Magnificent Marinade

This recipe came with a MECO water smoker that we bought years ago and really is magnificent. The smoker is gone, the marinade remains. It takes a lot of different ingredients, but you will want to make it again, so splurge. We use it with tri-tip, but it can also be used on chops, chicken, ribs, almost any meat you like. Pour over meat in plastic bag, pan or bowl and refrigerate several hours or overnight, turning occasionally. Cook meat in water smoker, adding marinade to water pan. If you do not have a smoker, just cook your meat as usual.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c salad oil
3/4 c soy sauce
1/2 c wine vinegar
1/3 c lemon juice
1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp dry mustard
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp coarsely ground pepper
2 tsp chopped parsley
2 cloves garlic, crushed

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in tightly covered jar in refrigerator or freezer if not used immediately.

Makes about 3 1/2 cups

Italian Chicken Skillet (adapted from Best Eats, page 90)

Bellissimo! We really enjoyed this dish. I poured it over pasta, but you could just as easily serve it alone or over rice. It serves 4.

Ingredients:

2 tsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, sliced
1 - 1 1/2 pounds chicken thigh or breast (your choice) cut into strips
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

1. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, carrot, and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.

2. OPTIONAL: Cook pasta or rice on the side.

3. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally,until opaque, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes.

4. Enjoy!

Divinity

Although divinity is loaded with sugar and thus calories, it is fat free (unless you choose to add nuts). This divinity turned out beautifully and we started eating it before I could grab the camera. I added a few nuts on one side, but the divinity was so good, it detracted from it. Easy and delicious!

Ingredients:

3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup warm water
2 egg whites (room temperature)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1. Line 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine sugar, syrup and water in large heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly,until sugar dissolves. Continue cooking without stirring until mixture reaches 250 degrees, firm ball stage.

3. Beat egg whites in mixer until stiff peaks form. Slowly pour about half syrup mix into egg whites, beating constantly.

4. Continue to cook remaining syrup until it reaches 270 degrees, soft crack stage.

5. Stream remaining syrup mix into egg whites while mixer is running. Continue to beat until candy is thick, shiny and holds its shape.

6. Mix in vanilla and nuts (optional) until fully incorporated.

7. Pour mixture into 9-inch pan, cool and cut into small squares.

Sour Cream and Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Best Eats, Page 160)

This side dish serves 4 and goes great with Kimberly's Turkey Meat Loaf.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 LBS baking potatoes, peeled and chopped
5 garlic cloves, peeled
3 Tbsp fat-free sour cream
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

1. Place potatoes and garlic in large pot with enough cold water to cover by 3 inches; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until fork-tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup of cooking water.

2. Return potato mixture to pot. Add sour cream, oil, salt, and pepper; mash with a potato masher, gradually stirring in reserved cooking water, 2 or 3 tbsp at a time, until potatoes become creamy.

This recipe does have 4 grams of fat per serving and has 158 calories.

Turkey Loaf With Greens (Kimberly got this from Greens Glorious Greens by Albi and Walthers)

Kimberly made this the other day and we really liked it. We had it cold on a tortilla with lettuce. It would be great sliced for sandwiches with sauteed mushrooms and avocado. It is really just a low-fat meatloaf.

Ingredients:

1 1/3 LB ground turkey breast
1/2 cup minced onion
3/4 cup fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
1 egg or 2 egg whites
1/3 cup minced celery
3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 cup finely chopped Swiss chard
1/2 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/4 cup low-fat milk
1/2 tsp salt
fresh ground white or black pepper to taste
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
Dijon mustard as needed for top

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 9-inch pie plate.

2. In medium-size bowl, mix all ingredients except mustard. Pat mixture into pie plate.

3. Spread top with thin layer of Dijon mustard and bake 45 minutes, or until meat begins to pull away from sides of pan. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before cutting into wedges. Serve with additional mustard, if desired.