Squash Crust Pizza & Other Hungry Girl Recipes
You might never guess what this pizza crust is made of but Hungry Girl knows. Lisa Lillien stops by Good Day to make the squash crust pizza featured in her new book, "Clean and Hungry."
Squash-Crust Cheese Pizza
Nutrition: 277 calories, 11.5g total fat (7g sat fat), 755mg sodium, 22.5g carbs, 5.5g fiber, 14.5g sugars, 23.5g protein
You'll Need: baking sheet, parchment paper, box or hand grater, large microwave-safe bowl, fine-mesh strainer, clean dish towel (or paper towels), medium bowl
Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 45 minutes Cool: 10 minutes
Crust:
13/4 pounds (about 4 medium) yellow squash
1/4 cup egg whites (about 2 large eggs' worth)
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/8 teaspoon each salt and black pepper
Topping:
1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using the shredder side of a box or hand grater (the one with larger holes), shred squash into a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave for 3 minutes.
Uncover and stir. Re-cover and microwave for another 3 minutes, or until hot and soft.
Transfer squash to a fine-mesh strainer to drain. Let cool for 10 minutes, or until cool enough to handle.
Using a clean dish towel (or paper towels), firmly press out as much liquid as possible. There will be a lot.
Return squash to the large bowl, and add remaining crust ingredients. Mix thoroughly.
Divide crust mixture into two circles on the baking sheet, each about 1/4 inch thick and 7 inches in diameter.
Bake until the tops have browned, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir seasonings into crushed tomatoes.
Spread seasoned tomatoes over the crusts, leaving 1/2-inch borders. Top with mozzarella and basil.
Bake until cheese has melted and crust is crispy, 5 to 7 minutes.
Makes 2 servings.
Brownie Batter Growing Oatmeal
Nutrition: 292 calories, 12g total fat (2g sat fat), 469mg sodium, 39g carbs, 8g fiber, 4g sugars, 9g protein
You'll Need: nonstick pot, medium bowl
Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 20 minutes Cool: 10 minutes
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
11/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 packets natural no-calorie sweetener
1 teaspoon mini (or chopped) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 ounce (about 1 tablespoon) chopped walnuts
In a nonstick pot, combine oats, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt.
Add almond milk and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil.
Reduce to a simmer. Cook and stir until thick and creamy, 12 to 15 minutes.
Transfer to a medium bowl, and stir in sweetener and chocolate chips. Let cool until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
Gently stir, and top with walnuts.
HG FYI: Don't be alarmed by the amount of liquid. That's what makes this oatmeal GROW! It'll thicken up as it cools.
Makes 1 serving.
Lasagna-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Nutrition: 215 calories, 6g total fat (3g sat fat), 538mg sodium, 17.5g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 7.5g sugars, 23g protein
You'll Need: 1 to 2 large baking pans, medium bowl, skillet, nonstick spray
Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 55 minutes
1 spaghetti squash (about 41/2 pounds)
3/4 cup canned crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup light/low-fat ricotta cheese
11/2 teaspoons chopped garlic
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 ounces raw extra-lean ground beef (4% fat or less)
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Microwave squash for 6 minutes, until soft enough to cut. Halve lengthwise; scoop out and discard seeds.
Fill a large baking pan with 1/2 inch water. Add squash halves, cut sides down. (Use 2 pans, if needed.)
Bake until tender, about 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, ricotta, garlic, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Add 1 tablespoon basil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Mix until uniform.
About 10 minutes before squash is done baking, bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat. Add beef, and season with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Cook and crumble for about 5 minutes, until fully cooked.
Reduce heat to low. Add tomato mixture to the skillet. Cook and stir until hot and well mixed, about 1 minute.
Remove baking pan from the oven, but leave oven on. Remove squash halves, and blot away excess moisture.
Empty water from baking pan. Return squash halves, cut side up.
Fill squash halves with beef mixture. Top with mozzarella and remaining 1 tablespoon basil.
Bake until filling is hot and cheese has melted, about 5 minutes.
Makes 4 servings.
Tator Tot-Chos
Nutrition: 210 calories, 9g total fat (5g sat fat), 768mg sodium, 17.5g carbs, 4g fiber, 6g sugars, 16.5g protein
You'll Need: baking sheet, parchment paper, food processor, large microwave-safe bowl, fine-mesh strainer, clean dish towel (or paper towels)
Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 30 minutes Cool: 10 minutes
2 cups roughly chopped cauliflower
1/4 cup egg whites (about 2 large eggs' worth)
1/4 cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican-blend cheese
2 tablespoons seeded and chopped jalapeño peppers
1/4 cup Salsa
2 tablespoons light sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped scallions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Pulse cauliflower in a food processor until reduced to the consistency of coarse breadcrumbs.
Place cauliflower crumbs in a large microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave for 2 minutes.
Uncover and stir. Re-cover and microwave for another 2 minutes, or until hot and soft.
Transfer to a fine-mesh strainer to drain. Let cool for 10 minutes, or until cool enough to handle.
Using a clean dish towel (or paper towels), firmly press out as much liquid as possiblethere will be a lot.
Return cauliflower crumbs to the large bowl. Add egg whites, breadcrumbs, Parm, and seasonings. Add 2 tablespoons Mexican-blend cheese, and mix thoroughly.
Firmly and evenly form mixture into 28 tots, each about 1 inch long, 1/2 inch wide, and 1/2 inch thick.
Evenly lay tots on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes.
Carefully flip. Bake until golden brown and crispy, 10 to 12 minutes.
Arrange tots on the center of the sheet, so they are touching. Sprinkle with remaining 6 tablespoons Mexican blend cheese, and top with jalapeño peppers.
Bake until cheese has melted, about 3 minutes.
Serve topped with salsa, sour cream, and scallions.
Makes 2 servings.
I Dream of Peanut Butter Pie
Nutrition: 192 calories, 10g total fat (4g sat fat), 248mg sodium, 18.5g carbs, 3g fiber, 4g sugars, 12g protein
You'll Need: 9-inch pie pan, nonstick spray, small blender or food processor, small microwave-safe bowl, 2 large bowls
Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Cool: 20 minutes Chill: 4 hours
Crust:
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup whipped butter
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
3 tablespoons powdered peanut butter or defatted peanut flour
2 teaspoons Truvia spoonable calorie-free sweetener (or another natural brand about twice as sweet as sugar)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling:
1/2 cup powdered peanut butter or defatted peanut flour
1 1/2 cups fat-free plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup light/reduced fat cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (no sugar added)
2 tablespoons Truvia spoonable calorie-free sweetener (or another natural brand about twice as sweet as sugar)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch pie pan with nonstick spray.
Place oats in a small blender or food processor, and pulse until reduced to the consistency of coarse flour.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter for 30 seconds, or until melted.
In a large bowl, combine ground oats, melted butter, and remaining crust ingredients. Mix until uniform with the consistency of wet sand.
Evenly distribute mixture along the bottom of the pie pan, using your hands or a flat utensil to firmly press and form the crust. Press it into the edges and up along the sides of the pan.
Bake until firm, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the filling. In a second large bowl, combine powdered peanut butter/peanut flour with 1/3 cup water. Stir until uniform.
Add all remaining filling ingredients to the bowl. Mix until smooth and uniform.
Top crust with filling, and smooth out the top. Refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours.
Makes 8 servings.