LOWER-FAT JUMPIN' JAMBALAYA

Serves: 5

A flavorful favorite that you can enjoy without guilt. Add your own spices to taste.

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pound steamed shrimp, peeled and chopped
8 oz. turkey smoked sausage pieces
1-1/2 cups cooked pinto beans
16 oz. can Cajun style stewed tomatoes
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 cup bell pepper, chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup water
4 cups long grain brown rice, cooked

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onions, celery and peppers until they soften. 2. Add garlic, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, Tabasco sauce, salt and water. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until veggies are soft.
3. Stir in pinto beans.
4. Heat skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Add turkey sausage and cook until browned (5 min).
5. Add shrimp, sausage and cooked rice to pot of veggies and simmer for 5 minutes, while stirring.

NUTRITION INFO (per 4-ounce serving):
Calories: 467.7
Fat: 10.2 g
Carbohydrates: 69.6 g
Protein: 27.1 g

LOW-FAT HEART HEALTHY TEXAS CHILI

Serves: 12

Lean ground turkey makes this chili both filling and low-fat. Other smart choices make this dish low in sodium, yet deliciously spicy.

INGREDIENTS:
2 lb. ground turkey meat (or 24 oz. cooked turkey)
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped green pepper
3 cloves garlic
2 (28 oz. each) cans low sodium chopped tomatoes, with juice
2 cups water
1 (6 oz.) can low sodium tomato paste
8 teaspoons low sodium beef bouillon
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 cup dried lentils
2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed

DIRECTIONS:

1. In large kettle, brown turkey and pour off fat.
2. Add onion, green pepper, and garlic. Cook and stir until tender.
3. Add remaining ingredients. Cover. Bring to boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

NUTRITION INFO (per serving):
Calories: 299.6
Fat: 6.7 g
Carbohydrates: 38.1 g
Protein: 24.9 g

LOW-FAT CHICKEN QUESADILLAS

Serves: 2

Try this version of this spicy southwestern favorite. Just a few smart substitutions from the traditional original make this a very healthy dish.

INGREDIENTS:

4 (7-inch) whole wheat tortillas
1/2 cup shredded light mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded light cheddar cheese
2 slices smoked chicken or turkey, slivered
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 tomato, finely chopped and drained
2 teaspoons pickled jalapeño peppers, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place tortillas, one at a time, on a preheated nonstick skillet.
2. Evenly distribute 1/4 of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, chicken, onions, cilantro, tomatoes and peppers over top.
3. Cook over medium heat until cheese melts (tortilla shouldn't brown).
4. Fold to make half moon and press firmly in place. Transfer to baking sheet or platter in warm oven. Repeat with remaining tortillas and remaining ingredients.
5. Cut each into two or three wedges, and serve immediately.

NUTRITION INFO (per serving):

Calories: 370.3
Fat: 10.2 g
Carbohydrates: 54.0 g
Protein: 20.7 g

LOW-FAT CAJUN CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

Serves: 1

A spicy Cajun twist to the familiar Caesar Salad. Simple to make and low on fat.

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 large boneless, skinless chicken breast
Cajun spice (to taste)
Hot sauce (to taste)
2 cups romaine lettuce
2 tablespoons reduced fat Caesar salad dressing
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Sprinkle spice and hot sauce on chicken breast, catering to your own taste, and grill chicken on skillet or grill (chicken is done when light pink has disappeared from center).
2. Toss lettuce, dressing, and chicken to evenly distribute throughout salad.
3. Add Parmesan cheese to taste, and serve.

NUTRITION INFO (per serving):
Calories: 196.1
Fat: 3.3 g
Carbohydrates: 7.4 g
Protein: 31.7 g

VERY LOW-FAT NEW ORLEANS RED BEANS AND RICE

Serves: 8

This vegetarian main dish is cholesterol-free, virtually fat-free, and chock full of vegetables.

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. dry red beans
2 quarts water
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
4 fresh bay leaves
1 cup chopped green pepper
3 tablespoons chopped garlic
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pick through beans to remove bad beans; rinse thoroughly.
2. In a large pot combine beans, water, onion, celery, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. 3. Cover and cook over low heat for about 1-1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Stir. Mash beans against side of pan.
4. Add green pepper, garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
5. Cook, uncovered, over low heat until creamy, about 30 minutes. Remove bay leaves.
6. Serve with hot cooked brown rice, if desired.

NUTRITION INFO (per 1.75-cup serving):
Calories: 187.2
Fat: 0.8 g
Carbohydrates: 35.4 g
Protein: 10.9 g

LOW-FAT MOUSSE A LA BANANA

Serves: 4

This creamy dessert is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, but high on richness.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons 1% milk
4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 medium banana, cut in quarters
1 cup plain low fat yogurt
8 banana slices (1/4 inch each)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place milk, sugar, vanilla, and banana in blender.
2. Process 15 seconds at high speed until smooth.
3. Pour mixture into a small bowl; fold in yogurt.
4. Chill. Spoon into 4 dessert dishes; garnish each with 2 banana slices just before serving.

NUTRITION INFO (per ½-cup serving):
Calories: 98.9
Fat: 1.4 g
Carbohydrates: 18.0 g
Protein: 4.6 g

LOW-FAT CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Serves: 8

Nothing beats a bowl of fresh, homemade chicken noodle soup. Here's a super quick way to enjoy a classic favorite.

INGREDIENTS:
2-1/2 cups wide egg noodles
4 cups water
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
12 cups chicken broth
1-1/2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water
3 cups diced, cooked chicken meat

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add noodles and oil, and boil 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cool running water, then drain again.
2. In a large saucepan, bring broth, salt, and poultry seasoning to a boil. Stir in celery and onion. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. In separate bowl, mix cornstarch and water together until cornstarch is completely dissolved, and gradually add to soup, stirring constantly.
4. Add noodles and chicken, and heat through.

NUTRITION INFO (per 1-cup serving):
Calories: 327.1
Fat: 6.5 g
Carbohydrates: 18.4 g
Protein: 45.9 g