Author Archives: Lea Barlow

Ingredients

• 24 square won ton or shumai (dumpling) wrappers
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
• 4 ounces hot-smoked salmon, flaked into small pieces
• 1/2 cup finely sliced green onions, including tops
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 small avocado, finely diced

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lay 12 won ton wrappers flat and, using about half the butter, brush both sides. Press into mini muffin cups (2 tbsp. size), pleating each to form a small cup. Sprinkle wrappers with half the sesame seeds. Bake until golden brown (watching carefully; they can burn easily), 7 to 9 minutes. Loosen from cups with a small spatula and put on a cooling rack. Repeat with remaining 12 won ton wrappers, butter, and sesame seeds.

2. In a small bowl, combine salmon, green onions, cilantro, lime juice, ginger, and salt; mix well. Add avocado (see Notes) and toss very gently until well combined. Put a generous spoonful in each won ton cup. Serve immediately.

Makes 24 won ton cups; 8 servings

Nutritional Information: Calories: 160 (45% from fat) Protein: 9.2g Fat: 8g (sat 2.8) Carbohydrate: 17g Fiber: 1.1g Sodium: 400mg Cholesterol: 17mg

Source & Image: cookinglight.com

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Ingredients

• 10 (1-ounce) slices diagonally cut French bread (about 1/4-inch-thick)
• Cooking spray
• 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60 to 70 percent cocoa), finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1/4  teaspoon coarse sea salt
• Grated orange rind (optional)

Preparation

Preheat broiler.

Lightly coat bread with cooking spray. Place bread on a baking sheet; broil 3 minutes on each side or until toasted. Remove bread from oven.

Reduce oven temperature to 350°.  Sprinkle each bread slice with about 1 1/2 tablespoons chocolate. Bake 5 minutes or until chocolate melts. Sprinkle evenly with salt; garnish with orange rind, if desired. Serve warm.

Serves 10

Nutritional Information: Calories: 150 (26% from fat) Fat: 4.3g (sat 2.4g,mono 0.7g,poly 0.1g) Protein: 3g Carbohydrate: 25.4g Fiber: 0.5g Cholesterol: 0.0mg Iron: 0.9mg Sodium: 242mg Calcium: 0.0mg

Source & Image:  cookinglight.com

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Football season is upon us and I couldn’t be more hyped.  I don’t really like watching the games as much as I love the excuse to be able to throw a party every Saturday for the next 4 months.   I have compiled some homemade dips for you to spice up your own game day celebration.  The main ingredients in many dips tend to be mayonnaise, sour cream and cream cheese.  To cut some calories, go for the reduced fat versions and serve the dips with veggies instead of bread and crackers. Enjoy!

Bloody Mary Dip

- 3 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup V8 juice
- 1/3 cup tomato puree
-1 large green bell pepper, finely minced
-1/2 cup finely minced onion
-1/3 cup finely minced celery
-1/3 cup mayonnaise
-Horseradish, lemon juice, Tabasco Sauce

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor. Add horseradish, lemon juice, Tabasco Sauce and salt and pepper to taste.

Hot Artichoke & Roasted Red Pepper Asiago Dip

-1 8-ounce package  cream cheese, softened
-4 ounces  Asiago or Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (1 cup)
-2 cloves  garlic
-1 13- to 14-ounce can  artichoke hearts, drained
-1 cup  bottled roasted red sweet peppers, drained
-1 cup  sliced fresh mushrooms
-1/2 cup  sliced green onions

1. In a food processor bowl, combine cream cheese, Asiago cheese, and garlic. Cover and process until mixture is well combined. Add drained artichoke hearts, drained sweet red peppers, mushrooms, and green onions. Cover and process with on/off turns until finely chopped.

2. Transfer mixture to an 8-inch quiche dish or 9-inch pie plate, spreading evenly. Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes or until heated through. Or, micro cook, uncovered, on 70 percent power (medium-high) for 6 to 8 minutes or until heated through, stirring the dip and turning the dish halfway through cooking time. Serve warm with thinly sliced French bread or pita wedges. Garnish with additional red pepper and parsley, if you like. Makes about 3-3/4 cups

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Spicy Cilantro Pesto Dip

• -1.5 cups cilantro, large stems removed
• -1/2 cup roasted almonds
• -1/4 cup chopped onion
• -1 dried red pepper (or 1/4-1/2 teas red pepper flakes) – Another option  that would be lovely would be jalapeno.
• -1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• -1/4+ c parmesan cheese
• -1/2 teas garlic
• -dash black pepper
• -dash lemon juice
• -1/4-1/2  cup olive oil

In your food processor, combine all ingredients up to the garlic.  Process, until finely chopped.  Drizzle in 1/4 cup of olive oil, slowly while processing.  Add the next set of ingredients, one at a time, tasting as you go.  Drizzle in additional olive oil until you reach a smooth consistency.  Recipe from foodwhirl.com

*Happy Game Day*

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Name: Heather Moffett

Kids: 2 Sons – Wyatt (8) & Trey (3)

Occupation: Horse Racing Television Host & Producer

Hometown: Harrington, Delaware

H&H Interview with Heather:

1. What are the top 3 items in your grocery cart?

1) Bananas

2) Orange Juice

3) Laundry Detergent

2. What are you reading (honestly)?

* Goodnight Moon (What parent isn’t obligated to read this 10 times a night to their toddler?)

* The Murad Method – I am a dedicated user of Dr. Murad’s skin products.

3. What is your guilty pleasure when you get a break from the kids?

I absolutely love New Kids On The Block! Since they got back together a couple years ago, I have gone to several concerts and even went on a New Kids On The Block cruise. I have my picture with all of them except Joey. I’m still working on that!

4. What would we be surprised to find in your purse?

No Credit Cards – I cut them up!

5. What is your favorite reality TV show?

The Jersey Shore!!!

6. What is your cocktail of choice?

Mike’s Hard Lemonade

7. What is the funniest thing your kids have said or done lately?

My oldest son Wyatt is really into the Presidents of the United States right now. He can tell you EVERY President. It’s quite amazing. He dressed up like Abraham Lincoln recently for a school project and shook everyone’s hand as they walked by just like a politician!

8. What is your favorite quotation?

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Ghandi

9. What are you currently working out to on your iPod?

Kesha – I love her lyrics… “Wake up in the mornin’ feelin’ like P-Diddy!!!”

10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

Kelly Ripa. I find her refreshing, funny and very down-to-earth.

11. What is something most people don’t know about you?

I am a Hello Kitty fanatic. I have been collecting Hello Kitty since I was 9 years old.

Also, I had a secret desire to be in a pageant and, finally, this year at the age of 38, I competed in my first ever pageant for Mrs. Delaware United States and had a blast!

12. What is your secret to staying Hot & Healthy?

1) Drink LOTS of Water!

2) Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

3) Take supplements!

4) Marry someone 10 years your junior!

5) Pray!

6) Own the emotion of being happy!

Written by Lea Barlow • 3 Comments