Losing Weight Project: Day 4/Alfredo Sauce and Oregano-Parmesan Breadsticks

I am tired this morning -- worked late last night and woke up early to finish evil grades, due by 5:00 pm.  If I did not love teaching so much, grading would have made me give it up a long time ago.

My meal plan for today:

• Peach oatmeal for breakfast
• Cinnamon crunch bar and black coffee for mid-morning snack
• Grilled tilapia with herbs/spices and salad (romaine lettuce, cucumber, green peppers, black olives)  for lunch -- using leftovers! :)
• Dutch Chocolate shake for mid-afternoon snack
• Chicken soup for dinner
• Hot cocoa for evening snack

I will make Spinach and Cheese Tortellini (sorry, S. -- from a box, not much time today) with Alfredo Sauce (still have a little heavy cream left so it's a treat for you, S., to compensate for store-bought tortellini)!!! :)  Also, I made breadsticks last night and S. loved them; still have plenty.  A small salad and dinner is ready!  It won't take much time at all!

Alfredo Sauce

Melt 1/2 stick salter butter and saute 1 tbsp minced garlic for about two minutes on high heat.  Turn heat down to medium and slowly add 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 half & half, stirring constantly until almost boiling.  Slowly add 1/2 cup shredded parmesan and 1/2 cup shredded romano (I usually use 1 cup of Italian Mix).  Turn heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until desired consistency.  Stir often.  I usually add some finely chopped parsley when serving.

Breadsticks with Oregano-Parmesan Butter

Add the following to your breadmaker bucket:  1 cup warm water, 1 1/2 tbsp oil, 1 egg, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 cups bread flour, 1 tsp oregano, 3 tsp active dry yeast.  Set on Dough cycle.  When dough is ready, place in a bowl dusted with flour.  If the dough is too sticky, may need to add a bit more flour.  Divide dough into 16 balls and roll into breadsticks.  Place on a large baking sheet dusted with flour (I like to dust with coarse corn meal, for some crunch).  Let rise for 1 hour.  Bake for approximately 15 minutes (or until golden brown) at 400 F.  Brush with Oregano-Parmesan Butter (olive oil spread or regular butter, garlic salt, oregano, and parmesan).  You can place buttered breadsticks under Broil for a few minutes if you like bubbling cheese.  Also, you can just serve breadsticks with butter instead of brushing them.  Either way, they are delicious.