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Pizza Rice with Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis

Pizza Rice

Watch me make Pizza Rice (recipe below) with basketball star, Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis. It was so much fun, and I assure you that kids of all ages, from 2 to 82, will love to dig in to this delicious side dish or vegetarian main dish!

Pizza Rice from my The New Holly Clegg Trim & Terrific Cookbook

Rice and pizza team up to make a child’s dream team. Use for a main or a side dish; either way, it’s a hit.

Makes 4-6 servings

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice

1 (.7-ounce) package Italian salad dressing mix

4 cups cooked rice

1 cup shredded part-skim Mozzarella cheese

1. In medium nonstick pot, combine the tomatoes with the Italian dressing, stirring until mixed and well heated.

2.  Stir in the cooked rice, and cheese. Cook over a low heat until well heated and the cheese is melted, 3- 5 minutes. Serve.

Nutritional information per serving

Calories 205, Protein (g) 8, Carbohydrate (g) 35, Fat (g) 3, Calories from Fat (%) 15, Saturated Fat (g) 2, Dietary Fiber (g) 2, Cholesterol (mg) 11, Sodium (mg) 599 Diabetic Exchanges: 0.5 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable

Pizza Rice with Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis

Are you making a special dinner for Valentine’s Day? Even if you are not, this fun playful cake will make your Sweetheart’s day extra sweet! Spouse, kids, friends, or coworkers – all ages will appreciate this delicious festive cake this Valentine’s Day.  Last year I had a Valentine’s party at my house…and really got into the Valentine’s Day theme with inexpensive decorations.  We all had so much fun and here is a glimpse of our fun night!

Strawberry Heart Cake from The New Holly Clegg Trim & TERRIFIC Cookbook

This awesome cake is too good to save for only Valentine’s Day. Turn into a round layered cake year-round with 9-inch round pans. It begins with a cake mix and is easy to make.

Makes 16 servings

1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix

1/4 cup canola oil

2 eggs

2 egg whites

1 (3-ounce) package strawberry gelatin

1/2 (10-ounce) package frozen sliced strawberries (1/2 cup) (reserve extra for frosting)

1/2 cup skim milk

Strawberry Frosting (recipe follows)

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat one 9 x 9 x 2-inch square pan and one 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, oil, eggs, egg whites, strawberry gelatin, 1/2 cup strawberries, milk, mixing until well blended. Divide batter, pour into prepared pans. Bake 25 – 30 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pans, cool completely.

3. To form heart: Place square cake on large platter. Cut round cake in half, place each half with cut side next to square side. You may need to trim corners. This now makes a heart. Turn cakes so square cake’s pointed end is down and round halves are at top. Frost heart cake with Strawberry Frosting (see recipe below).

Strawberry Frosting

3 tablespoons butter

1 (16-ounce) box confectioners’ sugar

1/2 (10-ounce) package frozen sliced strawberries (1/2 cup)

1. In medium mixing bowl, mix together butter, confectioners’ sugar, remaining strawberries until well blended.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 336, Protein (g) 3, Carbohydrate (g) 60, Fat (g) 9, Calories from Fat (%) 25, Saturated Fat (g) 2, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 27, Sodium (mg) 262 Diabetic Exchanges: 4 other carbohydrate, 2 fat

for more delicious desserts visit www.hollyclegg.com 

Steal Your Heart for Valentine’s Day with this Strawberry Valentine’s Day Heart Cake

German Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars

With 3 kids, I know the week before Halloween can be busy – finishing the perfect costume and all the Halloween parties – and of course they always signed me up for their class party snack duty! For a fun twist on one of my favorites, German Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars become festive when food coloring is added to the cream cheese layer to make them Halloween orange. These days you can find orange food coloring but you can always mix yellow and red for the perfect shade.  I always have bowl of chili or hearty soup on the stove to feed everyone leisurely and easily.  This year I am preparing my Southwestern Shrimp, Corn and Sweet Potato Soup  from Too Hot in the Kitchen, my new cookbook, as whenever I make it on TV, people are going home that day to make it for their family.  I have the orange theme going on, for sure!  For more healthy Halloween goodies you and your kids will have fun with, such as Creepy Crawlers and Jack-O’-Lantern Sandwiches, I have them all on  www.thismamacooks.com

German Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars

It’s like having two desserts in one with this simple to make bar cookie that combines German chocolate and cheesecake all in one bite. 

Makes 48 squares

1 (18.25-ounce) box German chocolate cake mix

1 egg

1/3 cup flaked coconut

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 (8-ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese

1 (16-ounce) box confectioners’ sugar

3 egg whites

1 teaspoon coconut extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1.  Preheat oven 350°F.
2.  In large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, 1 egg, coconut, and butter.
3.  Pat mixture into bottom of 13  9  2-inch baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray.
4.  In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, egg whites, and coconut and vanilla extracts until mixture is smooth and creamy. Pour over mixture in pan.
5.  Bake 35–40 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories 108, Calories from fat (%) 26, Fat (g) 3, Saturated Fat (g) 2, Cholesterol (mg) 11, Sodium (mg) 116, Carbohydrate (g) 19, Dietary Fiber (g) 0, Sugars (g) 15, Protein (g) 1, Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 carbohydrate, 1/2 fat

Terrific Tidbit: For a festive Halloween twist, use red and yellow food coloring to make orange in the cream cheese mixture.

for more healthy recipes visit www.hollyclegg.com 

Healthy Halloween Recipes: Move Over Pumpkin

An overall healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meat and dairy is important for every stage of life; however there is research that shows that what a mother eats while pregnant may affect what the child prefers to eat – making a nutritious food choices that much more important. Many times people get discouraged when trying to completely overhaul their diet and choose nutritious foods. It can seem overwhelming, but stick with me and I can show you my tips to put a delicious, healthy meal on the table fast.

I am a big believer in no stress in the kitchen, cooking should be fun. I always say if you do not have an ingredient leave it out, never go back to the store. I love to beat stress by making ahead and freezing meals, if you have more time over the weekend, make several dishes and freeze, in portions to pull out a ready made dinner in no time. One of my most important time-saving tips is too keep a well stocked pantry – pasta, beans, veggies – that way you can just pull simple ingredients to whip up a quick and easy healthy meal.

1. If you start eating nutritious meals mid way during your pregnancy, will it still have a positive effect on the baby’s eating habits?  If so, how? Absolutely! There is never a wrong time to start making positive lifestyle choices. And it really can be easy with just a few substitutions. Next time you are at the grocery make a few simple changes by choosing low fat or even better, skim milk. Check out all the varieties of whole grain pastas and brown rice – I bet you do not even notice a difference! Don’t think of your new way of eating as what you cannot eat – think of it as what you can eat. Throw roasted veggies in that pasta dish, soup or salad, or add berries to your next dessert and before you know it you have added extra fruit and veggie servings to your day.
2. How do the foods we eat during pregnancy on a daily basis affect how our bodies work? All foods are made up of different nutrients, some just have much more healthy effects on our bodies than others. If you think of food as fuel, our bodies run and feel so much better when filled with important antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and dairy. When we fill up on high fat, low nutrient carbohydrates such as cookies, pastries, bread, and high fat meats we are slowing our bodies down by not feeding it nutrients it needs.
3. How is eating during pregnancy different than eating when we are not pregnant? Research shows that a pregnant mother only needs an extra 300 calories instead of the previous thinking of eating for two. If a woman is already eating a diet full of nutritious foods then an extra snack a day such as a glass of milk and granola bar should cover it. However, it is important for the mother to focus on getting enough of the especially important vitamins such as Calcium, folic acid.
4. What are some nutritional recommendations you have for pregnant mothers regarding their diet & nutrition?

For nutrition during pregnancy, and really for a lifetime, but especially while you are growing your special little one, you want to make sure that the foods you choose are nutrient dense. Calcium rich foods such as low fat dairy, milk, cottage cheese and cheese are important to include in your diet, as well as folic acid found in cereal, bread and pastas (choose high fiber). You can easily prepare wholesome foods at home, so you will be able to know what ingredients are in it. My number one secret to cutting down cooking time is keeping a well-stocked pantry – it’s like having a permanent shopping list – keeping all of your basics on your shelves, such as low sodium broths, canned tomatoes, whole wheat pastas, frozen and canned veggies. This allows you to pull an ingredient out of the pantry and whip up a go-to nutritious meal in minutes without having to stress about what is for dinner.  If you make a soup full of veggies in your own kitchen you know it is low fat and low sodium, while store bought soup may be loaded with salt and preservatives. Keep nutritious and easy snacks on hand, which are easy to make too. By keeping whole wheat flour, oats, fruit, nuts, and dried berries on hand you can easily whip up on-the-go granola and breakfast bars and muffins.

For my easiest cookbook to cook from, stay hot in the kitchen with trim&TERRIFIC Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age!

Apricot Oatmeal Bars from The New Holly Clegg trim&TERRIFIC Cookbook

This recipe has been a family favorite for years—we like to keep them in the freezer. The crumbly oatmeal topping with the tart apricot filling is a great combination.

Makes 36 – 48 bars

1/2 cup butter, melted

11/2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal

11/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1 (12-ounce) jar apricot preserves or spreadable fruit

1. Preheat oven 350°F.

2. In large mixing bowl, mix together the butter, oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, vanilla, baking soda, and cinnamon, mixing until it forms a crumbly dough. Stir in the walnuts. Press half the mixture into the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the preserves over top. Crumble the other half of the oatmeal mixture over the preserves.

3. Bake 30 – 35 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool, and cut into bars.

Nutritional information per serving

Calories 76, Protein (g) 1, Carbohydrate (g) 12, Fat (g) 3, Calories from Fat (%) 31, Saturated Fat (g) 0, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 0, Sodium (mg) 52 Diabetic Exchanges: 1 other carbohydrate, 0.5 fat

Quick Tip: Try different preserves to create a new cookie.

for more healthy recipes visit www.hollyclegg.com

Pregnancy Nutrition Q & A – Apricot Oatmeal Bars

Burger Cake

My friend called the other day and said she was making a cake for her 6-year-old nephew’s birthday party. She was stumped on what kind of cake to make because she needed something fairly easy that wasn’t loaded in icing, and would WOW children and adults. I sent her my Burger Cake recipe because I knew it was the perfect cake for his party. She said she had a lot of fun making the cake and that it was the talk of the party! It was a conversation piece for the adults, and the kids thought it was so cool! If you have a party coming up definitely try the Burger Cake and be prepared for all of the praise you’ll get!

Burger Cake from The New Holly Clegg trim&TERRIFIC Cookbook

This cake will be the “talk of the party.”  The yellow cake layer represents the bun, the brownie layer serves as the burger, and the yellow whipped topping makes a great mustard.  Kiwi becomes the lettuce and pickles, while strawberries stand in for tomatoes. You’ll be using easy cake mixes, so don’t let the length of this recipe intimidate you.

BURGER CAKE

Makes 20 servings

Yellow Cake Layer

1 (18.25-ounce) package Shurfine yellow cake mix
3 Shurfresh egg whites
1 Shurfresh egg
2 tablespoons Shurfine canola oil
1 1/3 cups water
1 cup Shurfine confectioners’ sugar
2-3 tablespoons Shurfresh skim milk
1 (9-inch) round Brownie Layer (recipe follows)
1 envelope whipped topping mix
1/2 cup Shurfresh cold milk
1 teaspoon yellow food coloring
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
4 kiwis, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon poppy seeds
 
1. Prepare Yellow Cake Layer:  Preheat oven to 350°F.  Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large mixing bowl, beat together cake mix, egg whites, egg, oil and water until well mixed.  Pour batter into prepared pans.  (You’ll need only one yellow layer for this recipe-save remaining batter for another use like cup cakes).
3. Bake 25-30 minutes or until the top springs back when touched.  Cool layers in pan on wire rack 10 minutes, then turn onto wire racks to cool.
4. To assemble, when cake has cooled, split layer in half into two 9-inch rounds with long, serrated knife.  Place bottom half on serving plate.
5. In small bowl, mix together confectioners’ sugar and enough milk to form spreading consistency.  Spread half of mixture on top of yellow cake layer. Top with cooled Brownie Layer.
6. In mixing bowl, beat together whipped topping mix, cold milk, yellow food coloring until topping is very thick, forms peak. Spread remaining half of confectioners’ sugar mixture on top of brownie layer to help the next layer of fruit stay in place.
7. Cover with sliced strawberries and kiwis. Top with whipped topping mixture, making sure that fruit is showing on all sides. Carefully place remaining half of yellow cake layer on top of fruit and whipped topping.  Sprinkle with poppy seeds and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Brownie Layer

1 (18.25-ounce) package Shurfine brownie mix
1/3 cup Shurfine canola oil
1/4 cup water
2 Shurfresh eggs

1. Brownie Layer:  Preheat oven to 350°F.  Coat 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large mixing bowl, beat together brownie mix, oil, water, and eggs until well mixed.  Pour batter into prepared pan, bake 25-30 minutes or until top springs back when touched.  Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely before using.

Nutritional information per serving:
Calories 331, Protein (g) 4, Carbohydrate (g) 53, Fat (g) 12, Calories from fat (%) 32, Saturated Fat (g) 3, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 37, Sodium (mg) 361, Diabetic Exchanges: 3 other carbohydrate, 2.fat

One Giant Burger!

As soon as you learn a loved one or friend has cancer, you want to be able to help in some way.  A snack, casserole, or running an errand can bring joy and happiness to the person not feeling well.  However, being there to listen and offer a warm smile is often the greatest gift.  Here are a few helpful hints from my cookbook, Eating Well Through Cancer that will help  cancer caregivers.  

• Prepare meals in disposable containers when dropping off food.
• When dropping off food, also supply paper plates and forks for easy clean up.
• Prepare meals that may be frozen to pull out as needed.
• Go grocery shopping with your loved one’s list.
• Prepare and purchase ready to eat snacks.
• Stock the pantry with healthy and tasty food.

Snack Mix
Here’s an easy recipe that makes a great snack mix any time of day.  Sweet and salty mixes are always a great combo and this is an addictive combination.

Makes twenty (1/2-cup) servings

3 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
4 cups honey nut toasted rice and corn cereal squares
6 cups mini pretzels
1 cup soy nuts
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
1 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces
1 cup raisins, optional

1.Preheat oven 250 degrees. 
2.Whisk together sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3.Toss together cereal squares, pretzels, soy nuts, and peanuts in a large bowl.Drizzle oil mixture over cereal mixture, tossing gently to coat. 
4.Scatter mixture on a foil-lined jelly roll pan and bake for 25 minutes, stirring often to prevent too much browning.  Turn off oven and let cereal stay in oven 1 hour to continue crisping. 
5.When cool, toss with the chocolate candies and raisins.  Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Nutrition information per serving
Calories 221
Protein (g) 6
Carbohydrate (g) 30
Fat (g) 9
Calories from Fat (%) 36
Saturated Fat (g) 2
Dietary Fiber (g) 2
Cholesterol (mg) 1
Sodium (mg) 309
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 other carbohydrate, 1.5 fat

Cancer Caregiver Tips for Eating Well Through Cancer

Hamburger Dip

Hamburger Dip – only 4 ingredients and will be a crowd favorite!

This really is the best football crowd-pleasing recipe. My husband invited friends over for the Saints game on Sunday, and even though I was short on time I was able to throw together the super easy Hamburger Dip from my mom’s cookbook, trim&TERRIFIC Gulf Coast Favorites. It is always a hit, especially with a football crowd!

Hamburger Dip from trim&TERRIFIC Gulf Coast Favorites

Just four simple ingredients create this hearty and satisfying meaty dip in mere minutes, ideal for football season and last-minute company. Serve with chips.

Makes 20 (1/4-cup) servings

1 pound ground sirloin

1/2 pound sliced mushrooms

1 (16-ounce) jar salsa

1 (8-ounce) package shredded, reduced-fat, Monterey Jack or Mexican-blend cheese

1.  In nonstick pot, cook meat, mushrooms over medium heat 5–7 minutes, until meat is well browned. Drain any excess fat.

2.  Add salsa, cheese, stirring over medium heat until cheese is melted.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 82, Calories from fat (%) 48, Fat (g) 4, Saturated Fat (g) 2, Cholesterol (mg) 19, Sodium (mg) 175, Carbohydrate (g) 2, Dietary, Fiber (g) 0, Sugars (g) 1, Protein (g) 8, Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat

Best Football Party Dip-Hamburger Dip

Shrimp Cheese Grits Casserole

This post was from awhile ago…but making for Christmas gang also!  I am exhausted! I had 30 wonderful kids with me all weekend as we all went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.  My daughter, Haley, invited 30 of her friends from Wash U in St. Louis to come experience Mardi Gras for the first time.  Many had never even been to the South so of course I had to have lots of food!! We had 5 king cakes and I cooked our classic Louisiana dishes that feed a crowd. I made Shrimp and Cheese Grits from Freezer Friendly Meals, ahead of time and froze so I didn’t have to spend hours in the kitchen when everyone got there.  I also had to make our favorite appetizers kids love to dig into – Hamburger Dip and Super Salsa…both with only a few ingredients and so easy. Of course they were gobbled up! It was a whirl-wind weekend full of fun but good to be back in my routine too!

Shrimp and Cheese Grits for a House Full

Watermelon Slush

Down in south Louisiana the heat index has been 110 degrees! It has been so hot but nothing cools me off faster than a refreshing Watermelon Slush. Full of vitamins and nutrition – this easy and quick drink will be sure to cool you down while satisfying your sweet tooth. Kids will love to jump in and help too!

Watermelon Slush

A tasty source of Vitamin C and potassium. Kids can have fun scooping and chopping up the watermelon and dropping the pieces into the blender, seeds and all!

Serves 2

1 cup ice

3 cups watermelon chunks

2 Tablespoons honey

1. Blend all ingredients in blender or food processor.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 137, Protein (g) 2, Carbohydrate (g) 34, Fat (g) 1, Calories from Fat (%) 6, Saturated Fat (g) 0, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 0, Sodium (mg) 5

Beat the Heat with Watermelon Slush

Chicken Tortilla Soup

   Even though it is the end of April, St. Louis still manages to find a way to bring in 40 degree weather!  All I wanted for dinner was soup this weekend, so on Sunday I made Chicken Tortilla Soup.  Since finals are approaching around the corner and my last days as a college student are numbered (can’t believe I’m graduating from WashU), I did not have much time to prepare dinner that evening.  I decided on Chicken Tortilla Soup, because basically all you need to do is combine all the ingredients in a pot and let it cook for 15 minutes!  One shortcut I took, a rotisserie chicken.  I didn’t have to prepare the chicken for the soup, so this already simple dish became even simpler!  Check out my mom’s Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe–I like the one in Gulf Coast Favorites as it is a cross between chicken soup and chili.  Of course, I top the soup with cheese!  Sometimes, it comes up on her phone application, Mobile Rush Hour Recipes, so that’s really a step saver-have my grocery list already on my phone. 

My mom always is doing some work for Tyson Grilled and Ready Cooked Chicken Breast and she said that its a great alternative to Rotessiere, actually easier as you don’t have to remove the skin and healthier as it is all white meat-wish I talked to her before I went to the grocery!

Cool Night in St. Louis: Soup is a Must