Shrimp with Steamed Vegetables and Brown Rice

This is a delicous, flavorful, light dish that my husband and I loved. I'll definately make it again.

To make this recipe you will need:

1 lb large shrimp raw
1 medium yellow onion
1 red bell pepper
1 large italian squash
1 cup brown rice (instant)
1/2 cup finely chopped chives (fresh is best)
2 cups vegetable broth (I used Knorr Vegetable Boulion)
1 tbsp Olive Oil
6 garlic cloves minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

I used my Oster Steamer for the vegetables and rice.

Clean shrimp, if using frozen shrimp make sure it's fully defrosted. Combine 1/2 cup vegetable broth, oil, garlic, chives, salt and pepper in a large zip lock bag and add shrimp. Make sure shrimp is fully coated. Place in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

Cut up onion, bell pepper and squash into bite sized pieces. Place in lower steamer basket, combine 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth with 1 cup brown rice in rice bowl and place in upper steamer basket. Set aside the remaining 1/4 cup of broth. Set steamer to 15 minutes to start. Stirring both vegetables and rice about half way through cooking time. If your rice has already soaked up all the broth add the remaining broth a tbsp at a time.

Once the vegetables and rice have started place the shrimp in a saute pan and cook on medium-low heat until shrimp is fully cooked.

Check the doneness of the rice and vegetables after 15 minutes. If either is not the desired tenderness cook for an additional 5 minutes.

When the vegetables and rice are done remove from steamer. Serve vegetables over the rice with the shrimp on the side. Be sure to spoon some of the liquid from the saute pan over the shrimp.

Voila! A very yummy low fat meal.

I reheated the left overs the next day and it was just as delicious as the night before.

Steamed Fish with Vegetable Pasta

Since I've had a great deal more time at home, I've been cooking dinner every night. Oh the yummy goodness. It's nice to know what's going into my food and that it didn't come out of a cardboard box.

So last night, I was looking in my pantry and trying to create a delicious but low fat meal. I spied the 6 boxes of wheat spaghetti and was inspired.

For the following recipe I used my Oster Steamer which I am maddly in love with. You will also eed the following ingredients.

2 Medium Italian Squash (also referred to as Green Zucchini)
2 Heads Broccoli
4 Fillets Tilapia (or other white fish)
1 Knorr Vegetable Boulion cube
1 Pkg Wheat Pasta
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Light Margarine (I use Smart Balance Light because it tastes good and cooks well)
1 Tsp Lemon Juice

Rosemary, Basil, Lemon Pepper, Garlic Salt

Start by cleaning your fish. You can also use chicken if you don't like fish. Cut a piece of foil large enough to wrap around the fish. Place the fish on the foil and sprinkle both sides with Salt, Lemon Pepper and Rosemary. You really only need a pinch of Rosemary, a little goes a long way.

Fold your fish up in the foil and place in the refrigerator. You will cook the fish last because it takes the least amount of time to cook.

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil with the vegetable boulion cube.

Cut your squash into quarters and your broccoli into bite sized pices. Do not include broccoli stems. Fill your steamer up with 4 cups of water to start. Add the broccoli and squash and set the steamer to 15 minutes. This will cook your vegetables to a soft interior with a crunchy exterior. If you prefer your vegetables more tender cook for addtional 5 minutes until desired tenderness.

Once your water is boiling, using about half of the package of spaghetti, snap the noodles in half and place in the boiling water. Cook for 10 minutes.

While the pasta and the vegetables are cooking prepare your pasta seasoning. Combine 2 tbsp Olive Oil, 1 tbsp light margerine, 1 tsp Lemon Juice, 1 tsp garlic salt and a pinch of rosemary & basil. Set aside.

As soon as your vegetables are done place the fish in the steamer basket and steam for approx 8 minutes. Fish should be white and flaky when it's done.

When the pasta is done remove from heat and drain, do not rinse noodles! Add the vegetables to the pasta and toss with the Olive Oil mixture.

As soon as the fish is done, grab it out of the steamer using oven mitts. Arrange on a plate and serve. If you would like to add a little more buttery flavor to your pasta and vegetables I suggest using I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray.