265 Calorie Spaghetti & Meatball Soup

I came up with the idea for this soup on a whim - I had all of the ingredients on hand so I just sort of threw it together, and it turned out great! This was a super easy, light, Italian dinner - perfect for the freezing weather we've been having in Chicago.

I used NOoodles for this recipe - they are a "zero calorie" noodle - basically there are so few calories that they can say there are zero calories, I would estimate there's about 30 calories or fewer in the whole package which is still really good for noodles  -- to satisfy a pasta craving I like to just rinse, drain and microwave these with some Earth Balance or olive oil and garlic powder and salt. These noodles are also already prepared so you don't have to cook them, just heat them up! They are also gluten and dairy free!

This recipe is gluten free and dairy free :)

Ingredients:

1 Can Tomato Basil Soup - 300 calories

1 Package NOodles - 30 calories

1 turkey burger patty - 200 calories

Garlic powder and Garlic Salt to taste                            

=530 calories, 2 servings, 265 calories per serving

Directions:

1. Put the turkey burger in a heated up medium sauce pan

2. Mash up the turkey and heat until browned

3. Add the tomato soup, bring to a boil

4. While the soup is heating, drain and rinse the noodles

5. Add the noodles to the pot, cook for a minute or two until the noodles are heated up

6. Serve hot :)

238 Calorie Chili

I tried making a skinnier version of my Mom's turkey chili - this was the result - you can customize it to your own preferences for chili ingredients, spice level etc.

This recipe makes at 2-3 large servings - you can freeze any leftovers and re-heat later for chili mac, chili dogs, or whatever else you might use chili for.

This would be great with my 158 Calorie Hearty Jalapeno Cornbread as a side :)

This chili is way better than canned/store-bought and it is gluten and dairy free!

Ingredients:

2 cans tomatoes - 180 cal

1 can chili beans - 315 cal

1 turkey burger - 200 cal

1 small can green chiles - 20 cal

1/2 tsp cumin

2 dashes each of salt, pepper and chili powder if desired                          

= 715 calories total, makes 3 servings, 238 calories each

Directions:

1. In a large stock pot brown and break up the turkey meat
2. Once the turkey is well browned, add in the tomatoes
3. Rinse the canned beans, then add to the pot
4. Add in green chilis and spices to taste
5. Allow to simmer for at least 25 minutes, longer if desired - stir occasionally
6. Remove from heat and serve hot - store leftovers in airtight container in the freezer

93 Calorie Biscuits

Tonight I whipped up some super easy gluten and dairy free biscuits - these are great with Earth Balance butter, or honey, or as the base for a breakfast sandwich -

These biscuits puff up without yeast - and they are gluten free and dairy free!

Ingredients

3/4 cup Gluten Free All Purpose Flour - 300 cal
1/4 cup other flour of choice - coconut, cornmeal, almond etc. - about 100 cal
6 tablespoons egg whites - 50 cal
1 tablespoon olive oil - 100 cal
1/4 cup almond milk - 10 cal
1 teaspoon Baking powder
1 pinch salt                                                            
= 560 calories total, makes 6 biscuits - 93 calories each


Directions:

1. Preheat over to 400 degrees
2. Mix together the dry ingredients
3. Add in the olive oil and almond milk
4. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy
5. Fold the egg whites into the other mixture until combined
6. Divide into 6 balls and form into biscuits on a parchment paper covered baking sheet
7. Bake for about 18 minutes - cool on a wire rack, store in an airtight container :)