Low Fat Recipes


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COOKING ARTICHOKES

Serving Size : 1

Categories : Vegetarian Low-Fat

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method

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Choose nice firm artichokes that are not turning brown or looking dry. (I like to serve one artichoke per person.) Cut off the stems even with the bottom of the artichokes. Cut about an inch off of the top of the artichokes-straight across the tops of the leaves. Using a pot that's large enough to accomodate the chokes in a single layer, arrange artichokes in bottom of pot. Add water to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Bring water to a boil and turn down heat so that the water remains at a low simmer. Cover pot and cook for 45 minutes. Check occasionally to be sure the water is not boiling away, and add more if necessary. The test for doneness is to pull out a leaf. If it comes away from the artichoke easily, it's done.

Serve on a plate with a small bowl of dipping sauce. To eat artichokes, pull off individual leaves, dip in sauce, and scrape leaf between teeth to remove the soft pulp near the bottom of the leaf. The remainder of the leaf is discarded. As you get near the center, the leaves become tenderer and a greater portion of each leaf is edible. When you are near the center, remove any remaining leaves, and you'll see a fuzzy thing called a choke.

This is not edible. Scrape it off with a knife or spoon and discard. Under the choke is the heart which many think is the best part of an artichoke (though I kind of like the leaves better myself). The heart is completely edible. Cut it up and dip the pieces in the sauce.

Information provided by Deborah Kirwan.  

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Couscous Tabbouleh

Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :1:00

Categories : Vegetarian Low-Fat

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method

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1 cup couscous

2 tomatoes, peeled & chopped

3 scallions -- chopped

1 can red kidney beans (15 ounces) -- rinsed and drained

1 cup canned corn -- drained

1/2 red bell pepper -- chopped

lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

Soak the couscous in about double its volume of boiling water, until all the water is absorbed. Let cool. Mix everything together, season and dress with lemon juice, and olive oil. Refrigerate for atleast two hours to let flavors combine.

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COUSCOUS WITH LENTILS TOMATOES & BASIL

Serving Size : 1

Categories : Vegetarian Low-Fat

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method

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2 tablespoons Sauteing liquid

1 medium Onion -- chopped

1 1/2 cups Water

1 cup Vegetable-cocktail juice (I Used V8 with a little Picante sauce Stirred in)

1 cup Brown lentils -- rinsed and Drained

1 Bay leaf

1 cup Whole wheat couscous

1 medium Tomato -- coarsely chopped

1/2 cup Chopped fresh basil

2 tablespoons Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Saute onion in liquid of your choice for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Stir in the water, juice, lentils, and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low; cover, and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the lentils are soft but not mushy.

Remove the pan from the heat and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the couscous, tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until the couscous is soft. Uncover and fluff with a fork to separate the grains, serves 4.

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