Tasty Tuesday: Comfort Food Classics

We all get cravings for comfort food, and it’s okay to indulge in the real deal every once in awhile. But here’s some yummy classics with healthy modifications so you don’t overindulge. It also happens that I made all this last week, so I can tell you it’s tummy tested and waistline approved!

Tuna Salad

I promised my amazing mom that I wouldn’t post her secret Tuna recipe on the blog, so unfortunately you won’t be getting the actual tuna salad I make, but here’s an alternative that’s (almost) just as yummy. Tuna salad is great because you can eat it plain, slap it on a sandwich, or spread it over some crackers. You get essential omega-3’s and it’s not that many calories. Plus, it is so quick and easy!

Prep time: 15 mins, Cook time: 5-10 mins, Ready in: 15-20 mins

3 hard-cooked eggs, chopped

2 (6 ounce) cans tuna, rinsed and drained

1/2 stalk celery, chopped

1/4 cup chopped sweet onion

2 tbsp low fat mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

1. Place the tuna, hard-cooked eggs, celery and onion in a large bowl. Mix well until tuna is in pieces. Add the mayo, salt and pepper. Mix together. Chill for 30 minutes until ready to serve.

Recipe is enough for 2 people, with leftovers the next day

1 serving (approx 1 cup): 195 calories!

Modified Bruschetta

I kind of came up with this on a whim. I’m not even sure it’s really bruschetta, but it’s quick and easy… and really yummy.

Prep time: 10 mins, Cook time: 5 mins, Ready in: 15 mins

1/2 sourdough bread loaf, cut into slices

4 slices mozzarella cheese, cut into halves

16 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (I used vinaigrette cause that’s all I had on hand)

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground pepper

Place 8 slices of sourdough bread onto serving plate. Place the Mozzarella cheese half slices on top of the bread. Place the sliced cherry tomatoes on top of the cheese. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Serve with plenty of napkins!

Makes enough for 8 mini bruschettas.

1 serving: 130 calories

(Tuna and "Bruschetta" clearly I am not a professional food photographer, but you get the idea!)

White Macaroni

This is a recipe my Grandma used to make, who passed it down to my Mom, and now I’m making it. It was always a special treat when my mom made this for my brother and I. And this was one of those recipes I couldn’t wait to make on my own. It is DELICIOUS, and with some modifications not too bad for you. Definitely make this on a night you’re working out, though!

Prep Time: 15 mins, Cook time: 1-2 hours, Ready in: 1.5-2.5 hours

1 box large (or medium) shell pasta

1 pint lowfat cottage cheese (you can use whatever kind of cottage cheese, but I usually make lowfat with fiber added)

1 stick butter or margarine

1 cup lowfat milk

1 tsp salt

1. Cook pasta per instructions (boil in water for about 7-8 minutes), and preheat oven to 350

2. Meanwhile, melt down stick of butter and mix it in large bowl with cottage cheese

3. Drain pasta, add cooked pasta to cottage cheese mixture. Mix well. Sprinkle a little salt on top.

4. Pour macaroni mix into 13x9 glass pyrex dish. Pour milk over mixture

5. Bake 1-2 hours (depending on how crispy you like your macaroni) at 350

1 serving (approx 2 cups): 530 calories (prepared with butter, lowfat cottage cheese and milk)

Turkey Burgers

Last on the comfort food express are turkey burgers, because let’s face it, sometimes there’s nothing better than a burger and fries. Lucky for me, my future hubby is amazing with the grill, so I get to take a break in the kitchen for these treats. Turkey burgers are an amazing and healthy alternative to beef burgers. They’re easy to make, and pair them with some oven baked fries and beans, you’ve got yourselves a dinner!

Prep Time: 10 mins, Cook time: 15-20 mins, Ready in: 30 mins

1 pound ground turkey

2 tbsp minced garlic

1 tbsp onion salt

2 tsp black pepper

Whatever condiments you enjoy!

1. Combine ground turkey, minced garlic, onion salt and pepper in a large bowl. Form into 4-5 patties.

2. Grill on BBQ grill or lightly oiled stovetop until done (approx 5-10 mins on each side)

3. Serve and Enjoy!

1 burger (6oz): 170 calories