Category Archives: Main Dishes

Easy Crab Cakes

4 Servings Prep/ Total Time: 25 Min.

Ingredients

    1. 2 cans (6 ounces each) crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed
    2. 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, divided
    3. 1 egg, lightly beaten
    4. 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
    5. 1/4 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
    6. 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
    7. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    8. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    9. 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    10. 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

    1. In a large bowl, combine the crab, 1/3 cup bread crumbs, egg, onions, red pepper, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder and cayenne.
    2. Divide mixture into eight portions; shape into 2-in. balls. Roll in remaining bread crumbs. Flatten to 1/2-in. thickness.
    3. In a large nonstick skillet, cook crab cakes in butter for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Yield: 4 servings.

 

Quick Tater Tot Bake

6 Servings Prep: 10 Min. Bake: 30 Min.

Ingredients

    1. 1-1/2 pound ground beef or turkey
    2. 1 med. onion, chopped
    3. Salt and pepper to taste
    4. 1 package (16 ounces) frozen Tater Tot potatoes or refrigerated diced potatoes
    5. 2 cans  (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
    6. 1-1/3 cups milk or water
    7. 2 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

    1. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Season with salt and pepper.
    2. Transfer to a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with potatoes. Combine soup and milk; pour over potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6 servings.

 

 

Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs

6 Servings Prep/Total Time: 30 Min.

Ingredients

    1. 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks
    2. 1/3 cup water
    3. 3 tablespoons vinegar
    4. 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    5. 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
    6. 3 tablespoons cornstarch
    7. 1 batch of 30 meatballs (frozen or thawed)
    8. 1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
    9. Hot cooked rice

Directions

    1. Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Set pineapple aside. Add water to juice if needed to measure 1 cup; pour into a large skillet. Add 1/3 cup water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch; stir until smooth.
    2. Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add the pineapple, meatballs and green pepper.
    3. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until heated through. Serve with rice. Yield: 6 servings.

 

 

Honey Pineapple Grilled Shrimp

Servings: 4 Prep Time: 20 Min. Cook Time: 10 Min. Marinate: 15 Min.

Ingredients:

1 lb. Fully cooked frozen  shrimp, thawed and patted dry

1 small lime

1 small garlic clove, crushed with press

1/2 c. fresh cilantro or parsley leaves, coarsely chopped

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. honey

1 can chunk  pineapple

1 small red onion (about 4 oz.), cut crosswise into 1/2-in.- thick slices

8-10 bamboo skewers

1/8 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Place shrimp in  pie plate or shallow bowl. From lime, grate 1/2 tsp. peel and squeeze juice; transfer peel and juice to medium serving bowl. Stir in garlic, cilantro, oil and honey.  Stir  pineapple  into bowl with honey mixture. Stir 3 Tbsp. honey mixture into shrimp; set aside remaining honey mixture to use later. Cover shrimp and let stand 15 min., stirring occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, prepare outdoor grill for direct grilling over medium heat or preheat oven to broil  to grill indoors. Thread onion and pineapple  onto 1 or 2 skewers. Thread shrimp onto remaining skewers.

3. Place onion and pineapple on hot grill rack; cover and cook 5 min. Turn onion and pineapple and add shrimp skewers to grill; cover and cook 5-6 min. longer, turning shrimp skewers once, or until shrimp turns opaque throughout and reach an internal temp. of 145°F

If prepared in oven cook under broiler 4-6 in. from heat for 5-6 min. on each side.

4. Transfer pineapple and onions.  to bowl with reserved honey mixture. Remove shrimp from skewers and add to bowl; add salt and stir until well combined.

 

 

 

 

PARSLEY – LEMON SWORDFISH

4 Servings Prep/Total Time: 25 Min.

Ingredients:

4 swordfish fillets

1/3 c. oil

1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 c. parsley

2 tsp. minced garlic

Directions:

Grease 12 x 8 inch baking dish. Dry fish and sprinkle with salt. Arrange in baking dish. Mix oil, parsley, lemon juice, garlic and pepper. Spoon over fish. Bake, basting once or twice 12-15 minutes in 350 degree oven.

Classic Crab Cakes

8 Servings Prep/Total Time: 20 Min.

Ingredients

    1. 1 pound canned crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed
    2. 2 to 2-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
    3. 1 egg, beaten
    4. 3/4 cup mayonnaise
    5. 1/3 cup each chopped green pepper and onion
    6. 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
    7. 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
    8. 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    9. 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    10. 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
    11. 1/4 teaspoon pepper
    12. 2 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
    13. Lemon slices, optional

Directions

    1. In a large bowl, combine the crab, bread crumbs, egg, mayonnaise, vegetables and seasonings. Shape into eight patties. Broil patties or cook in a skillet in oil for 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with lemon if desired. Yield: 8 servings.

 

 

 

Tilapia Amandine

4 Servings Prep/Total Time: 25 Min.

Ingredients:

1  pound tilapia

1/4 cup skim milk

1/4 cup flour

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 tablespoon sliced or slivered almonds

3 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley

For garnish: 4 slices lemon

Directions:

Rinse tilapia  and pat dry with a paper towel.

Dip into skim milk.

Season flour with salt and pepper to taste. Dip trout into flour making sure both sides are completely covered. Shake off any excess.

Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet large enough to hold fish in one layer over medium-high heat. Saute fish for 2 minutes and turn.  Saute second side another 2 minutes. Remove to a plate.

Add almonds to the skillet and saute until slightly golden, about 1 minute. Sprinkle fish with lemon juice, almonds and parsley. Garnish plate with lemon slices.

 

 

 

PECAN CRUSTED TILAPIA

4 Servings Prep: 10 Min. Cook: 8 Min.

Ingredients:

4 Tilapia Fillets  6-8 oz. each (Catfish, Sole or Flounder) are also options

2 Tbsp. Honey Mustard

1 C. Pecans

Directions:

Heat oven to 450 degrees.  Line a rimmed baking pan with nonstick foil.

Finely chop pecans . Spread on a sheet of wax paper.  Put honey mustard in small cup:  stir in 2 tsp. Water

Brush one side of fillets with mustard mixture, then press into chopped pecans.  Place on baking pan.

Bake 10-14 min. until pecans are lightly toasted and fish is just cooked through.

 

Chicken Tortellini Skillet

4 Servings Prep/Total Time: 25 Min.

Ingredients

    1. 4 cups frozen cheese tortellini
    2. 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
    3. 2 tablespoon canola oil
    4. 2 cups meatless spaghetti sauce
    5. 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

    1. Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook chicken in oil over medium heat until juices run clear.
    2. Drain tortellini; add to skillet. Stir in spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Yield: 4 servings.

 

 

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo

6 Servings Prep/Total Time: 25 Min.

Ingredients

    1. 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated spinach or cheese tortellini
    2. 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
    3. 1 cup fresh baby carrots
    4. 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
    5. 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
    6. 1 large onion, cut into wedges
    7. 1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
    8. 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
    9. 1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce
    10. 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    11. 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
    12. 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

    1. Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute broccoli and carrots in 2 tablespoons oil for 5-6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Stir in the mushrooms, onion and garlic; saute vegetables 3-4 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. Remove vegetables and keep warm.
    2. In the same skillet, cook chicken in remaining oil over medium heat for 4-6 minutes or until no longer pink. Return vegetables to skillet. Stir in Alfredo sauce and seasonings; heat through. Drain tortellini; add to chicken mixture. Toss to coat. Yield: 6 servings.