Cooking Lean with Giada: Tiramisu

This is an Italian classic dessert. My husband absolutely LOVES Tiramisu! I am also a pretty big fan; especially now that I found a way to make a light version of it. This particular recipe was inspired by Giada De Laurentiis. I will warn you that it uses raw egg, so make sure you are using the freshest, best quality eggs you can find. We don't need anyone getting sick over this delicious dessert. I made it and everyone turned out OK. Here is the "Light and Lean" version of the Italian dessert classic, Tiramisu.

TIRAMISU

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS:


*6 egg yolks
3 tablespoons SPLENDA
2 (8-ounce) packages FAT FREE Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled
2 teaspoons dark rum
24 packaged ladyfingers
1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish




DIRECTIONS:


In a large bowl, using an electric mixer with whisk attachment, beat egg yolks and SPLENDA until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Add cream cheese and beat until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of espresso and mix until thoroughly combined.




In a small shallow dish, add remaining espresso and rum. Dip each ladyfinger into espresso for only 5 seconds. Letting the ladyfingers soak too long will cause them to fall apart. Place the soaked ladyfinger on the bottom of a 13 by 9 inch baking dish, breaking them in half if necessary in order to fit the bottom.


Spread evenly 1/2 of the cream cheese mixture over the ladyfingers. Arrange another layer of soaked ladyfingers and top with remaining mascarpone mixture.


Cover tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours.


Before serving, sprinkle with chocolate shavings.


RESULTS:


This dessert turned out really well. My one bit of advice is to be sure not to over-soak the lady fingers. Too much is a bad thing in this case. Overall, this is any easy recipe that is sure to impress your family or dinner guests. Using the fat free cream cheese is going to save tons of fat, but still give you the creamy consistency of mascarpone. Simple changes with for super-savings. Enjoy!

NUTRITION FACTS (per serving): 259.33 calories;  6.02g fat;  30.75g carbohydrate;  15.53g protein;  .13g fiber

 

* Food Network Raw Egg Warning~
Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs due to the slight risk of salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly refrigerated, clean grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell.
www.foodnetwork.com

Cooking Lean with Rachael Ray: Chicken and Broccoli with Orange Sauce

It's pretty tough to order Chinese take-out and make it a lean meal. That is, unless you have the will to order off the "diet menu". Let's be honest, even that doesn't really satisfy the craving for Chinese. Instead of denying yourself the delicious flavors you are looking for, try this recipe for Chicken and Broccoli with Orange Sauce on for size. The great part about making this dish at home is the control you have; control over the oil and salt content, as well as portion size.


CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI WITH ORANGE SAUCE

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:


1/2 cup LOW SODIUM/FAT FREE chicken stock, divided
1 package Uncle Ben's Microwavable Brown Rice
1 small bunch scallions, thinly sliced on an angle
1 large bundle broccolini (or broccoli), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 tablespoon ground ginger
3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/3 cup LOW SODIUM soy sauce
1/2 cup SUGAR-FREE orange marmalade


DIRECTIONS:


If using the microwavable rice, open the bag of rice to vent and microwave for 90 seconds (directions are on the package).
Add the scallions and fluff with a fork.


Bring a few inches of water to a boil for the broccolini or broccoli.
Meanwhile, thinly slice breast meat, butterfly each breast into cutlets; then thinly slice. Season sliced chicken with salt and pepper.
To boiling water, add some salt and broccolini/broccoli. Parboil the broccolini/broccoli for 3-4 minutes then drain, run under cool water and reserve.


Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat. To the very hot pan, add chicken and stir-fry until golden, no more than 5 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and reserve. Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan, along with the ginger and garlic. Stir 30 seconds then add soy, marmalade and 1/2 cup stock. Add chicken and broccolini back to pan to heat until sauce is thickened.
Serve chicken and broccolini with a scoop of rice on top.


RESULTS:


What a great way to have take-out without having to leave your kitchen! The flavors are fantastic! Plus, by putting a scoop of rice on top (I used an ice cream scooper) instead of serving over rice, this keeps portions under control. You are then getting more of the meat and veggies, not mostly rice.


Rachael's recipe is already a pretty healthy dish. She created this as a better alternative to Chinese take-out. What a success! The only changes I made were to reduce the oil by one tablespoon, use low-sodium chicken broth and sugar free marmalade. These are just a few simple changes that can lean this dish out just a little more. This is a Chinese dish you can feel great about finishing. Now go ahead and have that fortune cookie!


Enjoy!

NUTRITION FACTS (per serving with 1/2 cup brown rice): 437.75 calories;  10.88g fat;  48.24g carbohydrate;  46.2g protein;  6.5g fiber

Livin' Lean Topic Tuesday: Figure Friendly Fast-Food

Is there really such a thing? Fast food that won't give you all the calories you need for an entire day in one, single sandwich. Yes!

Now, I am not saying that fast food is the best, but it is definitely better than nothing. If you are in a pinch, running around without much time to grab a meal, finding a drive thru is healthier than skipping a meal; as long as you make a smart choice. We want our bodies to stay fed and not ever feel as if they are STARVING! Starving your body is the same as slowing it down. A body with a slow metabolism burns less fuel, essentially causing the body to store more fat. Not what we want. That is why grabbing a little fast food is better than ignoring your hunger.

So...what qualifies as a figure friendly fast food choice? Here are some of my "go-to" choices from a few popular fast food establishments:

McDonald's ~ Grilled Snack Wrap (BBQ or Honey Mustard) 260 calories/9 g/fat
                         Hamburger - 250 calories/ 9 g/fat

Taco Bell~ Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco-  170 calories/ 4 g/fat + 12g/protein
                   Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco-  160 calories/ 4.5g/fat + 9g/protein


Burger King~ Tendergrill Chicken Sandwich (no mayo)- 360 calories/ 7g/fat
                        (drop the bun and only 170 calories/ 4g/fat)

Chick-fil-a~ Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich- 300 calories/ 3.5g/fat + 29 g/protein

Of course, salads are always another option (be careful of high fat salad dressings). However, I don't know about you, but a salad just doesn't do it for me. I need a little more to keep me satisfied.

There are other healthy options out there, but I just wanted to show a few examples. Every fast food restaurant has nutrition facts available (in store and online). You don't have to go hungry or order blindly. Know what you are eating and enjoy it!