Simple Valentine Menu

Red for Valentine's Day!Pomodoro Tomato Soup1 tablespoon olive oil1 tablespoon minced garlic1 onion, diced1 carrot, peeled and diced2 stalks of celery, diced1 can low-sodium chicken broth2 cups canned, diced pomodoro tomatoes*, no added salt1 cup water1 tablespoon chopped basil2 bay leavesDash granulated garlicBlack pepper and Parmesan cheese, to tasteSauté the garlic, onion, carrot, and celery in the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until golden, about 2-3 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover the pan, reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer over low heat until veggies are tender, about 15 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender or transfer batches to a traditional blender or food processor to whirr until smooth. Serve hot, topped with a dash of pepper and Parmesan cheese.Nutrition Information:This recipe makes 6 servings. Each 1 cup serving contains 62 calories, 3 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 49 mg sodium, 8 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 4 g sugar, and 2 g protein.Each serving also has 39% DV vitamin A, 18% DV vitamin C, 4% DV calcium, and 5% DV iron.Oven frying is the way to go!Oven Fried Fish Dinner2 tablespoons Panko or regular bread crumbs1 pound white fish fillets2 tsp olive oil + a drizzle1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into wedges1 tablespoon fresh basil2 cloves garlic, minced1/4 cup skim milk1 pound asparagus2 cups halved cherry tomatoesHeat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Put potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then boil the potatoes until they’re cooked through. Place a colander in the sink and pour the contents of the pot over it, straining away the excess water. Press bread crumbs onto one side of the fish, then sauté it (crumb side down) in olive oil until golden, about 2 minutes. Turn the fish over and place it in the oven. Bake until done, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, sauté the garlic with a tiny drizzle of olive oil and add the basil. Sauté briefly, then add the potatoes. Mash them with a little bit of skim milk and place on a plate. Roast the asparagus in a toaster oven.Nutrition Information:Serves 4. Each serving contains 414 calories, 5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 184 mg cholesterol, 807 mg sodium, 29 g carbohydrate, 4 g dietary fiber, 6 g sugar, and 61 g protein.Each serving also has 28% DV vitamin A, 40% DV vitamin C, 10% DV calcium, and 16% DV iron.There's tofu in this too?Chocolate Mousse with Berries1 12-ounce box of silken tofu1/3 cup sugar1/4 cup cocoa powder2 cups assorted berriesNonfat whipped creamPuree tofu, sugar, and cocoa powder in a food processor. Divide between four glasses.Refrigerate until ready to serve or proceed to the next step. Mash berries and divide the among the glasses of chocolate mousse.Top each glass with 2 tablespoons of nonfat whipped cream and serve.Nutrition Information:Serves 4. Each serving contains 311 calories, 2 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 192 mg sodium, 66 g carbohydrate, 3 g dietary fiber, 32 g sugar, and 9 g protein.Each serving also has 8% DV vitamin A, 156% DV vitamin C, 6% DV calcium, and 5% DV iron.

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Stephanie Ronco

Stephanie Ronco has been editing for Food and Health Communications since 2011. She graduated from Colorado College magna cum laude with distinction in Comparative Literature. She was elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 2008.

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February 2014

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The Pritikin Program: Fad or the Real Deal?