dinner for…one.

Yesterday was productive.

Work was productive. I came home to pound out a 4-miler and was showered all by 6pm…productive. I started on dinner…productive. And then I checked my phone. Mr. Prevention sent me a text.

Mr. P: I will be home late tonight…what are you thinking for dinner?
[20 minutes passes – I was working out/showering] Mr. P: Your delay makes me think you are leaning towards pizza for take-out 😉
Me: Sorry for the delay, I was running. That’s fine, but I’m making French onion soup and crab cakes.
Mr. P: I don’t want soup, I had soup for lunch.
Me: Did you have homemade crab cakes for lunch, too?
Mr. P: I could handle crab cakes…but I do have a taste for pizza. 😀

Needless to say, Mr. P settled on a pizza. Oh well, can’t win’em all! More for me…and leftovers! Besides, his loss…it was gooood!

Pizza Head. How…appropriate!

So, onwards with the REAL food…

Crab Tater Tots Cakes from Eats Well With Others

2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup flour
1 egg
1 3/4 cup seasoned mashed potatoes (I used leftovers from last night)
8 oz crab meat
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
salt and pepper to taste (approx. 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper)
oil for frying (1/3 cup canola oil)
2 Tbsp chives, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped

Directions:

In a small pan, combined the butter and water over medium-high heat.  Simmer until butter is melted.  Lower the heat and mix in the flour.  Keep mixing until the paste that forms peels away from the side of the pan.  Remove from heat and let it cool for five minutes.  Mix in the egg.

Mix the egg into the seasoned mashed potatoes.  Mix in the crab. Heat oil for frying.

Take a handful of the potato/crab mixture (or less depending on how large you want your tater tots to be).  Roll in some panko until it is completely covered.  Place in the oil, turning once in the frying process.  They should take 2-3 minutes to cook. Place on a paper towel lined plate. Yield: 9 medium-large crab cakes.

Nutrition Information (per crab cake): 177 calories; 12 g. fat; 42 mg. cholesterol; 266 mg. sodium; 10.6 g. carbohydrate; 0 g. fiber; 3.8 g. protein

Result: These were great! I loved Joanne’s suggestion to add chives. I rarely fry, but these used very little oil and were very simple. I love crab cakes, so I’m glad to have a go-to recipe for them!

 

Remoulade Sauce adapted from Paula Deen

2 Tbsp chives, chopped
2 Tbsp green onions, chopped
1 Tbsp capers, with juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise + 1/4 cup 2% Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard

Directions:

To prepare sauce, place the parsley, green onions, capers, and garlic in a blender or food processor and combine. Add the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice and mustard. Blend well. Chill until ready to serve with seafood. This keeps in a covered container in the refrigerator for several weeks. Serves 8 (2 tablespoons each).

Nutrition Information (per serving): 30 calories; 2.4 g. fat; 0 mg. cholesterol; 122 mg. sodium; 1.6 g. carbohydrate; 0 g. fiber; 0.6 g. protein

Result: Delicious! I’ve never made remoulade sauce, but it’s delicious! I loved doing 1/2 Greek yogurt instead of all mayonnaise. You don’t need any additional salt because the capers are plenty salty.

And last, but not least…

French Onion Soup

2 cups low-sodium French onion soup
1 yellow onion, sliced into rings
1 slice of wheat bakery bread, cut in quarters
2 ounces Gruyere cheese, halved

Directions:

Preheat broiler to 500° F. Layer a baking sheet with tin foil.

Simmer soup and onions for 30-60 minutes, or until onions are tenders and very aromatic.

Pour soup into mugs and top with bread and then cheese. Place onto baking sheet and broil for 6-9 minutes, or until melted and bubbly. Serves 2.

Nutrition Information (per serving): 256 calories; 14 g. fat; 25 mg. cholesterol; 567 mg. sodium; 23 g. carbohydrate; 4 g. fiber; 11 g. protein

Result: Just like restaurant-style ooey gooey cheesiness! This isn’t quite “homemade” but it’s certainly jazzed up from the can. Delicious!

Quite the meal, wasn’t it? Like I said, productive day!

Question: What makes you feel most productive?

I love having my workout out of the way early on in the day…that makes the whole day seem easy breezy! ..Off to do my full body strength routine before work! 😀

Happy hump day,