Category Archives: Recipes

Super Skinny Last Minute Super Bowl Party

First things first are the appetizers . . .

Lazy Girl’s Greek Dip

We are already starting out with the lazy because we’re feeling you on the time crunch, but with hummus, red peppers, and cucumbers, this recipe is heavy on the skinny, too.

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And now for the Main Event . . .

You can always put out some steamed shrimp for the carb conscious, but here are a few more traditional “football fare” recipes.

Skinny Mexican Casserole

This casserole is beefy and cheesy and everything Super Bowl food should be. But what really elevates this dish to MVP status is that a serving is around 345 calories. Score!

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It is seriously easy to assemble a couple of these casseroles, but sometimes you don’t feel like bothering with the oven. For those of you who would rather fix it and forget it . . .

Crockpot Chicken Bar-B-Q for a Crowd

This little gem is always a crowd-pleaser. You can even prep it today and throw it in the freezer until you are ready to thaw it out for game day. Hmmm, maybe there isn’t enough time for freezing, but you can assemble all of the ingredients in a Ziploc bag and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to pour it into the crockpot on Sunday. There’s a game plan for you!

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Side dishes are our favorite . . .

Crispy Colorful Vinaigrette Coleslaw

We may be guilty of including this one in just about every recipe roundup we do, but it is just that darn good. Every single time we make it, the rave reviews pour in. Its crispy crunch complements everything, and with no gloppy mayo, it’s a healthy way to get some veggies into your gang.

Click for the Fully Printable Recipe

Okay let’s be honest, snacking is our favorite . . .

Old Bay Lemon Pepper Seasoned Pretzels

We’re cheating a little bit with this one. These aren’t exactly low in calories, but when compared to tortilla chips and queso, this snack is the clear winner. Plus, the savory goodness of these pretzels is pure yum.

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Mmmmm, dessert . . .

Skinny Lemon Bars

These bars are soooooo good it’s hard to believe they’re only about 115 calories per serving. Where’s the confetti cannon when you need it?

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Happy Super Bowl!

(GO EAGLES!)

Ellen and Erin

This #SuperBowl menu is super easy AND super skinny! Bonus Quirky Super Bowl Bets Ballot included!

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Comforting Casseroles That Are Kind to Your Waistline

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4 Comforting Casseroles That Are Kind to Your Waistline | These comforting casseroles are quick meals that please a variety of palates, yet are kind to the waistline. Easy recipes to double, freeze, and share! | Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

All hail the casserole!

What’s not to love? They’re quick and easy meals that are the epitome of comfort food. They can be doubled–even tripled–frozen, and shared. However, they frequently get a bad wrap for being too creamy, too caloric, or too gloppy; but as is often the way in life, you just have to be selective.

Listed from “kindest to your waistline” to “be mindful of your portion size” are casseroles to rock your dinner menu.

Zucchini and Ground Turkey Cheesy Casserole

This casserole has a freshness about it that makes it perfect even in the heat of summer, but the brown rice and cheese still lets it linger in the comfort food category. If you’re anti-glop, this is the casserole for you.

It also gives you one more way to use that summertime zucchini bounty.

Skinny Mexican Casserole

Next up is this beefy, cheesy deliciousness. This recipe is the bomb because it is stick to your ribs satisfying without adding bounce to your booty. One sixth of this casserole is about 345 calories. Doesn’t hurt that it’s super easy and convenient to make, too.

Packed with more veggie goodness than you might think.

Bruschetta Chicken Bake

This weeknight casserole is so great because it’s made with UNCOOKED chicken, a real time saver. Bonus is that everyone loves this casserole for the taste . . . and for the fact it runs around 300 calories per cup. If you’re thinking you can just find this recipe on the back of the stuffing box, you would be close to correct. I added a secret flavor-boosting ingredient. Check it out.

Chicken Bruschetta Bake with a secret flavor-boosting ingredient! | Delicious and Easy Dinner Recipe | Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

You can make this in minutes!

Bubble-Up Meatball Sub Casserole

While this casserole lands firmly in the land of comfort food, it’s not too terrible on the calories when you use turkey meatballs. I calculated on My Fitness Pal that one very generous serving containing 3.0 ounces of meatballs, one biscuit, 0.2 cups sauce, and 1 ounce of cheese was 470 calories. If you split the casserole evenly into ninths, the calorie count is about 300. Not too bad for something that is so satisfying.

This casserole is another one that can be assembled in minutes.

Bonus!

Tator Tot Hotdish

Okay, this one is a full-on classic cream soup casserole or hotdish as it’s known in Minnesota. No, neither one of us is from Minnesota, but it’s whatever. We have no idea how many calories is in this one, but that’s probably for the best.

Comfort food defined!

Bon Appetit!

Find all of our recipes here!

-Ellen and Erin

Craving comfort food? These casseroles hit the mark while preserving your waistline!

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Cranberry Recipes for a Party or Every Day!

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Let’s hear it for cranberry! It’s time this palatal pleasing trooper stops being overshadowed by its more lauded seasonal comrades! This taste wonder needs its due. While it’s true Thanksgiving and cranberries go hand-in-hand, there’s little argument that pumpkin really reigns supreme over fall. Seriously, a bajillion pumpkin EVERYTHINGS everywhere is pretty telling.

And just when you think cranberry should take center stage in December with its festive crimson hue, nope, peppermint gives it a hip-swish bump relegating it to the wings again.

Well, we’re here to tell you that while cranberry may never be the Brad Pitt of the stove top, it deserves some props for being a dependable and talented character actor. You know what? That’s not saying enough. Cranberry is the Kevin Bacon of the kitchen! It’s got a zip and tang that makes everything tastier.

Maybe the problem is cranberry needs to stop fighting for holiday attention and expand its arena. We challenge you to think of cranberry as an option throughout the year! Why not serve Vodka Cranberry Seltzers on Mother’s Day or Cranberry Apricot Pork at your next Fourth of July picnic? The only thing you’ll be risking is a standing ovation.

Let’s begin with a little refreshment:

Vodka Cranberry Seltzer

2 oz Vodka
4 oz Cranberry Juice Cocktail
Juice of 1/4 of a lime
2 oz seltzer or sparkling water

In a shaker full of ice, combine vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice. Shake for 10 seconds and strain over an 8 to 10 ounce glass filled with ice. Top off the glass with the seltzer or sparkling water.

OR . . .

You can do it the ~~Lazy~~ Sensible Moms way and just pour all the ingredients in a glass and stir it with a spoon.

Either way, while this beauty looks charming all decked out for the holidays, it is even more refreshing on a hot summer day.

Cranberry Rosemary Cheese Ball

Not even exaggerating a little bit about how much this cheese ball is loved. Is it the sweet and savory together? Is it the pretty presentation? Is it the make-ahead convenience? Is it the illusion that fruit makes it healthy? Who knows? Regardless, you can get the easy, printable recipe here.

Apricot Cranberry Crockpot Pork Tenderloin

So the previous two recipes have perpetuated cranberry’s strong role as a supporting player, but this one pulls cranberry into the main spotlight where is belongs. This pork is perfect for Christmas Eve or a Labor Day picnic, over rice or on a bun. It is elegant, delicious, and out of the ordinary. Oh, and easy. What more could you want . . . except the full, printable recipe here.

So seriously, stop putting cranberry in a corner and let it shine at your next meal or gathering! You won’t regret it with these easy recipes!

These cranberry #recipes will be the stars of your next meal or party!

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Grilling Recipes for Satisfying Vegetarians to Meat Lovers

1. The Best Black Bean Burger

The Best Black Bean Burgers! Try this recipe tonight for dinner because you don't have to be a vegetarian to crave them. Everyone loves them because they are bursting with flavor! Yummy and healthy! | Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Click here for the fully printable recipe.

Okay, this is our vegetarian option, but we are hedging our bets with this one. This burger packs so much flavor, veggie lovers and carnivores alike will swoon. No need to make separate meals for everyone, one yummy burger satisfies all.

However, you really should check out the next recipes anyway.

2. The Tastiest Turkey Burger

Delicious turkey burger recipe with mushrooms and onions and lots of healthy flavor. It should be what's for dinner tonight. | Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

Click here for the fully printable recipe.

Here’s a burger for those who want some meaty goodness but are watching their waistlines. The mouth-watering deliciousness of this recipe is hard to beat. However to get the low fat benefits makes sure to use very lean ground turkey: 95-99% lean. If you choose 80/20 (or greater fat content) ground turkey, you’re packing more calories from fat than you may think. In fact, 80/20 turkey is not as healthy as 90/10 ground beef when you compare calorie and fat content.

Which brings us to our last recipe which will make it very clear we haven’t forgotten about the appeal of grilled beef.

3. Delicious Red Wine Marinated Flank Steak

Red Wine Marinated Flank Steak | Whether you call it London broil or flank steak, it can be a delicious cut of meat especially with this marinade to bring out its full flavor and tenderness. An economical and calorie-friendly way to enjoy steak.

Click for fully printable recipe here.

Whether you call it London broil or flank steak, it can be a delicious cut of meat, especially grilled. But–and this is very important–it MUST be marinated to bring out its full flavor and tenderness, and that marinade must be acidic. THIS marinade is perfection: I use it for parties and for weeknights.

Bonus! London broil is one of the more economical and calorie friendly steaks. Four ounces comes in around 190 calories. Your taste buds, waistline, and wallet win!

So there you have it. Three recipes to delight and satisfy.

Now go out and do some grilling and create some joy!

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-Erin and Ellen

Healthy, hearty recipes to satisfy vegetarians to meat lovers! Grill them up tonight!

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Turkey Burgers Are Sexy

No Mayo! No Worries! Tailgating Menu Plan

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We love outdoor shindigs when the weather is still warm with just a whisper of crisp to it. Buuuuuuttt, there’s just one fly in the apple cider: how to keep food safe.

Ellen: I’ll admit it, I am the food poisoning police. I blame my Microbiology degree and delicate stomach. I cannot stand to serve mayonnaise based foods at a picnic or tailgate, because unless they have been kept at exactly the right temperature, you’re serving your aunt’s famous pasta salad with a side of staph aureus toxins. Why do all of the picnic foods seem to be dripping with mayo?!

Erin: My reason is simpler. I HATE mayonnaise. Picture me gagging. For real.

Ellen: Any reason that takes you to a safer end when it comes to oil and eggs is a good reason, I always say.

Erin: Imma gonna get that embroidered on a dish towel for you. Anyway, we both realized we had no-mayo recipes in our go-to party food arsenals, that when we combined them together, made a pretty great menu plan.

Ellen: Now while these recipes are without eggs, cheese, and mayonnaise, they are not miraculous. You still need to transport the ones that need refrigeration in a cooler and they can only sit out for 2 hours AT THE MOST. If it is hotter than 90 degrees, they can only be out for an hour.

Erin: You’re so sensible.

Ellen: Awwww. Anyway, whether it be a picnic, pool party, or tailgate, these recipes are easy, delicious, . . .

Erin: And MAYO FREE!

1. Appetizer/Snacks

Old Bay Lemon Pepper Seasoned Pretzels

These pretzels are so easy to make and practically scream football. Why worry about refrigerating dips and spreads when these snacks are so jam-packed with flavor you don’t need them? Warning: you should make a double batch because these tasty creations have a very hard time making it out of the door.

Full Printable Recipe Here

2. Main Dish

No Mayo Chicken Salad

Don’t get us wrong. We love chili and chicken wings at a tailgate, but this is what we make when there are no outlets for our crockpots. This chicken salad keeps so well because there is NO MAYO, only avocado! With the added crunch of walnuts, apples, and grapes, this recipe feels very appropriate for fall. We often just set out a bowl of this yummy-ness with crackers and rolls, but we have been known to make paninis ahead of time if they don’t have to spend too long in the cooler.

Full Printable Recipe Here

3. Side Dishes

I. Cilantro Dijon Mustard Roasted Potato Salad

Potato salad has always seemed like mush to us . . . until this recipe. Here, the potatoes are roasted and the mustard dressing is light. The additions of roasted corn and cilantro bumps this recipe up to total fabulous-ness.

Full Printable Recipe Here

II. Crispy Colorful Vinaigrette Coleslaw

If you want to be praised to the high heavens, then serve this slaw. We are not kidding. People go nuts for it. It’s so flavorful without a heavy, fattening dressing. It’s perfect as a side, as well as on a sandwich, but especially by the spoonful.

See Full Printable Recipe Here

4. Dessert

Super Chocolate Chex Mix

What can we say? This dessert has it all. It’s quick and easy to make and take; it doesn’t require cutting or utensils; and it disappears so quickly you won’t have to worry about packing up leftovers.

Full Printable Recipe Here

Do you have any great additions you would make to this menu?

No mayo! No worries! Tailgating menu plan! Easy and Delicious!

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Ellen’s Famous Peaches and Cream Pie

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My general philosophy: If it’s not chocolate, it’s not worth the calories . . . EXCEPT when it comes to this peaches and cream pie. But as good as this pie is, it only makes an appearance once a year because I am a stickler about using fresh peaches. But by one appearance, I really mean I make it three to five times during August and September. Hmm, I probably should call it a seasonal favorite.

As the years pass, what I become less of a stickler about is the pie crust. Since Anna from My Life and Kids posted this recipe last year, I have been using it as my go-to crust. So easy. But you know what is even easier? Using Pillsbury Readymade Refrigerated Pie Crust. When I am pressed for time, I use it AND NO ONE EVER KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE. Maybe I just bake for non-discerning people, but I know I make this pie more often when I don’t have to hunt for my rolling pin.

Ingredients

9 inch pie crust, unbaked: My Life & Kids recipe or Pillsbury Readymade refrigerated crust
3 cups peeled, pitted and chopped peaches. (At least 6 to 7 large.)
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg beaten
2 egg whites beaten or 1/3 cup liquid egg whites beaten
1/2 cup nonfat sour cream

TOPPING:
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll out pie crust and press into a 9 inch pie plate.
Spoon peaches into the crust.
In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour and the salt.
Add egg, egg whites, and sour cream to the bowl, stirring until well blended.
Spoon mixture over peaches.

FOR THE TOPPING: In another small bowl, combine 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup flour.
With pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Sprinkle mixture evenly over pie.
Bake for about 1 hour, but start checking on it at 50 minutes. The crumb topping should just have a hint of golden brown.

Ellen’s Famous Peaches and Cream Pie

INGREDIENTS

9 inch pie crust. Either use a Pillsbury ReadyMade refrigerated pie crust or the recipe from My Life and Kids.

3 cups peeled, pitted and chopped peaches. (At least 6 to 7 large.)

3/4 cups granulated sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 egg beaten

2 egg whites beaten or 1/3 cup liquid egg whites beaten

1/2 cup nonfat sour cream

Topping:

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons butter, room temperature

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Roll out pie crust and press into a 9 inch pie plate.

Spoon peaches into the crust.

In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour and the salt.

Add egg, egg whites, and sour cream to the bowl, stirring until well blended.

Spoon mixture over peaches.

For the Topping:

In another small bowl, combine 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup flour.

With pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Sprinkle mixture evenly over pie.

Bake for about 1 hour, but start checking on it at 50 minutes. The crumb topping should just have a hint of golden brown.

Notes

Best served warm. Ice cream or whipped cream is a nice addition.

http://www.sisterhoodofthesensiblemoms.com/2014/09/ellens-famous-peaches-cream-pie/

Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms

See all of recipes here.

Ellen’s Famous Peaches and Cream Pie. The best pie EVER!! #recipe

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Best Turkey Burger Recipe Ever!

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Vacationing with family is the best. Not only are you making great family memories like these:

You also are privy to how the other half of the family lives. You get new obsessions (thanks Aunt Karen for the non-stop Settlers of Catan marathons!), but you also get great new recipes.

Everyone knows that summer is the perfect time for burgers. We are girls who love a good burger, but we also like to fit into the bathing suits we bought at the beginning of the season by the end of it. Special thanks to Erin’s brother-in-law Dan for cooking up a special turkey burger recipe that is the perfect combination of delicious and good-for-our-“bottom”-lines. It’s easy and inexpensive too.

Ingredients:

One pound lean ground turkey
4-6 white/cremini mushrooms (you can be creative here and use your favorite but you will need about 3 ounces) *diced very very fine
1/2 small white, yellow or red onion *diced very, very fine
2 Tablespoons Montreal Steak Seasoning
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

Steps:

1. Dice the mushrooms very, very fine.

2. Dice the onions very, very fine. You can go so far as to mince the onion but don’t try to mince mushrooms. They get weird and pasty if you do that.

If you haven’t guessed, the dicing is the key to this recipe. You really want to infuse the flavor of the onion and the mushroom without making them take center stage. Their job here is mainly to help moisten the turkey burger AND give it full fat flavor and texture without the full fat of regular beef.

If you are confused about the difference between mincing and dicing, mincing makes less uniform, smaller, more irregularly shaped pieces while dicing produces more uniform little cubes between 1/8 and 1/4 inch. Need a visual? Check out the great picture on this site.

3. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl with your hands.

4. Pat into 4 patties. Unlike beef, you don’t need to worry about over-handling because of all of the good stuff you added to the mix. Mix, pat, and you are good to go.

5. Cook over medium high heat, 4-5 minutes per side, until thoroughly cooked through. These are really great fried up in a cast-iron skillet, so if you have one of those, give that cooking method a try.

These are so delicious they are worth every second dicing and mincing. Enjoy!

Tastiest Turkey Burger #recipe Chock full of flavor

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7 Delicious Summer Recipes to Be Excited About

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We’re summer girls, so we are super-excited to say this: Summer is here! Even if our kids are a little confused, we know exactly what this means: food, fun, and lots of free time!

We need good eats to power us through all this fun!

In addition to pulling out the flip-flops and trading in our jam-packed schedules for some lazy-hazy days, we are also psyched to get our summer eats on! These recipes are perfect for any day of the season. So whether we are chilling out after any of our adventures in surf and sand, catching up with old friends, or just enjoying a lovely evening at home, these 7 delicious summer recipes showcase the best of the season and are a surefire hit every time.

1. Caprese Salad-on-a-Stick

This is one of Erin’s favorite summer potluck dishes. She takes it to nearly every party and it gets gobbled up in no time flat. These are super-easy to assemble and deliver big on flavor, but they are best with fresh in-season tomatoes and basil. So pull up a chair, put on your favorite tunes, and get toothpicking.

2. Red Sangria

Ellen dreamed up this lovely cocktail to complement all of the yummy eats she serves at her annual Labor Day party. It is so good you’ll want to make it for special occasions all year long, but this IS summer’s drink with all of the fresh fruit and its reputation as the most perfect chilled cocktail ever. So grab this recipe for your own summer shindig.

3. Watermelon Salsa

This salsa tastes like summer in a bowl which means that when you make it out of season, it tastes like . . . well, a refrigerated truck from Sausalito. Fresh watermelon is one of the keys to this nearly perfect recipe for salsa. So vow to make some this summer. It’s a promise you’ll be glad you kept.

4. Whiskey Sour Slush

Erin’s family keeps a batch in the freezer all summer long. It’s the perfect frozen drink and our friends request big batches for all summer parties. Now we are sharing her dad Ed’s recipe for all the world to see. Just make sure that you thank him next time you see him around. We actually DO make this drink year round, but it just tastes the best on a hot day in the summer. Go figure.

5. Eastern Shore Crab Cakes with a Twist

We’re both Maryland girls, so we grew up eating the blue crabs every summer, but Ellen is a legit Eastern Shore chick. This recipe might cause a minor uproar as she deviates from the traditional much-beloved recipe, but it’s such a delicious variation that we think you’ll agree that she is more than forgiven for taking her liberties.

6. Steamed Crabs

But we like our crabs straight up too. Whether you flavor them with a little Old Bay or a little Kosher Salt and Cayenne Pepper, a crab feast is the epitome of a Maryland summer. . . just make sure they’re steamed. Boiling? ::shudder::

And if you are old enough to hold a crayon, you are going learn how to pick your own crabs. Even if your Mom and Dad moved you to Pittsburgh.

7. Gazpacho

We are just gonna say it out loud: Tomatoes have got one season and this is it. When they have to travel from afar to get to your table, they get all petulant and put out and don’t taste anything like their wonderful, flavorful cousins who ripened on your vine this summer. If your garden is overflowing with these gems, then we can help you spin your gold into something really useful . . . like gazpacho.