Breakfast: I made a batch of Ricotta Pancakes... my standard recipe but I added 2 Tablespoons of Chike Nutrition Powdered Peanut Butter. Mmmm a little warmed SF Strawberry Jam (or frozen, defrosted strawberries or sliced fresh on top) and I had a protein packed PB&J for breakfast. Delicious.
Shelly's Peanut Butter & Jelly Ricotta Pancakes
1/2 cup Ricotta Cheese
1 Egg, beaten
2 Tablespoons Powdered Peanut Butter
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (Sugar Free Vanilla, SF Peanut Butter, SF Chocolate, SF Raspberry all would be delicious)
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix
Mix all ingredients together. I use whole milk ricotta, if you use part skim, drain first. Spray pan with non-stick spray. Spoon a dollop of mixture in pan and pat flat. Cook on low till golden, flip, pat flat, cook till done. Serve each pancake with a drizzle of warm SF jam, maple syrup, fruit or delicious just plain. Makes 8 pancakes.
These can be frozen between slices of wax paper or kept in the fridge a day or 2 and reheated (nuke 25 seconds) for breakfast during the week. Surprising good cold too. Leftovers usually get some SF jam or almond butter smeared on them, wrapped in foil and they become a great breakfast-on-the-go with a protein shake.
More Eggface Pancakes
Lunch: I did a ton of yard work yesterday. We've had such bad drought here in Southern California and major watering restrictions so there were some plant casualties. I'm slowly removing the dead stuff. Yesterday I tackled an old rose bush and uggh I have the scratched arms to prove it. I brought lunch outside. I made up a plate of cold cuts, cheese, pickles, almonds (have you tried those Blue Diamond Honey Chipotle Almonds yet, OMG) and ate a little on a break. My Mum shared my spread.
More Weight Loss Surgery Friendly Lunch Ideas
Dinner: Last cup of leftover turkey went in this casserole (sort of macaroni & cheese without the pasta since I don't do pasta post weight loss surgery.) Another great use of leftovers it would be great using cubed holiday ham. Non-holidays I'd add sauteed ground beef (turkey or sausage) or leave it meatless for a Meatless Monday.
Shelly's Mac-less Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
1 small head of Cauliflower, parboiled
8-10 Mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup-ish Leftover Peas
1 - 1-1/2 cups of Leftover Cooked Turkey, chopped
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
Cheese Sauce:
1 Tablespoon Spelt Flour
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 cup Milk
1/4-1/3 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Low fat Cottage Cheese, whizzed (I used Daisy 2%)
Dash or 2 of Hot Sauce (I used Cholula)
Salt to taste
a few twists of Black Pepper
Optional topping:
2 Tablespoons Parmesan
1/4 cup Durkee Onions (the green bean casserole kind)
Parboil cauliflower till knife inserts easily but still firm. Drain it well. Break-up into florets and set aside.
Make cheese sauce: Whiz cottage cheese in a mini food processor till smooth. Set aside. In a small nonstick saucepan, cook butter and spelt flour (lower carbs and I prefer the taste but any wheat flour can sub) together for 1 minute. Add milk slowly. Stirring constantly and cook till bubbling and thickened. Add cheddar cheese and stir till melted. Turn off heat and mix in cottage cheese. Add a few dashes of hot sauce, salt & pepper to taste.
Saute mushrooms till golden. Add turkey, peas, oregano. Add cauliflower and pour cheese sauce over it all. Mix to combine. Pour into a Pyrex casserole. Top with Parmesan and onions, this is optional but the best part of traditional Mac & Cheese is the crunchy topping to me so I add it. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Snacks: Too much coffee, a few apple samples at the Farmer's Market. I bought a few Honeycrisp Apples to make one of my favorite breakfasts this coming week. I also hit Costco and had a couple of samples while I was there... a hunk of Pure Protein bar and a sample of Madras Lentils. I love free samples for a WLS weight loss surgery peep it's a cheap date ;)
More Days in my pouch
It was a tasty day but I'll be glad not to see any turkey for a week or so or more. Prepare for some fish, beef, anything other than turkey recipes.