Individual Spinach and Ricotta Lasagnas

If you're still hungry after one of these amazing individual spinach and ricotta lasagnas, simply have another. Packed with savory prosciutto, spinach, ricotta and herbs, this lasagna is one of our favorites!

Ingredients:

- 4 uncooked lasagna noodles (I used the no-bake ones that are shorter than the regular longer ones)
- 1 ounce prosciutto
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1/2 shallot, chopped
- 4 oz. fresh spinach
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 2 Tbs grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 3/4 tsp. dried basil, divided
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pam cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. *Boil lasagna just until it's al dente. Drain and cut each noodle crosswise into 3 pieces, forming 12 little squares. Set aside. In a large skillet, cook prosciutto on medium-high heat until crisp. Remove prosciutto, let cool slightly, crumble, and set aside. Add olive oil to the same skillet and sauté shallots for about a minute. Add fresh spinach and cook until spinach starts to wilt. Add crumbled prosciutto, mix and remove from heat. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, thyme, 1/2 tsp. of the basil, salt, and pepper. Add the spinach mixture and combine. Coat 4 ramekin bowls with pam cooking spray. Arrange one pasta square on the bottom of each ramekin. Add a small amount of spinach and ricotta mixture on top of each lasagna square. Repeat by putting another pasta square on top of mixture and then evenly layer the rest of the spinach mixture on top. Finish with placing the last pasta square on top of each ramekin. Combine mozzarella and 1/4 tsp. basil. Sprinkle evenly over all 4 ramekins. Place ramekins on a cookie sheet and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

*NOTE: Even though I bought the no-bake pasta noodles, I still boiled until they were al dente. This way, you only have to bake lasagnas for 20 minutes as opposed to longer. 

"Never upset the person who cooks your dinner." - Garfield

Apple Kale Salad

This enticing fresh salad is not only gratifying, it's also very healthy! Simple to prepare too! What could be better?

Ingredients:

- 4 cups fresh kale, chopped
- 2 large sweet apples, unpeeled, cored, and chopped
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs golden raisins
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 2 Tbs pine nuts
- 3 Tbs nonfat greek yogurt
- 1 Tbs honey or Agave
- 3 Tbs water

In a large bowl, add kale, one of the chopped apples, raisins, celery, and pine nuts. Toss to mix well. In a food processor, place the remaining chopped apple, yogurt, honey, and water. Process until well blended. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Enjoy!! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"Remind yourself that it's ok not to be perfect." - Anonymous

Spinach and Prosciutto Flatbread Pizza

This flavorful pizza is so easy to make with very few ingredients. No need to order out tonight! You can throw this together in minutes!

Ingredients:

- 10.5 oz. Flatbread - (I used Italian Artisan Flatbread Pizza Crust)
- Pam cooking spray with Olive Oil
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 oz. fresh spinach
- 1 oz. prosciutto (chopped small)
- 1 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese

Set the broiler to high. Lightly spray a cookie sheet or pizza pan with Pam cooking spray. Lay the flatbread on the pan and lightly coat with cooking spray. Broil for 2 minutes, remove, turn over flatbread, and lightly spray/coat the other side. Return to broiler for another 2 minutes. Remove and set aside. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Add the shallots and garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the spinach, salt and pepper and continue sautéing for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach just starts to wilt. Evenly distribute spinach mixture on flatbread. Add prosciutto and mozzarella. Place back in broiler oven for 2 minutes longer, until mozzarella is melted. Remove and enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"You better cut the pizza in four pieces, because I'm not 

hungry enough to eat six." - Yogi Berra 

New Year's Eve Party Recipes

Whether you're going to throw/attend a New Year's Eve party or celebrate in the quiet comforts of your own home, you will need some great appetizers and desserts to enjoy while you do just that! Check out these simple recipes you can throw together quickly that will make ringing in the New Year that much more enjoyable!

APPETIZERS!!

- Mozzarella Skewers

- Smoked Salmon Bites

- Bacon Brie Fillo Cups 

- Black-Eyed Pea Dip 

- Spinach and Artichoke Cups 

- Buffalo Chicken Dip 

- Walnut and Blue Cheese Grape Bites 

- Crab Stuffed Pea Pods 

- Mexican Confetti Squares 

- Taco Bites 

- Cheesy Chicken Ring 

- Creamy Crescent Chicken Rolls 

- Apple Salad 

- Mini Quiche 

- Avocado Chicken Salad 

- Prosciutto and Mozzarella Bruschetta 

- Creole Potato Salad 

DESSERTS!!

- Butterfinger Pie 

- Mini Turtle Brownies 

- Mt. Dew Cake 

- Ultimate Three Chip Cookies 

- Cranberry Cream Cheese Bars 

- Pecan Turtle Candies 

- Cheesecake Filled Strawberries

- Spice Butterscotch Cake 

- Cherry Oatmeal Bars 

- Banana Cream Pie 

- Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes 

- Chocolate Chip Cake Bites 

- Magic Cookies Bars 

- Gluten-Free No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls  

- Blueberry Bliss 

- Strawberry Yogurt Fluff 

- Cupcakes with Tequila Lime Buttercream Frosting 

- Chocolate Chip Starbuck's Brownies 

- Chocolate Almond Cups 

- Chocolate Strawberry Shish Kabobs 

- Oreo Brownies 

Smoked Salmon Bites

Getting together with friends? Need the perfect appetizer for that holiday party? Look no further! These Smoked Salmon Bites are a beautiful appetizer that is both very appealing and so savory. The delicate caviar and fresh dill sprigs add the perfect touch to these creamy smoked bites of heaven!

Ingredients:

- *1 medium yellow squash
- 4 oz. 1/3 less-fat cream cheese
- 2 tsp. grated lemon rind
- 1 Tbs fresh lemon juice
- Cooked smoked salmon strips (each strip is 2 oz.)
- Salmon caviar
- fresh dill sprigs

* This recipe called for yellow or Chioggia beets but I could not find those anywhere, so I used yellow squash. However, feel free to serve on crackers, little breads, or anything that sounds good to you. 

Cut the squash into slices (thick enough to hold appetizer; about 1/4" slices). Trim edges off sides of squash to form squares, if you'd like. Line squash squares on a serving tray or plate. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, lemon rind, and lemon juice. Lay the salmon on the squash where one end of the salmon lines with the edge of the squash. Place a small dollop of cream cheese mixture (about 1/2 tsp.) on salmon and then fold the other side of the salmon over the mixture. Add another dollop of cream cheese mixture on top, garnish each with 2 or 3 caviar eggs, and fresh dill. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here!

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't,  you'll find an excuse." - Jim Rohn