Blueprint Crafts

The Skinny on Tofu Noodles

February 7th, 2012

You’re probably thinking I’ve lost my mind, but fear not – this is a good one!

Ever since I started my addiction to Pinterest, I keep seeing the occasional pin about a recipe where the pasta has been replaced with tofu noodles. I have never seen tofu noodles, and do not know much about tofu (other than I like it in my pad thai). So I was intrigued.

For months now, I have been avoiding pasta like the plague – 40+ grams of carbohydrates per serving? I’ll pass. I make most meals here at home, so avoiding pasta wasn’t too much of an issue for me. But for my boyfriend, who happens to be Italian and LOVES pasta, well he felt a little left out. I decided it was time. Time for Tofu Noodles.

These bad boys are not easy to find. Especially in Central PA where the grocery store situation is sub par. But I finally found them! If you look carefully in the refrigerated section of the Organic aisle, you’ll find packaged tofu blocks, and tofu noodles! I bought the fettucini, with the idea of making low carb chicken fettucini alfredo!

Here we go!

Here’s what you’ll need.

Ingredients:

1 bag tofu fettucini noodles
1 jar alfredo sauce
2 chicken breasts, chopped into 1 inch pieces
1 tbsp butter
1 cup broccoli, chopped

Directions:

Empty contents of the tofu noodle bag into a strainer in the sink. Rinse with warm water thoroughly to get rid of the stink. Yes, I said stink, because it smells like fish. I hate the smell of fish, so this was a little difficult for me, but the end result is SO worth it. Toss the noodles to help rid of extra moisture, and pat dry if needed. Then microwave for 1 minute in a microwave safe bowl. Set noodles aside.

In a medium size saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat until melted. Add chicken and broccoli and cook until the chicken is done.

Add 2 servings of alfredo sauce and whatever seasonings you like.

Serve over tofu noodles. Done!

Ok, honestly I just about died when I ate it – it was JUST like eating real pasta! Same consistency, amazing. The only thing it was missing, was that bloated feeling you get after eating pasta, and I definitely do NOT miss that! This recipe is definitely a 5 star!

I made real fettucini for my boyfriend, and saved the leftover tofu noodles for the next dinner, when I made an atkins friendly version of chicken parmesan! I just didn’t coat the chicken with breading :)

And the leftover noodles tasted just as good the second day! You have NO idea how excited I am to be able to make AND eat pasta again. Amazing! I’m looking forward to trying the spaghetti version of the tofu noodles :)

Looking for more atkins friendly recipes? Check out my Atkins Pinterest board!

I’ll be back again this week – see you soon!

Comments ( 5 )

atkins, low carb, tofu noodles

The Skinny on Granny’s Pepper Soup

December 1st, 2011

Hello! Hope your Thanksgiving was a blast! Did you make anything to contribute to dinner? I don’t usually make anything, but my Mom requested I make my Granny’s famous Pepper Soup. In the past I have not had much luck with it – as it always came out too chunky. But this time, I decided to pull out all the stops and use a food processor – and it was worth it!

A little history on this Pepper Soup – since I was little, my family and I travelled every year to Kentucky to visit my Granny, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and friends for Thanksgiving. And every year, my Granny made her famous Pepper Soup for our Thanksgiving appetizer. Since she passed away a few years ago, we no longer make the trip to KY, but my family has not forgotten our beloved soup. And this year, I managed to perfect Granny’s AMAZING recipe! Here we go :)

Here’s what you’ll need.

Ingredients:

4 large green peppers – chopped and seeded
2 large white onions – chopped
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour (optional)
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup half and half
1/4 tsp salt (to taste)
1/4 tsp pepper (to taste)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)

Directions:

In a medium sauce pan on medium-low heat, sauté chopped peppers and onions with the butter and oil. Do NOT brown.

Add flour to the vegetables, mixing well.

Add chicken broth and half and half, bring to a boil.

Remove from heat, and puree the soup mix 2 cups at a time – seriously, it needs to be SMOOTH!

Return to medium sauce pan, and add pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes to let the flavors settle.

Serve in mugs – YES MUGS! This stuff is addicting, so if you serve in mugs, it will allow for portion control :)

This is a classic recipe – just like my Granny :) And is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Because it was such a hit at Thanksgiving, I plan to make it again at Christmas. This recipe is definitely a 5 star!

Not a green pepper fan? My Aunt tells me that she has made the same recipe, but substituted the green peppers with broccoli or asparagus – yummy! Can’t wait to try!

Looking for more scrumptious Atkins dishes? Check out my Atkins Pinterest board!

Hope you all have a fabuluous weekend! Hoping to FINALLY get some new tutorials posted, new items in the shop, and share some updates on the new house! Until then!

Comments ( 3 )

atkins, atkins recipe, low carb, low carb recipe, pepper soup

The Skinny on Roasted Pepper Chicken

October 31st, 2011

Hello again! Today I’m sharing with you a new Skinny Recipe – Roasted Pepper Chicken! Is your mouth watering yet? Cuz this recipe is awesome!

Here’s what you’ll need.

Ingredients:

1 chicken breast
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 jar of spaghetti sauce
1 cup frozen green beans
1/4 cup roasted red peppers

Directions:

Preheat over to 400 degrees.

Coat a small baking dish with some Pam.

Cut a pocket into the center of the chicken, and stuff the mozzarella cheese and roasted red peppers inside.

Spread green beans around the chicken breast.

Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables.

Bake for 40 minutes, or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Garnish with some parmesan cheese, serve, and enjoy!

This recipe was delicious! And it deserves a 5 out of 5.

Looking for more scrumptious Atkins dishes? Check out my Atkins Pinterest board!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Comments ( 0 )

atkins, atkins recipe, chicken recipe, low carb, low carb recipe, Recipe, roasted pepper chicken

The Skinny on Balsamic Chicken

September 19th, 2011

I know it’s been awhile. I’ve been super busy with custom orders, designing invitations, and making gifts … lots of gifts! But fear not my Atkins loving friends – I have another AWESOME recipe for you! Announcing …

I came across this awesome looking recipe for roasted green beans with mushrooms, balsamic, and parmesan while browsing around Pinterest – seriously, love that website.