Thursday, April 6, 2017

Our Favorite Low-Cal Healthy Dinner

Before I begin, I have to warn  you that this post is full of photos that are going to make your tummy growl.
 
Don't get mad at me if you drool on your keyboard.
 
Ok, now, let's get started.
 
Today I want to share with you one of my all time favorite low calorie dinners. I have been making this dish for years, and my family absolutely loves when this meal is on the dinner menu.
 
As with most of my recipes, it's super easy peasy....my favorite.
 
It's also chock full of veggies, and incredibly healthy.
 
But most of all, it's absolutely, completely, and utterly delicious!
 
Ok, here we go!
 
 
In a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle some olive oil. When it's hot, toss in two sliced large onions.
 
 
While the onions are cooking, slice up two bell peppers. I used an orange and a yellow one, because that's what I had. Add them in with the onions and toss them together.
 
 
If you have a griddle pan, now's the time to get it good and hot. If not, you'll have to use a regular pan, also on high heat.
 
 
Gather the rest of your ingredients. Tomatoes, baby spinach, scallions, and plain polenta.
 
 
You'll also need chicken sausages and some marinara sauce. I used homemade from the freezer, but jarred marinara works fine for this recipe as well.
 
 
When the peppers and onions are nice and soft, put them in a bowl and put a plate over them to keep them warm. Return the pan to the heat.
 
 
Slice the chicken sausage and throw it into the hot pan.  
 
The polenta slices go on the hot griddle pan at the same time. 
 
My pans are Calphalon non-stick. so I don't use any oil other than a scant drizzle for the onions/peppers at the start.  
 
 
While the chicken sausage and polenta are browning, prep the rest of your veggies.
 
 
When the sausage is nice and brown, toss in the marinara. Mine was still frozen so I made a hole in the middle of the sausage. put the frozen sauce in, lowered the heat, and put the lid on until it was warm. I'd guess this is about a cup and a half or two cups of sauce.
 
 
When the polenta is a bit brown on one side, turn it over to grill the other side.
 
 
Are you starting to drool yet? Look at all that gorgeous yumminess right there!
 
 
When the sauce is heated through, it's time to return the peppers and onions to the pan.
 
 
Toss the sliced tomatoes on top, give everything a stir, put the lid on, and let it simmer for a few minutes, until the tomatoes start to break down.
 
 
Toss in the spinach, a bit at a time, stirring it in to wilt and adding more as you have room.
 
 
When all the spinach is stirred in, it's time to season the dish.  I use McCormick's Garlic & Herb seasoning. I love the fact that it is salt free, and it adds just the right amount of seasoning to this dish that is already chock full of flavor.
 
 
I warned you, didn't I? Yum, I can almost taste it now!
 
 
This was Sweetie's dish, so I gave him 5 slices of polenta. After all, he's a growing boy! For myself, I use 3 slices.
 
 
I seriously love this meal. It's so healthy, and yet completely comfort-food satisfying!
 
 
Garnish with sliced scallions and finish with a sprinkle of Pecorino Romano.
 
If any of you are following Weight Watchers like me, this meal is a low 6 Smart Points (with 3 slices of polenta.)
 
And I promise you, you will absolutely love it!

38 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie, I noticed a change up in your blog.:) I think this looks very tasty..love those pans...no oil or fat to cook with, amazing. I like that seasoning also. Blessings, hope you get some good weather after these next two days. (YIKES). xoxo, Susie

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    1. Hi Susie, It will be cold here the next two days, and we had flurries this morning...but Sunday will be warmer, and Mon/Tues as well! Spring is on the way and I'm hoping to get out and do some work in the garden finally!

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  2. That sounds absolutely fantastic, Debbie, and I am drooling. Healthy and colorful and delicious!!!! xo Diana

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    1. Isn't that the best combination, Diana? The only thing that makes it better is when I'm picking the veggies right out of the garden!

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  3. Oh this looks so good. I need to make this one.

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  4. Ah, I wish I could sit at your table and eat one of your phenomenal meals! You just have so much creativity when it comes to cooking.
    Brenda

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    1. You could easily make this in your electric skillet, Brenda, and do the polenta in the toaster oven - that would work! But I do wish you could sit at my table, you would be most welcome!

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  5. Pretend I'm knocking on your kitchen door: "May I borrow a cup of sugar? Hmm, something smells delicious! Forget the sugar, may I borrow some frozen marinara sauce? And maybe some chicken sausage and peppers and polenta...? Well if you insist, of course I'll stay."

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    1. Pretend I'm opening the door, giving you a big hug, and inviting you right in! :)

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  6. Looks such a colourful dish.

    All the best Jan

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  7. OMGoodness I wish we were neighbors! I might just show up at dinner time with a nice bottle of wine for you hoping to be invited to dinner. LOL! ;)

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    1. Ha ha and I'd throw the door open wide and invite you right in, Debbie! :) I'm thinking a nice Spanish Red with this?

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  8. PLEASE JUST MAKE A HUGE BATCH OF THIS and invite us all for supper!! we accept!! mercy that looks so delicious!

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    1. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just do that? Well, since I can't, at least I can show you how easy it is to do it yourself at home! :)

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  9. Well, I dropped by to return the blog visit and you were right, you've made my mouth water and now I'm hungry! LOL. I'm definitely going to have to try this.

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  10. That looks absolutely delicious!! I will definitely have to give this a try and I know the hubster will love it also! Thanks so much for sharing the recipes! Hope you have a great weekend! Love and hugs!!

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    1. I know you are like me and always trying to make things healthy and yummy, Benita, so you will love this dish! Guilt free comfort food!! Love and hugs right back at ya!! xo

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  11. Ah.... you came out of the name closet! LOL!

    This looks super good right now, especially since I've been eating peanut butter toast for a couple of days. I've been sick, so no trips to the store, but John is finally here so I'll finally have sustenance ;) I'll have to add this to the list ;)

    xoxo,
    rue

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    1. Ha ha, yes I did, on suggestion by our good friend Nana Diana!! I guess I didn't realize that people didn't know my name because of course I know who I am, ha ha!! :) Have a great weekend, my friend! xo

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  12. Wow!! We are doing WW right now and this looks amazing. It's filled with veggies of all colors and some of my favorite flavors. Pinning.

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    1. I love this meal not only for it's flavors but also it's incredibly low in smart points, Stacey! I hope you love it!!

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  13. Yum! I make something similar, but I never thought to serve it over grilled polenta. I'll definitely be trying this - thanks for the recipe!

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  14. This looks so delicious! I've never seen the polenta in the grocery like that, I'll have to look for it.

    Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady

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    1. I find the polenta in my grocery at the end of the produce aisle, near the tofu and vegetarian/vegan items. Perhaps yours can be found in a similar location, Lorraine!

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  15. I can't believe this is only six points! Admittedly, I'd probably have four slices of polenta though. I'm not known for my dainty eating habits ;).

    I've only cooked with polenta a couple of times. It's sort of like tofu in that it takes on the favors of whatever you pair it with so it's probably something I should work with more often. I really need to try this. Once we get back in a few days, I have to start eating healthier because boy, have I been having a food fest!

    xxx

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    1. Well, I sure hope you've been enjoying every second of that food fest, my friend! You know when you get back there will be LOTS of work to do, you'll burn it all off!

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  16. Sounds delicious! What a great cook you are. Your sweetie is lucky. Nancy

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  17. Wow...it looks amazing. And now I'm hungry, even though I just ate! ;)

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    1. You're lucky you never have to worry about putting on a pound, my tiny little friend! :)

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  18. Oh my, this sounds amazing! Can't get easier than this, and I love how you used your frozen marinara too. I'll join the rest of the crew knocking on your door :)

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  19. I'm always looking for new recipes. This sounds yummy.

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