Food & Recipes

Can Bacon Be Part of a Healthy Diet?

Bacon Recipes continued...

Light Potato Skins

Ingredients:

4 medium russet potatoes, scrubbed, baked or microwaved, then cooled slightly

About 2 teaspoons canola oil

1/2 cup shredded, reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese

4 strips Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon (or similar), cooked until crisp and crumbled into pieces

2 green onions, trimmed and finely chopped

 Garnish: light ranch dressing or fat-free sour cream (optional)

Preparation:

•  Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a thick cookie sheet with foil.
•  Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out most of the inside, leaving about 1/4-inch of potato attached to the skin.
•  Brush the inside and the skin side of each potato half lightly with canola oil, and set it on the prepared pan, skin-side down. Bake in preheated oven about 10 minutes, until lightly brown.
•  Place grated cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onions in a small bowl and toss to blend. Sprinkle evenly over potato skins and top with freshly ground pepper, if desired.
•  Bake until the cheese is bubbly, about 8 minutes. Set potato skins on a serving dish and serve with light ranch dressing or fat-free sour cream if desired.

Yield: 8 potato skins

WebMD Weight Loss Clinic members: Journal as: 1/2 cup starchy foods with 1 tsp fat maximum OR 1/2 cup hearty stews

Nutrition Analysis: Per serving: 123 calories, 5 g protein, 17 g carbohydrate, 4 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 11 mg cholesterol, 1.3 g fiber, 156 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 29%.

Pasta with Spinach and Bacon

 Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

3/4 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well

1 cup reduced-sodium chicken or beef broth (vegetable broth can be substituted)

8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti (about 4 cups cooked and drained)

Freshly ground pepper to taste

2/3 cup grated or shredded smoked fontina cheese (or cheese of choice)

5 strips center-cut or turkey bacon, cooked until crisp and then crumbled

 Preparation:

•  Begin heating olive oil in a large nonstick skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Stir in the garlic and sauté for a minute.
•  Stir in the spinach and continue to sauté for about 1 minute. Pour in the broth and continue to cook the spinach mixture, stirring frequently, until broth is almost evaporated (2-3 minutes).
•  Stir in noodles and continue to cook mixture about 1 more minute. Turn off the heat, add black pepper to taste, and then sprinkle cheese and bacon bits over the top. Serve.

 Yield: About 4 servings

WebMD Weight Loss Clinic members: Journal as: 1 cup starchy foods with 1 tsp fat OR 1 1/2 cups hearty stew OR 1 portion frozen dinner light + 1/2 cup vegetables with 1 tsp fat