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Here it is folks––2005! As I pondered on what recipes to use to start the new year off in this column, I decided I’d do the Heinz 57 thing––a combination of good recipes that you might like to try.

When I tested recipes at home for Betty Crocker, I had to make a new (unpublished) recipe once every 12-15 days. It was a wonderful way of having to make something new and I even got paid for it. In the 15 years that I tested, I think there were only two or three recipes that me and my family didn’t like. Though the children were fairly young, they agreed to be guinea pigs and try whatever. I had to chart their reactions and ours to whatever it was I had to make and it was fun to hear those reactions. “Don’t make this one again.” “Something tastes weird in here.” “How come it’s such an icky color?” Wonder what the Betty Crocker KItchens though of that––they never said.

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For those resolved to lose a few pounds, this is an easy low-calorie meal to make and if you have leftovers, it’s even better the next day, or you can freeze part of it for another time.

DIETER’S STEW

1 lb. lean ground beef (or better yet, bison or venison)

2-15 oz. cans stewed tomatoes

1-8 oz. can tomato sauce

1 lb. bag frozen mixed veggies

1 package onion soup mix

2 T. water

Brown meat in 3 qt. saucepan, drain off any fat. Add rest of ingredients and bring to a boil; lower heat and simmer about 10 minutes. Makes 6-8 servings. One serving equals about 205 calories (less if you use bison or venison) low fat and low carbs.

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This is a very easy chicken-in-the-oven dish. Bake potatoes, make a green bean casserole or another vegetable casserole of your choice, make a salad and you’ve got a great dinner. I’ve made this and it really is delicious.

CHICKEN MARMALADE

6 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1-10 oz. jar orange marmalade

1-8 oz. bottle Russian salad dressing

1 package onion soup mix

Put chicken breasts in a 9x13 baking pan. Combine rest of ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake at 350 degrees one hour and 15 minutes, covered. Uncover last 15 minutes of baking time. Serves 6.

Again, add a potato casserole or wild rice casserole, perhaps bake a small squash, all at the same time making good use of the oven.

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While the chicken is baking in the oven, make this easy and delicious bar for dessert, but put the dessert in first so it cools while the rest is baking. You’ve probably made this but for those of you who haven’t . . .

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BARS

one 18-1/4 oz. package chocolate fudge cake mix

2 eggs

1 t. almond flavoring

1 can cherry pie filling

FROSTING

1 c. sugar

1/3 c. milk

1/3 c. butter or margarine

1 c. chocolate chips (milk chocolate chips may be used)

Mix together first three ingredients in large bowl. Add pie filling; mix well. Turn into a greased 10x15 jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

For frosting: Combine sugar, butter and milk. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted. Cool to lukewarm. Pour over bars. Cool completely before cutting. Makes a bunch.

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This is a palate pleaser dessert––especially if you’re counting carbs. A “back of the box” recipe.

NEW YORK STYLE CARB COUNTER CHEESECAKE

1/2 c. finely ground almonds

5 (yes, 5) 8 oz. packages 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. granulated sugar substitute

1 T. vanilla

1 c. light sour cream

2 whole eggs

2 egg whites

Spray bottom of 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with almonds.

In large mixing bowl, combine next four ingredients. With electric mixer mix on medium speed until well-blended.

Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition, just until blended. Add egg whites; beat just until blended.

Slowly pour into pan. Bake at 325 degrees 50-55 minutes or until center is almost set. (It should jiggle just a bit in the middle.)

Cool completely. Run a knife or metal narrow spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake. Remove rim of pan and refrigerate four hours or overnight.

When serving, top with fresh fruit of your choice, such as strawberries, raspberries, etc. or use a can of light pie filling. Makes 16 servings. Per serving: 12 grams carbs, 260 calories, and 20 gram total fat. Yes, it is low in carbs and high in fat but the pieces are small.

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Thought for the day: A sure fire formula for success––rise early, work late, strike oil!

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