I love one pot dishes, especially those hearty ones to enjoy on a wintry night with a side salad and a glass of wine. But hearty sometimes is not healthy. That casserole may be stick to your ribs delicious but it may be sticking you with added calories, sodium and fat.
That’s why I love Linda Gassenheimer’s book series written under the health guidelines of the American Diabetes Association. With obesity in America at an all time high and a major cause for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke cancer and many other chronic illnesses, this series provides common sense recipes for anyone.
Her latest book is “Delicious One Pot Dishes.” Linda provides versatile, healthy options for one pot dishes, often taking perennial family favorites like Mac & Cheese, Shepherd’s Pie and Lasagna and giving them a makeover with leaner cuts of meat, low fat cheeses, low sodium broth and more vegetables, fresh or frozen.
What “one pot” is not is limiting. “One pot” can mean many ingredients and options whether you are making a soup, stew, casserole or stir fry. Linda’s recipes are written with her customary professional precision. She’s also a syndicated food writer whose longtime “Dinner In Minutes” column is found in the Miami Herald.” But we added some creative license. We adapted her vegetarian “lasagna” using penne and fresh spinach which is what we had on hand creating our version which we called Lapennagna!
So give it a shot! Get out the pot and start cooking! It’s healthy. It’s easy. It’s fun. Besides, you have fewer dishes to clean.
Five ways to make your hearty one pot dishes healthier ones:
- Substitute low fat cheese. Suggestions: skim milk mozzarella, low fat ricotta. Or skip the cheese altogether in the dish and just lightly sprinkle low fat goat cheese or Feta or grated parmesan on top
- Use low sodium broth. Or make your own. Reserve the liquid left from your cooked (steamed) vegetables and reuse.
- Use less fatty cuts of meat: e.g., boneless chicken breast or drumstick. leaner cuts of beef, lamb or pork, like the loin.
- Add in more vegetables: fresh or frozen
- Add in more herbs and spices: fresh or dried for flavor
Hear from food writer Linda Gassenheimer January 16, 4pm EST on Fearless Fabulous You!. Linda’s Miami Herald syndicated food column is called Dinner in Minutes.
Inspiring women and experts on health, wellness & nutrition to help you make healthy, happy choices.
