Skinny Chef » Media

Thanksgiving Prep

Skinny Chef — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:20:26 +0000

In this segment, which aired in November 2008 on Better TV, I show how to cut the chaos of holiday meal-time with easy steps, tips, and tools that anyone can use. Cut cooking time in half but still enjoy all those classic home made, family recipes that everyone loves and looks forward to for the holidays.

Microwave It

When you think of home cooking, the microwave normally doesn’t come to mind. But here are some microwave steps that can cut lengthy holiday recipes and cooking time in half!

Love scalloped potatoes, but hate the mess and time of pre-boiling your spuds? Just microwave potatoes, cool slightly and slice before assembling your favorite potato dishes. Take a look at my fast and luscious scalloped potatoes that take half the time to bake compared to traditional versions of the recipe.
Used to serving the cranberry sauce that comes in a can? Try my super fast 5-minute, microwave cranberry sauce recipes with orange juice and ginger - no stove top cooking and no extra dishes to do!

Chop It

Every home cook knows that chopping vegetables can be time consuming. But fresh vegetables add flavor and texture to old fashioned recipes.

Chopping veggies can be fast when you use a mini chopper or slicer or attachment on the food processor. Most holiday dishes like stuffing, soups, and sauce use plenty of chopped veggies like garlic, onions, carrots and celery. Just bag the chopped veggies the night before.
Take it a step further by putting together your casseroles the night before, like Thanksgiving Stuffing, so they are ready to bake the next day.

Blend It

Blenders aren’t just for smoothies and mixed drinks! You can make fast soups, pudding and jello desserts, sauces, marinades, and even pasta sauce, all in the blender. Whip them up the night before and chill, drizzle, or marinade ready for the next day. Here’s another recipe idea: Dust off your blender and make some of your soups and dressings silk smooth.

Zip It

Use a zipper lock bag to store all your dinner prep and label each bag with a sharpie. The next day, just grab and saute, stir, toss and mix your way to a faster holiday meal .

Use zipper lock bags to store premade stuffing or mashed sweet potatoes, marinade meat, store icing and dressings, anything that you might be transferring to a fancier dish later. Save bags that just have veggies in them and use for that nights left-overs.
Disposable zipper lock bags are particularly great for desserts - You can even pip fillings and frostings for cookies or cakes straight out of the bag!

Wrap It

Use plastic wrap or wax paper to roll up home-made cookies dough for easy slicing and baking for the next day. I love wax paper because it’s easy to handle and inexpensive too.

You can roll out pie dough directly onto wax paper to chill or overnight storage in the refrigerator. I use it often to bread chicken and to roll out dough instead of dirtying a dish or countertop. For easy-to-slice ginger cookie dough, just roll in wax paper and refrigerate. Anyone can slice it the next day to bake off fresh cookies.

Assemble It

Use the fast steps above the night before, but make the morning of the holiday even easier on yourself. One thing my Granny taught me about cooking holiday meals - prepare just a few things the day before your meal can really take the pressure off. So getting those casseroles, meat dishes, and baked goods started the day before leaves you plenty of time for socializing with your guests the next day.

Here are dishes that can even be completely assembled the night before. Just refrigerate in their baking dish and pop into the oven a few hours before dinner.

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Low-Cal Comfort Foods

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:40:26 +0000

Why is comfort food so good and why can it actually be good for you? Comfort can be good for you since it satisfies something your body might need. For example, when the seasons change you might be craving a warm bowl of chili or that hearty baked macaroni and cheese that both warms the body and can provide nutrients that you need - like vitamin C from broccoli and calcium from cheese.

In this segment, which aired in October 2008 on Better TV, Jennifer showcased comfort food classics like mac and cheese and chili.

Wondering about weight control? Comfort food doesn’t have to stick to your bones. Find out the secrets among my top fall and winter comfort foods that satisfy the skinny way and help you get the nutrition you need to fight those fall sniffles.

After you watch the segment, you’ll learn that you can still enjoy comfort foods without packing on pounds. The best part? Eating healthy versions of all your favorite comfort foods can keep you from snacking on unhealthy high-fat or high sugar foods after dinner.

Healthy Party Snacks

admin — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:54:16 +0000

There’s no question that I like to cook, but I like entertaining even more. Testing out my healthy recipes on a hungry crowd is the best way to see which dishes are the most popular and to get feedback on flavors and textures.

In this segment, you’re invited to one of my parties where my neighbors and friends taste-tested many of the recipes you can find on SkinnyChef.com. Find out which ones were the top crowd pleasers among our guest list of 70 attendees.

Recipes Covered in Segments

Browse the following recipes covered in the segment, and be sure to download & print a copy for your files!

Guacamole
Whenever I invite guests over during the summer - I serve plenty of guacamole because it’s so popular! Many friends have told me that their guacamole is not nearly as tasty and I think I know what the trouble is: Make sure that your avocados are completely ripe before cutting them open.
Pulled Pork
My husband says that pork is the food of the gods and I think most men would agree! Last time I made pulled pork for my neighbor Claudio’s birthday party, we saw 30 pounds of pulled pork vanish in just under 2 hours. Watch your fingers ladies when you set this out for your next party.
Zucchini Bites
I devised this recipe as an alternative to the average, more caloric party appetizer. Compliment the juicy texture of zucchini by combining it with a light layer of salty, flavorful tapenade. It can be assembled ahead and popped in the oven while you are serving your guests drinks.
Creamy Spinach Dip
Artichokes make this creamy spinach dip chunky and satisfying without adding loads of extra fat that the traditional versions has. Artichokes are also high in fiber and make for an excellent salad dressing.

Stay Hydrated - iYogaLife.com

admin — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:06:01 +0000

Staying hydrated throughout the day is hard enough between meetings and carpools. Plus, having to run to the bathroom every few minutes won’t make your day any easier. Check out this recent article on iYogaLife.com with practical tips from Skinny Chef Jennifer Iserloh to hydrate without hassle.

Hydration and hunger may not be something you think of in tandem, but you should. Eating meals with high water content allows you to feel full faster; a healthier formula for weight loss than the typical diet equals deprivation. According to The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, those who drank at least one liter of water consumed almost 200 fewer calories than those who didn’t. So here’s a few pointers:

1. Want a thirst quencher post-workout? Grapefruit is better than most sports drink because one cup has more than 100% of you daily requirement for Vitamin C and only 90 calories. It’s also low in sugar but high in potassium, a mineral lost through sweat, so grab one after your run to replenish your body.

2. Looking for a light snack for late night TV watching that also hydrates? Try slices of cucumber and zucchini dipped in your favorite store-bought salsa or hummus.

3. Want something will more flavor than plain water? Buy unsweetened green tea and add a squeeze of fresh lemon. You’ll hydrate while getting the antioxidant power from flavanoids in the green tea.

4. Looking for a fruit that’s low in calories and hydrates? Watermelon’s the answer. True to it’s name is high in water and is easy to find precut in containers for a fast snack.

5. Thirsty at lunch? Add a small store bought side salad to lunch and dinner. Most greens
are loaded with water but the fiber also keeps the water in your digestive system longer!

Healthy Budget Meals

admin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:00:56 +0000

Save your waistline and save on cash at the same time - healthy family meals that will fill you up without breaking the bank! With the growing cost of groceries, many families are concerned that feeding their family healthy meals can be a balancing game between choosing nutritious food and maintaining their budget. So why not cook your comfort favorites the skinny way and save on grocery bills in the process?

In this segment, which aired on Saturday, September 13, 2008 on ABC’s Eyewitness News, Jennifer showcased four healthy and fast budget recipes that feeds a family of four.

Recipes Covered in Segment

Browse the following recipes covered in the segment, and be sure to download & print a copy for your files!

Pasta Bolognese
Everyone loves Italian and here’s an inexpensive way to feed the whole family- make it whole grain pasta and turkey for a lighter meal that still has a rich taste. The sauce cooks in 30 minutes and can be made ahead.
Tacos
Make your taco meat ground turkey and add grated carrot and tomato for extra flavor and nutrition. Buy grated part-skim mozzarella in bulk- it is the most versatile cheese and you can use in almost any recipe and is several grams lower in fat than cheddar. Great way to use up left over cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and extra salsa that lingers at the bottom of the jar.
Mac and Cheese with Chicken
Mac and Cheese doesn’t have to be dripping in fat. My secret ingredient is skim milk and reduced fat cheese - both add plenty of protein without a racking up the fat. I add a piece of cubed cooked chicken to make is a full meal. Sprinkle with whole wheat breadcrumbs and serve with a side of broccoli - dinner is ready to be served!
Cream of Tomato
Everyone loves soup and sandwich - but making it yourself can be inexpensive and a lot healthier. Make a low-cal tomato soup 1-2-3 with canned tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and a spoonful of sour cream - you can even make this in a blender. Homemade tomato soup doesn’t have all that corn syrup, preservative and sodium that comes in the pre-made canned soup - it’s also ¼ the price.

Cooking With Superfoods

admin — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:30:16 +0000

Do you know that eating can actually make you slimmer and sexier? I’m going to show you how to put a spin on low-fat, low calories cooking that has more nutrition that your typical “diet food”.

How? I cook with superfoods. Not only can they satisfy your everyday cravings but superfoods are special since they are low in fat and calories and happen to be higher in vitamins and other nutrients than other foods. I’m sure that you’ll recognize many of them in your local supermarket – like grapefruit, yogurt, spinach and whole grains.

In this segment, which aired on Friday, August 1, 2008 on Better TV, Jennifer showcased her popsicle and salsa recipes, along with delicious cupcakes!

Recipes Covered in Segment

Browse the following recipes covered in the segment, and be sure to download & print a copy for your files!

Grapefruit Cupcakes with Chai Icing
Grapefruit and buttermilk are both high in nutrition, but create a tender texture in baked goods. When I bake these for friends’ birthdays, no one guesses that they are made with grapefruit. Regardless, they disappear fast!
Blueberry Pops
This fruity pops are sweet since they combine two antioxidant rich foods, blueberries and spinach.
Grapefruit Yogurt Pops
A cool dessert to beat your craving for cold and sweet. These pops are perfect for an afternoon snack or post-workout. Fresh grapefruit provides a dose of antioxidant vitamin C to naturally boost energy after strenuous activity. Vitamin C also can support collagen production to protect skin from wind burn during winter months and even fight against signs of premature aging. The addition of low-fat yogurt amps up nutrition.
Creamy Spinach Dip
Artichokes make this creamy spinach dip chunky and satisfying without adding loads of extra fat that the traditional versions has. Artichokes are also high in fiber and make for an excellent salad dressing.
Grapefruit Olive Salsa
Salty olives and refreshing pink grapefruit make a summery salsa. Serve it with homemade crab cakes, salmon cakes, tortilla chips, or toasted whole wheat pita.
Tropical Fruit Salsa
Fresh tropical fruit is so sweet, it livens up any dish. I like to make a big batch of this salsa to use for chip-dipping and to accompany my grilled fish or meat. Just eating this salsa makes me feel like it’s 80 degrees and sunny outside year-round!

Skinny Chef Meets Betty Crocker?

admin — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:06:14 +0000

Ever wonder what baking at the Betty Crocker test kitchens is like? Find out by watching the new web series called 350 Degrees! I’ll be your host judge along with the talented Chef David Fhima and the glorious Kitchen Diva to judge contestants - home cooks just like you - to find out who can take the heat! The most creative baker will fight their way to the finish for the grand prize.

Each new episode has a challenge with an unusual and unforeseen twist. Contestants must rely on their creativity, adaptability and overall prowess in the kitchen to develop dishes that will impress the judges.

350 Degrees is heating up, are you ready? Watch new episodes each week and every time a new episode is released, you can enter the contest for a chance to win.

Add crunchy texture and health by baking with flax.
Can baking help you find true love?
Why is agave agave?
Find out why flax is healthy.

Related Recipes

Make a healthy cupcake that even Betty would be proud of, Grapefruit Buttermilk Cupcakes.
I love to bake, why way she we avoid trans-fats in our baked goods?
Make an American classic, Banana Bread healthier.

SkinnyChef.com Featured on ‘Real Simple’

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:33:32 +0000

Kathleen Murray Harris of “Real Simple” magazine was nice enough to include the Skinny Chef blog as part of her round-up of The Ultimate Collection of Food Blogs.

Healthy Happy Hour

admin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:14:07 +0000

Do you love going out with friends but hate the idea of racking up hundreds of calories from those sweet frozen drinks? See my Healthy Happy Hour drinks in the July 2008 issue of Self magazine, and find out how to make them fresh and light at home!

These exotic combos are loaded with anti-oxidants and they’ll save your waistline. Try my favorite - the Strawberry Bloody Mary, perfect for brunch this weekend. Read the article »

Check out these eco-friendly cocktail recipes that are refreshing and enviromentally friendly.
Find out how to avoid those “sugar bomb” happy hour cocktails.

Copyright © 2009 Skinny Chef. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@skinnychef.com so we can take legal action immediately. If you want to syndicate our quality content, please contact us.
Website Developed by Bright Launch

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Play 4 Life

admin — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:17:38 +0000

Ahealthy body can produce and sustain a healthy mind. That is the mission statement of Play 4 Life, a non-for-profit organization that I work with on a monthly basis. Why do I volunteer? Living healthy is more to me than just nutritious cooking or writing about health trends, it’s also about sharing the wealth with others.

I volunteer to teach healthy cooking to New York City’s children, many whom have never had a healthy meal and only know processed or fast foods. During our lessons, they get hooked on cooking and enjoying fresh foods, and in the process they discover how easy it is to make healthy eating part of their lives. Play 4 Life and I share the vision that leading a healthy lifestyle will help children realize their goals and dreams.

In this webcast, that was taped in June 2008, we cooked a healthy Mexican feast with the volunteers from Play 4 Life and the girls from the Abbott House. They get their first taste of Guacamole and it’s love at first bite, though the chicken enchiladas certainly run a close second.

Recipes Covered in Segments

Browse the following recipes, and be sure to download & print a copy for your files!

Guacamole - Whenever I invite guests over during the summer, I serve plenty of guacamole because it’s so popular! Many friends have told me that their guacamole is not nearly as tasty and I think I know what the trouble is: Make sure that your avocados are completely ripe before cutting them open.
Chicken Enchiladas - This is a great way to use up left-over veggies. It’s a one meal deal, and has all the food groups including spinach which is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals.
Refried Beans with Turkey Bacon - Asparagus is the quintessential spring vegetable, but is easy to find year-round. Balsamic vinegar mixed with chicken broth and cornstarch adds a sweet-and-sour flavor to this dish. Top with grilled, sliced chicken to make it a meal.
Cinnamon Rice Pudding - Avocado in a milkshake might sound unusual, but in Vietnam it’s a traditional treat that you can order in local restaurants. Enjoy a creamy, rich shake while getting a serving of vegetables to boot!

Skinny Chef » Media

Thanksgiving Prep

Microwave It

Chop It

Blend It

Zip It

Wrap It

Assemble It

Low-Cal Comfort Foods

Healthy Party Snacks

Recipes Covered in Segments

Stay Hydrated - iYogaLife.com

Healthy Budget Meals

Recipes Covered in Segment

Cooking With Superfoods

Recipes Covered in Segment

Skinny Chef Meets Betty Crocker?

Watch the Latest Episodes of 350F

Related Posts

Related Recipes

SkinnyChef.com Featured on ‘Real Simple’

Healthy Happy Hour

Related Posts

Play 4 Life

Recipes Covered in Segments