I have a new favorite comfort food! Yesterday I had my stress test, plus I was very tired from the wonderful concert I went to the night before (got in after 2 a.m.) so I was feeling in the need of comfort food. And to my surprise I was able to find something from ingredients in my pantry.

Because of the stress test I couldn’t eat all morning and had only a low calorie cheese sandwich when I got home for lunch (2 slices diet bread 80 calories and 2 slices low fat cheese 60 calories) and then later on some air popped popcorn for a snack (200 calories). I wasn’t all that hungry most of the day I think because my system was getting rid of all the icky radioactive stuff they pump into your blood for the test, and I was drinking lots of water and crystal light.

That evening it was around 6 pm, hubby and my daughter had gone out to the local carnival, I was too tired and sore to even think of going. So I was home alone and starting to get hungry and in need of comfort food big time. Since I was watching the food network I got inspired to try to find something yummy but not to hard to make — first thing I did was pop in two garlic bulbs in my electric garlic roaster (takes only 20 minutes and its done, very easy and a MUST HAVE in the kitchen). While that roasted I raided the cabinets and freezer.

To my surprise a can of sliced potatoes is only 175 for the whole can! and there was a bag with some left over spinach in the freezer (about 2 servings so I estimated 50 calories) — not too appetizing at first glance but I was desparate and we hadn’t shopped yet and it was either that or stale cookies, canned chicken noodle soup, or frozen turkey.

I sauted an small onion (25 calories) with 0 calorie butter-flavored spray, added the potatoes (chopping them up a bit in to chunks as they cooked with the spatula (looks like more that way), thawed the spinach in the microwave and squeezed out most of the water — added that to the pan with the potatoes. By this time the kitchen was smelling so yummy (the garlic was well on its way too, adding to the aroma). I turned the stove off, covered my pan so the flavors could blend and watched tv while the garlic finished. A few minutes later I popped out 3 soft, yummy cloves and added them to the pan of potatoes and spinach. A small sprinkle of salt and some pepper with a tsp. of reduced fat butter (50 calories) - for that added special treat and extra comfort.

It was so totally awesome and filled a big bowl so I really felt like I was getting a lot of food. It tasted terrific - it satsified the senses too and was warm and comforting with the added bonus of knowing I was getting some great things for my body - the garlic and spinach.

total calories:
potatoes 175 + spinach 50 + onion 25 + reduced fat butter 50 = 300 calories

To make it a more complete meal I can add 3 servings of egg beaters (90 calories) and split it with my hubby or save the left overs for next day.

Or add a tyson frozen honey-mustard chicken breast (130 calories) (on the side or chopped up in it) and split the potato-spinach medley in half.

Two slices of crumbled turkey bacon (60 calories) would be a nice variation (or some bacon bits) for an added treat.

Next time you feel in need of comfort give it a try. Or instead of grabbing the cookies or candy raid your cabinets and freezer and see what yummy healthy creations you can create. Defnitely look in to getting a electric garlic roaster too and take your creations up a notch.

Healthy eating can be comforting - who knew!

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