Makeover Manicotti Crepes
Light & Tasty
This made-lighter main dish will add a special touch to any event. “Green pepper and garlic give it a fresh vegetable aroma," Christine Rukavena relates from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
SERVINGS: 10
CATEGORY: Lower Fat
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 1-1/2 hours + simmering Bake: 35 min.
Ingredients:
- 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes, undrained
- 1-1/2 cups water
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
- CREPES:
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup egg substitute
- 1-3/4 cups fat-free milk
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- FILLING:
- 3 slices whole wheat bread, cubed
- 1/2 cup fat-free milk
- 1/4 cup egg substitute
- 1 cup finely chopped green pepper
- 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions:
For the sauce, place tomatoes in a blender or food processor; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a large saucepan; add the water, tomato sauce, sugar, oregano and celery salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer gently, uncovered, for 2 hours or until reduced to about 4-1/2 cups, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, for the crepes, beat the eggs, egg substitute, milk and oil in a large mixing bowl. Combine flour and salt; add to egg mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
For filling, in a large bowl, soak bread in milk for 5 minutes. Stir in the egg substitute, green pepper, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. Crumble beef and sausage over mixture; mix well. Stir in mozzarella. Cover and refrigerate until assembling.
Coat an 8-in. nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat. Stir crepe batter; pour 3 tablespoons into center of skillet. Lift and tilt pan to coat bottom evenly. Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, coating skillet with cooking spray as needed. When cool, stack crepes with waxed paper or paper towels in between.
Spread about 1/4 cup filling down the center of each crepe; roll up and place in a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish and an 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spoon sauce over top; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover and bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165°. Yield: 10 servings.