Source: Catherine Kruppa, registered licensed dietitian at The Houstonian Club

Some healthy foods costs less than $1.00 and can still help people lose weight.

Yields 4 servings (serving size is approximately 1 1/4 cups)

Ingredients

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• Cooking spray
• 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 2 cups tightly packed fresh baby spinach (about 1 1/4 ounces)
• 1 1/2 cups cubed reduced-fat silken tofu (about 6 ounces)
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh pecorino Romano cheese
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups hot cooked whole wheat spaghetti (about 8 ounces uncooked)
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450°.
2. Place tomatoes, cut sides up, on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray.
3. Drizzle tomatoes with 2 teaspoons oil; sprinkle evenly with 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper.
4. Bake at 450° for 7 minutes or until tender.
5. Combine remaining 2 teaspoons oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, spinach, tofu, and next 5 ingredients (through garlic) in a food processor; process until smooth.
6. Combine spinach mixture and pasta in a large skillet; cook over low heat 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.
7. Gently stir in tomatoes and toasted pine nuts.
8. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information

Calories:
306 (31% from fat)
Fat:
10.6g (sat 2.1g,mono 4.8g,poly 2.6g)
Protein:
14g
Carbohydrate:
43.4g
Fiber:
8g
Cholesterol:
7mg
Iron:
3.1mg
Sodium:
573mg
Calcium:
138mg