Alternative Shortcakes Anyone?

Another Hungry Girl recipe down!! The other day I decided to put together the Strawberry Shortcakes from Hungry Girl's 200 Under 200 Cookbook! I love strawberry shortcake because it's light and it's got fruit! I mean what's not to love right? And usually I try and make it as healthy as possible by using Bisquik Heart Smart Mix (which is AMAZING if you haven't tried it). But since Hungry Girl offers an even healthier recipe how could I not try it??

Gather up the ingredients: Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding Snack, Fat Free Nilla Wafers (I used a knock off brand), Fat Free Whipped Topping, and some Strawberry Preserves. My advice get the preserves, I used a jelly cause I had some for my toast.

First combine the whipped topping, pudding snack, and jelly in a bowl. Make sure to mix these really well together!

Use a jelly preserve otherwise it looks like this cause the jelly doesn't mix as well as a preserve would.

Next place a nilla wafer in the bottom of a cupcake paper. This recipe makes 4 of these so you only need 4 wafers.

Top with your mixture and then pop them into the freezer. I froze mine overnight but the recipe says you only have to freeze for one hour if you want to enjoy them the same day you prepare them.

Here is the finished product......

Not the best! I was actually super disappointed because this seemed so easy and such a better alternative then making a mess of my kitchen to make the actual shortcakes. While they weren't horrible, they were alright, I won't be making them again. Maybe they shouldn't have been frozen over night maybe I should have eaten them after an hour, maybe I should have used preserves. I will not be making these again though...good try Hungry Girl but nothing beats a real shortcake :-)

Fab Five Indeed!!!

I just love breakfast. It really is my favorite meal of the day. Give me a cup of coffee and I'll cook you an entire breakfast filled with french toast, bacon, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, eggs, biscuits, sausage, you name it! I of course love being in my kitchen cooking up a storm or baking up a sweet delicious treat so it's been a nice feeling to be back in there. With the hot weather we were experiencing I really wasn't wanting to spend any time in my kitchen, but the weather seems to be turning around and I've been back at it....

And Hungry Girl of course is the top priority on my list. I just made the Fab-Five Banana Pancake Mini's from the 200 Under 200 Cookbook!

I can't even tell you how easy these were! First you will need to gather your ingredients: Whole wheat flour, vanilla extract, non fat vanilla soymilk, cinnamon, egg substitute, baking powder, a sugar alternative like Splenda (I used Ideal), and of course a banana!

Mash up 1/4 cup of banana and combine it with 1 tablespoon soymilk, 3 tablespoons egg substitute, and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract. In a separate bowl combine your dry ingredients: 1/4 cup whole wheat flour, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1 packet alternative sugar (or like me I just guesstimate) and a dash of cinnamon.

Combine the two mixtures together. Make sure to blend well!

Then divide into 5 mini pancakes in a pan sprayed with baking spray. Now I obviously can't get this right. I ended up making 4 mini pancakes, that are not the same size, but hey who cares right? I'm the one eating them! But cook them just like you would any other pancakes!

Now I had some leftover banana and some leftover egg substitute and not wanting to waste I whipped up some scrambled eggs and topped my pancakes with banana slices! This plus a cup of coffee = a wonderful breakfast to start my day!

Check out these beauties! I couldn't have been happier with this recipe! I for one love adding banana's to my breakfast whether it's cereal, toast, or pancakes isn't abnormal. But to now have a low calorie, low fat, somewhat high fiber breakfast recipe involving banana's just makes my heart swoon!

You pancake lovers MUST try this recipe! Way to go Hungry Girl I couldn't be fuller and happier with this lovely breakfast option!! Another bonus this recipe is super quick to put together and can easily be made on workdays!

It's Mexi Pizza Time

Tonight I couldn't be prouder of myself. While at work today Chuck sends me a text asking if I "wanted Panda for dinner?" A.K.A Panda Express Chinese Food. Am I proud because I finished off a whole crap load of chinese food??? NO NO NO!!  I am proud because while he sat there and ate his extremely delicious smelling Chinese Goodies I chose a Hungry Girl Recipe! And I am so happy I did...within 20 minutes Chuck was complaining he ate too much while I was sitting comfortably fulfilled!!

Tonight for dinner I made the Spicy Tortilla Pizza Mexicali!! For this you only need a few items, granted I had to substitute one because I just can't stomach the soy beef crumbles.

Gather your ingredients: Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Fat Free Sour Cream, Tortilla, Diced Tomatoes with Green Chile's, Taco Seasoning, and Ground Beef (or soy beef crumbles)

I was lucky to have made taco's earlier this week and had leftover meat that was already prepared with taco seasoning. Next I heated my tortilla up on both sides. Laid it out on a cookie sheet (covered with aluminum foil) and then started layering. First you will want to put 1/3 cup of the diced tomatoes, then top with 1/3 of the beef mixed with taco seasoning, then layer the two cheeses. Pop into your preheated oven at 375 and bake for 12 minutes.

Oh YUM!! This was right up my alley! Once its out of the oven I put a few dollops of lite sour cream on top and sat down to enjoy!

And enjoy I did! This was so delicious and if you love Mexican food here is a healthier alternative. Granted I should be using the La Tortilla Healthy Tortilla's that Hungry Girl calls for but I was working with what I had. So while it wasn't super healthy it was definitely more healthy than what I'd normally eat and it was of course more proportioned to what I should be eating!

Another recipe from Hungry Girl's 200 Under 200 Cookbook down and many more to enjoy! Everyone needs to try this recipe, it's perfect for a simple dinner!

Vita-Licious!

If there is one thing I love the most about Hungry Girl recipe's it's the use of the delicious VITATOPS!! These little chocolate beauties are so amazingly yummy! To think they actually are not bad for you considering they really taste like a chocolate dessert!

Well this post is a dedication to Vita Tops. Last week I decided to try out a few dessert recipes from Hungry Girl's 200 Under 200 cookbook! I chose to make the Dynamite Double Chocolate Dream Parfait and the Freezy-Cool Whoopie Pie!

The first one is super easy...just gather up some fat free whipped topping, a chocolate vita top, sugar free chocolate pudding snack, and a sugar free vanilla pudding snack!

 All you need to do is crumble up the vita top and then start layering. Start with 1/3 of the vita top crumbs then put half the chocolate pudding snack, then another 1/3 of the vita top crumbles, and then half the vanilla pudding, then the remaing vita top crumbs and then top with a dollop of whipped topping!!

Doesn't that just look so delicious! I popped it into the fridge for an hour to get it nice and chilled! Then I enjoyed!! It's almost as good as the Chocolate Trifles!

After I finished making the above parfait and waiting for it to chill I decided to try another easy and quick recipe. Has anyone ever heard of Whoopie Pies? I am sure you have, they are really amazing and really BAD for you!! Leave it to Hungry Girl to create an alternative.

Grab your fat free whipped topping and a chocolate vita top!

Cut the vita top in half and then spread some of that fat free topping on one side. Put the other side on top of the whipped topping and place in the freezer!

I let it freeze overnight and then it definitely needed to sit out on the counter for a few minutes. I prefer things a little softer and not completely frozen over!! Doesn't it look so good?

Well I'm sorry to say that I prefer the real ones!! This would probably be really good before it's frozen! But nonetheless it was still a great idea and one that I might just try when it's not frozen over. But I also know another alternative to this would be fat free chocolate grahamn crackers and fat free whipped topping. My Mom used to make these and they are only 1 weight watchers point, meaning super low in fat! I think I might just stick with those!

Monkey Food

Who loves Monkeys? Who Loves Oatmeal? Who Loves Chocolate?

If you've answered yes to these questions hold on tight because Hungry Girl has the breakfast item for you! Straight from their 200 Under 200 cookbook I bring you the Choco-Monkey Oatmeal!

Gather your ingredients: regular oats (not instand), one 25 calorie packet of diet hot cocoa mix (I cheated since I didn't have diet cocoa mix), half a banana, cinnamon, and alternative sugar like Splenda (I of course used Ideal).

First mix together 1/3 cup regular oats and half the medium banana in one bowl. In another bowl, or in my case a glass measuring cup, combine the hot cocoa, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 packet of sugar alternative, 1/4 cup hot water and 1/4 cup cold water. Before adding the cold water make sure to dissolve the powders in the hot water!

Then combine the two bowls and microwave for 2 minutes.

Stir and let sit for a few minutes!

I'm not going to lie this wasn't my favorite. For some reason I just can't wrap my mouth around the oatmeal. I am such a texture person and oatmeal just makes me cringe! I keep trying over and over to like it and I wish I did because this is D-LISH!! Again I love banana's and of course chocolate so what's not to love about this dish? I highly recommend it to anyone. Bonus side it's filling and it's only 185 calories and 2 grams fat! Enjoy!!

Healthier Pigs in a Blanket

Today for lunch I decided I was going to make a Hungry Girl recipe because with all the damn sweets I've made this weekend it's time for something healthier! I whipped out my Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200 and went straight for the recipe I had been looking forward to: Smothered Pig in a Blanket!!!

One of my favorite foods is hot dogs! In fact my very favorite Birthday meal is a burnt hot dog and my Grammy's potato salad. Now hot dogs are not healthy by any means and even Turkey dogs aren't that much better for you. But leave it to Hungry Girl to keep me happy!

I of course had all the ingredients: Fat-Free (or nearly fat-free) hot dog, low-fat veggie chili, 1 serving (or in my case 2) Reduced-Fat Crescent Rolls, and 1/2 (or in my case 1) slice of fat free cheddar cheese (I used fat free American Cheese, since my cheddar cheese was already shredded).


Take your crescent roll and stretch/roll it out to make it a little larger. Place your 1/2 slice of cheese at the base of the crescent roll, then top it with your hot dog.

And then just roll it like you would a normal crescent roll. Pop them onto a greased baking sheet and then slide the sheet into the preheated 375 degree oven.

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes.

And voila!! You've got yourselfs a couple pigs in the blanket...now it's time to smother them....

some amazing veggie chili!!!!!!!!! Which you will have heated up on the stove or in the microwave. In my case the microwave cause I was being lazy!

Just slather that chili on top of your pig and enjoy!

And enjoy you will...I devoured them both! I usually only eat one hot dog but these babies were so delicious!

Hot dog lovers you must try Hungry Girl's Smothered Pig in a Blanket!

Cheesy and Beefy

Last Sunday while I was patiently awaiting Chuck's return home from work so we could head out to my parents for a BBQ, I decided to try out a Hungy Girl recipe for lunch! I've been slacking on my cooking through the 200 Under 200 cookbook and have just been slacking on losing weight! It's time to get back on track people!

I quickly flipped to a tagged page and created the Cheesy Beefy Quesadilla!

You will need: Tortilla, Sour Cream, Beef Soy Crumbles (or in my case a Boca burger), Taco Seasoning, Scallions, Laughing Cow Light Swiss, and Cheddar Cheese.

Mix together the "beef crumbles" sour cream, cheddar cheese, scallions, and taco seasoning mix...pop into the microwave for 30 seconds.

Heat up a pan with non stick spray....spread the laughing cow cheese on half the tortilla, then plop it into the pan. Heat for about 30 seconds and then top with the above mixture.

Fold over the other half of the tortilla and press to seal.

Heat until both sides of the tortilla are browned and then remove from heat, cut into 4 pie shaped wedges!

And then eat at your own risk! I am not sure if it's that I can't get into the Boca burger meat or if this entire dish didn't sit well with me, but I threw it out. I took one bite and let it digest for about 5 seconds before I threw the whole thing out. No offense Hungry Girl but this recipe gets an F!! Maybe it'd be different if I followed the recipe exact, so we'll say this is no fault of Hungry Girl, but a cooks error...just be aware I won't ever be trying this one again! Anyone who wants to try this recipe...you know because I've made it sound so wonderful (*sarcasm*) here it is: Cheesy Beefy Quesadilla.

Anyone else hate when you try a new recipe and it fails horribly?

Joe Cool Java Freeze

Awhile back I decided I wanted to try one of Hungry Girl's coffee drinks because I was B-O-R-E-D with regular coffee everyday!

I decided to try the very first one in the Shivering Sips section (From Hungry Girl's 200 Under 200) which was the Joe Cool Java Freeze!!

You will need: light vanilla soymilk, splenda, instant coffee, Sugar Free French Vanilla powdered creamer!

First you mix together the powdered creamer, coffee granules (a.k.a instant coffee) and sweetener with some hot water until all the ingredients are dissolved. Then add in some cold water and put the mixture into a blender.

Add the soymilk and ice and blend!

Voila!! It sure looks good!

And it tasted good! Next time I will have to put less Splenda because it was a little "Sweet" but overall it will be a great summertime coffee to go :-) I highly recommend for all you coffee nuts out there!!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup light vanilla soymilk

4 teaspoons Coffee-Mate Sugar Free French Vanilla Powdered Creamer

1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

2 no-calorie sweetener packets

1 1/2 cups crushed ice or 8 to 10 ice cubes

Directions:

In a tall glass, combine powdered creamer, coffee granules, and sweetener with 1/4 cup hot water. Stir until ingredients have dissolved. Add 1/2 cup cold water and stir.

Transfer coffee mixture to a blender with soymilk and ice. Mix at low to medium speed until shake is just blended, but not liquefied. Pour into your glass and slurp it up!!

Cinnamon Chips!

I was so excited when I first browsed through the Hungry Girl 200 under 200 cookbook because Pita's are used A LOT! And I love Pita's. I never thought I would until I tried them a year or so ago and I fell in love. They are amazing with sandwiches, salads, dips, and so much more....Hungry Girl offers up a great snack using Pita's!! Of course I tried :-)

You will need: Whole Wheat Pita's, Baking Non Stick Spray, Splenda, and Cinnamon!
First preheat your oven to 350 degrees! Then mix your Splenda and Cinnamon together in a small bowl. And I mean small, there isn't much!

Then you take a baking sheet and spray it with the baking spray. And the most important part that I forgot to take a picture of...take your Pita and slice it into 6 wedges. Then very carefully separate each wedge into 2 slices by pulling it apart. You will see what I mean when you do it :-)

Then place the 12 pieces of Pita onto your baking sheet and spray the pita pieces with the baking spray. Then sprinkle your Splenda/Cinnamon mixture over the top of each piece.

Pop them into the oven for 5 to 7 minutes and VOILA...You have yourself some awesome cinna-licious pita chips!!

This is a A+++++ recipe! These are so good and such a healthy, but still sweet snack. And I love to snack! I usually get a craving in between 4 and 5 for some sort of snack. These will be perfect and when I make them next I am totally making the Creamy Vanilla Dip to go with them!

Check them out Sweet Cinnamon Pita Chips!!

Mexican Meet American!

Two of my favorite foods coming together in one recipe! What more could a girl ask for? Well maybe if it included some sort of chocolate but I'm sure I'll get that soon enough! For now let's concentrate on the latest recipe I've tried from Hungry Girl's 200 Under 200 cookbook......Cheeseburger Quesadilla!!!!

You will need: a Tortilla, Boca Original Meatless burger (THAWED), Fat Free American Cheese, Onion, Pickles, Salt and Pepper, Garlic Powder, and Ketchup!!

Make sure to thaw your burger. This was a last minute meal for me and I had to "Defrost" it in the microwave! First you turn your oven on and crank it to 350 degrees. Then cut up the thawed burger into bite size pieces and cook them up in a pan on the stove top. You will add the onion to it and if you want (which I did) add the salt and pepper and garlic powder.

Once those are cooked up, lay a tortilla on a baking sheet (that you've sprayed with non stick spray) and place the American cheese on top of it.

Pop it into the oven for 2 minutes, just enough for the cheese to melt and then spoon the burger pieces and your chopped up pickles on top.

Fold it over and press it lightly so it seals, then pop it back in your oven for 3-5 minutes, depending on how crispy you want the tortilla to be.

Remove it from the oven want's you've achieved your desired crisp! Cut it into three triangles, prepare your ketchup for dipping, or if you want you could always whip up some Hungry Girl BBQ Sauce as your dip! And ENJOY!!

Let me first point out I am not a huge pickle fan...who am I trying to kid...I dislike pickles. I don't understand why people like them so much or how anyone can eat them plain...YUCK!! But I wanted to stick to Hungry Girls recipe so I kept them in there and now I can say I get it....the pickles added a little something extra that really just topped off this wonderful concoction!

I was so pleased with this recipe. I absolutely LOVE Mexican food!! I could eat it every day!! On top of that I get a craving for a burger all the time. We have burgers probably once a week! I don't know what it is about these two types of food but I can never get enough! To be able to combine the two was awesome...and next time I make this I am going to try and make it with a little more Mexican spice!!

Grade = A+

Everyone must try this: Click Here for AWESOMENESS!