Singleton Summer Salad

I am taking a much needed break from writing my final paper to nourish my body. One of the things I hear singletons (i.e. people who live by themselves) say is that it's hard to cook for just one person, much less eat healthy. I totally get that. I'm guilty of it. But here is delicious summer salad that takes all of 5 minutes to make for one person.

Singleton Summer Salad 


1 small tomato
1 small onion
1/2 cucumber
1 tsp rock salt

All you do is slice the tomato and cucumber, chop the onion and add salt. You don't need to add anything else. The juices from the tomato and cucumber are good on their own. I'm going to sprinkle feta on my salad, but that's optional.

You can aslo add red, green, or yellow bell peppers to this. I've done that. For added calories, you can double and add 1 tsp of rice vinegar and 1/2 tsp EVOO.

Bofta Buna!

Bacon Jam Makes Everyone Happy

I am baking and creating all the time. I just forget to get on here and post. I do post all pictures of food on Instagram. My screen name is andreea_c if you want to follow.  

So this year, I'm making Easter dinner early for me and someone special. Bacon is a favorite so I couldn't help but indulge and make bacon jam. A friend at work made it for the office and shared the recipe. I have  of course tweaked it.  The recipe comes from the lovely Martha Stewart. It's her Slow Cooker Bacon Jam with my alterations.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces

2 medium yellow onions, diced small

3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup light maple syrup

3/4 cup brewed Laughing Man Coffee

1 cubed pair

Brown the bacon bacon over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and bacon is lightly browned. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet. Add onions and garlic and cook until onions are translucent. Add vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup, pair, and coffee and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up browned bits from skillet with a wooden spoon. Add bacon and stir to combine.

Transfer the mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker and cook on high, uncovered, until liquid is syrupy for about 3 1/2 hours. Transfer to a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Cool and then refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 4 weeks.

So here’s the secret. I use Laughing Man Coffee. I’m rather particular about my coffee. Laughing man has an assortment of amazing coffee. I’ve had Dukale’s Dream, Espresso, 184, and currently drinking Java Reserve. Laughing Man’s motto is “All Be Happy.” Out of pure joy and love for the motto, I gave them a try and instantly loved them. It also helps that they donate their proceeds to charity. So with every cup of coffee you drink, you’re actually doing a good deed. How awesome is that. So when I make bacon jam, I used laughing man so everyone can enjoy a good deed.

Super Yummy Cream Cheese Xmas Balls

It's my favorite time of the year. The day after Thanksgiving, my tree goes up and I start planning my Christmas party for my friends. It's usually the first weekend in December. I have been baking all week. And this year, I'm baking for my office too (not like it's a surprise to those of you who know me). Tomorrow I'm leading Operation DECK the Office. Those who help put up Christmas decorations get treats. These cream cheese balls are on the menu for both tomorrow and my party on Saturday. And the best part...they're super low calories...59 to be exact.


Wisk together 8 oz low fat cream cheese with 1/4 cup light butter (softened of course). Add 1 box yellow cake mix. Roll into small balls and roll in green (or red) sprinkles. Bake at 350 for 10 min.

It's that easy. Enjoy!

Healthy Thanksgiving

My Thanksgiving was quiet and peaceful.

On the menu:
Turkey
Cranberry Sauce
Sauteed Green Beans
Au Gratin Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole
Rolls with homemade honey butter
Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

I won't share every recipe, but I will share a few. I already posted the recipe for Double Layer Pumpkin Pie.  I used a Weight Watchers recipe for Au Gratin Potatoes except that I added dry mustard and cayenne pepper.

Cranberry Sauce
1 cup water
1/2 cup Splenda
1 bag cranberries
1 orange (chopped)
1 apple (chopped)

It's pretty easy. Dissolve the Splenda over medium heat. Add the cranberries, orange and apple.  It's done when the cranberries have popped and sauce has thickened. My mom used wine instead of water. And if you want to be really creative, use 1/2 cup water, 1/2 juice (orange or your fav...just be careful so the flavors don't clash). If you do use juice, cut the sugar in half.

Turkey
For my turkey, I made a herb butter. I eyeballed it for my turkey. It was just me and my boyfriend so I didn't need a big turkey.

Mix low fat margarine. I like Country Crock Lite. Finely chop garlic, fresh rosemary, and poultry herb mix. I added Vegeta, but you can use salt. I rubbed it underneath the skin and then all over the top of the turkey so it browns. It was pretty yummy. I normally chop up an apple, celery, and onion and stick it in the cavity of the turkey. I didn't this year, but you can. Turkey was incredibly juicy and tender.

That's all for now :). It might be a while before my next post. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving meal.

Holiday Staple Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

So my mother is hounding my Facebook for my Double Layer Pumpkin Pie. I made it for work. I'm making it for Thanksgiving with my boyfriend. I just make it every holiday season. But here's the thing. It's not going kill your diet. My recipe is under 200 calories.

Whisk together until smooth:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 TBS skim milk
1 1/2 cup light cool whip, thawed
1/2 tbs Splenda

Spread into the bottom of a 9 inch graham cracker crust

Mix together:
1 cup skim milk
1 package 3.5 sugar free vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp  ground cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 can 15 oz pumpkin puree

Pour over cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. I put the rest of the cool whip on top.  Enjoy!

Smiling Marketress' Fall Cookies

I call these my fall cookies because they happened on accident :). I wanted to make pumpkin cut out cookies, but realized I ran out of pumpkin. I had to get started on them anyway so I had to improvise. They turned out super good.

Cream:
1 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

Add:
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon butter extract
1 egg, beaten

Sift together:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Slowly mix the flour mixture with the butter mixture. Roll into a ball and refrigerate for at least 30 min. Roll out and use fall shaped cookie cutters. I used leaves, owls, and pumpkins. Bake at 350 for 7 min.

I placed them in a basket lined with a gold cloth napkin, and shimmery brown and gold tissue paper. I rode in the elevator this morning with the basket and said I looked like Little Red Riding Hood, only I wasn't wearing a red hood, but a gray slacks and teal sweater.

Pumpkin Bread

I've been on a pumpkin kick lately. And honestly, nothing says, "Welcome Fall" than a loaf of pumpkin bread. I make it at the beginning of each fall season. Sorry, no picture. I forgot to take one. But this year, my office raved about it.

Sift together:
3 Cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix together:
3 Cups sugar
1 Cup applesauce
3 eggs
2 Cups pumpkin

Mix dry ingredients with pumpkin mixture until smooth. Pour in a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour.  Makes 1 loaf.