Marvelous Recipes

Your family, friends and guests alike will enjoy this rich cheesy dip. Don’t be surprised by how quickly it disappears!

1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a medium mixer bowl, beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in the cheese, onion, parsley and garlic powder until well combined. Spread the mixture evenly on the bottom of a 9-inch glass pie plate.

3. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top and bake for 15 minutes. Makes 12 servings each with 2 grams of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber and 7 grams of protein.

Emily

This is a wonderful alternative to regular deviled eggs. The deviled ham gives these eggs a delightful country flavor!

6 hard-boiled eggs, shells removed
1 (3 ounce) can deviled ham
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
Paprika

1. Slice the eggs in half; carefully remove the yolks into a small mixing bowl. Mash the yolks with a fork; stir in the deviled ham, mustard, mayonnaise and salt, mixing until creamy.

2. Spoon the mixture back into the hollows in the egg whites; sprinkle with a small amount of Paprika for color. Makes 12 halves, each with 1 gram carbohydrate, a trace of fiber and 4 grams of protein.

Emily

Some of my family members have recently decided to try the low-carb diet* for weight loss. I am, of course, always trying to come up with new food ideas to help them reach their weight loss goals and also add some extra taste appeal to their diets. This recipe turned out to be a delicious success!

1 (13.5 ounces) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, crushed (can use 1 teaspoon jarred, chopped garlic)
Paprika

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Mix first 4 ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl until well blended.

3. Pour the mixture into a small, oven-proof casserole, sprinkle a little paprika over the top. Bake for 45 minutes. Serve hot with pepper strips, cucumber rounds, celery sticks, low-carb fiber crackers or pork rinds.

Makes 4 servings each with 3 grams of carbohydrates and 1 gram of fiber for a total of 2 grams usable carbohydrates and 10 grams of protein. (This analysis does not include vegetables or crackers).

* You don’t have to be eating a low-carb diet to enjoy this wonderful dip! Try it with your favorite dipping vegetables, chips or crackers.

Emily

I found this delightful recipe in Weight Watchers “Simply The Best” Cookbook. These meatballs are sooooo good, you would never guess they are so low in calories and fat! You can serve them as appetizers or enjoy them on a bed of rice for a satisfying meal!

10 ounces ground skinless turkey breast
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and minced
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup fine dried bread crumbs
2 tablespoons minced water chestnuts
1 egg white
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup sweet and sour sauce
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a non-stick jelly-roll pan with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, lightly combine the turkey, pepper, scallions, bread crumbs, water chestnuts, egg white and soy sauce. Shape mixture into 32 equal meatballs, about 1-inch each; place on the pan. Bake until cooked through and browned, about 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, in a 2-quart microwaveable dish, combine the sweet and sour sauce and applesauce; microwave on High until hot and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Gently stir in the meatballs and serve with toothpicks.

Per Serving: 82 calories, 1 g Total fat, 0 g Saturated Fat, 22 mg Cholesterol, 163 mg Sodium, 9 g Total Carbohydrate, 1 g Dietary Fiber, 12 g Protein, 19 mg Calcium. Points per serving: 2. Makes 8 servings.

Emily

This is the perfect dip for warm weather enjoyment! Serve it at your next pool party or other summertime get together!

2 (8 ounce) packages strawberry flavored cream cheese, softened
2 (7 ounce) jars marshmallow cream
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip

In a large mixer bowl, cream the cream cheese; add marshmallow cream and blend well. Add the Cool Whip and mix until mixture is well blended and creamy. Serve with fresh strawberries.

Emily

Yummy goodness in every bite of these big cookies chock-full of wholesome oats and luscious chocolate chips!

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 (12 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.

2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the oats and chocolate chips.

3. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Makes 4 dozen.

Emily

Delicious banana taste in every bite of these wonderfully easy-to-make muffins! Yum!

3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1-1/4 cups)
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1. In a large bowl, combine the bananas and butter; stir in the sugar, egg and vanilla extract.

2. In a small bowl, combine the baking soda, salt and flour; blend well. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture; blend well.

3. Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 18 to 22 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 12 muffins.

Emily

I have made this “really good” egg salad for so many years, I don’t even remember the first time I made it. We really enjoy this during the hot days of summer!

6  hard boiled eggs, shelled & chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
5 slices crisp, cooked bacon, crumbled

In a medium bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients until well blended; fold in the bacon. Serve on your favorite snack crackers or as a sandwich on toasted whole wheat bread.

Emily