Below is a recipe for low-cal minestrone soup. The pictures are my own, and I the recipe tasted great to me. I would definitely make this again and it was not too difficult to cook. It is from a Christian Light Publication book cited at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients

• 2/3 c chopped onion
• 2 T vegetable oil
• 1 lb turkey sausage
• 1/2 c fresh parsley
• 1/4 t powdered garlic
• 2 t dried oregano
• 2 t dried basil
• 1/2 t salt, or to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 6 c chicken broth
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) whole tomatoes
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced
• 1 pkg frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/2 c elbow macaroni
• 1 can northern beans

Directions

In a large kettle, over low-medium heat, saute onion in oil until tender – about four minutes. Add the next seven ingredients. Cook until sausage is no longer pink. Add the broth and vegetables and bring to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook for ten minutes. Add the beans and simmer three or four minutes more or until heated through.

Yield: 16 one-cup servings

Hint: Make chicken broth with 6 c water and 6 t chicken bouillon.

This is a filling soup, but one cup equals only 170 calories.

Source:

Christian Light Education. HOME EC LU 4, Meal Planning, Preparation, and Presentation. Sunrise Edition. Christian Light Publications, Inc. Harrisonburg: VA, 2008.

ISBN 0-87813-942-7 – Learn to Cook and Sew … with a Home Economics Course – Home Economics I Christian Light Education LightUnit 4 – www.clp.org

Below is a recipe for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from a Christian Light Education unit cited at the end of this post. The pictures are my own, taken from home. I was happy with the taste of the cookies and would definitely make them again.

Ingredients

• 2 c brown sugar
• 1 c margarine (or 1/2 c each of margarine and shortening)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp maple flavoring (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 c flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 c quick oats
• 12 oz (2 c) chocolate chips
• 1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)
• sifted powdered sugar in a small mixing bowl

Directions

Cream brown sugar and shortening. Add eggs and continue beating until mixture is well mixed. Add maple and vanilla flavorings. Put flour, salt, baking powder, and soda into sifter. Sift about 1/3 of flour mixture into creamed mixture and beat until well blended. Add another 1/3 of mixture, beat well; then add final third and beat until mixture is blended. Clean sides of bowl often.

Fold in oatmeal, chocolate chips, and walnuts by hand. Roll in balls the size of a large walnut, roll in powdered sugar and place on greased cookie sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350º F (177º C) or until lightly browned. A cracked or crinkled appearance is normal. After baking, allow cookies to cool one or two minutes on baking sheets before removing to a rack. Makes 4 dozen. 

Metric equivalents:

• 1/2 c = 120 ml
• 1 c =225 ml
• 1 tsp = 5 ml

Source

Christian Light Education. HOME EC LU 1 (Home Economics I LightUnit 1), Introduction to the Kitchen. Sunrise Edition. Christian Light Publications, Inc. Harrisonburg: VA, 2008.

Below is a recipe for sausage patties from a Christian Light Education unit. Instead of pork sausage or ground turkey I actually used ground chicken thigh. The pictures are below along with a YouTube video from DivasCanCook.com that uses ground turkey. I thought the recipe still tasted great with the ground chicken instead of the ground turkey. This is nice for breakfast and could work as mini hamburgers for lunch.  Definitely a recipe worth trying and it is not too difficult to make. It just takes a little extra time compared to buying pre-packaged.

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 lb pork sausage or ground turkey
• 1 t each salt, marjoram, sage
• 1/2 t black pepper
• 1/2 c quick oats

Directions

Beat the egg. Add ground meat, seasonings, and oats. Mix thoroughly. Shape into eight or ten flat patties. Fry over low heat, turning once to brown meat on both sides. For pork, add no oil to the skillet. For turkey, add two tablespoons of oil. Hint: Shape meat into balls then flatten with a metal spatula.

Source

Christian Light Education. HOME EC LU 4, Meal Planning, Preparation, and Presentation. Sunrise Edition. Christian Light Publications, Inc. Harrisonburg: VA, 2008.

ISBN 0-87813-942-7 – Learn to Cook and Sew … with a Home Economics Course – Home Economics I Christian Light Education LightUnit 4 – www.clp.org