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October 24, 2005
CR Friendly Quesadillas
There are people out there who believe that once one commits to a lifestyle like CR, one should rid one's diet of all foods that remind one of ad lib days. Like vegans who say that people shouldn't eat soy meat substitutes because they promote the *idea* of meat, some folks make such a moral issue out of food that they frown upon creations that mimic the food of the less healthy. MR and I are not among those people. We're all about getting maximum nurition in the fewest calories possible. Most days, our diets consist of tons of veggies, lowfat protein sources like eggwhites and lowfat cottage cheese, and unsaturated fats like olive oil, flax oil, and hazelnuts. We love our food, and enjoy our meals much more than your average not-hungry ad lib eater. But every once in awhile, it's fun to play around with CR versions of old favorites. MR's Zoned Gourmet Pizzas are one delicious example. Yesterday I created a new favorite: CR friendly quesadillas.
Here's how:
I took Trader Joe's whole wheat low carb tortillas (50 cals each) and stuffed them with one slice of fat free cheese each, then added some Quorn grounds. Melted in the microwave and topped with a bit of salsa for MR, and fat free sour cream for me. On the side, I served a big bowl of chopped tomatoes and green peppers with Trader Joe's salsa verde. For dessert I made an apple cranberry bake, with fresh cranberries boiled in port and then baked with chopped apples and tons of cinnamon. Hazelnuts and flax oil added for fat. I found the cranberry dish rather tart, but MR liked it with extra cinnamon. Good thing too because I used up an entire bag of cranberries, so he'll be eating it for dessert for at least the rest of the week. The quesadillas were delicious and a lot of fun, and reminded me of the tradition at my father's house of eating nachos and margaritas on Sunday night. Next weekend I may mix up one of my low carb, low cal margaritas to drink with my quesadilla.
Lunch was a big hit, and more like what we would normally eat. Continuing with the fritatta theme, I made a broccoli fritatta with 200 g broccoli cooked into 1 cup of eggwhites mixed with 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt. Just a little bit of half salt and pepper added, cooked on 300 for about half an hour and then 200 for an hour. It turned out perfect. MR remarked that it's amazing how cooking vegetables into eggwhites seems to bring out their flavor. I've also been working on getting rid of a giant bag of baby carrots that our Halloween party-goers barely made a dent in, so I created a new and fabulous carrot dish. I sauteed the carrots in a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and a bit of water until they were well-cooked, then let them sit for about an hour with a lid over the pot. Served with a teaspoon of olive oil. Next time I think I'll steam the carrots in a steamer pot and then marinate them in balsamic vinegar and olive oil all day in the fridge before serving cold. Fits in well with my making dinner in advance plan.
Last night I made dinner for tonight. I made a carrot fritatta (mix and match!) to be served with the apple cranberry bake and hazelnut oil, plus some hazelnuts and flax oil. I will be eating my traditional brewers yeast and vegetable soup for dinner, along with possibly a cup of cottage cheese. I do love cottage cheese. Can you believe I was vegan for five years???
On Wednesday, I have another pizza meeting, and as his mother suggested MR will be making his CR'd Zoned Pizzas to greet me when I come home. I frequently remark to myself that I am the luckiest girl on earth. I'm so thankful that I really feel like I need to go out and find more gods to give thanks to... monotheism just doesn't provide enough opportunities for gratitude.
Posted by april at October 24, 2005 9:09 AM
Comments
"monotheism just doesn't provide enough opportunities for gratitude"
What a great line - I love that.
Posted by: Suzanne at October 24, 2005 11:36 AM
You should write a CR cookbook.
Posted by: Stacey at October 24, 2005 7:11 PM
Do you have a recipe posted anywhere for MR's CR'd zoned pizzas? I'd love to try making them...I agree with Stacey - you definiately should write a CR cookbook. I've tried several of your recipes and they've all been good. Especially your lasagna!
Posted by: Shauna at October 25, 2005 10:16 AM
Man, I want to come eat at YOUR house every night!
Posted by: Anonymous at October 25, 2005 11:22 AM