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Pear Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

 Remember twice-baked potatoes—yummy but oh, so fattening? Here’s a richer and sweeter version that’s much more heart friendly. Sweet potatoes are a rich source of antioxidants; pears are high in fiber. Next time you’re tempted to serve baked potatoes, think sweet.

Try this with: Honey Grilled Salmon

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 3 large pears, peeled and sliced into bite size pieces
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil, extra-light
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • chopped hazelnuts (optional)

Directions

  1. Bake whole sweet potatoes at 425° for 45 minutes, or until done. Cool slightly.
  2. Meanwhile, in a nonstick skillet sauté pears in olive oil over medium heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Add sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir well for about a minute until sugar dissolves.
  3. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, scoop out pulp, leaving skin intact. Mash pulp.
  4. Mix mashed potatoes and pears together and stir well. Stuff mixture back into shells.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with chopped nuts if desired.

Per serving: 170 calories, 2 gm protein, 35 gm carbohydrate, 4 gm fat, 0 gm sat fat, 3 gm mono fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 6 gm fiber, 12 mg sodium

THE SEASONED COOK Extra-light olive oil has the same number of calories as regular olive oil, but has a very light flavor making it quite useful in sweet dishes. Sweet potatoes are often referred to as yams, but they’re actually two different vegetables. To save time, you can prepare ahead through step 4.

Minted Pea Couscous

Peas and mint team for texture and flavor in this super simple, light pasta dish. A perfect complement to pork, beef, chicken or fish, you’ll turn to this recipe often, especially when serving leftover meat. Serves 4.

Try this with: Glazed Raspberry Chicken

Ingredients

  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1 10-ounce package frozen peas, thawed
  • 2 tablespoons mint
  • ½ cup minced parsley

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan bring broth and olive oil just to a boil.
  2. Stir in couscous; cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.
  3. Fluff couscous lightly with fork. Add peas, mint, and parsley. Serve.

Per serving: 271 calories, 12 gm protein, 46 gm carbohydrate, 5 gm fat, 1 gm sat fat, 3 gm mono fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 6 gm fiber, 127 mg sodium

THE SEASONED COOK To thaw peas, place in colander and rinse with warm water.

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