The Perfect Grilled Cheese

The art of the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (yes, it deserves to be capitalized) is an technique that requires mastery. While, yes, you can simply throw a slice or two of cheese on some bread and pop it in the microwave or toaster oven til it melts and just eat it, there's something about that perfect grilled cheese that is all the more rewarding. I think back to my diner days growing up- I almost always ordered a grilled cheese when I was little (with a side of honey mustard to dip, and a pickle, of course!). Now, while diner grilled cheeses are most likely doused in butter and full of fattening cheese, a healthy homemade grilled cheese can be just as satisfying if it is prepared properly, but technique is key. You can't just simply microwave it, because then the bread is soggy. And you can't just throw it into the toaster oven, because then the cheese doesn't melt evenly throughout.

The key to the perfect grilled cheese is as follows:

Assemble your cheese on your bread (make sure you have at least a slice of cheese on each slice of bread) and pop it in the microwave open-faced for approximately 30 seconds, or until the cheese has melted. Then, since the bread will be soggy, spray a pan on the stove top (or if you're feeling indulgent, melt a little butter) and add the two slices of bread, keeping it open face, to allow the bread to crisp up. Now, here's the key, cover the pan with the top of a pot to seal in all of the heat! Once the bread has crisped up on both sides, put the two slices of bread together, allow the cheese to stick together and slice, dip (if you please), and crunch away.

Feelin' Frisky? Tiny Tummy loves adding sliced tomato to her grilled cheese, and some people prefer bacon. For a healthier take on the classic bacon, try using turkey pepperoni slices- it gives a similar flavor, and it's the cheese you really want to taste anyway, right?! Pin It

Not a Ho Hum Hummus

We all know Tiny Tummy loves Oasis's Black Bean and Lentil Dips, so it would only naturally follow that their hummus should be delicious too, right?! You bet! I finally grabbed a container of their Mediterranean hummus from my local supermarket the other day, and I was pleasantly surprised! For some reason, I expected it to be tasteless and a strange consistency, and while this hummus is not as thick and creamy as most others, it is still pretty good, and at only 9 calories per tablespoon, there is no comparison to other store-bought hummus. I love to dip veggies in it or spread it on a grilled cheese sandwich. Regardless of what you're using it for, it's definitely worth trying, though I will say I will always be partial to my black bean dip when it comes to my Oasis fav! Pin It

Tiny Tummy's Samoatmeal and Tagaloatmeal

Girl Scout Cookies are probably among my favorite things in the world... so when Girl Scout Season approaches, the temptation is high. I'm pretty sure a box of Samoas or Tagalongs wouldn't last more than a few days in my house, but those things are PACKED with sugar, unhealthy fats, and calories. Needless to say, there are other ways to get the flavor of those delicious cookies without having to eat the cookies themselves, and what better way time to eat them than the very start of your day? Why not turn your morning bowl of oatmeal into a giant girl scout cookie in a bowl in anticipation of the upcoming season? Luckily, I've got two different recipes to make that happen!

To make Tiny Tummy's Samoatmeal, you will need:

1/2 cup of plain, quick cooking oats (or 1 package of instant oatmeal) prepared according to package instructions
1 T shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1 T Walden Farms chocolate dip (or sub 1 t unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 t stevia or 1 T mini dark chocolate chips)
1 T Walden Farms caramel dip
optional: dash of vanilla extract and cinnamon

To make Tiny Tummy's Tagaloatmeal

1/2 cup of plain, quick cooking oats (or 1 package of instant oatmeal) prepared according to package instructions
1 T Walden Farms chocolate dip (or sub 1 t unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 t stevia or 1 T mini dark chocolate chips)
1 T powdered peanut butter (or sub all natural peanut butter)
optional: dash of vanilla extract

To prepare either one, simply combine prepared oats with other ingredients and stir until well combined. If using chocolate chips, stir until they have melted. Then, eat up and enjoy your girl scout cookie in a bowl! Who says you can't have chocolate for breakfast?! Pin It

Hooray for Fairway!

For those of you who don't live in the NYC area, I'm sorry, but this post may not apply to you; however, Tiny Tummy was EXTREMELY excited to find out that the new Fairway supermarket on 2nd Ave at 30th street is finally open! Fair way is far and away my favorite supermarket, as they have a bunch of my favorite products at reasonable prices. For those of you who have never been to a Fairway, it's basically a cheaper version of Whole Foods, and for those of you who have never been to Whole Foods, take a look at any of the posts tagged 'Flab Free Food Finds' for an idea of the types of products they sell. If you're not sure if there is a Fairway near you, check out their Store Locator! Pin It

A Cake-Sized Disappointment

For months, I have been on the hunt for this cheesecake sugar-free pudding mix. I mean, the thought of cheesecake and pudding in one container seemed like heaven and they make a sugar-free version! Unfortunately, to my dismay, it was disgusting!

The flavor of the mixture almost tasted like uncooked batter- and not in that yummy cookie dough type way, but more like uncooked pancake batter- GROSS! I was hoping to be able to bake with it because Tiny Tummy loves cheesecake, but I just don't see the powder adding anything valuable to a baked good. In the future, I'll be sticking to the chocolate, vanilla, and maybe butterscotch pudding mixes. Have you tried anything new lately worth sharing? Tiny Tummy loves to hear from you!

Pin It

Mango Balsamic Chicken Foil Pack

Say mango and balsamic in front of Mommy Tiny Tummy and she will probably respond with "sign me up!" So, for dinner one night when I was visiting, I prepared for her a mango balsamic chicken prepared in foil packs, and it was so easy to make, I thought I'd share the recipe.

To make this Mango Balsamic Chicken, you will need:

1 16 oz pack of chicken (I normally use fat-free breasts, but Mommy Tiny Tummy prefers skinless boneless thighs)
4 T balsamic vinegar (if you have a fancy one, this is a great place to use it- I used a Fig flavored one)
3 T maple syrup or honey (I used Walden Farms)
2 T dijon mustard
2 T sugar free apricot preserves
1 mango, diced
1 large piece of tinfoil

To prepare, preheat your oven to 350, and combine everything except the chicken and mango in a bowl and mix until well combined. Then, coat your chicken evenly with the mixture. Arrange the chopped mango on the tinfoil, followed by the chicken breasts on top, and close the foil pack. Put the foil pack on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20 minutes if cooking breasts, or about 40 minutes if cooking thighs. (though as usual, cooking time will depend on your oven). And be careful when takin the pack out of the oven. If it was a juicy mango, the glaze may get watery!


Pin It

Spice Up Your Morning

A friend recently asked me how she could add flavor to her coffee without adding sugar or any artificial sweeteners. While I suggested flavored coffee beans, sometimes, that isn't an option or isn't enough for some people. So, my next suggestion was to add cinnamon!

People often forget this trick. Not only can you add cinnamon to each individual cup of Joe, but you can also add cinnamon to the beans before you brew your coffee. Cinnamon is a great flavor-enhancer and has also been said to reduce high cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, and even promote better brain health. If you're not a fan of cinnamon, feel free to try nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or any other spice of your choice. Pin It

Pizzafied Pasta

Every once in a while, I get in one of those carb-crazed moods where I can't decide between pizza and pasta because I'm craving both. Fortunately, I've come up with a way to have the best of both worlds- pizzafied pasta!

To make Tiny Tummy's Pizzafied Pasta, you will need:
2oz Al Dente Pasta (or pasta of your choice)
1/2 cup marinara sauce (I used this recipe)
1oz shredded mozzarella cheese (I used fat free)
4 slices Hormel Turkey Pepperoni chopped into small pieces
optional: other pizza toppings such as onions, mushrooms, basil, etc. (Tiny Tummy's tomato sauce has a ton of onions, mushrooms, and spices, which is why I didn't include them in mine, but if you are using a different marinara sauce, feel free to add 'em on in!)

To prepare, cook your pasta according to package instructions. Then, add everything into a bowl, and microwave for about a minute, or until the cheese melts, and eat up!

Pin It

Enlighten Me

As we all know, Tiny Tummy screams for ice cream, and is always on the hunt for new frozen finds. I recently came across a new brand of ice cream bars online that looks promising, but I can't find them anywhere!

Enlightened ice cream bars come in fudge, coffee, and orange cream flavors, and only have 70 calories and 3g of sugar per bar. Plus, they have a whopping 5g of fiber, 8g of protein, and NO artificial sweeteners. The stats enough are a homerun, I'm just hoping the flavor follows. If I can ever get my hands on them, I will definitely share my thoughts, but if anyone has seen them in stores, let me know! Pin It

Hostess with the Mostess

Typically, when you think of girls night, you think of gossip, laughing, and chips, chocolate, and all of the unhealthy snacks you could imagine. When Tiny Tummy hosts girls night, there's a lot of the first two, but there's no need to ruin a fun night with unhealthy munchies. Especially since my girls and I can EAT! So, knowing we would be munching away the whole night, I decided to try to throw some healthy snacks in along with the chips and popcorn (which I still found lighter versions of, of course.) I thought I'd use this opportunity to share another simple tip. When hosting a party, find the happy medium between you and your guests. If you know you can't resist the Oreos, but your guests love cookies, bake your own healthier version and serve those (and place them at the opposite end of the room/table just in case ;)). And, doing mostly healthy snacks and throwing in a few indulgent things is another great way to accomodate yourself and those who prefer the more indulgent snacks. For my girls night, I hit up my local Trader Joe's and went veggie crazy and made a nice platter with some hummus (as well as a side platter with a homemade onion dip, but that's a recipe for another day!). You can never go wrong with some old fashioned crudite!

Pin It

Fun With Foil

While watching Martha Stewart's cooking show with my mom, I vowed to try cooking with foil packs more often. I've always found that cooking things in foil packs really seals in the flavors, and it's a really simple way of cooking. As a side dish the other night, I decided to try making some yellow squash in a foil pack, and it came out delicious!

To make this super simple squash foil pack, you will need

1 yellow squash chopped

4 cloves of garlic cut into quarters

1 small lemon cut into rings

1 large piece of tinfoil

To prepare, preheat your oven to 400 and arrange your chopped squash in an even layer in your foil. Then, scatter your garlic and lemon rings evenly throughout the foil and seal up the packet. Cook on a baking sheet for about 20 minutes, or until the zucchini has softened. After the zucchini has softened, remove the pack from the oven and transfer to a bowl for serving. You can even eat the garlic, which is now roasted and delicious!

Feelin' Frisky? This technique can work for any veggies that you want. Feel free to mix it up and add carrots, asparagus, brussels sprouts, etc.

Pin It

A Cozy Cup of Winter Warmth

With the dead of winter upon us (and a temperamental heating system in my parent's house over the holiday season), a hot cup of tea is a must at all times. I've been going out of my way to try new teas, and I came across a few new ones in Fairway the other day (P.S. LOVE that place!)

Both decaf and full of flavor, these Rooibos teas from celestial are both delicious- but distinctly different. The Safari Spice tastes just as it sounds- full of spicy flavor, while the vanilla is a more subtle hint of vanilla flavor. When you're in the mood to spice things up, Safari Spice is a great choice, and if you're a vanilla person, Madagascar Vanilla has a subtle vanilla flavor. Either way, both are perfect for a cold morning or afternoon. Pin It

Fizzy Loco Coco

We all know Tiny Tummy is forever on the hunt for delicious, calorie-free, sugar-free beverages that don't have cancer-causing sweeteners, so whenever I come across a new one, I'm always eager to share. The other day when shopping in Shoprite thirsty again (guess I didn't learn from my mistake last time!), I bought this guy, but again, my thirst paid off.

Cascade has literally made a fizzy pina colada in a bottle. I have never tasted such a delicious coconut flavored soda. For you drinkers out there, mixing a little rum into this could easily be a mock pina colada! And by the way, this guy is sweetened with Sucralose, so not a total win, but not a loss either! I also tried the Strawberry Lemonade flavor. Both were good, but this one was definitely my favorite!

Pin It

Chocolate Pudding Shots

New Years Eve is usually all about taking shot after shot to bring in the New Year, which can really add up in the calorie department. Not to mention, you'll could easily be feeling those shots in the morning. Since I don't drink, I decided I had to come up with a way to participate in the "shots!" mentality without having to throw back tons and tons of alcoholic calories, and thus, these 2 ingredient chocolate pudding shots were born.

To make these pudding shots, you will need:

1 package sugar free chocolate pudding mix

2 cups almond, flax, or non fat milk (or water for a very watery shot)

To prepare, whisk the milk and pudding together in a large bowl. Then, distribute evenly into either dixie cups (think jello shots), or if you're feelin' frisky, you can use cute shaped mini cups like I did! Then, refrigerate until "set," though since you are using non-dairy milk, they will not have a true pudding consistency. Prepared with flax milk, the entire batch has less than 150 calories! A shot-bargain, if I may say so myself!

Feelin' Frisky? Just because Tiny Tummy doesn't drink alcohol, doesn't mean you can't! Feel free to add alcohol to these to make them real shots. Still a much healthier option that a mudslide or any sugar-y, caloric prepared mixed drink.

Pin It

Pumpkin Bread

It's rare that I am in a baking mood, but for some reason, the other day, I was in one of those moods. Keeping with the flavors of the season, I decided to try to make a pumpkin loaf using coconut flour to make a healthier version of the typically carb and sugar loaded bread, and it came out pretty good! I will warn you right off the bat it isn't your typical bread-y texture, but it is quite yummy and pumpkin-y. Even Daddy Tiny Tummy liked it and he is the ultimate critic of my healthier cooking.

To make these Pumpkin Bread Squares, you will need:
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup mashed banana (1 small banana's worth)
1 T honey
1/3 cup Walden Farms Pancake Syrup (or maple syrup)
6 large egg whites (or the equivalent of liquid egg substitute)
1 t vanilla extract
2/3 cup coconut flour sifted
1/2 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1/8 t ground ginger

To prepare, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray. Then, combine all wet ingredients in one bowl and all of the dry ingredients in another. Finally, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until well combined. I know it initially looks like you have too much wet for the amount of dry ingredients, but the nice thing about coconut flour is it absorbs a LOT of moisture. Pour the batter into your sprayed pan and bake for 1 hour. Once it's done, and cooled, cut into squares and serve!

I worked out the nutritionals for everyone who has been asking, and based on 12 large squares, each one has 80 calories, 3g of fiber and 4g of protein!

Pin It