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…

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Wood-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…

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Halloumi 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…

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Coquilles 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…

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Creamy 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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Chicken Cordon Bleu & Scalloped Potatoes – 398 Cal

When I tell people they can have Cordon Bleu on a diet, they usually laugh. The secret is portion size and a little cheating. In this version, each piece is 1/2 a chicken breast flattened; a small piece of off-the-bone ham (not processed); shredded cheese; and an amazing sauce. It’s not only delicious but a…

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Excerpt from upcoming thriller “Dare to Breathe”

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming thriller, “Dare to Breathe”, to be released February 2021. Prologue PAST   Though struggling to maintain control of the airplane, Captain Jason Samuels focused on the swerving line of concrete wall some two thousand feet below him. Meandering across the open fields like a miniature version of…

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A lighter taste of France: Mushroom Monsieur

Normally, this dish would be served in a classic French restaurant as a luncheon entree, but it is equally as good for a dinner if you’ve also indulged earlier in the day. By making everything from scratch (especially the Bechamel) and not scrimping on the oil and butter you are guaranteed mouth-watering explosion of both…

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Chuck’s Ultimate Summer Tomato Appetizer

Chuck is my brother-in-law, and although we have a lot of fun discussing recipes and how “Artichoke Hart” would cook things, I am obviously not the only chef in the family. This summer appetizer, served on one of the last hot days of summer, was so excrutiatingly tasty, I had to bow down to his…

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