Welcome to the exciting world of Zero Calorie Cooking! Today I will begin a series of recipes that are FREE on The 100 Calorie Diet. If you thought that zero calorie cooking meant zero taste, think again. You are about to step into a world you never thought possible. A world where delicious, nutritious, satisfying and filling meals are also zero net calories. A world that lets you eat more, lose weight and feel great. If you’re tired of the same old boring diet meals, you’re going to be ecstatic when you try my FREE recipes. You will be able to eat to your heart’s desire without ever feeling guilty. You can actually fight fat by eating more. Your family’s reaction is going to be “I can’t believe this is diet food!” You will actually be able to prepare entire meals, including appetizers, that contain zero net calories. And best of all, our ingredients are packed full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients.

Why are there foods considered FREE on The 100 Calorie Diet? The FREE foods are ones that are so low in calories and/or high in fiber that you can eat all you want and still lose weight. Enjoy!

Greek Salad Lettuce Wraps

 1 Large Head of Iceberg Lettuce - FREE

1 Large Vine Ripened Tomato, Chopped - FREE

½ Cup Sun Dried Tomatoes, Chopped - FREE

1 Cucumber, Chopped - FREE

½ Green Bell Pepper, Chopped - FREE

3 Tablespoons Capers - FREE

1 Green Onion, Chopped - FREE

1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar - FREE

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice - FREE

Salt and Pepper To Taste - FREE

1. Wash and core lettuce, soak in ice water for 30 minutes. Dry lettuce, remove 6-8 outer leaves, wrap in paper towels and refrigerate.

2. Chop ½ of the remaining lettuce and place in a medium mixing bowl.

3. Add remaining ingredients, toss until well blended. Chill mixture for 1 hour.

4. Place 2-3 heaping tablespoons of filling in the center of each lettuce leaf.

5. Wrap and tuck corners under.

Makes Six FREE Servings.

*Add ¼ cup feta cheese to the filling for about 100 calories. Awesome added taste!

*Five olives will add only 25 calories to your wrap.

 Susie Says!

Lettuce wraps can be fun! What I like to do is to make an array of different filling ingredients and let guests wrap their own. Try onions, carrots, artichoke hearts, olives (about 5 for 25 calories), beets, mushrooms, water chestnuts, alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts or salsa. Use your imagination to create your own signature wrap!

Simple Japenese Onion Soup

1 Celery Stalk, Chopped - FREE

1 Carrot, Chopped - FREE

1 Small Onion, Chopped - FREE

1 Teaspoon Fresh Ginger Root, Grated - FREE

3 Garlic Cloves, Minced - FREE

1 Cup Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms, Chopped - FREE

1 Tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Beef Base - FREE

1 Quart Swanson’s Chicken Broth - FREE

1 Quart Swanson’s Beef Broth - FREE

1 Cup Baby Portabella Mushrooms, Sliced Very Thinly - FREE

4 Tablespoons Fresh Chives, Chopped - FREE

1. In a large stockpot, place celery, carrot, onion ginger, garlic, and Shiitake mushrooms.

2. Add beef base, chicken stock and beef stock. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to medium low heat. Cook for 1 hour.

3. Place the baby portabella mushrooms into a separate pot. Place a strainer over this pot. Pour your boiled mixture into this pot letting just the liquid come through. Discard the strained vegetables.

4. Divide soup into four Asian type bowls and sprinkle the fresh chives on top. Serve immediately with Asian type soup spoons.

Makes Six FREE Servings.

Bodacious Beef Stew

2 Medium Rutabagas, Cut Into 2 Inch Pieces - FREE

2 Cups Swanson’s Beef Broth - FREE

1 Teaspoon ThickenThin/Not Starch™ - FREE

1 Tablespoon McCormick® Beef Stew Mix - FREE

1 Tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Beef Base - FREE

Pepper To Taste - FREE

4 Garlic Cloves, Minced - FREE

2 Medium Onions, Chopped - FREE

4 Medium Onions, Cut Into Large Pieces - FREE

6 Medium Carrots, Cut Into Large Pieces - FREE

3 Celery Stalks, Cut Into Large Pieces - FREE

1 Cup White Mushrooms - FREE

3 Cups Portabella Mushrooms, Cut Into Large Pieces - FREE

1. Place rutabagas in a medium pot of salted water (or beef broth), bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and cook until tender crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk beef broth, ThickenThin/Not Starch™, beef stew mix, beef base and pepper together. Place ¼ cup of this mixture in a large stew pot. 3. Add garlic and the chopped onions, sauté for 5-10 minutes or until mixture is caramelized.

4. Add remaining broth mixture.

5. Add the remaining onion, carrots, celery and rutabagas, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 minutes.

6. Add mushrooms and continue to simmer 5-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Makes Eight FREE Servings.

*Add 2 oz. stew beef (cooked weight) for about 100 calories. Add at the beginning of the recipe when you’re sautéing.

*Serve with ½ cup of rice for 100 calories.

Susie Says!

 This Tasty Beef Stew Recipe is absolutely delicious! The rutabagas absorb the flavor of the stew and you really think you’re eating potatoes! It reminds me of those wonderful days of childhood when I would open the front door of our house after a long day at school and oh, how I loved that luscious smell of stew cooking on the stove! I knew dinner was going to be great.

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