Banana Cream Smoothies-Susan Burkholder of Leola, Pennsylvania.

• Prep/Total Time: 5 min.
• Yield: 3 Servings

5 5

Ingredients

• 2 medium ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple
• 1/2 cup unsweetened frozen raspberries
• 1 cup fat-free plain yogurt

Directions

• In a blender, combine all ingredients; cover and process for 30 seconds or until smooth. Stir if necessary. Pour into chilled glasses; serve immediately. Yield: 3 servings.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving (1 cup) equals 170 calories, 1 g fat (trace saturated fat), 2 mg cholesterol, 52 mg sodium, 40 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 4 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fruit, 1/2 fat-free milk.

Cinnamon Bread sticks- —Carol Birkemeier of Nashville, Indiana

• Prep: 20 min. + rising Bake: 10 min.
• Yield: 32 Servings

20 10 30

Ingredients

• 1 package (16 ounces) hot roll mix
• 1 cup warm water (120° to 130°)
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Refrigerated butter-flavored spray

Directions

• In a bowl, combine the contents of the roll mix and yeast packets. Add the water, oil and egg white; beat until smooth. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Roll into a 16-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Cut widthwise into sixteen 1-in. strips. Cut strips in half widthwise, forming 32 strips. Twist each strip 5-6 times; place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
• Combine sugar and cinnamon. Spray dough sticks generously with refrigerated butter-flavored spray; sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 25 minutes. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Yield: 32 breadsticks.

Nutritional Analysis: One breadstick equals 72 calories, 1 g fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 96 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 2 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.

Originally published as Cinnamon Breadsticks in Light & Tasty April/May 2003, p31

Creamy Fruit Dip—Judith Reed of Kingsford, Michigan

• Prep: 15 min. + chilling
• Yield: 14 Servings

15 15

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup (8 ounces) Daisy Brand Light Sour Cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup cold 2% milk
• 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
• Assorted fresh fruit

Directions

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the sour cream, extracts and cinnamon until smooth. Add milk; mix well. Add pudding mix; beat on low speed for 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve with fruit. Yield: about 3-1/2 cups.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving (1/4 cup) equals 118 calories, 2 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 8 mg cholesterol, 211 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 4 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch.

Originally published as Creamy Fruit Dip in Light & Tasty December/January 2003, p39

Chicken In Potatoe Baskets—Helen Lamison Carnegie, Pennsylvania

• Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min.
• Yield: 6 Servings

20 30 50

Ingredients

• 4-1/2 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• FILLING:
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 3 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, butter, salt and pepper. Press into six greased 10-oz. custard cups; set aside.
• In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter. Add the flour, bouillon, Worcestershire sauce and basil. Stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken and peas. Spoon into prepared crusts.
• Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 each) equals 441 calories, 27 g fat (15 g saturated fat), 125 mg cholesterol, 1,207 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 27 g protein. 

Originally published as Chicken in Potato Baskets in Taste of Home October/November 2001, p25

White Chicken Enchiladas—Sharon Welsh of Onsted, Michigan

• Prep: 15 min. Bake: 35 min.
• Yield: 6 Servings

15 35 50

Ingredients

• 12 white or yellow corn tortillas (6 inches)
• 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 cup fat-free milk, divided
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 4 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 cup (8 ounces) fat-free sour cream
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Directions

• Wrap tortillas in foil. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until softened. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, 1 tablespoon milk and cumin until smooth. Stir in chicken. In a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute onions and red pepper until softened. Stir into chicken mixture.
• In another bowl, combine the soup, sour cream, jalapenos, cayenne and remaining milk. Stir 2 tablespoons soup mixture into chicken mixture. Place 1/3 cup of chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla; roll up.
• Place seam side down in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining soup mixture. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Yield: 6 servings.

Editor's Note: Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving (2 enchiladas) equals 405 calories, 10 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 108 mg cholesterol, 435 mg sodium, 35 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 40 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat-free milk, 1/2 fat.

Originally published as White Chicken Enchiladas in Light & Tasty June/July 2003, p31

Beef Stew pie—Karol Sprague Gobles, Michigan

• Prep: 1-1/2 hours Bake: 25 min. + standing
• Yield: 4-6 Servings

90 25 115

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound boneless beef round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2-1/4 cups water, divided
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups cubed cooked potatoes
• 1-1/2 cups sliced cooked carrots
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches)

Directions

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 3 tablespoons flour, salt and pepper. Add beef in batches; shake to coat. In a large skillet, saute beef in oil until browned. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is tender. Add 1/4 cup water, stirring to scrape browned bits.
• Combine 1-1/2 cups water, tomato paste, Italian seasoning and basil; stir into skillet. Add bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until meat is tender.
• Combine the remaining flour and water until smooth; gradually stir into skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Discard bay leaf. Stir in potatoes, carrots and parsley. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish.
• On a floured surface, roll out pastry to fit dish. Place over filling; flute edges. Cut slits in top. Bake at 425° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes. Yield: 4-6 servings.

Originally published as Beef Stew Pie in Taste of Home October/November 2001, p27

Pinwheel Pizza loaf —Rhonda Touchet Jennings, Louisiana

• Prep: 15 min. Bake: 1-1/4 hours + standing
• Yield: 12 Servings

15 75 90

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 6 thin slices deli ham
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1 jar (14 ounces) pizza sauce

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat the eggs, salt and pepper. Crumble beef over eggs and mix well. On a piece of heavy-duty foil, pat beef mixture into a 12-in. x 10-in. rectangle. Cover with ham and cheese to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a short side and peeling away foil while rolling. Seal seam and ends.
• Place the loaf seam side down in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Top with pizza sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1-1/4 hours or until meat is no longer pink and a meat thermometer reads 160°. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Yield: 12 servings.

Originally published as Pinwheel Pizza Loaf in Taste of Home October/November 2001, p33