Healthy Crispy Rice Treats

In my quest for eating healthier, I saw this made on the Food Network and have been meaning to try them for awhile. I’m not normally a fan of Rice Krispy treats, but these have peanut butter—and chocolate!! How can you go wrong? They are delicious! I might use a touch more honey and peanut butter–or a little less cereal because they were not quite sticky enough and crumbled a bit.

Healthy Crispy Rice Treats

Ingredients:

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup natural chunky-style peanut butter
6 cups crispy brown rice cereal (I actually couldn’t find this at my normal grocery store, so I used organic regular rice cereal)
2/3 cup chopped dried cherries (3 ounces) or chocolate chips (I used the chocolate chips, but will use cherries to make my own type of breakfast bar sometime soon)
Cooking spray

Combine honey and peanut butter in a large pot and heat over medium-low heat until melted, about 2-3 minutes.

Add brown rice cereal and cherries and stir to combine until mixture is sticky.

Press into a 9 by 13-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray.

Let cool, then chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Cut into 15 (2 1/2 by 3-inch) squares.

Per Serving:

Calories 160; Total Fat 5 g; (Sat Fat 0.5 g, Mono Fat 0 g, Poly Fat 0 g) ; Protein 3 g; Carb 26 g; Fiber 2 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 35 mg

Source: Adapted from Food Network’s Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger

Healthier Sloppy Joes and Mashed Cauliflower

I saw this on a friend’s blog and decided to try it out! I’m always looking for healthy, easy recipes. The other thing I really like about the cauliflower recipe is that it had a ton of flavor without sacrificing the nutritional value. I always thought that eating broccoli drenched in a fatty cheese sauce kind of defeated the purpose! I adapted a little bit, but they both turned out great. Aaron told me that these were the best sloppy joes he’s ever had. Well, great!

Healthier Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground beef (I used 4% fat)

1/2 cup onion, small-diced

2 cloves garlic (I used Trader Joe’s frozen garlic cubes–love these things)

Pam spray

1 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. oregano

1 Tbsp. cumin

1 tsp. cayenne (if you want a little heat)

1/2 cup no salt added tomato sauce

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

1/4 cup water

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1/4 cup ketchup

salt and pepper to taste

Heat in a medium sized skillet over medium heat and add the Pam spray. Add onions and cook until translucent.

Add extra lean ground beef and break up with a wooden spoon.

Add herbs, spices and garlic and cook until meat is browned.

Add tomato products, water, brown sugar and ketchup. Simmer until thickened, about 5-8 minutes.

Serve on whole wheat buns.

Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients:

1 bag (16 oz.) frozen cauliflower

2 Tbsp. fat free or low-fat cream cheese

2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup skim milk

salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste

Put cauliflower in a microwave safe bowl and cook for approximately 6 minutes (or until heated through).

Add remaining ingredients and put in microwave for another 2 minutes.

Using a blender, process cauliflower until it reaches the desired consistency (best if not pureed too much!)

Source: Adapted from Culinary Infatuations by Ally

Stuffed Burgers

This is a pretty simple recipe that is fairly healthy. In an effort to eat a little healthier (I know, I know–the huge potato with toppings)—however, these little burgers are only 2 Weight Watcher points per serving—not bad at all. For the potato I used the new Sargento Potato Finishers, which are not all that bad for you. I’ve tried both types—and they are both excellent. Would make a great meal by themselves.

Stuffed Burgers:

11 patties/2 points each

Ingredients:

1/4 c. egg beaters
1 c. water
1 (6 oz) box Stove Top stuffing
1/2 tsp. minced garlic (from jar)
2 green onions, slice thin
1 pound lean ground beef

1. In medium bowl, combine egg substitute & water. Stir in stuffing & let sit for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add the garlic, onions, and ground beef. Mix well w/hands to combine.
3. Divide into 11 balls.
4. Place 4-5 balls in skillet w/cooking spray, then flatten w/spatula. Cook over medium heat on each side until meat is no longer pink inside.

Can freeze the remaining patties for later use!

Source: Teale’s Meals