Gina's Skinny Recipes

05/08/2013 11:47 AM

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Top 10 Favorite Skinny Mother's Day Brunch Recipes

I'm really not a complicated person, in fact for Mother's Day, all I really want is to relax at home with my kids and my husband (and maybe some breakfast in bed or even just a cup of coffee). But I like to give my Mom the day off, so I usually host a very casual brunch with my parents and family. Everyone brings something and it's usually a fun, relaxed afternoon. If this sounds

Gina's Skinny Recipes

05/07/2013 12:06 PM

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Lemon Asparagus Couscous Salad with Tomatoes

Pearl couscous (otherwise known as Isreali couscous) tossed with asparagus, tomatoes and lemon juice make a vibrant Spring pasta salad that is perfect for lunch, as a side dish, or even to make as a side dish if you are grilling for Mother's Day this weekend! I'm not usually a fan of the taste of whole wheat pasta, but I don't mind it when the pasta is a smaller cut li

Gina's Skinny Recipes

05/06/2013 11:19 AM

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Asparagus and Swiss Cheese Frittata

Spring asparagus, shallots and Swiss cheese is a delicious combination in this slimmed down frittata which is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner! This is really filling, and the leftovers for perfect for lunch or breakfast the next day. Fritattas are also great if you're watching your carbs, and they are so inexpensive to make. I love having a Fritatta for Meatless Mondays

Gina's Skinny Recipes

05/05/2013 10:55 AM

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Strawberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal

Strawberries and rhubarb baked with bananas, oatmeal and slivered almonds – this is so good you'll almost think you are having dessert for breakfast! It's rhubarb season and I've always loved the combination of strawberries and rhubarb in pies and crumbles. One of my favorite baked oatmeal recipes that I LOVE to bring to potlucks or serve for brunch is Baked Oatmeal with

Gina's Skinny Recipes

05/03/2013 02:08 PM

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Mexican "Unfried" Ice Cream

A skinnier fried ice cream with a sweet crunchy cinnamon topping. Oh-my-word, I can't tell you how good this is! If you've ever had the Mexican fried ice cream at Chi Chi's, you'll understand this recipe. I always loved the concept of fried ice cream, as a kid I remember ordering it and always found it fascinating that the ice cream didn't melt. This rec

Gina's Skinny Recipes

05/02/2013 11:09 AM

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Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

For a lighter alternative to taco shells, these lettuce taco wraps are fabulous! Add your favorite toppings like reduced fat cheddar, light sour cream, chives, tomatoes or whatever you like on your tacos. Making your own taco seasoning is a healthier alternative to buying packaged taco seasoning, and uses less sodium, no sugar, no preservatives and no msg. It also saves you money if you a

Gina's Skinny Recipes

05/01/2013 11:55 AM

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Salsa Verde Chicken Tostadas

Chicken tenders are slow cooked in the crock pot with salsa verde, then served on a crispy corn tostada and topped with melted cheese, jalapeño and a simple cabbage slaw made with red cabbage, lime juice, cilantro and salt. I could eat these everyday!! Yesterday I posted the Easiest Crock Pot Salsa Verde Chicken recipe and promised to post the tostadas today. I made these for lunch

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/30/2013 11:06 AM

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Easiest Crock Pot Salsa Verde Chicken

Chicken tenders are simmered in salsa verde with cumin and spices for the easiest chicken ever! Cinco De Mayo is right around the corner, which always gets me excited, I LOVE Mexican food! While I was shopping at Target the other day, I picked up a jar of Archer Farm's Roasted Salsa Verde with no real plans on what to do with it. My slow cooker is always sitting on my counter

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/29/2013 11:28 AM

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Southwestern Black Bean Salad

I love making this colorful, salad when the weather warms, it makes enough to feed a crowd and makes a great side dish or appetizer if served with chips. It's also great as a topping for taco salads or served with grilled meat and fresh tortillas. And BONUS, this salad is low in saturated fat and loaded with antioxidants. A perfect summer side dish for grilled meat, fish

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/24/2013 11:00 AM

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Mexican Adobo Rubbed Grilled Pork Tenderloin

A lean pork tenderloin, rubbed with Mexican adobo and grilled or broiled to give you a great tasting, smoky, tender piece of meat. Pork tenderloin is the leanest cut of pork, in fact it's just as lean as a skinless chicken breast, and it doesn't take long to cook, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights. If you're tired of making the same 'ole thing for dinner, this is

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/23/2013 10:49 PM

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Aaron's Mexican Dry Adobo Seasoning

A fusion of Mexican and American spices – a dry rub that combines the flavors of Mexico using dried pasilla and ancho chiles, with spices commonly used in dry rubs across the American South. Make a batch and it will keep for months if stores in an airtight container. I don't watch much TV, but one show I am pretty addicted to is Chopped on the Food Network. I love seeing what my

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/22/2013 10:20 AM

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Mango Banana Green Smoothie

Start the morning RIGHT with the super delicious, creamy green smoothie made with frozen banana, baby spinach, fresh mango, hemp seeds and unsweetened almond milk. I usually start my mornings with a big green smoothie, so I'm loving the new Superfood Smoothies book, by Julie Morris and LOVED this recipe! While thumbing through her book, their were several recipes with ingre

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/21/2013 11:10 AM

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Broccoli and Cheese Mini Egg Omelets

I love making a batch of these mini egg omelets - they are EASY to make, and I have breakfast ready for the next few days. I pop them in the microwave for one minute and they taste as good as when I first made them. This is perfect to make ahead for busy weekdays, and they are high in protein, so they fill you up. Enjoy two with a piece of fruit and you have a complete meal. E

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/18/2013 10:56 AM

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Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

A protein packed salad with Mediterranean flavors – quinoa, cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon and a little feta cheese combined makes a healthy salad with fresh clean ingredients. I had dinner at my friend Julia's house last week, and she made a similar salad as a side dish which she served with fish although hers didn't h

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/15/2013 11:14 AM

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Harissa Eggs in Purgatory

This simple egg dish, simmered in a fiery tomato sauce can feel like heaven if you need a quick inexpensive meal with a kick. I bought a jar of Mina Harissa on Amazon, a bright red Moroccan condiment that can be used with couscous, vegetables, meats or whatever you want, and my first thought was Eggs in Purgatory. It's spicy and flavorful, made of a blend of six simple ingredients; re

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/11/2013 02:34 PM

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Chicken Francese - Lightened Up

Skinless chicken cutlets, lightly coated in flour and egg, cooked in a white wine lemon sauce. Move over Olive Garden, this one's lighter and easy to make! Confession, I've never been to the Olive Garden, heck I live in New York, we have tons of great Italian restaurants here so there's really no need. This is my husband Tommy's specialty, on those random nights that he

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/09/2013 10:13 AM

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Mixed Baby Greens with Strawberries, Gorgonzola and Poppy Seed Dressing

Today it really feels like Spring here on the East Coast. Temperatures are supposed to get into the eighties, which is quite a change from the snow we had two weeks ago! I've been on a salad kick big time, and even started a Pinterest board dedicated to salads called "Bikini Ready Salads" because summer will be here before you know it. This delicious salad is perf

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/08/2013 10:17 AM

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Fiesta Bean Salad

Black beans, chick peas, tomatoes, cilantro and avocado are tossed with a cumin-lime vinaigrette – I love the bright, fresh flavors of this quick and easy salad! Perfect for lunch, Meatless Mondays, or even as a side dish with grilled steak, shrimp or chicken. Something magical happens when you combine cumin, cilantro and lime juice. I can seriously add this to just about anything and be

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/06/2013 04:46 AM

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Skinny Easter Egg Cake Balls

A fun Easter dessert idea, cake balls decorated as Easter eggs! Put them in a basket and watch them disappear. We are all ready for the Easter bunny in my home. We painted some eggs, we made cake balls, maybe we'll even get to see the Easter bunny himself. These cake balls were fun to make, and are made lighter than traditional cake balls by using a box cake mix, egg whites and

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/04/2013 10:00 AM

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Spring Stir Fried Chicken with Sugar Snap Peas and Carrots

Spring vegetables and chicken breast strips sauteed with fresh ginger, lime juice, and a touch of soy sauce for a quick weeknight meal. I love making stir fries for dinner, what's better than throwing veggies and protein into a wok and having dinner ready in minutes. Honestly, when I make a stir fry, I usually use whatever vegetables I have on hand (great way to clean out the

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/03/2013 02:36 PM

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Grilled Shrimp Avocado Fennel and Orange Salad

Grilled shrimp, slices of avocado, shaved fennel and oranges are served over baby kale and mixed greens then topped with a citrus vinaigrette. Spring is here, although today you would never know it with this crazy cold weather we are having in New York, but my allergies are kicking in to high gear and confirming that Spring is hear indeed. Just a few more weeks before the warmer weather

Gina's Skinny Recipes

04/02/2013 11:39 AM

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Italian Antipasto Salad

Chopped romaine hearts, shredded mozzarella, olives, prosciutto, turkey pepperoni, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, pepperoncini and Giardiniera (colorful vegetables in vinegar) – this quick Italian salad requires no cooking, which makes it perfect to whip up or pack for lunch. Cold antipasto is usually the first course of an Italian meal, which consists of a variety o

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/29/2013 10:35 AM

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Crock Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy

Juicy slow cooked turkey breast with rich turkey gravy, all in your crock pot. This was my first time making a turkey breast in the crock pot, but it won't be my last! What an easy way to prepare turkey breast that doesn't require too much attention. The vegetables are first browned with a roux on the stove to ensure the gravy has a rich flavor base, then it's all slow cooked

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/27/2013 10:25 AM

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Linguini with Sautéed Scallops and Peas

Scallops are great for a quick meal any night of the week and are a real treat. They can be quickly sautéed, then added to salads like this Scallop and Baby Green Citrus Mojo Salad, and this delicious Scallop and Grapefruit Salad, but once in a while when I want something more substantial, I love it with pasta. Here I tossed it with some pasta and peas, for a dinner that took less than 15 mi

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/25/2013 11:07 AM

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Kumara (Sweet Potato) Tandoori Salad

Roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned with curry and spices, then tossed with bell peppers, baby spinach and a flavorful vinaigrette. I love the complex combination of the sweet, sour and spicy flavors in this salad. Sweet potatoes and curry work so well together, and the acidity from the vinaigrette just balances all the flavors out. I was asked to lighten this recipe from a mission

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/23/2013 06:46 PM

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Chocolate Drizzled Coconut Macaroons

If I'm craving something sweet, macaroons are a good option because they are made with just egg whites and sugar – no flour or butter. Of course, you shouldn't eat the whole batch, because too much sugar is not a good thing. Last year I posted a recipe for plain coconut macaroons, but this year I was craving them drizzled with a little chocolate, so I reduced the sugar a little t

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/19/2013 12:18 PM

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Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

Pretty little bundles of bacon wrapped French "green beans" known as Haricot verts which are longer and thinner than the typical American green bean. Of course, American green beans will work just fine here too. As a kid, I never liked green beans because the only way I tasted them was boiled and overcooked. As I got older, I learned that I actually enjoy them if they are

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/18/2013 10:56 AM

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Spring Asparagus Risotto

Creamy risotto, cooked with Spring asparagus, fresh herbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano and a touch of lemon. Perfect as a meatless main dish if you use vegetable broth, or wonderful as a side with grilled shrimp. This Italian rice dish is a labor of love, not the kind of dish you turn on and walk away from, but instead slowly cooked with ladlefuls of broth, adding more each time it's absorbed

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/16/2013 03:05 PM

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St Patricks Day Cake Pops

Everyone knows they're gold at the end of a rainbow, so why not celebrate St Patrick's Day with these easy cake pops, made skinny buy using a cake pop pan, a box cake mix, fat free yogurt, egg whites and water! I was in charge of the cupcakes for my daughter's St Patrick's Day class party and found this rainbow idea here. I love making cake pops for school, because

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/13/2013 10:39 AM

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Guacamole Deviled Eggs

If you're looking for a healthy snack of appetizer for St Patrick's Day, these green deviled eggs are the perfect solution. My mom adds hard boiled eggs to her guacamole, so I thought why not add guacamole to hard boiled eggs? The results were lovely, and since I was testing them out for the blog, I actually enjoyed them for lunch. These are a fun, "clean" snack or ap

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/12/2013 10:21 AM

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Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup

Rainy days and soup go hand in hand. If you're a mushroom lover like me, you'll love this simple savory soup that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish! This is a variation of my meatless Creamy Mushroom Soup, which we all love in my home. I like to have that as a first course since it's such a light soup, but to make it a little more substantial as a main dish, I ad

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/11/2013 10:58 AM

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Tropical Papaya Batido (fruit shake)

A sunlit, vitamin-packed tropical fruit shake made with pink-hued papayas, fresh squeezed oranges and bananas. Happy Monday! Monday morning are especially difficult the day after daylight savings, don't you think? This pick-me-up fruit drink is the perfect fix! Vitamin packed, dairy-free, and loaded with vitamins and fiber. My aunt brought over this beautiful papaya, excited

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/07/2013 09:52 AM

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Cheeseburger Casserole

If you're a cheeseburger lover, and the thought of ground beef, tomatoes, pickles and cheese tickles your fancy, then this truly American, comforting casserole is for you! I was recently given the Bobby Deen: From Mama's Table to Mine cookbook as a gift. Bobby, in case you're not familiar is Paula Deen's son, who makes his Mama's Southern dishes a bit healthie

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/05/2013 12:20 PM

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Skinny(er) Shamrock Shake

Confession, I've never had a shamrock shake from McDonald's. But I love the idea of a green minty milkshake for St Patrick's Day, so I set out to make my own, with a bit less fat and calories. Yesterday I drove to three McDonald's just to test them out, but no one seemed to carry them in my area, which surprised me since the commercials seem to be running frequently on my

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/04/2013 09:57 AM

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Homemade Croutons

Healthier homemade croutons made with whole grain bread, Italian seasoning and shredded parmesan cheese. These are so simple to make, with ingredients you probably already have on hand. I love how the grains in the bread add a nutty texture to the croutons, so much better than white bread! Once baked you can keep them in a ziplock bag to use for salads or soups (I love croutons

Gina's Skinny Recipes

03/03/2013 08:24 AM

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Dairy-free Lemon Pudding

This dairy-free, low-fat lemon pudding is a thing of dreams! It's bold in flavor and richness but not in calories and is made with just 6 simple ingredients, including one you would never imagine... Cauliflower! Crazy? I know! Please welcome today's guest poster and holistic nutritionist, Leanne Vogul of Healthful Pursuit. Hi Everyone, I'm pretty excited to

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/28/2013 09:43 PM

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Garlic Shrimp in Coconut Milk, Tomatoes and Cilantro

A quick shrimp stew cooked in a tomato coconut broth with a hint of lime and cilantro. Simple enough to make for a weekday dinner yet sophisticated enough to serve to company. Serve with a little brown basmati rice to soak up the broth. I've been busy working on my cookbook, so I thought it would be a good idea to highlight this recipe from the archives. This is one of my favorite shr

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/27/2013 08:52 AM

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Crock Pot Sesame Honey Chicken

Sweet, savory and a little spicy, this simple Asian inspired chicken dish has a balance of flavor combinations – serve this over your favorite rice and dinner is ready! I'm not a fan of sweet foods as a main dish, unless it's balanced with savory and spicy flavors. In this dish the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar and sriracha compliment each other and balance out the sweetnes

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/25/2013 10:13 AM

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Tomato Mozzarella Egg White Omelet

A quick and easy breakfast made with tomatoes, egg whites, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Lots of flavor, low in carbs and takes just minutes to make. A perfect breakfast for Meatless Mondays! Hope you all had a great weekend. Mine involved lots of family fun, Scooby Doo live in Manhattan, a shopping spree at the mall with my teen, a play date at Bounce-U and celebrating my brot

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/21/2013 11:15 AM

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Skinny Chicken Cordon Bleu

What could be better then chicken stuffed with ham and melted cheese?! Chicken Cordon Bleu is elegant enough to serve for for company yet simple enough to please any palate, especially picky family members. I usually serve myself two pieces and make a big salad and dinner's done! Some of you may notice this recipe from the archives, I gave them a mini-makeover and made the

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/19/2013 08:50 AM

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Slow Cooked Jerk Pork with Caribbean Salsa

Pork roast, marinated overnight with fresh citrus juice, garlic, and jerk seasoning, then slow cooked all day while you're away. Topped with a bright, fresh Caribbean salsa of fresh mangos, avocado and cilantro. If I told you how good this dish was, would you believe me? The kind of good that your husband tells you how much he loves you while eating it... yeah that good! This dish is

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/18/2013 10:41 AM

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Healthy Cookies

A healthy cookie made with just three ingredients! Mashed ripe bananas, oatmeal and walnuts. OMG, these really ARE healthy! Cookie's for breakfast, cookies for lunch, cookies, cookies coooookies. I'm really so excited about these cookies, can't you tell? Thank you, thank you to the person who emailed me this recipe. It was actually a recipe for a two ingredient cookie

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/14/2013 01:31 PM

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Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando Florida

I just returned from a fun-tastic family vacation to Disney World. It was so nice to get away with the family for a few days and escape the cold here in NY. Click Here For The Recipe...

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/14/2013 01:31 PM

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Skinny Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Cheesecake squares, lightened up with yogurt and light cream cheese, baked on a chocolate graham cracker crust drizzled with melted chocolate and topped with fresh raspberries. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you NEED to make this cheesecake! A few years ago I first attempted my first cheesecake with yogurt, and since then I never looked back. I adapted this

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/14/2013 12:35 PM

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Valentine's Day Cake Balls

Happy Valentine's Day! My daughter is having a Valentine's Day party in school today, so I just wanted to share these cake pops adapted from my skinny cake pop recipe I did a few months back to bring to her class. I love how you can come up with hundreds of different ideas with this Nordic Ware Cake Pop Pan I purchased at Target. I highly recommend buying 2 pans if you plan on mak

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/14/2013 11:32 AM

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Angel Hair Pasta with Scallops and Tomatoes

Sauteed bay scallops with tomatoes and a touch of white wine and lemon juice served over angel hair pasta. If you're looking for a special dinner to make for your loved one this Valentine's Day, this is a perfect dish. For starters, it takes less than 15 minutes to make, so you'll have less time cooking, and more time together. Secondly, scallops date back to ancient Greece as

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/13/2013 12:13 PM

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Honey-Teriyaki Salmon

Asian honey glazed salmon – an easy dish you can make any night of the week. Simply fill a resealable bag with the marinade ingredients, then add the salmon until you're ready to cook. Then when you're ready to start dinner, make your sides and your fish will be done in less than 15 minutes. This recipe is from Jaden Hair of Steamy Kitchen's new cookbook:

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/13/2013 10:36 AM

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Chicken and Andouille Sausage

A chicken and sausage stew made with skinless chicken legs and spicy andouille sausage simmered with flavors from the deep south – without the extra fat. Today is Fat Tuesday, but any day is really a great day to enjoy this comfort dish. Traditional gumbos are made with a whole lot of fat and take hours to make. My lighter version you won't miss the fat because there's still to

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/11/2013 02:03 PM

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Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Topping

Lightened-up red velvet pancakes made with a blend of white whole wheat flour and all purpose, then topped with a light cream cheese topping. I adore red velvet, so I can't think of a more fitting time to make red velvet pancakes, then for Valentine's Day! I don't eat pancakes every day, instead I save them for special occasions, like holidays, birthdays and blizzards! This w

Gina's Skinny Recipes

02/10/2013 05:26 PM

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Skinny Chocolate Parfaits

A rich, creamy chocolate treat made from semi-sweet chocolate, fat-free milk, vanilla and cornstarch. Layered with a little whipped topped, it's a perfect ending to a special dinner. I don't have dessert every night, but once in a while, on special occasions, I like to enjoy a sweet treat. Valentine's Day is certainly one of those nights. What's great about this dess

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