Valerie Bertinelli, Scale Tossed After 40-Pound Weight Loss, Debuts Cooking Show With ‘Hot’ Co-Stars [Recipes]

Valerie Bertinelli doesn’t need a scale to determine how she feels about herself. Valerie, who succeeded with a 40-pound weight loss using the Jenny Craig diet program, is now learning to maintain positive self-esteem regardless of weight fluctuations, reported Entertainment Tonight.

Bertinelli vowed to stop relying on the scale despite the knowledge that she regained 15 of those 40 pounds.

“It’s always going to be a struggle for me for my entire life,” Valerie theorized. “I’m going to have up days and down days.”

But it’s an up week for Bertinelli, as her new Food Network show, Valerie’s Home Cooking, debuted Saturday. The cooking show gives Bertinelli to dish up her family’s favorite secret recipes and insights into her own life.

And when it comes to life, Valerie is somewhat sad about her 24-year-old son Wolfgang’s decision to live on his own. Wolfgang has joined her ex-husband and his dad Eddie Van Halen’s band, for which he rocks out on the bass.

“He lives on his own,” mourned Bertinelli. “[It’s] very sad. My boy moved out.”

As for Valerie’s Home Cooking show, the Food Network welcomed the eclectic star to its own eclectic line-up of celebrities showing off their talents in the kitchen, reported Variety.

In addition to Bertinelli’s family recipes, Valerie learned kitchen magic from her mother-in-law during her marriage to Van Halen. That included Dutch and Indonesian cuisine.

“I’ve learned a few things from her that I’ve put in my repertoire,” revealed the actress.

To help her kick off her show, Bertinelli was joined by Hot in Cleveland co-stars Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick, and Betty White.

“It’s a little unexpected that I would be doing it,” admitted Valerie. “A lot of people don’t know how much I love to cook. I’ve talked about it here and there. I really have a passion for it.”

As for what the recipes from her Italian-American childhood taste like, you can get a sample below.

Italian Tuna Salad

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon capers, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 slices jarred sweet and hot cherry peppers, chopped
• 1 to 3 kalamata or nicoise olives, pitted and chopped
• 1 hard-boiled egg, chopped
• 1 7 -ounce jar Italian tuna packed in oil, drained
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a bowl, combine the mayo, capers, relish, mustard, peppers, olives, eggs, and tuna. Mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve on the quartered white bread and the sesame crackers.

Grilled Romaine with Balsamic Dressing

Ingredients

Balsamic Dressing:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola
• 6 leaves fresh basil, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Grilled Romaine:

• 2 romaine hearts, halved lengthwise
• Canola oil, for brushing
• 1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola, for garnish
• 4 leaves fresh basil, torn, for garnish

Directions

For the balsamic dressing: In a blender, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Gorgonzola, basil, garlic, a pinch each of salt and pepper, and 2 tablespoons water. Blend until the dressing is creamy and the garlic and basil are finely chopped.

For the grilled romaine: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat.

Lightly brush the cut sides of the romaine with the canola oil. Place the romaine on the grill cut-side down and cook until grill marks form and the leaves are slightly charred, 1 to 3 minutes. Arrange on a platter cut-side up.

Drizzle the romaine with the dressing. Sprinkle with the Gorgonzola and torn basil and serve.

Valerie’s Home Cooking debuted Saturday, August 8, 12/11 central.

Seeking more recipes in the diet category?

As the Inquisitr reported, Dr. Mehmet Oz recently created a back-to-basics weight loss plan that includes diet recipes such as Squash Chips.

[Images and Recipes Via Food Network/Valerie’s Home Cooking]