Monday: Dari's Picante Chicken and Spinach Ricotta Bake with Superior Spaghetti Sauce

Okay the 5 star rating is for the picante chicken......I give the side dish a 3 star rating.

Mo's Spinach-Ricotta Bake:
1 package (1 lb) frozen, chopped spinach
15 oz fat free ricota cheese
3t reduced fat parmesan cheese
2 large egg whites
1/4t garlic powder
pinch of ground nutmeg
1.5C Superior Spaghetti Sauce

Drain and squeeze water out of the spinach. In a large mixing bowl mix the spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, egg whites, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Mix and place in a 8" x 8" greased baking dish. Cook for 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until the top is brown. Pour spaghetti sauce and serve. It makes 6 servings.
This was good, but I am not a huge spinach fan unless it is mixed with TONS of cheese - but I suppose the lack of cheese is what makes it healthy. 

Superior Spaghetti Sauce:
1/3c chopped onion
2t minced garlic
1.3c crushed tomatoes
1T tomato paste
1T water
1t honey
1t dried oregano leaves
1t Italian seasoning
1t extra virgin olive oil
1/2t dried basil leaves

Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and cook for 3-5 minutes. Do not brown. Turn the heat to low and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes. Makes 3 half cup servings.
I have never made my own spaghetti sauce. I absolutely loved it and will continue to make it whenever it is needed. 

Dari's Picante Chicken:
1/3C and 1/2C picante sauce - I used medium sauce
4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6t light cream cheese from a block, softened
1/2C shredded fat free cheddar cheese

In a 13'' x  9'' baking dish spread the 1/3c picante sauce evenly in the bottom. Flatten the chicken so their are even in thickness and evenly spread the cream cheese over the chicken. Place chicken in the baking dish, cream cheese side up and cover with the remaining picante sauce. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes at 350. Remove the foil and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake uncovered for 15 more minutes.
I LOVED this dish. It reminded me of a recipe for chicken enchiladas that I have without the tortillas. I will absolutely make this again.

Tuesday: Spicy Meatballs w/Fiery Chili Sauce and Parmesan Pepper Sweet Potato Fries

Parmesan Pepper Sweet Potato Fries:
1 large sweet potato cut in small sticks
1t reduced fat Parmesan cheese
1/2t extra virgin olive oil
1/8 garlic powder
1/8 paprika
cayenne
salt
pepper

Toss all ingredients in a bowl. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and cook for 8 minutes at 450 degrees. Flip the potatoes and bake for 10-12 minutes until they are tender and have brown spots. Makes 2 small servings.
These were pretty good, but I would like them more crispy. I will make them again because sweet potatoes are better for you. I DO NOT like sweet potatoes, but with this recipe the sweetness is faint.

Spicy Meatballs with Fiery Chili Sauce:
1 lb ground beef (96% lean)
8t cooked brown rice
1t dried parsely
1t Italian seasoning
1t fennel seeds
1/2t garlic powder
1/2t red pepper flakes
1/2t dried minced onion
10T Chili sauce
1/2t hot-pepper sauce
S&P

Combine all ingredients except the sauces in a bowl. Mix well and form the mixture into 1" meatballs. Place on a baking sheet and cook for about 7 minutes until they are barely pink inside. Combine the sauces and pour over the meatballs. Makes 4 servings.
I was proud that I finally made a great meatball - the seasoning was good and I have always had trouble trying to make them (I usually buy the frozen ones). It was a good meal, but a little spicy. Spicy is good, but I don't think I was in the mood. I will make these again, but without the sauce. Unless I am craving a good tastebud kick.

Thursday: Lean Lemon Chicken & Bobby's Broccoli w/Cheese Sauce

Tonight's meal was interesting......

I am not a clumsy person. Some people are known to be clumsy or unlucky at times, I am not. I don't typically run into things, fall down or bruise randomly without a cause. After a few years of cooking I managed to have an incident with this meal. While cooking the chicken I happened to splash hot olive oil onto my face and neck. Lovely burns. They really are not noticeable, but holy goodness they BURNED (until my sweet husband went to Walgreens and got some meds). This isn't the recipes fault - it is completely the cooks. :) I didn't follow directions well.

Bobby's Broccoli with Cheese Sauce 
3 cups (.5 lb) broccoli florets - I used fresh
1/4 C zesty cheese dip

Boil 4 cups of water. Add broccoli and cook for roughly 3 minutes or until the veggie is crisp/tender. Drain and pat dry. Spoon dip in microwaveable bowl and heat in short intervals (15 sec) until warm. Mix the broccoli and cheese and enjoy!
This was surprisingly good. It was yummy and I will make it again. Great for kids and husbands who may have a hard time eating vegetables. I added pepper for more flavor.


Lori's Lean Lemon Chicken
2t garlic powder
2t lemon pepper
1/2 t seasonsed salt
4 small, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray
1 cup lemon juice - freshly squeezed (5 lemons)
4 slices of lemons

Combine garlic powder, lemon pepper, and salt. Mix to blend and rub seasoning evenly over the chicken. Cover and refrigerate chicken for 15 mins or more for flavor. Heat a skillet over high heat until a drop of water sizzles on it. Remove pan from heat and LIGHLTLY MIST with olive oil spray. Place chicken in pan and cook 2-3 mins on each side to brown. Place chicken in an 8 x 8 non stick (or lightly greased) baking dish and spray each chicken piece with 2 sprays of the butter. Pour lemon juice over the chicken and top with a lemon slice. Cook for 22 minutes (or until chicken is cooked) at 400 degrees.
Seasoning was great. Definitely more of a healthy dinner choice and the chicken was not dry. I will make it again when I can master not burning myself.