Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Love Pad Thai, but cutting down on carbs?  No problem, I got your back, or stomach for that matter.  Swapping out the noodles for spaghetti squash saves you calories, and carbs without compromising on taste.  it is also a great way to sneak in another veggie for your family.

Ingredients serves 4 Cost
1 1 spaghetti squash $1.99
2 1lb chicken breast tenders $7.49
3  4T soytaki sauce from Trader Joe’s $0.58
4 1 bag frozen oriental vegetables (no sauce) $ 2.49
5 1T chopped peanuts (optional)
  Total $12.55 ( $3.14 per serving)

 

* Price reflects amount used in recipe ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s

 

Nutrition Per Bowl
Calories 254
Carbs 20.4g
Fats 11.7g
Protein 19.5g
Sugar 8.8g
Fiber 2.8g
Source: MyFitnessPal

*Ingredients found at Trader Joe’s

Directions

Step 1:  Spray a non stick skillet over m/h heat with coconut oil spray( or spray of your choice.) Place the chicken tenders in the skillet and fry, turn when one side is done.

Step 2:  While you are browning your chicken tenders, pierce a whole spaghetti squash with a fork and microwave for 6 minutes to make it easy to slice in half, once halved, place back in the microwave for an additional 6 minutes covered with a microwave safe lid.

Step 3:  Add the full bag of oriental vegetables to the chicken, I like to have my bag defrosted so they  cook quicker.  Stir in 4T of the soyvaki sauce.

Step 4:  cut each of the squash in half so that you get four servings, take a fork and turn the squash into spaghetti, now spoon some of the mixture into each portion of the spaghetti squash. (photo can be found on my instagram), sprinkle with some peanuts(optional).

Step 5:  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Big Mac In A Bowl

 

One of my favorite memories from growing up was waiting for my father to bring home McDonalds, every Sunday for lunch.  These were the days before self phones, so I would wait patiently for my beloved Big Mac. Fast forward to present day, I still love a good Big Mac, but I don’t love all the calories, not so easy to burn as we get older.  Here is a great recipe when you crave something naughty, but want to be good.  This really tastes just like in a Big Mac… but in a bowl.

 

Ingredients serves 4 Cost
1 1lb 4% fat ground beef $5.99
2 1/4c shredded mild cheddar cheese $0.75*
3 4T Trader Joes tartar sauce $1.00*
4 4T ketchup $0.58*
5 1c shredded iceberg lettuce $1.99
6

7

 

4T Diced onion

4 kosher dill pickles ( Bubbies Brand)

Total

$0.80*

$1.49*

$12.60( $3.15 per serving)

 

* Price reflects amount used in recipe ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s

 

Nutrition Per Serving
Calories 254
Carbs 14g
Fats 13.8g
Protein 15.5g
Sugar 8.5g
Fiber 1g
Source: MyFitnessPal

*Ingredients found at Trader Joe’s

Directions

Step 1:  Brown your ground beef in a fry pan set on m/h.

Step 2:   Mix the tarter sauce, and ketchup in a bowl to use as your special sauce.

Step 3:   chop your pickle

Step 4:  Divide the ingredients up so you can make 4 bowls. Once you add to bowls top with sauce.

Step 5:  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Two Course Gourmet Meal In Under 5 Minutes

 

I have read numerous times that by the time you are 30 you should know how to cook at least one two course meal that will impress guests.  What about if I could show you how to cook that meal in under 5 minutes? Sound too good to be true?  It’s not with Min Dins.  After over 30 years of cooking home made meals most every day, I have figured out, just about every short cut, and now I am sharing all of my secrets with you.   Next time you want to wow your family and or friends with your culinary skills, whip up this tasty duo,  it will be our little secret just how easy it is.

Ingredients serves 4 Cost
1 1lb chicken breast tenders $6.49
2 1 bag mushroom risotto frozen $2.99
3 4T fig spread $080
4 1 bag washed baby arugula  

$2.99

5

6

7

4 peach halves from a jar

buratta cheese ( One container from Trader Joe’s)

Fat Free balsamic vinegar dressing

$0.90

$2.99

$2.99

 

 

Total  

$20.15/$5.03 per serving

 

* Price reflects amount used in recipe ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s

 

Nutrition Per Serving                                                                             Salad/Main
Calories 105/247
Carbs 2/32.8
Fats 7/3.4
Protein 5/18.8
Sugar 2/13.8
Fiber 0/1.8
Source: MyFitnessPal

*Ingredients found at Trader Joe’s

Directions

Step 1:  Spray a pan with a little olive oil spray, on m/h heat start cooking your chicken breast tenders.  They cook fast so make sure to watch and turn them as needed.   You can defrost your risotto on your counter top so you don’t have to add water to it or anything, and then microwave it so it is hot for about 2 or 3 minutes.

Step 2:   While your chicken is cooking, now is a good time to put together your salad.  Place a whole bag of washed baby arugula in a bowl.  Put four peach halves right from the jar on the salad, place some burrata cheese balls on the salad and then drizzle with  fat free balsamic dressing.  So easy your salad is done!!

Step 3:   Your chicken should almost be done by now, so now is a good time to add some fig spread to the top of the chicken pieces and cover the pan for a minute or so.

Step 4:  Pour the risotto bag onto a pretty serving platter, and place the chicken strips over the top laying them across the whole thing. ( check out my instagram  for a beautiful photo.)

Step 5:  Enjoy!