Ron's Recipes

Mmmmm . . . lentils . . .

Homer Simpson might be a donut freak, but that's only because he's never tried this delicious lowfat lentil casserole!

Preheat oven to 350.

2-2/3 cups water
3/4 cup lentils, uncooked
1/2 cup brown rice
2/3 cup onion, chopped
1/2 sweet green pepper, cored, seeded, and finely diced
1-1/4 cups white wine
2 cloves minced garlic
1 ounce grated Cheddar cheese You can go with fat-free cheese if you like)
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Continue reading "Lentil Casserole" »

Not all steak is meant to be grilled.

There, I said it. Occasionally, steak is best when braised. Try this delicious lowfat recipe and see for yourself.

1 1/2 lbs. lean steak, cut into 1/4" strips
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
1 3/4 cup beef broth
1 cup canned tomatoes (with juice)
1 onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 large green pepper, cut in strips OR
1 medium zucchini, cut into chunks
1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

ALSO

Prepare 3 cups rice

Continue reading "Braised Steak with Green Peppers" »

I'm not descended from Italians, but I wish I was. I love all kinds of Italian food! I really love low fat minestrone soup. Give my recipe a try:

1/2 cup fresh onions, chopped
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
20 oz. chicken or vegetable broth
1 1/2 cup water
6 oz. tomato paste
Italian seasoning to taste, about a teaspoon
1/4 teaspoons black pepper
15 oz. can mixed vegetables drained
1/2 cup elbow macaroni or small shell pasta, uncooked

Continue reading "Minestrone Soup" »

When I invite friends over for pizza, they always show up. That's because it's so good! And it's low-saturated-fat, too, of course.

This recipe is simple. You'll need a double Chef Boy-Ar-Dee pizza mix, and follow its instructions for mixing the dough. Here's where Ron's Recipes customizes it for low-fat deliciousness:

Additional ingredients:

• 8 oz. grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup Italian blend grated hard cheese
• 1 package Turkey pepperoni
• 2 tsp. oregano, or blended Italian seasoning
• Olive oil
• Fresh squeezed garlic, about three cloves

Continue reading "Healthy Easy Homemade Pepperoni Pizza" »

This delicious chicken offering has a spicy cumin overtone softened by citrus zest. So good you'll cry! Serves 4-5.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
2-4 garlic cloves, squeezed
zest and juice of 1 lime, 1 lemon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil

Continue reading "Citrus Chicken from Heaven" »

I have always had a passion for French fries. But they are one of the highest sources of saturated fat in the American diet.

But don't despair! Ron's healthy fries taste every bit as good as the real thing! And they are very kind to your arteries.

Ingredients for two servings:

Two 4" potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Greek seasoning
1/4 cup Parmesan or Italian blend grated cheese

Continue reading "Healthy Fries" »

First of all, you charcoal grilling purists, no offense intended, but you may as well leave now.

I have cooked hundreds of meals over charcoal. And yes, it adds a distinctive flavor impossible to duplicate with gas. But the problem is that Weber Kettles and the like have one cooking position: DIRECTLY OVER THE FIRE!

Ron's recipes depend on slower heat than that intense blast you get three inches above the coals. So, with apologies, cook my recipes over charcoal at your own risk. Gas grills are highly recommended as the heat source of choice.

Continue reading "Hardware You're Going to Need" »

Serves two (adjust as needed)

Two medium potatoes
1/2 sweet onion
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Two cloves garlic, squeezed
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, or dried Italian cheese blend
1 tsp. Greek seasoning

Continue reading "Cheesy, Oniony, Healthy Grilled Hash" »

What spices must be on your shelves if you would like try any of Ron's recipes?

Well, I don't use a ton of spices. And I also stay away from exotic, expensive stuff like saffron. In fact, with a fond wink to M*A*S*H, I'm more of a meatball chef. But I never hear any complaints from my dinner guests!

I have a lot of irons in the fire. Besides my 40 HPW job, I also run a website business. I host sites for customers, but I also maintain four heavy-duty sites of my own that require lots of creative content.

Ergo, I have to stick with a few tried-and-true ingredients to cook with. I don't have time to experiment.

Following are the essential spices and edibles you'll need to have on hand to successfully replicate Ron's recipes.

Continue reading "Essential Spices and Other Edibles" »

Serves two (adjust as needed).

Two skinless salmon filets, about 6 oz. each
1/3 cup olive oil
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp. seafood citrus-twanged seasoning, such as Tone's Salmon & Seafood Seasoning
1 tsp. liquid smoke
Juice from a lemon (zest optional)

Continue reading "Grilled Slightly Smoky Salmon" »

All fat is not bad. In fact, the fats in olive oil are good for you.

That's why you should reach for the olive oil and leave the shortening alone whenever possible.

Olive oil adds a unique, delicious flavor to whatever it is you're cooking. I prefer extra virgin, which is the darkest and richest form. You can get lighter, less flavorful versions as well.

Continue reading "Olive Oil: Your Friend" »

Okay, let's get a few things straight.

Saturated fat is THE ENEMY. Saturated fat is the nasty stuff that ends up clogging your arteries.

True, some of us are genetically disposed towards clogged or clear arteries, but regardless, saturated fat is the bad guy, the evil intruder that Ron's Recipes seeks to avoid.

Not all of my recipes are low in calories. I'm a firm believer in different calories acting differently within your digestive system depending on where they come from. I believe calories from saturated fat go straight to excess weight. I believe calories from olive oil get burned up.

Continue reading "The Bare Basics" »

A big hearty low-fat welcome to all of you! Ron's Recipes is the site where you can find absolutely delicious low-fat recipes guaranteed to be kinder to your artery walls than fried food!

I decided about ten years ago at the age of 38 that I wasn't getting any younger and I'd better start eating healthy.

By "healthy," I mean no more McDonald's fries. No more greasy bacon and egg breakfasts. No more fried chicken.

Now here's the best part: You can still engage in a little guilty pleasure every now and then! For instance, about every couple of weeks or so, I indulge in two eggs over easy with bacon and hash browns at the local greasy spoon. I just make sure to eat healthy otherwise.

Continue reading "Welcome to Ron's Recipes!" »