Proscuitto Wrapped Asparagus

I got this recipe from a friend, and it's AMAZING. Seriously, I HATE asparagus, but this is delicious! Try it....it won't disappoint.


Ingredients--1/2 lb. sliced prosciutto (or pancetta)
1/2 (8 oz.) package Onion and Chive Cream Cheese (I used less-fat), softened
12 spears/1 bundle fresh asparagus, trimmed

Directions--
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2. Heat a pot of water to boiling. Blanch the asparagus: Throw the asparagus in the water for 30-60 seconds. Drain and "shock" with cold water. Before you wrap the asparagus, throw it in a pot of boiling water and blanch it for about 30 seconds... it gives it nice color, and makes it so when you bake the asparagus with the prosciutto/pancetta, they get done about the same time.
3. Spread prosciutto slices with thin layer of cream cheese. Wrap slices around 2-4 asparagus spears depending on the thickness of the spears. Arrange wrapped spears in a single layer on a medium baking sheet (coat pan with some olive oil, and brush the bundles with some olive oil). Season the asparagus with salt (not the prosciutto because it is already salty).
4. Bake 10-15 minutes in the preheated oven, until asparagus is tender. You can also set the oven to broil for the last minute or so. Serve immediately.

You can get Pancetta or Prosciutto in many grocery store deli's. It's cheapest to have your deli cut you 5-6 pieces so you don't have to buy a huge package and have a ton of left-overs.

Candied Sweet Potatoes

So, I don't know if this tops all of the dishes at Thanksgiving, but I do love candied yams. This year I wanted make them with less calories than what a lot of candied yam recipes have. This was the first time I used this recipe and it is definitely a keeper!

*Found at Sparkpeople.com

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes, about 2 lbs, peeled, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise in 2-inch thick pieces

1/4 cup Tropicana, Light n Healthy Orange Juice

2 TB packed light brown sugar

1 TB maple syrup

1 TB reduced-calorie margarine melted

1/2 tsp salt

dash of nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit

2. Place cubed sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and pour in enough water to cover potatoes. Bring potatoes to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.

3. Drain potatoes and arrange in a shallow baking dish in a single layer.

4. Whisk together orange juice, brown sugar, honey, syrup, margarine, nutmeg, and salt. Pour over sweet potatoes.

5. Bake 30 minutes, stir to coat potatoes and bake 15 minutes.

Nutritional Info

Fat 2.2 g
Carbs 34.5 g
Calories 162.3
Protien 1.9 g

Makes 4- 1 cup servings