Rainy days and Mondays ...

Another work week kicks off ... do you know what you're making for dinner? This recipe comes from Kathy Manweiler who writes a helpful recipe makeover column for the Wichita Eagle. Readers send her recipes and she scales back whatever it is in them that makes them unhealthy. Check her out at www.wichitaaliveandwell.com.

In this recipe, she tackles fettuccine Alfredo which can be a whopping 1,500 calories if you eat it at a restaurant. Holy scale, Batman, that's more than wee Robin should eat all day.

Besides cutting back on fully loaded heavy cream, she also suggests a more reasonable portion. To those of us who eat out a lot, a 1 cup portion might seem stingy. I would add to it tiny florets of cooked broccoli and maybe even a 1/2 cup of cubed boneless, skinless chicken that's been grilled. That'll give you more bulk and protein. Stick to a green salad with Italian dressing as an accompaniment and snub the bread so you don't undo what she has done.

Until Tuesday ...

Kathy's Fettuccine Alfredo
1 pound uncooked fettuccine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ cup fat-free milk
2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup half-and-half
2 tablespoons heavy cream
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cook fettuccine according to package directions. Drain and place it in a large bowl.

Put the flour in a heavy saucepan and gradually add the milk, whisking until smooth. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 5 minutes.)

Add the butter and stir until melted. Stir in the half-and-half and heavy cream until mixture is well combined. Add the grated cheese and stir until melted. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the salt and pepper.

Put the sauce in the bowl with the fettuccine and toss until the pasta is well coated. Serve immediately.

Makes 8 servings.

Per 1-cup serving: 326 calories, 10 fat grams, 45 carb grams, 2 grams fiber, 12 protein grams, 337 mg sodium, 31 mg cholesterol.

Comments

[Shirley J. Buttacavoli]

Janet, I've been looking for the perfect Alfredo recipe. I will definitely check this one out. And I will also look over the website and pass along.

Happy Monday!