Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza

Want to make your father’s favorite meal on his special day? Well I have a few go-to guy-approved meals easy enough, the kids can join in and help prepare. Grilling is always a guy’s favorite past-time so have his favorite cut of meat marinating in this subtly sweet 3-Ingredient Marinade, using a zing of NAKANO seasoned rice vinegar. Let the kids help pour the ingredients into the zip-top plastic bags for easy clean-up. Hamburger Dip from Gulf Coast Favorites is an all-star snack at our house – especially with the men! And what guy doesn’t love pizza? Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza is a fantastic upscale pizza bursting with flavor – easily put together in the comfort of your own home. Your guy is sure to be impressed without the fuss!

Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC Too Hot in the Kitchen

Sausage, roasted red peppers, spinach and mozzarella make this a simple upscale pizza.

Makes 8 slices

1 (12-inch) thin pizza crust

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon minced garlic

4 ounces chicken sausage or gourmet sausage of choice, cut in thin slices

1/2 cup roasted red pepper slices, drained (found in jar)

1/2 cup red onion thin slices, cut in half

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

2 cups fresh baby spinach

1. Preheat oven 425°F. Coat crust with oil and garlic.

2. In a small nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook sausage until lightly browned and done. Add spinach, stirring only until wilted.

3. Evenly spoon spinach mixture over crust and top with remaining ingredients. Bake 8–10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and crust is done.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories 196, Calories from fat 37%, Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 19mg, Sodium 412mg, Carbohydrate 21g, Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 1g, Protein 11g, Dietary Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat

Serving Suggestion: Splurge with fresh mozzarella cheese for an added flavor value. Look for different varieties of sausage from chicken to vegetarian.

Shopping List:

Chicken sausage or gourmet sausage (3 ounces)
Thin pizza crust (1 (12-inch))
Olive oil
Roasted red pepper slices (1/2 cup, found in jar)
Red onion
Fresh baby spinach (2 cups)
Shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (1 cup)
Seasonings: minced garlic

Favorite Summer Pizza

 Well, I admit that I am an avocado additct so obviously, guacamole rates high on my list of favorites.  Wait until you try this easy version packed with flavors that will entice every taste bud you have!  The recipe is in my new book, Too Hot in the Kitchen which must be “hot“ as everyone seems to be cooking from it.  Guacamole Goes Mediterranean is from the Lovin’ No Oven Chapter which consists of all cold recipes-which means no oven and easy!

In the recipe, I really think the vinegar adds the perfect balance of flavor and I dont’ know if you have used NAKANO seasoned rice vinegars but I have loved working with them and truly, the vinegars add a bonus of flavor without fat.  You can always use the natural but the NAKANO Basil & Oregano Seasoned Rice Vinegar enhances this Mediterranean influenced dip. 

Who doesn’t have avocado and feta hanging around their kitchen?  Whip up this incredibly fantastic dip in minutes for a guacamole to remember:  Guacamole Goes Mediterranean from Too Hot in the Kitchen:  Secrets To Sizzle At Any Age.

Guacamole Goes Mediterranean!

Meaty Italian Dip

With the Super Bowl playoffs and the big game itself around the corner, my husband is already talking about having folks over to watch the game. And to me that only means one thing –party food! The savory Meaty Italian Dip is one of our absolute game-day favorites. Lean sirloin and turkey sausage, combine with the healthy and antioxidant-rich roasted red pepper, artichokes, mushrooms, olives and basil that will have you digging in and coming back for more and more. Disguised as man food since we really know the secret to a man’s heart is through his stomach, this hearty dip is sure to please you and your guy’s guy. From the Effortless Entertaining Chapter, in my newest cookbook Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age, it makes cooking for company simple while also satisfying your man.  Forget the junk food and enjoy my “trim & terrific recipes so everyone will be a winner!”

Meaty Italian Dip from   Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age

A creamy hearty meaty dip with robust Italian ingredients- had tons of recipe requests and everyone ate more and more and more.

Makes 32 (1/4-cup) servings

1 pound ground sirloin

6 ounces ground breakfast turkey sausage

1/2 pound sliced mushrooms

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup minced roasted red peppers (found in jar)

1/2 cup sliced black olives

1 (14-ounce) can artichokes, drained and finely chopped

1 (14-ounce) can fire-roasted chopped tomatoes

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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

1/2 cup nonfat sour cream

1. In large nonstick pot, cook meat, sausage, mushrooms and onion until meat and sausage are done, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.

2. Add remaining ingredients, except sour cream and cook until cheese is melted and dip is well heated. Stir in sour cream, heat and serve.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories 67 Calories from fat 45% Fat 3g Saturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 19mg Sodium 174mg Carbohydrate 3g Dietary Fiber 1g Sugars 1g Protein 6g Dietary Exchanges: 1 lean meat

Spicy Advice: Fire-roasted diced tomatoes have a roasted smoky flavor for a more intense tasting tomato.

Favorite Party Dip – Meaty Italian Dip

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

Avocado Dip

So you want to make some easy party foods for all of these football playoff games and Super Bowl parties but are trying to eat healthier. Not sure what foods to turn to that will please a crowd and your figure? If you’re like me, you keep hearing all of these good things about certain foods, but you can never remember quite what it was or where you read or heard it. I wanted to give you a reference guide on nutrient dense foods that you can count on as accurate, and you always know where it’s at… in the first chapter of Too Hot in the Kitchen. I thought I’d share some of this with you, hope you enjoy!

Avocado: Did you know buttery, green avocados are considered a fruit – rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated (good) fat and one of the most nutrient-dense foods.

• Avocados are high in fiber, and ounce for ounce, top the chart among all fruits for folate, potassium, vitamin E, and magnesium.
• Rich in magnesium which is an essential nutrient for healthy bones.

• Avocados boost the same good health effects as olive oil.

Soy: This plant-based protein contains as much complete protein as meat, but much lower in fat – making it an excellent alternative in meatless meals.

• Soy is found in products like tofu, soymilk, and edamame – and help to prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol.
• Fresh, canned dried, or frozen – soybeans, such as edamame, can easily be thrown into many meals – just think of them as the new green pea!

Avocado Dip is a great way to get a good dose of the green… Avocado and Edamame that is!

Avocado Dip-Too Hot in the Kitchen:  Secrets To Sizzle At Any Age  (Foods To Improve Chapter)

Edamame adds crunch and sneaks in a nutritional boost combined with powerful flavors into one mouthful of avocado bliss.

Makes 8 (1/4 cup) servings

1 large avocado, (about 2/3 cup mashed)
1 1/2 cups shelled edamame, thawed
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon jarred jalapenos
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 cup nonfat sour cream
Salt and pepper to taste

1. In food processor, combine all ingredients, mixing until smooth. Serve immediately.

Avocados, Salsa, Edamame-Super Dip for Football and Super Food

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

Too Hot in the Kitchen

This past Sunday I had my first book signing for Too Hot in the Kitchen at Barnes and Noble in Baton Rouge. We had such a good time… terrific turn out and lots of yummy snacks! If you missed out we had Chocolate Fudgies, Meaty Italian Dip, Eight Layered Greek Dip, and Mini Muffelatas (see below). This was my best turn out so far for any book signing which I was absolutely thrilled about! Thank y’all so much for all of your support. It was such a pleasure getting to meet all of you and share tips, laughs and favorites. I think we’ll have to do another one soon so we can all hang out again!

Again, I could never say thank you enough… without y’all I coudln’t have written this book, so I am forever grateful! I hope you enjoy cooking from it as much as I enjoyed putting it together!

Stay Hot!

Holly

PS… my book is available at Barnes and Noble, or on Amazon if you haven’t picked up your copy yet.

Book Signing

Having fun at Barnes and Noble

Mini Muffalettas from Gulf Coast Favorites
All it takes is four easy ingredients and 15 minutes to create my popular version of this Louisiana favorite Italian-style sandwich. Make them ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.

Makes 32 – 40 Mini Muffalettas

2 (12-ounce) packages party-size rolls (16-20 to package)
1/2 pound thinly sliced lean ham
1 1/2 cups shredded Italian five-cheese blend
1 (16-ounce) jar chopped Italian olive salad, drained

1. Preheat oven 375°F.
2. Split rolls in half, lay on baking sheet. Divide ham, cheese, and olive salad onto each roll.
3. Replace bread tops. Bake 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutritional information per serving:
Calories 107
Calories from fat 48%
Fat 6 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Cholesterol 9 mg
Sodium 260 mg
Carbohydrate 10 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 1 g
Protein 4 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1 fat

TERRIFIC TIDBIT: Any combination of cheese may be used such as mozzarella, provolone, or Parmesan. Freeze Muffalettas before baking.

Too Hot in the Kitchen book signing at Barnes and Noble

Meaty Italian Dip

It’s that time of year again, and boy am I ready! If football were year round I would be the happiest girl in the South! With LSU’s first game under our belt and the Saints first game tomorrow I’m ready to heat it up in the kitchen with football food!

Ok y’all, I made this on TWILA TV the other day (for a future episode) from my new book, Too Hot in the Kitchen, and I literally had none left over to bring home! The bowl for my Meaty Italian Dip will practically wash itself! Save a little side bowl for yourself because you may not get any… keep it hidden, or you may get TACKLED! (The best part, make a ton, it’s freezer friendly… then you will have some all season long!)

Meaty Italian Dip from Too Hot in the Kitchen:  Secrets to Sizzle At Any Age

Had friends over one day and they went wild over this recipe, a creamy hearty dip with robust Italian ingredients – had so many recipe requests and everyone ate more and more and more.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground sirloin
6 ounces ground breakfast turkey sausage
½ pound sliced mushrooms
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup minced roasted red peppers (found in jar)
½ cup sliced black olives
1 (14-ounce) can artichokes, drained and finely chopped
1 (14-ounce) can fire-roasted chopped tomatoes
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (8-ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese
½ cup nonfat sour cream

Instructions:
1. In large nonstick pot, cook meat, sausage, mushrooms and onion until meat and sausage are done, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
2. Add remaining ingredients, except sour cream and cook until cheese is melted and dip is well heated. Stir in sour cream, heat and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories 67
Calories from Fat 45%
Fat 3g
Saturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 19mg
Sodium 174mg
Carbohydrate 3g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugars 1g
Protein 6g

Dietary Exchanges: 1 lean meat

Spicy Advice: Fire-roasted diced tomatoes have a roasted smoky flavor for a more intense tasting tomato.

I think tomorrow I may have a theme to the foods I’ll be serving while watching the game… Dips From Around the World – they’re just so good I wanted an excuse to serve them all! I’m going to serve Eight Layered Greek Dip and Guacamole Goes Mediterranean. Maybe I’ll have to call it European Dip Night? Ahh… who cares, let’s eat!

All of these recipes are from my new book, Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age. The book is available from Amazon… hope you enjoy it!

Are You Ready For Some LSU Football Recipes – The Trim and Terrific Way!

White Chocolate Bundt Cake

I am so excited to partner with Walmart to create easy, healthy, and affordable meals – all with one-stop shopping! Today I am an official cover girl (hahaha)featured on the www.walmart.com homepage. I use Walmart’s Great Value brand with all my testing and have been impressed with the quality of the ingredients and  the selection.  I always keep a well stocked pantry and the price point makes it more affordable to do so…gives me extra dollars to treat myself!  

On of my favorite products is the Great Value Black Bean and Corn Salsa–most people already know about it-I made the Hamburger Dip for the 30 people at my house this past weekend and used this salsa to add more pizzaz to the recipe.  I look forward to sharing more of my recipes with cooking videos on  www.walmart.com/greatvalue, all under $1 per serving!

Wait until you try these recipes:

One Step Macaroni and Cheese-one dish and no boiling noodles-time saver!
Easy Chicken I make this recipe when I need a quick and easy delcious meal
Pizza Rice-leftover rice-turn into another quick recipe with few ingredients
Yummy Yogurt White Chocolate Bundt Cake-indulgence and easy-my daughter Haley makes our favorite cakeall the time in college.

Working with Walmart-the BEST CAKE!!