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Dinner Party Dilemma

I had dinner guests coming and my husband and I were doing the Healthy Solutions® Diet—yikes! Not wanting to break our dieting momentum I had to think of something we could all eat. By the way, I’m kind of known for my good eats with these particular friends, so the pressure was on to produce a meal that was “in the box” as well as gourmet enough to serve to guests.

 

Appetizers were easy, crudites served with fat-free Ranch dressing along with baked mushroom caps stuffed with HMR Mushroom Risotto. For the main event, after going back and forth between a layered HMR Lasagna and “Shepherd’s Pie” made with the Vegetable Stew with Beef entree, I settled on the Shepherd’s Pie. But this wasn’t just any Shepherd’s Pie. I made individual “pies” (they looked more like little boats) cooked and served in acorn squash halves. What a beautiful presentation, if I do say so myself! For dessert, mixed berries topped with fat-free Cool Whip.

 

Our friends loved the dining experience from beginning to end. We loved the fact that we could have such a flavorful and satisfying meal without breaking our diets, or our social engagement. Good friends, good food, great evening!

 

Shepherd’s Pie Boats – recipe serves 2

1 HMR Vegetable Stew with Beef
1 acorn squash
1 cup peas
1 cup mashed potatoes made with chicken broth

Cut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Place flesh-side down on baking sheet coated with cooking spray and bake in 350 degree oven until done (approximately 40 minutes). While squash is baking, make mashed potatoes by boiling a couple of potatoes until tender. Drain off water and add chicken broth to desired consistency, salt and pepper to taste, and mash together. Combine entree with peas and warm in microwave for a minute or two. Put half the entree mixture in each of the squash halves, top each with ½ cup of mashed potatoes. Put back on baking sheet and bake another 10-15 minutes.
 

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

 
 

by SandiBraithwaite on 06/07/2011 | Share Story With a Friend

tags: Recipes, in the box, holidays

About the Author

Sandi Braithwaite

Sandi Braithwaite, from our Consumer Relations Department, has been a member of the HMR team since 2002. She has her hands in several areas of the company, from marketing to being a weight loss coach. When Sandi’s not working, she’s teaching dance & exercise classes & cooking up new recipes.

Comments (23) Post a comment
Thanks for low calorie option to what is normally a high calorie event.
by jacksprat on 07/15/2011
Wow...What a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing :)
by NatalieIdzik on 07/15/2011
Great idea! Thanks for the recipe Sandi!
by HMRrunner17 on 07/15/2011
What an amazing idea! Thank you so much for posting this. I can't wait to try it this weekend!
by Chr1ssy on 07/14/2011
The whole dinner sounds delicious, I cannot wait to try it with family and friends
by JCollins on 07/13/2011
I love the menu! I'm going to try the shepard's pie, it looks delicious! Thanks for the great recipes.
by SueSterny on 07/12/2011
I always want to do this but the voice in the back of my head always says "they'll know it's diet food." After reading this as well as the story of the woman that won the chili cookoff...I'm convinced. Diet dinner party here we go!
by Chrissy78 on 07/12/2011
I love the menu. I have brought baked stuffed mushrooms with risotto to parties and it has been by far the most popular appetizer.
by KateUrman on 07/08/2011
Not a bad idea!! :)
by SandiBraithwaite on 07/08/2011
you need to open an HMR bistro
by LOBWEDGE on 07/08/2011
This is gorgeous! Can't wait to try it myself.
by HealthyinKy on 07/08/2011
Sounds like many of you plan on trying this recipe. Great!! It really is quite easy and soooo filling. Please check back in and let me know how you liked it!
by SandiBraithwaite on 07/07/2011
I sometimes call myself a Kitchen Idiot. If you've seen me in the kitchen then you know why - anything more than dishwashing is baffling to me. But, even I could do a couple of these "gourmet" dishes.
by Jamesr on 07/07/2011
Wow, I am inspired now to do this myself. Great ideas! Thanks for the recipes.
by CatherineG on 07/07/2011
Sandi--this looks and sounds delicious! How creative you are!! Beautiful presentation!
by DesireeRogers on 07/05/2011
I love Stuffed Mushrooms so will have to try with the Mushroom Risotto.
by MEW102 on 07/05/2011
This looks so beautiful and probably tastes great! Thanks for this idea. I am sure your house guests were impressed and probably coming back for dinner soon!
by JenniferMc on 07/01/2011
This recipe looks great--I can't wait to try it, Sandi! I'll come to your house for dinner any time...
by NancyA on 07/01/2011
This is so creative and sound so delicious. Will have to try also
by Dana120 on 06/30/2011
sounds so good will try.
by Beverly on 06/30/2011
Love the idea of serving it in the squash! presentation makes such a difference! great idea Sandi :-)
by KDdiet on 06/30/2011
Yum! Sounds like you kept your reputation as the girl with good eats!!
by Marty123 on 06/30/2011
What a neat recipe to enjoy with friends!! I will definitely try this.
by EstherH11 on 06/29/2011