Fettuccini Alfredo Remix-30 Calorie Sauce

The other day I put on a pair of pants and to my surprise I couldn't close them. Ugh. How did this happen!?! When did this happen!?! Immediately I began to evaluate what I was eating and how it changed so much so that my clothes weren't fitting. I could not figure out where all the extra calories were slipping into my diet. In an effort to regain control I signed up on myfitnesspal.com, which has been helpful. I have also begun the Turbo Jam series; I will update you on that later.

In order to reduce calories yet eat yummy foods I have been finding ways to alter my favorite recipes.  

I was up late, late, late, last night and was slow to rise this morning (it was barely morning), around 2:30 pm my belly roared "feed me!" So I stared into the abyss of my frig trying to figure out what I could make relatively quickly and easily-PASTA! You know I love fresh pasta, specifically from Raffettos, last time I was there I picked up some amazing rosemary fettuccini, I decided that would be my linner or dunch.

I never order any dishes with alfredo sauce or cream sauce when I'm at restaurants because I know it has a million calories and a pound of fat. I can't even think of the last time I had fettuccini alfredo. Today!

Well sort of, I used Trader Joe Reduced Gilt Spinach & Kale dip, which has only 30 calories for two tbsp! Yep, two tbsp. I sauteed some spinach, bok choy, and kale and grilled half of Field Roast sausage topping it off with a little grated paremesan. This meal comes in at less than 400 calories which isn't bad for my first and main meal of the day (I will have a salad later this evening).  The dip is quite tasty, which was a pleasant surprise, I will incorporate it into a few more dishes in the coming weeks. I'd even warm it up and use it as dip for my brocolli...hmm, that might be my evening snack tonight. 

Cheesy Hearts

So I am not really into Valentines Day, however...I do love a theme! So it's VDay week and I decided to make a special dinner in the spirit of the holiday. I tried something new.  I like cheese chips and have made them a few times, I figured this would be the perfect topper to my VDay salad.  Here's my effort...

Shredded good quality parmesan on unbleached parchment paper, scattered flat, baked at 300F for 10-15 minutes. I have also had success using grated parmesan. While that was cooking I prepared the heart template by cutting it out of parchment paper.

After they had browned only slightly I took them out of the oven. Using kitchen shears and placing the template on top of the cooked cheese I cut out the heart. You will want to move quickly at this step because the warmer/softer cheese is easier to shape-if you can take them out of the oven one at time then shape them each, that would be ideal.

*Note, you can use any hard cheese you prefer avoid oily cheeses like swiss though.

As I said, there was a theme, so we had a heart shaped pizza from a local pizza shoppe, the pizza was a little pricey and the crust was about three times the thickness I prefer, but it was heart shape and fresh.

I also picked up some heart shape spinach ravioli from Raffetto (best fresh pasta market in NYC).  I wanted to prepare the ravioIi as an appetizer so I decided to oven "fry" them in order to keep the calorie count in check. They turned out delicious and the prep was quite simple, here is my method:

• Boil & cool the pasta.
• Dip the pasta in the a mixture of lite italian dressing (1 cup) and an egg, dash of salt and pepper.
• Then dip the pasta into a mixture of italian seasoned bread crumbs
• Place on an oiled baking pan, and lightly coat the ravioli using spray olive oil 
• Preheated 350 degree oven, 15 mins until brown, keep a close eye on it
• Serve with warm marinara

We sipped on strawberry lemonade with frozen berries, yes the pink/red theme continued, dessert was prosecco with scoops of  blood orange sorbet. All in all everything was pretty good and we had a really fun night, which is all that really matters anyway.

Hmm....I think I have some sorbet left....so I'm out! Hope you have a great Vday.