Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

I love stir fry because it is so quick and healthy. This recipe is one of my favorites. The key to a good beef and broccoli is to slice the beef as thin as you can.

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb lean steak, trimmed
2 garlic cloves, crushed
dash of chili oil (I don't keep this on hand so I substitute 1/4 tsp red chili paste)
1/2 inch piece fresh rood ginger, grated
1/2 tsp Chinese five spice powder
3 Tbsp soy sauce, divided
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 broccoli stalks, florets only
2/3 cup beef broth
2 tsp cornstarch
4 tsp water

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut the steak into thin strips and place in a shallow glass dish. Mix together the garlic, chili oil, ginger, Chinese five spice powder and 2 Tbsp soy sauce in a small bowl and pour over beef, tossing to coat the strips. Leave to marinate in the refrigerator.

2. Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a wok. Add broccoli and stir-fry over medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Remove from the wok with a slotted spoon and set aside.

3. Heat the remaining oil in the wok. Add the steak together with the marinade, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until the steak is browned and sealed.

4. Return the broccoli to the wok and stir in the remaining soy sauce and stock.

5. Blend the cornstarch with the water to form a smooth paste and stir it into the wok. Bring to a boil, stirring, until thickened and clear. Cook for 1 minute. Serve over rice. Yield: 4 servings.

Swedish Apple Pie

My mom brought me a bunch of apples from her tree last week so I needed to come up with creative and healthy ways to use them. I came across this recipe in a cooking magazine and loved it! This recipe is a mix between cake and a crustless pie. The ingredients come together so quickly I couldn't believe it. This is also a great substitute for coffee cake. The best part about it is the 175 calories per slice, most apples pies are between 400-600. I made it even healthier by substituting 1/3 cup agave for the 1/2 cup sugar. If you don't like nuts you can omit them for a cakier pie. I did a half and half since my husband likes nuts and I don't. He said the nuts made it for him, but I liked it without. Serve with vanilla ice cream if you want.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 medium apples, chopped
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
• Confectioners' sugar, optional

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In a small bowl, whisk egg and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples and walnuts.
• Transfer to a 9-in. pie plate coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar if desired. Serve warm. Yield: 8 servings.