Low Calorie Avocado Roasted Corn and Tomato Salsa Recipe

Summer is a great time to add spicy, different salsas as a side dish. There's an abundance of fresh vegetables to use in totally different ways and this salsa is one of my favorites. This recipe is low calorie and refreshing, and the avocado is full of good fats. Serve it beside grilled chicken or even to top a salad and shrink your waistline while still eating delicious food.


2 ears of corn, shucked
2 green onions, chopped fine, both green and white parts
1 ripe avocado, chopped in approximately 1/2 inch pieces
3 medium tomatoes chopped in 1/2 inch pieces
Juice and zest of 1 fresh lime (about 1 Tbsp each)
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
1 small jalapeno, chopped fine, ribs and seeds discarded if you don't want it too hot
Salt and pepper to taste

Grill corn on preheated medium grill until tender and lightly browned 5-8
min, or wrap in foil and bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Let cool. Cut corn from cob. Combine corn, onions, avocado, jalapeno, and tomato in medium bowl; toss to
combine. Whisk lime juice and zest, olive oil, and cilantro in small
bowl. Pour over vegeatable mixture; toss. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature or in refrigerator for at least one hour to let flavors mingle.

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Mango Salsa Recipe

It's mango season here in Florida, and that means it's time for mango salsa. It's low calorie and delicious, and it's great with chicken, fish, or just as a great side dish for any meal.

Mango Salsa

1 mango, peeled and chopped fine *see note*
1/2 green pepper, chopped fine
1 tablespoon jalapeno, chopped fine
1/2 small red onion, chopped fine
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/3 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in refrigerator for at least two hours before eating, so that all the tastes meld together. It's better if you leave it overnight.

*you may need to wear gloves when peeling the mango and chopping the jalapeno. Many people have an allergic reaction the oils in the mango's skin, and it can give you a nasty burn. The jalapeno can be transferred easily to tender areas such as eyes if it gets on your skin, so be careful with both of them. Wash hands thoroughly after chopping, even if you do use gloves.*

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Low Calorie Strawberry and Lemon Cream Dessert

This is a gorgeous, easy summer dessert that is very light. It has approximately 150 calories per serving, and it tastes so good. You can substitute any kind of fruit for the strawberries. I've used it with blueberries, blackberries, and peaches. Not so good with melon; the tastes just don't mesh. It's a lovely, elegant dessert that will satisfy your craving for sweets without ruining your waistline.


4 ounces (1/2 package) reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel cheese, which tastes exactly the same)
3/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 cups fresh strawberries

Soften cream cheese, or put it on a plate in the microwave for 8 seconds, then flip it over and microwave it 5 seconds more. Scrape it off the plate using a spatula into a bowl. Add yogurt to the bowl along with honey. Using an electric mixer, beat at high speed until light and creamy. Stir in lemon zest.

Layer the lemon cream and strawberries in dessert dishes or wineglasses. If not serving immediately, cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours.

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Low fat low calorie delicious Broccoli Soup recipe

This is a wonderful light summer soup that is low calorie and low fat, but it sacrifices none of the taste. Use fresh broccoli; the taste is much more delicious. You can make it with fat free chicken broth instead of vegetable broth, but I have a vegetarian in the house and I always use vegetable broth. Try for low-sodium if you use canned, since a lot of times store bought broth is made with tons of salt. It's a light, lovely meal when eaten with a salad and a fruit dessert. Tasty, but you don't ruin your waistline.


Broccoli soup

2 tsp olive oil
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1 medium Yukon Gold potato, peeled and cubed
4 cups fresh broccoli, including stems, chopped
2 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups skim milk, warmed to room temperature *see note*
Salt and black pepper to taste


Heat oil on medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Saute onion, garlic, and celery for 3-4 minutes, until onion is softened. Add potato and chopped broccoli, then add broth and milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender. If you prefer a smoother soup, process the slightly cooled soup in batches in your blender or food processor. I usually take out about half of it and blend it up, then add it back to the soup.

*if you add cold milk to hot liquid, you get milk that curdles in big lumps. If you don't have time to bring the milk to room temperature, add in the broth to the soup, withholding milk. Then when it comes up to a boil, add a ladle of broth to the milk. Then add it to the soup.*

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Apple Brown Betty

Another simple apple recipe that the quality of the dish depends completely on the taste of the apple you pick. Tart apples cook up better; Winesap, Pink Ladies, Granny Smiths, etc. Find one you like. This is quick and easy, and it serves beautifully. Dish it up with a topping of whipped cream or a Scoop of ice cream.



APPLE BROWN BETTY

3 med. apples, cored and sliced
2 tbsp. raisins
1 tsp. cornstarch
Dash lemon juice
1/4 c. water
2 tsp. brown sugar

Topping:
4 tsp. coconut
4 tsp. butter
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
3 tbsp. flour
2 tsp. brown sugar
Dash nutmeg
2 tablespoons walnuts or pecans


Put apple and ingredients in a lightly oiled 8" X 8" Pan and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Mix topping ingredients together. Then put on top of baked apple mixture and bake another 15-20 minutes at 325 degrees.

Pears Poached in Wine

This is a beautiful and easy dessert that will always be a hit. I always feel so decadent eating pears this way; it seems so classy. The beautiful taste of the ripe pears shines through, and it's ultra simple to make.

Pears Poached in Wine

4 firm, ripe pears with stems
2 cups sweet white wine
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cinnamon stick
Candied Orange peel or Orange Peel


Using a melon baller or paring knife, cut cores out through the bottom of the pears, leaving the tops intact and leaving a stem on. Peel the pears. In a Dutch oven or a heavy saucepan, stand pears upright with space between them.

Pour the wine and orange juice over pears. Bring to boil over medium high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover pan and gently simmer the pears, basting occasionally with the wine liquid, until tender, about 25 minutes.

Remove the pan from heat. Using slotted spoon, transfer them to stand in center of 4 dessert plates.

Add cinnamon stick and orange peel or candied orange peel to wine liquid in pot. Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat; lower heat and simmer until the sauce is reduced, about 10 minutes. Spoon the sauce over the pears; garnish each with a piece of the cooked orange peel.

Tahini paste or sauce

Tahini is used in many Middle Eastern dishes, and it's hard to find in the store. If you're making hummus, you're going to want some of this. I've got a secret for you. Tahini is nothing but a sesame seed paste made with olive oil. It takes about 3 minutes to make.


2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 cup tepid water

Whirl the sesame seeds up in the food processor, and drizzle in the olive oil while it is still running. Add salt. Add water in a steady stream until it makes a paste.

That's it.