1/4 cup of slaw to each. Fold over and enjoy!
8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Freeze extra lime juice to use later

Fish Taco Salad

Fish Taco Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Ingredients

2 pounds fish fillets (try cod, tilapia, snapper or others)
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
2 cups shredded cabbage or lettuce
2 cups chopped vegetables (try tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, corn, green onions, celery, avocado)
1⁄2 cup low-fat ranch dressing
1⁄2 cup salsa

Directions

1. Season fish with salt and pepper. Cook by your favorite method until it appears opaque and flakes apart easily (see Notes).
2. Mix cabbage or lettuce with other vegetables of your choice. Add chunks of fish. Drizzle with ranch dressing and salsa.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Cook fish:
  • In a Skillet - Spray or lightly oil a skillet.  Add seasoned fish and cook over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet) until flesh starts to appear white.  Turn fish over and cook until it flakes easily.
  • In the Oven - Put seasoned fish in a baking pan and cover with foil. Bake in a 350 degree oven until fish flakes.
  • Under a Broiler - Place seasoned fish on a broiler pan.  Broil several inches from the heat until the fish is opaque throughout and flakes easily.
  • To make tacos instead of salad: Warm tortillas. Layer cabbage or lettuce, vegetables of your choice, and fish on the tortilla. Drizzle with ranch dressing and salsa. Fold in half.

Cuban Baked Bananas

Cuban Baked Bananas

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 6 bananas
Serving Size 1 banana

Ingredients

6 bananas, sliced lengthwise
6 Tablespoons brown sugar
4 Tablespoons margarine or butter
1⁄2 cup raisins, or other dried chopped fruit
1⁄3 cup pecans, chopped

Directions

1. Lightly spray or oil a 9x13-inch pan.
2. Arrange the split bananas in the pan.
3. Top evenly with brown sugar, small pieces of margarine, raisins and pecans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.