Sunday, October 23, 2016
HMR Five Bean Casserole - Becomes.... West African Peanut Stew - Maafe!
The HMR Five Bean Casserole is pretty good.
And you can do a number of things with it - my favorite is making it into Peanut Stew.
Peanut stew is, typically, root vegetables with chicken, and of course, peanuts and peanut butter.. Which is not exactly hmr material. So, what to do, what to do.
Well, this is what you do
The simple adds are
PB2 - yes, that wonder of modern science, freeze dried, defatted peanut butter.
Cilantro
Green Onions
Jalapenos
HMR chicken soup
Get to add Vegetables? Time for some fun
Cooked Sweet Potato or Butternut squash are classics
Sweet corn
Fresh or canned tomato
Garbanzo beans (1/2 cup equals one serving of veg)
Cooked potato
Diced red peppers
This is a delicious stew - really!
Leek and Potato Soup - 100 calories a cup!
I like this soup in the fall when leeks are cheap. As in 69 cents each. When they are $2.69 each, I don't like them as much. Plus, they are cheap when potatoes are cheap also - 50 cents a lb - so a big win on the budget front.
To determine calories, you must of course base it on what you use. Your calorie count will vary...
Ingredients
Leeks (3 @54 calories each, 162 calories total)
Yukon Gold Potatoes, peeled (18 ounces @ 26 calories per ounce, 468 calories total)
Swanson or Progresso Chicken Broth, low sodium (8 cups, 15 cal per cup, 120 calories total). Or go with vegetable broth.
1 cup water (free)
salt and pepper to taste (free)
Thyme to taste (free)
Yields 8 cups, so 94 calories per cup with what I used.
Cut the dark green portions of the leeks off, slice in half the long way, then slice fine. Put in a big pot of water and swish around to get the dirt out of them. Drain.
Add to big pot and sweat (that is, cook at low to medium heat till they soften). You don't need oil, butter or anything else. They will release moisture as they cook down. Salt with about a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of pepper.
Peel and slice potatoes into 1/4 thick slices. I do it this way because they then cook evenly no matter how big the potato is - every slice cooks at the same speed.
When leeks have gotten soft (10 to 15 minutes), add potatoes, thyme, broth and water. Cook at medium until potatoes are soft
Put half at a time into a blender, blend till smooth - be careful and put a towel over the blender and don't fill it more than 1/2 way - to much is a good way of blowing the top off, burning yourself and painting the walls with the soup.
When pureed, serve. Good hot, good cold.
To determine calories, you must of course base it on what you use. Your calorie count will vary...
Ingredients
Leeks (3 @54 calories each, 162 calories total)
Yukon Gold Potatoes, peeled (18 ounces @ 26 calories per ounce, 468 calories total)
Swanson or Progresso Chicken Broth, low sodium (8 cups, 15 cal per cup, 120 calories total). Or go with vegetable broth.
1 cup water (free)
salt and pepper to taste (free)
Thyme to taste (free)
Yields 8 cups, so 94 calories per cup with what I used.
Cut the dark green portions of the leeks off, slice in half the long way, then slice fine. Put in a big pot of water and swish around to get the dirt out of them. Drain.
Add to big pot and sweat (that is, cook at low to medium heat till they soften). You don't need oil, butter or anything else. They will release moisture as they cook down. Salt with about a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of pepper.
Peel and slice potatoes into 1/4 thick slices. I do it this way because they then cook evenly no matter how big the potato is - every slice cooks at the same speed.
When leeks have gotten soft (10 to 15 minutes), add potatoes, thyme, broth and water. Cook at medium until potatoes are soft
Put half at a time into a blender, blend till smooth - be careful and put a towel over the blender and don't fill it more than 1/2 way - to much is a good way of blowing the top off, burning yourself and painting the walls with the soup.
When pureed, serve. Good hot, good cold.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
HMR Lasagna with Meat Sauce - Pump It Up!
The HMR Lasagna with Meat Sauce is fine. I mean, it's not great, but its ok.
However, it can be so much more....
There are a few things you can add in the no decision phase, for example....
Penzey's Frozen Pizza Seasoning - spices, garlic, it amps it up some
Hot sauce of your preference
and.... not sure what else goes in.
Once you get to add Vegies to your diet....then it can become quite good.
My fave is spinach and mushrooms
Saute the spinach with garlic
Saute the mushrooms with the Penzey's Frozen Pizza Seasoning
Layer with the Lasagna in a microwave dish
Spinach, Mushrooms, Layer of Lasagna, repeat. Top with Spinach and Mushrooms
Cover and nuke.
Serve with a salad...Pretty good.
However, it can be so much more....
There are a few things you can add in the no decision phase, for example....
Penzey's Frozen Pizza Seasoning - spices, garlic, it amps it up some
Hot sauce of your preference
and.... not sure what else goes in.
Once you get to add Vegies to your diet....then it can become quite good.
My fave is spinach and mushrooms
Saute the spinach with garlic
Saute the mushrooms with the Penzey's Frozen Pizza Seasoning
Layer with the Lasagna in a microwave dish
Spinach, Mushrooms, Layer of Lasagna, repeat. Top with Spinach and Mushrooms
Cover and nuke.
Serve with a salad...Pretty good.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
HMR Turkey Chili with Beans - Best HMR Entree?
HMR has about a dozen plus entrees that largely remain the same - they add some, they drop some, but generally there is little change. Some are good, some ok, all of them are at least edible. All of them are improved by adding things.
Having said that, I think the Turkey Chili with Beans is the best entree, and certainly better than most packaged chili's. But it still can stand to be spiffed up some.
Flavors - rule is, must be under 20 calories, or be an HMR product.
HMR Chicken Soup is a good addition to add a little more to the meal. Makes it more soup than stew, but....
Chili Powder - if you need to amp it up a little. I recommend Penzeys. If you just want chili flavor, add some of their chili con carne seasoning (no heat, lots of flavor). If you need some heat, they have lots of chilis that can bring it.
Chop up and add
Salsa is available at this point, as are most hot sauces
PB2 is an interesting addition (hey, don't knock it till you try it)
A half teaspoon of cocoa powder (really!)
A tablespoon of strong coffee (really truly!)
Ingredients - Now we are cooking!
Corn is always a winner
Potatoes
Broccoli
Fresh tomato
More beans (1/2 a cup is one vegetable)
Make a taco salad - serve it over lettuce (with tomato and avocado!)
Spinach
Sweet potato, butternut squash or even pumpkin (cook ahead of time)
Avocado
Some people like mushrooms in their chili
Red, green, yellow or orange peppers (or go for others)
Hominy is interesting (or disgusting, depending on your preferences)
Having said that, I think the Turkey Chili with Beans is the best entree, and certainly better than most packaged chili's. But it still can stand to be spiffed up some.
Flavors - rule is, must be under 20 calories, or be an HMR product.
HMR Chicken Soup is a good addition to add a little more to the meal. Makes it more soup than stew, but....
Chili Powder - if you need to amp it up a little. I recommend Penzeys. If you just want chili flavor, add some of their chili con carne seasoning (no heat, lots of flavor). If you need some heat, they have lots of chilis that can bring it.
Chop up and add
- a jalepeno
- green or regular onion (keep it under 20 calories!)
- Some canned green chilis or other peppers
- Cilantro
 |
| Sunday Lunch - with corn, fresh tomato, green onion, cilantro, cocoa, coffee, jalepeno salsa over power greens. Really good |
Salsa is available at this point, as are most hot sauces
PB2 is an interesting addition (hey, don't knock it till you try it)
A half teaspoon of cocoa powder (really!)
A tablespoon of strong coffee (really truly!)
Ingredients - Now we are cooking!
Corn is always a winner
Potatoes
Broccoli
Fresh tomato
More beans (1/2 a cup is one vegetable)
Make a taco salad - serve it over lettuce (with tomato and avocado!)
Spinach
Sweet potato, butternut squash or even pumpkin (cook ahead of time)
Avocado
Some people like mushrooms in their chili
Red, green, yellow or orange peppers (or go for others)
Hominy is interesting (or disgusting, depending on your preferences)
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Hacking the HMR Vegetarian Thai Curry with Brown Rice
HMR Vegetarian Thai Curry with Brown Rice - Pumping up the Thai
The HMR Veg Thai is ok. A little spicy, but not too much. They use Gardein as the meat substitute, and it's actually good. However, the meal is a little boring. So, what to do.....
Two questions really - what are the options when you are only using HMR products, and what can you do once you add fruit and veg.
Flavorings
Mixing the Thai Curry with a Chicken soup makes it more like the curry you get in a restaurant, which tend to be quite soup like
To pump up the curry, try Green Curry paste - just watch out for calories. Some pastes are quite low - some are not so low. I find green curry paste is often the lowest calorie of the red, yellow, etc. types.
Fish Sauce is an added feature, but it can be salty, and the HMR meal has a fair bit of sodium
Some add Soy Sauce, which is a flavor, but see fish sauce. I usually skip the Soy Sauce
PB2 (Powdered Peanut Butter, 85% less fat) makes an interesting addition (but remember to measure accurately). Makes it more of a pad thai type meal. Add it to the chicken soup when you are adding the water. You may need to add a little more water as it will thicken
Chopped Green Onions - one onion is less than 20 calories, and it adds a little crunch and bite
Cilantro - fresh herbs are always free
Coconut extract (1/4 teaspoon) - I am not a huge fan, but some like it since coconut milk is definitely out, although technically a 1/8th of a cup of lite coconut milk would be about 22 calories.....
Lime - half a fresh lime, squeezed over the heated meal
Splenda Brown Sugar - just 1/2 a teaspoon packed is 10 calories
Garlic powder (rehydrate in the chicken soup)
Minced garlic, although I would probably only use it with vegetables when I stir fry them
Thai Basil
Hot sauce, such as sriracha
Vegetable (and Fruit!) add ins
Things get a whole lot more fun at this point. I still would mix the meal with the chicken soup as the start, add your choice of flavorings above... then you can think about ...
Pineapple!
Red Pepper (or green, orange or yellow), sliced thin and stir fried briefly
Onion, sliced thin and stir fried (no oil remember!)
Snow pea pods stir fried
Sugar Snap Peas, just cooked lightly
Bean Sprouts (no need to cook at all)
Frozen Peas (just add to the soup to warm)
Sweet potato - peeled, then sliced or cubed and cooked just al dente, not mushy
Cauliflower rice!
Cooked sliced carrots (or raw for some crunch)
Peeled, cubed, stir fried eggplant (but don't over cook!)
Birds Eye Chili's - if you like it hot!
The HMR Veg Thai is ok. A little spicy, but not too much. They use Gardein as the meat substitute, and it's actually good. However, the meal is a little boring. So, what to do.....
Two questions really - what are the options when you are only using HMR products, and what can you do once you add fruit and veg.
Flavorings
Mixing the Thai Curry with a Chicken soup makes it more like the curry you get in a restaurant, which tend to be quite soup like
To pump up the curry, try Green Curry paste - just watch out for calories. Some pastes are quite low - some are not so low. I find green curry paste is often the lowest calorie of the red, yellow, etc. types.
Fish Sauce is an added feature, but it can be salty, and the HMR meal has a fair bit of sodium
Some add Soy Sauce, which is a flavor, but see fish sauce. I usually skip the Soy Sauce
PB2 (Powdered Peanut Butter, 85% less fat) makes an interesting addition (but remember to measure accurately). Makes it more of a pad thai type meal. Add it to the chicken soup when you are adding the water. You may need to add a little more water as it will thicken
Chopped Green Onions - one onion is less than 20 calories, and it adds a little crunch and bite
Cilantro - fresh herbs are always free
Coconut extract (1/4 teaspoon) - I am not a huge fan, but some like it since coconut milk is definitely out, although technically a 1/8th of a cup of lite coconut milk would be about 22 calories.....
Lime - half a fresh lime, squeezed over the heated meal
Splenda Brown Sugar - just 1/2 a teaspoon packed is 10 calories
Garlic powder (rehydrate in the chicken soup)
Minced garlic, although I would probably only use it with vegetables when I stir fry them
Thai Basil
Hot sauce, such as sriracha
Vegetable (and Fruit!) add ins
Things get a whole lot more fun at this point. I still would mix the meal with the chicken soup as the start, add your choice of flavorings above... then you can think about ...
Pineapple!
Red Pepper (or green, orange or yellow), sliced thin and stir fried briefly
Onion, sliced thin and stir fried (no oil remember!)
Snow pea pods stir fried
Sugar Snap Peas, just cooked lightly
Bean Sprouts (no need to cook at all)
Frozen Peas (just add to the soup to warm)
Sweet potato - peeled, then sliced or cubed and cooked just al dente, not mushy
Cauliflower rice!
Cooked sliced carrots (or raw for some crunch)
Peeled, cubed, stir fried eggplant (but don't over cook!)
Birds Eye Chili's - if you like it hot!
HMR Pancakes - official version, and oh so much more
HMR Pancakes, in multiple options
The "official recipe" is good, and fits in with the no decision diet well, so long as you take their advice and make it an occasional item. I have tweaked both the ingredients and the recipe, and I think it improves on the original.
1 HMR 70 Plus Vanilla Shake
1 HMR Multigrain Hot Cereal
1/8 th Teaspoon Baking Soda (this is less than 1 calorie)
½ cup Water
1 Non-Stick Cooking spray
The "official recipe" is good, and fits in with the no decision diet well, so long as you take their advice and make it an occasional item. I have tweaked both the ingredients and the recipe, and I think it improves on the original.
1 HMR 70 Plus Vanilla Shake
1 HMR Multigrain Hot Cereal
1/8 th Teaspoon Baking Soda (this is less than 1 calorie)
½ cup Water
1 Non-Stick Cooking spray
Method to Madness
Once you start adding fruits and vegetables to your HMR diet, things get really interesting
Favorite things we add include:
There are lots of things you can add and stay in the box - get creative and experiment!
This is our Saturday morning breakfast - that's how we keep it "occasional"
And these freeze pretty well - if you wanted to make them as a treat, just reheat in toaster or microwave. Pretty good a work when others bring in treats or a pot luck - gives you an in the box option.
- Mix the Shake with Cereal and Baking Powder. DON'T Blend both packets in a blender until you have a flour consistency. Instead, use the cereal as is, or just pulse one second the cereal after you have taken out the fruit. If you are cooking for two, pulse one and leave the other as is. I think this gives a better texture. And the baking powder gives the pancakes some lift.
- Add water until a pancake batter is reached
- Allow to sit for 3-5 minutes (batter will thicken; add more water if needed)
- Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray
- Pour ¼ cup batter for each pancake
- Cook until bubbles form, pop and stay open, then flip to brown the other side
- Things to "spiff it up", and stay in the box, include (but only pick one - they are condiments, not the meal)
- Splenda Brown Sugar - 10 calories per HALF teaspoon (packed)
- Low calorie syrup (we like Vermont sugar free low calorie - 15 calories per 1/4 cup)
- I Can't Believe It's Not Butter brand butter flavoring spray
Once you start adding fruits and vegetables to your HMR diet, things get really interesting
Favorite things we add include:
- Finely diced apple, not pre-cooked. I use one apple for a double recipe
- Blueberries. 1 cup for a double recipe
- Mashed Banana (mash ripe banana and mix with water, then add to the pancake mix. 1 Banana for a double
- Zucchini, finely diced (I spiralize, then chop into rice size pieces). I also do not precook. Half a zuchini (med) per double recipe
- Sweet potato, sprilized, chopped and microwaved with a little water until soft (1/2 cup per double)
- Apple pie or pumpkin pie spice
- Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) (1/2 cup per double
- Cooked carrot, diced fine or shredded
There are lots of things you can add and stay in the box - get creative and experiment!
This is our Saturday morning breakfast - that's how we keep it "occasional"
And these freeze pretty well - if you wanted to make them as a treat, just reheat in toaster or microwave. Pretty good a work when others bring in treats or a pot luck - gives you an in the box option.
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