In many parts of the country, you serve casseroles.
In Minnesota, we serve hot dish.
Many times, hot dish isn’t exactly the healthiest of foods. Lots of canned soups. Lots of crunchy potato chip toppings. Cup after cup of cheese.
Not that I have anything against cheese.
In my quest to eat healthier, I recently picked up the Nutritional Weight and Wellness cookbook and am working my way through it. Some recipes I did not like at all (Wild Rice Meatballs, super ew!) But I came across this recipe and have been smitten ever since. Granted, I substitute a rotisserie chicken for the turkey (highly recommend), and it is the perfect weekday lunch.
I make a big batch on Monday morning, put it into five containers, eat one and store the rest for Tuesday through Friday.
I never post pictures of it after it’s cooked. It’s not exactly pretty. It’s not like a traditional casserole in that there are no binders (eggs, cheese, soup, etc.) But I think it’s super delicious and apparently, it’s a completely balanced meal from a protein, carb and fat standpoint.
Plus, it’s low in actual calories, for those people who care about that sort of thing.
What are your favorite hot dishes? I know it’s summer and all, but what the hell, let’s crank that AC and cook what we want to.
Heather Clements says
Interesting. I am a big veggie soup fan for lunch (and weight management). I use Martha Stewart’s Big Batch Vegetable Soup recipe. In looking at the recipe you made, what is 2 T. Bragg Liquid Aminos?
RitaQ says
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been debating purchasing the book after listening to the podcasts. (THANKS for turning me on to it) I was wondering if you had gone to any nutritional counseling? Been thinking of doing a session…
Good luck with the continued effort.
heidig says
Sounds yummy! I’ll definitely try it. Thanks!
Rebecca says
Yea, for Minnesota Hot Dish. I’m not from Minnesota, but my dad was born and bred there and my grandparents have lived there (St. Paul and now on the North Shore of Lake Superior) their entire lives. (I live in Indiana right now.) Every time we would visit G & G I would request Minnesota Hot Dish. I love it! And I’m sure there are 10,000 way to make it, and it’s one of the many things Minnesotans do right!! I’m not sure if could eat it “healthy.” It’s just one of my comfort foods. I absolutely love your blog and check in every day with you. Thanks for the fun topic!
mary e. says
It’s cold and rainy here in Chicago, so this looks great on a day like today. Thanks for sharing Cathy!
cathy says
Yes, I did some a few years back but I never really followed completely through. I really love what they preach but honestly? I dont know if their counseling is worth the price when you already get info online through their podcast. I had a friend who did a phone consult and was really unhappy. Said they were late to the call and treated her like a number, basically. I told her she should have complained. I only tell you that because it depends on who you get I think.
cathy says
Bragg Liquid Aminos is a soy sauce sub. No gluten in it. Bragg is a company that makes dressings and such. Its mostly easy to find!
Juli P says
That looks fabulous! I love wild rice hot dish!
One of our favorites is this:
http://pelletierfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/03/beef-lombardi.html
Trying to live and eat healthier is difficult when looking for recipes that don’t have cream of yuck soup in them! But there are options and alternatives.
Barbara says
Rita, Kathy
What you might consider is a health coach. We all know eat more vegetables, exercise more etc but it is a coach that helps you devise YOUR own personal wellness goals in a step by step process for long lasting life changes. We meet you where you are. A health coach will address all aspects of your lifestyle with you and how it relates to your food choices. Its great for those who need structure and accountability. Its all about self care and not deprivation.
Barbara says
And I would be happy to work with either of
you. Cathy sorry about the misspelling above.
My goal is to be of service. See my about page
Towardshealthwithbarbara.com
Joanne says
Hey Cathy…this sounds delish! I put it into the recipe builder on WW and it’s 5 points/serving (if you use 5 portions). Not bad if it’s filling…I’ll give it a try. TFS.
Joanne says
oh and I should say I did not count the almonds….I left them out since they’re not my fav….so that would drive the points value higher.
Kendra B says
I’m curious, do you think this would still be good if you left the turkey (or any meat) out??? and maybe added beans??
cathy says
Kendra… good question. It would be soupier, so Id cut the liquid. Honestly, I just add the protein to have generic protein. You could try it….
Jenny B. says
Well, my favorite is what I call Ritz Chicken Casserole, and it pretty much meets all the standards of the unhealthy hot dish, minus the cheese. 😉 Chicken, Cream of Chicken Soup, Sour Cream, Ritz Crackers, and a stick of butter. Yummmmmmy. 😉
Marilyn says
I’ve been checking out the Eat Good 4 Life website recently, and so far have enjoyed her recipes. Our favorite so far is the Broccoli Quinoa Casserole. My husband eats gluten-free and this qualifies. It has quinoa, spinach and broccoli. Healthy, right?! I have to confess the thing that really makes it sing is the cheese. A mixture of parmesan and mozzarella. So I don’t know how diet-conscience it is. I’m always up for new healthy recipes, so thanks for sharing, Cathy!
LisaAnn says
Love Nutritional Weight and Wellness! There’s so many differing opinions out there as to what is healthy it makes my head spin, and I feel I can trust what these gals have to say. Definitely going to try this recipe as I have been making a few things from the recipe section of their site, and I’ve been thinking of buying their cookbook. I thought the Cream Cheese Crockpot Chicken was really yummy and super easy, and I eat way too much of their Super Simple Ranch Dressing that I use as a dip. I never was one to like cauliflower, and now I eat a whole head with it (not at one sitting mind you), and the same for my son with red peppers. I still have to try my hand at homemade mayo though, because I’m sure they didn’t have in mind the Hellman’s that I use for it. And wouldn’t you know, I just got the ingredients for the Wild Rice Meatballs. Didn’t make them yet, so I think there will be a change in the menu.
cathy says
I love that Cream Cheese Crock Pot Chicken too! Now I just didnt like them (meatballs) but Dan thought they were great. Difference of opinion! ; )
bdaiss says
Hot dish? You betcha! My favorite (SOOOO not healthy) is tater tot hot dish. Or Tuna casserole. Again. Not healthy.
But more importantly. How can we talk hot dish without talking Drop Dead Gorgeous or New In Town (could do without Renee Zellweger, but Harry Connick Jr. and Siobhan Fallon? Perfect!)?
Suzette says
I’m from California and we go to Lake Erie (Lakeside, Ohio) in the summer to gather with family (funny since we’re all from AZ and CA). Despite the amazing fresh produce, It’s always amazing to me that I can’t find a plethora of salads on restaurant menus. I’m not the healthiest Californian so I always indulge! But what the midwest lacks in salads is replaced by amazing people and wonderful experiences. So, I’ll trade salads for people any day! If we could just do something about the humidity, it would be perfect (although my skin loves it)!
Jen says
I’m curious to learn more about this NutriKey Company. Where can I find the podcasts? I’m transitioning to a gluten free lifestyle to address an autoimmune disease and am looking for all the information I can find! Do you feel the cookbook is worth the price Cathy? I hate ordering cookbooks when I can’t look through them first to be sure I will like most of the recipes! Nothing is worse than buying a cookbook and liking only a couple recipes. Thanks for your help!
cathy says
A lot of the recipes are online already at their site, but you get lots of little articles and tidbits in the book. Check out their podcast here:http://www.weightandwellness.com/radio-show/ or in iTunes! I would say try some of the recipes on their site, first!
Laura says
I was wondering about the amino in the recipe also, so thanks for that info. Does that mean you could substitute in soy sauce or some other kind of oil/dressing? Is that to cut down on sodium or fat or what? Honestly, I had never heard of it. Thanks!
cathy says
The liquid aminos is gluten free, Im pretty sure. Soy has gluten. Not that Im sensitive to gluten, but thats why they have it in their recipe. : )