Best 4 Lighter Blue Plate Special Recipes
If you're in the mood for comfort food without all the guilt, you're in luck. This article will guide you through the art of creating lighter versions of your favorite blue plate specials. We'll show you how to make healthier choices when it comes to ingredients and cooking methods, so you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without the extra calories, fat, and sodium. Get ready to indulge in a delightful selection of classic dishes featuring lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and wholesome grains. From lightened-up fried chicken and mashed potatoes to healthier takes on meatloaf and mac and cheese, we've got something for everyone. So, grab your apron and let's embark on a journey of culinary discoveries!
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
LIGHTER BLUE-PLATE SPECIAL
Our comforting menu of lean sirloin meatloaf and low-fat buttermilk mashed potatoes is as hearty as the diner original - but better for you.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Beef Recipes Ground Beef Recipes
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a food processor, chop carrots, celery, onion, and panko with egg white until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to a large bowl; mix in beef, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
- On a foil-lined baking sheet, form meat mixture into a 6-inch-long loaf; brush with half the barbecue sauce. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted in loaf registers 160 degrees, 25 to 30 minutes, brushing halfway through with remaining sauce.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, cover potatoes with cold salted water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook until potatoes are easily pierced with a knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain; return to pan. Stir over medium until a starchy film forms on bottom of pan, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; mash with buttermilk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- While potatoes cook, set a steamer basket in a saucepan filled with one inch water; bring to a gentle boil. Add green beans; cover, and cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; add oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss. Serve meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 327 g, Fat 6 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 25 g, SaturatedFat 2 g
BLUE PLATE SPECIAL HALIBUT OR SALMON
This comes from "Seafood Twice a Week". It was my first attempt at cooking fish. It always turns out great and gave me the confidence to try other fish preparations. It's also great for those nights when you're just too tired to cook. The next day, leftovers mashed and mixed make a good halibut-salad sandwich. My favorite is halibut with this preparation, but salmon is good this way, too.
Provided by GinnyP
Categories Halibut
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Lightly oil or spray a baking dish before placing fish in a single layer.
- Mix remaining ingredients; spread over fish.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until done.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 157.6, Fat 2.3, SaturatedFat 0.5, Cholesterol 83.4, Sodium 116.5, Carbohydrate 0.6, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.2, Protein 31.7
300 CALORIE BLUE PLATE SPECIAL
Make and share this 300 Calorie Blue Plate Special recipe from Food.com.
Provided by alisha.mills
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Spray 10inch ovenproof skillet with Pam and brown sausage over high heat for about 2 minutes. Set aside on paper towel to allow grease to continue to drain.
- Wipe out pan and respray. Brown chicken until thoroughly cooked over high heat. Remove chicken with sausage using slotted spoon to leave behind the drippings.
- Reduce heat to Med-High and add onion, red pepper, and celery to pan sauteeing about 3 minutes or until richly browned and tender crisp.
- Add remaining ingredients including sausage and chicken. Use parsley and paprika to sprinkle on top.
- Bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes or until rice is tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 293.6, Fat 5.5, SaturatedFat 1.8, Cholesterol 62.8, Sodium 531, Carbohydrate 33.6, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 5.4, Protein 26.5
BLUE PLATE BEEF PATTIES
A friend and I discovered this recipe together and both consider it a staple menu item. I fix the moist, mild-tasting patties often for family and friends. We love them with mashed potatoes, rice or noodles and the gravy, which gets great flavor from fresh mushrooms.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a bowl, beat the egg; stir in onions, bread crumbs and mustard. Add beef and mix well. Shape into four 1/2-in.-thick patties. , In an ungreased skillet, cook patties for 4-5 minutes on each side or until meat is no longer pink; drain. , In a small bowl, combine gravy, water and horseradish; add mushrooms. Pour over patties. Cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender and heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 438 calories, Fat 24g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 170mg cholesterol, Sodium 825mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 41g protein.
Tips:
- Meal prep: Save time and effort by prepping your meals ahead of time. Cut vegetables, cook grains, and portion out ingredients so they're ready to assemble when you're ready to eat.
- Use fresh, seasonal ingredients: Fresh ingredients are not only more flavorful, but they're also more nutritious. When fruits and vegetables are in season, they're at their peak of ripeness and flavor.
- Don't be afraid to experiment: Don't be stuck in a recipe rut. Try new flavors and ingredients, and don't be afraid to experiment with different cooking methods.
- Make healthy substitutions: There are many ways to make healthier versions of your favorite dishes. Substitute whole-wheat flour for white flour, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and add vegetables to your pasta sauces and casseroles.
- Cook at home more often: Eating out can be expensive and unhealthy. Cooking at home allows you to control the ingredients and portions in your meals, saving you money and calories.
Conclusion:
The recipes in this article are just a few examples of how to make healthy and delicious meals at home. With a little planning and effort, you can easily create a healthier lifestyle for yourself and your family.
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