The Schmooze

A Great Alternative to Lasagna or Baked Ziti!

Cut your carbs, fat, and calories by at least half with this recipe using zucchini instead of pasta, low-fat cheese, healthy fats and whole grain bread crumbs.

Here is how to make it...

Ingredients:

• 3-4 green zucchinis

• Homemade or jar of tomato sauce

• Olive oil or other healthy oil

• Box of whole wheat Panko crumbs or whole grain bread crumbs

• Bag of 2% shredded mozzarella cheese

• A few ounces of grated locatellior parmesean cheese

• Seasonings such as salt, pepper, seasoned salt

Directions:

• Slice zucchini the long way like lasagna strips

• In one bowl or tray pour oil and in another bowl or tray pour bread crumbs and add seasoning such as salt and pepper or seasoned salt to flavor

• Dip strips of zucchini into oil and then into bread crumbs to coat

• In deep baking dish add a bit of sauce into bottom of pan

• Add a layer of zucchini strips

• Add sauce on top of zucchini

• Add shredded mozzarella and sprinkle parmasan cheese.

• Repeat, layering zucchini, sauce and cheese until all zucchini is used

• Bake at 350-375 degrees covered until bubbling and heated through. Uncover and bake until cheese is lightly browned.

• Take out and allow to cool a bit

• Take a paper towel and place in pan where there is excess oil to absorb. Always a good idea to remove the excess oil you can see to reduce the amount of fat in your meals. Using paper towels is a quick and easy trick to do this.

• Slice and serve

Nutritional Information:

• Makes approximately 10 servings

• Each serving is approx 200 calories, 10 or less grams of fat, 18 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber and 11 grams of protein.

• Food servings: 2 fat, .5 grains, 1 vegetables, 2.5 protein

This dish has lot less fat and carbohydrates then you will find in a traditional lasagna and tastes so good!