500 Calories or Less - Measuring Cups, Optional

Cilantro-Lime Rice

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Desserts, Posts, Recipes, Rice & Grains

After spending some time with my mother this weekend, I decided to take some of her advice. Mom suggested I find a hobby to keep me busy since I’ve been getting bored lately. That would have been easy, if I could think of one activity that could keep me interested and entertained for a long period of time. Cooking can’t keep me busy all the time. That’s when I realized, it’s time to get cracking on my “Before I’m 30 List.” Yes. Such a list does exist. It started when I was 15 on a piece of college-ruled paper. When I got my first laptop, I digitized my list and have been crossing things off ever since. Some have heard about this list … not many have actually seen it, or know what’s on it. That’s probably because, I’ll admit, there are some things on there that I should have accomplished by now. (more…)

Caesar Chicken and Romaine

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Chicken, Posts, Recipes

I have been drooling over this recipe for weeks. The day I found it, I thought to myself “I’m going to add this to my list of delicious but easy dishes to make.” That is, my ongoing list of recipes to make on days when I’m low on time. Recipe ideas are welcome. I think this one will be a winner. It’s light and yet while low on calories and carbs, the chicken and lettuce are bursting with flavor. (more…)

Couscous Stuffed Peppers

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Posts, Recipes, Vegetables & Sides

Making delicious food doesn’t always mean you have to make it from scratch. It needs to be balanced, though. You can’t buy store-prepared food and try to take credit for the entire meal. It’s a balancing act. Full disclosure – I think the smart ones are the ones who can pull off a multiple-course dinner combining their own cooking, with some boxed help. It doesn’t make you a bad person … it makes you a smart entertainer. Spending all day in the kitchen prepping for a dinner doesn’t leave you much energy to do the actual entertaining. (more…)

Calamari Salad

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Posts, Recipes, Salads, Seafood

Following an incredibly long time away from my bathroom scale, I got up the courage to get on and face the number that stared back at me. Not bad. For all the eating I had done on my two-week work trip, I was back and while feeling bloated (probably from being on a plane for 8 plus hours), I hadn’t gained a pound…. I couldn’t say the same for my luggage though. But that’s a story for another day.

The scale scare, and the heat and humidity that greeted me upon my return inspired me to go lighter on my meals. I scoured the internet looking for something light, but filling. And I came across this recipe for Calamari Salad. (more…)

Freekeh Soup [Green Wheat Soup]

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Arabic Food Made Easy, Posts, Recipes, Soups

In an attempt to curb a cold, I thought whipping up some soup might do the trick. I’m pretty sick of chicken noodle soup. So I decided to try something different. Freekeh.

For those who don’t know what Freekeh is … it’s not freaky. It’s basically a type of green wheat that goes through a roasting process in its production. It’s very healthy and very popular in the areas of the Levant, Arabian Peninsula and found in North African and Egyptian cuisine.

Print

Yum

Freekeh Soup [Green Wheat Soup]

Yield: 6 Servings

Ingredients

3 pieces Skinless Chicken Breast
Water
1 Onion, chopped
1 tablespoon Seven Spice
Salt, to taste
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 cup Freekeh

Instructions

Prepare the chicken stock by sauteeing the onion with olive oil in a medium saucepan until translucent.
Add the chicken and cover with water (to desired amount). Add salt to taste and boil for about 20 minutes.
Drain. Do not discard the chicken water. Set it aside.
Meanwhile, pick out the stones from the freekeh, wash with lukewarm water and then soak in water until ready.
In a medium saucepan, boil the freekeh with fresh water. Once the water is absorbed, add the chicken stock and simmer on medium-low until the freekeh is soft.

Tip: Don't discard the boiled chicken. You can bake it in the oven (with veggies if you so desire) on 350 degrees for 20 minutes and serve with the soup.

Notes

Nutrition Information: Cals 106. Carbs 2g, Fat 1g. Protein 1g. Sodium 58mg.

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes

https://www.measuringcupsoptional.com/freekeh-soup/

Spring Focaccia Bake

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Breads, Posts, Recipes

It’s been feeling a lot like summer around DC lately. Strange, considering it’s March and we had a very mild winter and practically no spring. Honestly, spring time is my favorite time of year. I may be a bit biased because my birthday is in April. What’s not to love though? The weather is usually amazing – warm during the day with little-to-no humidity, and there are more outdoor gatherings. When the weather gets warmer, I start to crave lighter foods. That mean, more fruits, veggies and salads. The following is an easy recipe for Spring Focaccia Bake.

Adapted from D’s Kitchen.

Spring Focaccia Bake Recipe

Ingredients

1 loaf Focaccia Bread, cubed (or frozen cheesy focaccia rolls, cubed)

1 tablespoon Olive oil

1 Buffalo Mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch squares

1 package fresh Basil, chopped

15-20 Grape Tomatoes, halved

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sprinkle olive oil on the bottom of a baking dish (or corning ware dish)

Lay focaccia squares in the dish, top with mozzarella, and then tomatoes.

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Top with basil and serve.

Servings: 4

Nutrition Information: Cals 436. Carbs 53g. Fat 18g. Protein 16g. Sodium 554mg.