Elevated Chicken – 350 cal
You hear me talk about “elevated chicken” a lot. That’s because it’s our go-to quick, easy, low calorie meal that makes us feel like we’re eating gourmet. The idea is to take one chicken breast (cut in two), add one potato (half each), some kind of veggie, and a different sauce each time. Presentation is…
Read MoreWood-Fired Kentucky Bourbon Chili
Many of you may not have a place to start a fire in your backyard. If you’re like me, (living in a condo), there are rules regarding open fires. I found an acceptable product at Solo Stove that is allowed in a condo because it’s self-contained and virtually smokeless. Because of that, I get to…
Read MoreTriple Lemon Chicken Supper – 250 cal
Even though this dish is pretentious, it is very low in calories due to portion size. You can, of course, increase the size by using a full chicken breast per person and more potato, but I find this version filling. I call it Triple Lemon because the chicken is braised in a lemon/caper sauce, the…
Read MoreYou have to try my Coq! – 510 Cal
Before you wonder if you’ve hit a porn site, the line comes from the hit series “Emily in Paris” where Chef Gabrielle invites the young American upstart to try his Coq. Lots of laughter from the innuendo but it inspired me to search for my own Coq au Vin recipe that wasn’t overly caloric. In…
Read MoreChicken Francese – 466 cal
It’s an Italian-American lemon chicken classic with a twist. And even though it’s high in calories, offset the meal by a side of lettuce and vinegar dressing. The potatoes add about 100 so if you had a low lunch, you’ll be okay with the meal as pictures. The twist is that the egg is on…
Read MoreHalloumi Treat – 316 cal
Okay, so Halloumi Cheese isn’t the best thing when you’re on a diet. Any cheese is going to be high in fat, and therefore, high in calories. But if you partake carefully and combine it with a simple salad, you could get away with it for a perfect snack. I love this salty, chewy, slow…
Read MorePork Medallions in Mushroom Gravy – 387 cal
Veal Medallions is a popular dish for higher-end restaurants, especially Italian ones. Using Pork is a cheaper way to achieve a similar taste without losing the texture associated with veal. Pork is also low in calories and as a result, this rich, saucy dish is actually quite low and is, therefore, perfect for those on…
Read MoreGrilled Aubergine, with Burrata, Balsamic, & Anchovy -159 cal
Okay, so in Canada, we call it eggplant but if you use the larger ones for this recipe, “Aubergine” just seems to suit it better. I was amazed at how the fresh burrata and sharp anchovies offset the dry (albeit balsamic soaked) aubergine. If you’re not into anchovy, that’s okay. Personally, I think you’re missing…
Read MoreCoquilles Saint Jacques – 374 Cal
Can you have an exotic French dish like Coquilles Saint Jacques while on Dad’s Diet? Of course! One seashell serving is 374 and although it’s not filling alone, combined with a nice salad and maybe 50z of white wine, you’ve got a meal worthy of a romance novel for under 550. That’s perfect for one…
Read MoreCreamy Tuscan Shrimp and Scallops – 366 Cal
There is no better way to eat cocktail shrimp and pre-packaged sea scallops this dish. It’s even better the next day when leftovers are mixed with pasta. And even with a creamy sauce, this dish comes in well under 400 calories, so you can top it off with a little paremsan or even dip a…
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