Acorn Squash stuffed with Ham and Quinoa; counting calories Recipe
I am about to address a weighty subject.
Or, at least it can be.
But first, a personal update: You may recall, about 2 months ago I announced that I was fat in France.
I would now like to proudly announce that I am no longer fat... anywhere. I have lost 10lbs. I plan on losing 4 more, but that's only 'cause it pissed my off so much to find out I was fat that I am determined to get to the middle of the French weight scale for my height. I'll show 'em!
Back to the weighty subject:
Calories.
Everywhere one looks in the US one can see how many calories are in everything.
It can be deceptive: I once looked at a Snicker's candy bar and there were 250 calories per serving.
Hot damn!
Then I read more closely and there were FIVE servings in the candy bar in my hand. FIVE!
You may also recall that, in the never-ending quest to keep food on my own table, I run a Weekly Menu Planning Service.
Of course she was right.
They have that many calories.
Because that's how many a sensible person, not on a diet, will eat for their main meal.
It occurred to me that, just perhaps, there are people who, despite being inundated with information, still don't have a clue how much food they should be eating to maintain their weight.
There are some rough guidelines - like 3000 calories equals a pound of body weight; which means to loose a pound, eat 3000 calories less than you need or to gain a pound eat 2 1/2 of those Snicker's bars.
Here is a Weight Maintenance Calculator that is a bit more precise.Now you can do the calculations....
But how does it all work?
Lean Cuisine has main courses for 200 calories a serving.
You can't live on 200 calories for a meal.
First: You'll be starving in an hour, so you'll end up eating that Snicker's bar....
Second: You really CAN'T live on 200 calories for a meal.
If you are on a serious, doctor monitored, diet you may be living on 1200 calories a day.
But that's a serious diet - and 400 calories per meal, not 200.
Let's talk about normal life.
According to most guidelines one sees in the US 2,000 calories a day is typical for a woman to maintain weight.
This is how I distribute those calories:
Breakfast: 350 calories
Lunch: 450 calories
Snack: 150 calories
Dinner: 700 calories
Wine: 150 calories
That's 1800 calories - leaving me 200 calories to play with.
I eat well and I don't 'go hungry'.
It does require paying attention, eating healthily and avoiding empty calories.
Taking control of your weight simply requires that you know what you're eating - but for the entire day, not just the 200 calorie Lean Cuisine....
Try this instead:
- Acorn Squash stuffed with Ham and Quinoa
- 1 large acorn squash
- 1/2 cup quinoa
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 8oz (250gr) slice baked or deli-style ham
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 rib celery
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 tbs Dijon mustard
- 2 tbs fresh sage
- 1 1/2 tbs cornstarch (corn flour, maizena) dissolved in 2 tbs water
Cut squash in half and scoop out seeds. Either place face down on tray and microwave for 10 - 12 minutes or put into a baking dish, cover with foil and bake in 400F (200C) oven for 40 minutes.
While squash cooks: Cook the quinoa in chicken stock 15 minutes or according to your package directions, until all liquid is absorbed and it's done. (Check your package directions for correct quantity of stock and cooking times.)
Chop the onion and celery; mince the garlic. Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and celery 5 minutes then add the garlic. Sauté 5 more minutes or until onion and celery are tender and starting to brown. Cut the ham into small cubes, about 1/3" (1cm). Add ham and sage and sauté until ham starts to brown. Add mustard and chicken stock and stir well to combine. Dissolve cornstarch in stock. When ham mixture is simmering stir cornstarch in, a little at a time. (You may not need it all). You want it very thick but not paste. When quinoa is done add it to ham mixture and stir to combine.
To assemble: When squash are ready (they should be tender, almost done) remove from wherever they cooked and fill with the quinoa/ham mixture. Bake (not microwave for this last bit) uncovered for 10 minutes, until heated through and squash is done.
And here is the 'Nutrition Information'
Recipe serves 2
Entire Recipe / per serving
Calories: 1330 / 665
Total Carbohydrates: 200 / 100
Dietary Fiber: 33 / 16.5
Total Fat: 40 / 20
Saturated Fat: 9.6 / 4.8
Cholesterol: 138 / 69
Protein: 64 / 32
Calcium: 430 / 215
Sodium: 3790 / 1895
You will not be hungry after this.....