Thursday, November 17, 2011

Honey Baked Chicken

I am ALL about EASY recipes...not only is this simple, but really yummy!

about 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1 tsp curry (LOVE curry!!)

In a medium bowl, combine butter, honey, mustard, and curry. Mix well to blend.

Pour over chicken* in an ungreased baking dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes, until chicken is done, turning chicken halfway through.

*I found this recipe at momswhothink.com but changed slightly---> original recipe called for "chicken parts" Also, I like to cut the width of my chicken breasts in half, then flatten them (cover with wax paper and pound until about 1/4 inch in thickness). Then, I dredged them in flour and pan seared before adding to the baking dish.*


Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Lemon Zucchini Bread

I found this on Pinterest


1½ cups sugar
½ cup butter
½ cup coconut oil(you can use regular oil)
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
¼ cup lemon juice
3 cups raw grated zucchini
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2½ cups white whole wheat flour (I used white flour but had to add more)
¾ cup chopped nuts (optional)
Lemon Glaze
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
Blend sugar, butter, and oil. Add eggs, beat well. Stir in vanilla, lemon juice, and zucchini. Add cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until well combined. Stir in white whole wheat flour and nuts.
Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Pour mixture into pans. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes.
Mix lemon juice and powdered sugar. Pour and spread over warm bread.

We made this today and it is really yummy! A fun twist on zucchini bread!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Pizza Rolls

These are a fun new twist to eating pizza. My kids ate them so fast after I fried them I never got a picture of one finished. We dip these in pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce.

PIZZA ROLLS
By: Home Run Recipes

1 package of Egg roll wrappers
1 package of cheese sticks (cut in half)
1 package of pepperoni
pizza sauce
oil (heated)



1. Take an egg roll wrapper and cut in in half.
2. Put 2 pepperoni's on one side and half of a cheese stick.
3. Fold in the sides.
4. Roll it up. Egg roll wrappers stay sealed if you get them wet on the last edge you are rolling. Read the back of the egg roll wrapper package for a better understanding of this.
5. Heat oil and once it's ready just drop them in and cook until the egg roll wrapper is browned. Takes less then 5 minutes per one.
6. Once they have cooled off dip in your favorite pizza sauce.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Ice Cream Cake

We summer wives recently had a potluck and I wanted to share a couple of the recipes. They were all very yummy!! Enjoy!!

*Ice cream cake

20 ice cream sandwiches
1 tub cool whip
1 jar hot fudge sundae sauce
1 jar carmel sauce
2 heath bars

Place 10 ice cream sandwiches in bottom of 9x13 pan. Layer cool whip(1/2 tub) and then hot fudge and carmel sauce. Sprinkle 1 heath bar over top. Layer each step one more time until finished. Freeze for at least one hour before serving.

*Cheese bread

1/2 c. butter
1 bottle old english cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Loaf of french bread

Soften butter and mix cheese, mustard and egg. Slice loaf in slices nearly through bottom and then one slice down the center lengthwise. Cover exposed parts of bread including down inside slices with cheese mixture. Bake @ 350 until light brown or wrap in foil til warm.

*Tortelllini Salad

6 T. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 c. chopped fresh basil
3 T. fresh lemon juice
1 shallot minced
1 lb asparagus
2 9oz. packages of tortellini
1/4 c. pine nuts
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 oz. parmasan cheese

Whisk olive oil, basil, lemon juice, shallot, garlic, 1/2 tsp. salt and pepper. Cook asparagus, boil for 3 min., transfer asparagus (don't discard water) cut and mix with vinagerette. Cook tortellini according to package, drain and mix with everything. Chill for 30 min. Toast pinenuts in a small skillit over medium heat until golden, about 5 min. Just before serving add pinenuts, tomatoes and cheese.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Evil Chicken


Serves 6

1 pound bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces
3 tablespoons chili powder (we usually use 2 T.)
1 cup brown sugar
Up to 1/2 cup water, as needed
Cooked rice

In a large pan, cook bacon over medium-high heat until nearly done. Do not drain. Stir in chicken and chili powder.
Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until bacon and chicken are fully cooked. Add brown sugar and cook until sugar
is dissolved and sauce begins to thicken, about 4 to 5 minutes. (Be careful once the sugar is added not to let the
sauce turn into toffee.) Add water if necessary to thin the sauce, but keep in mind the sauce is more of a coating.
Serve mixture over hot rice.

* Bacon is easier to cut if it’s partially frozen

Garlic Lover's Rub

Recipe from Eating Well

Use on: shrimp, scallops, salmon, chicken, pork, beef, lamb, or vegetables

Combine 8 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons ground mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest in a small bowl. Using your hands, spread the rub evenly onto 1 1/2 pounds (6 servings) of your chosen protein before grilling.


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

recipe from Our Best Bites

1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 C green salsa
1T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t granulated garlic, or garlic powder
3 T chopped cilantro
2 T sliced green onions
2 C shredded cooked chicken (for extra yumminess, use grilled taco chicken!)
1 C grated pepperjack cheese

Uncooked tortillas
cooking spray

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it’s soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

You can prepare up to this step ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge.

Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it. If you find yours are cracking when you roll them or are coming unrolled right away, just try heating them longer and try the paper towel thing.

Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges.


Then roll it up as tight as you can.


Place seam side down on the baking sheet. Lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.


Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.


Dip ‘em in salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or this dressing.

1 pack (1oz) Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix, ignore directions on the packet
1C mayo
1/2 C milk
1 lime
2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/2 C roughly chopped cilantro
1/4 C green salsa*
hot sauce

Place milk, mayo, and ranch mix in a blender. Juice the lime in there too, you should get about 2T juice. Toss in the garlic, cilantro and green salsa. Blend ‘er up. Sample it and add hot sauce to taste. Make it several hours ahead of time to allow it to thicken.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Cake Bites

1 cake mix, made according to package directions
1 can of frosting
1 box of pudding
almond bark

This is just a general idea of how to make them. You can combine many different flavors. Bake cake (adding entire box of pudding to mix) according to package directions. When cake is done, take a fork and crumble the cake. After the cake is cooled, mix in frosting adding just enough to hold the cake together. Set in fridge for a couple of hours. Roll into small balls and freeze. Then dip in chocolate. I also like to drizzle chocolate on top for aesthetics.

Some of the flavors I have done:
-Devils food cake, chocolate pudding, mixed with peanut butter frosting, dipped in chocolate

-Strawberry cake, strawberry pudding, mixed with strawberry frosting, dipped in white almond bark, drizzled with pink candy melts

-yellow cake, vanilla pudding, cherry frosting, dipped in white almond bark,drizzled with pink candy melts

-red velvet cake mix, chocolate pudding, cream cheese frosting, dipped in chocolate

Give it a try and let me know if you come up with a good combination!!

Oreo Truffles

1 bag Oreo cookies
1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
Almond Bark

Crush your entire bag of oreos. Mix in cream cheese. (I don't add all of it at first because I don't want to much. I gradually add cream cheese until it is a consistency that will stay together.) Set in fridge for about 30 minutes. Roll into balls, then freeze. Then dip in melted chocolate almond bark. (there are many different dipping chocolates, this is just the cheapest and it tastes pretty good)

**For Tanzi's baby blessing I used the cool mint oreos and actually did 2 bags with the 1 (8 oz) cream cheese

Cinnamon Streusel Pancakes

recipe from Two Peas and their Pod


2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Streusel:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks


1. First, make the cinnamon streusel. In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Mix together with your hands or a fork, until you have a crumbly mixture. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Do not over mix, batter will be slightly lumpy.

3. Heat a griddle or pan to medium low. Coat with cooking spray. Drop batter onto heated skillet. Add a spoonful of the cinnamon streusel. Cook on the first side until bubbles begin to form, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip pancake over and add more cinnamon streusel. Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Continue this process to make the rest of the pancakes.

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Recipe from Life as a Lofthouse

Makes 2 large sandwiches (serves 4)

1/2 lb sliced Turkey
1/2 lb sliced Honey ham
2 tbs Butter
2 tbs Honey
2 cans (8 oz each) Crescent rolls
6-8 slices Muenster cheese
1/2 - 1 cup Raspberry Jam/Preserves

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unroll your crescent roll dough and seperate into 4 rectangles. Melt your butter and honey together and spread on top of rectangle dough. Bake them for 8 minutes or golden. Then let cool. After cooled, Place 1st crust on pan.. add 5 slices of turkey.. then top w 2nd crust.. add 5 slices of honey ham.. on top of ham add 3 slices muenster cheese. Place 3rd crust on top of cheese. Spread raspberry jam on top of 3rd crust and then place the 4th crust on top. Bake the sandwich for atleast 8-10 minutes or when the cheese has melted! ENJOY!!
NOTE: I can only fit 4 rectangles on one baking sheet so you will have to do this process twice.. but once you have made all the rectangles, and then built your sandwiches you can bake both sandwiches together for the final heating. :)

Buttermilk Biscuits

recipe from Mommy's Kitchen

1/2 cup cold butter (1 stick real butter)
2 1/4 cups self-rising flour
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
additional Self-rising flour
(for counter surface to knead dough)
2 tablespoons melted butter

Cut butter with a sharp knife or pastry blender into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Sprinkle butter slices over flour in a large bowl. Toss butter with flour. Cut butter into flour with a pastry blender until crumbly and mixture resembles small peas. (I used my hands) Cover and chill 10 minutes. Add buttermilk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 3 or 4 times, gradually adding additional flour as needed. With floured hands, press or pat dough into a 3/4-inch-thick rectangle (about 9 x 5 inches). Sprinkle top of dough with additional flour. Fold dough over onto itself in 3 sections, starting with 1 short end. (Fold dough rectangle as if folding a letter-size piece of paper.) Repeat entire process 2 more times, beginning with pressing into a 3/4-inch-thick dough rectangle (about 9 x 5 inches). Press or pat dough to 1/2-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface; cut with a 2-inch round cutter, and place, side by side, on a parchment paper-lined or lightly greased jelly-roll pan. (Dough rounds should touch.) Bake at 450° for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven; brush with 2 Tbsp. melted butter.

** If you do not have self rising flour, you can make your own using all purpose flour. To make your own self rising flour, simply add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt for EACH Cup of all purpose flour.

** If you do not have buttermilk, you can make your own using vinegar or lemon juice. 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to make 1 cup. Let mixture stand for 5 minutes before using.

Amish Breakfast Casserole

1 pound sausage
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 medium onion, chopped
1 ½ cups small curd cottage cheese
6 eggs, lightly beaten
1 ¼ cups shredded Swiss cheese
4 cups frozen shredded hash brown, thawed

In large skillet cook sausage and onion until sausage is cooked through. Drain. In a bowl combine remaining ingredients. Stir in sausage mixture. Transfer to a greased 13x9 baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until set and bubble. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Buttermilk Syrup

recipe from Our Best Bites

¾ cup buttermilk
1 ½ cup sugar
1 stick real butter
2 TBS corn syrup
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Combine buttermilk, sugar, butter, corn syrup and baking soda in large pot. (It may boil over) Bring ingredients to a boil and reduce heat to low (as long as it’s still bubbling). Cook stirring frequently for 8-9 minutes. When its done, it should take on a golden-brown color. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

Buttermilk Pancakes

recipe from Our Best Bites

3 cups all-purpose flour
3 TBS sugar
1 TBS baking powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt
3 cups buttermilk
½ cup milk
3 eggs, separated
1/3 cup (5 1/3 TBS) butter, melted

In a large pitcher, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another container, whisk together buttermilk, milk, and the egg yolks. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Whisking constantly, add melted butter to the milk mixture. Pour this mixture into the pitcher and stir until just combined. When the flour has been combined but the batter is still a little lumpy, heat a non-stick skillet or griddle to medium-low heat. While the skillet is heating, gently (but completely) fold beaten egg whites into the batter. When the skillet is hot, spray it with a little non-stick cooking spray and then just pour the batter from the pitcher straight onto the hot skillet.

It takes a little adjusting to figure out where the temperature setting should be. If it's too hot, the bottoms will cook too fast and the insides will be raw, but if it's not hot enough, the outsides will get hard and dry. So the first round or two of pancakes might not be perfect, but just keep adjusting the temperature until you find the setting on your stove that works best for you.

Now...after you've poured the batter onto the skillet, keep an eye on the pancakes. When you start seeing bubbles, you're almost there. When the bubbles pop and leave a hole, it's time to flip. Gently slide a spatula/pancake turner/flipper (whatever you call it) under the pancake and quickly flip it to the other side. The other side won't take quite as long as the first side--just check here and there and when the pancakes are golden brown on both sides, you're good to go.

Big Al’s Bar-B-Q Sauce

1 cup ketchup
¼ cup unsulfured molasses
1 cup tomato sauce
2 tsp hickory flavored liquid smoke
½ cup and 2 TBS brown sugar
1 TBS butter
½ cup and 2 TBS red wine vinegar
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp chili powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp celery seed
½ tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

In a large saucepan over medium heat, mix together all ingredients. Reduce heat to low and simmer for up to 20 minutes. For thicker sauce, simmer longer, and for thinner, less time is needed. Sauce can also be thinned using a bit of water if necessary.

*we LOVE this BBQ sauce and use it for everything

Monterey Jack Chicken

1 lb chicken breasts
1 lb bacon
2 tomatoes, diced
BBQ sauce (Big Al’s BBQ Sauce)
Favorite cheese, we use cheddar and swiss

Marinade chicken in your favorite BBQ sauce over night. Then BBQ the chicken. While the chicken is on the grill cook bacon. I usually do mine in the microwave. Then when the chicken is done grilling, place on a cookie sheet. Place pieces of bacon on top of each chicken breasts, then tomatoes and your favorite cheese. We usually do Swiss on some and cheddar for the boys. Broil until cheese is melted. Serve.

**We served this at the Allen Family Reunion at Danny and Amber's house.

Tuna Salad Sandwich

1 can (12 oz) solid white tuna, drained
1/3 cup fat free plain yogurt
1 can (4oz) crushed pineapple, drained
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
¼ cup sweet pickle relish
¼ cup chopped pecans
1 tsp mustard
1/8 tsp cinnamon

In medium bowl combine all ingredients and serve on bread. You may add tomatoes and lettuce as well.

Texas Caviar

recipe from Home Run Recipes

2 cans black eyed peas
1 can shoe peg corn

Rinse and put in a bowl.

Add 1 can Rotel tomatoes

Chop and add the following:
1 green pepper
1 bunch green onions
3 jalapeno peppers
½ bunch cilantro
3 avocadoes (I add at the last minute)

Mix everything together with 8 oz Zesty Italian Dressing. Serve with Frito Scoops.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Honey Lime Ckn Enchiladas

Tammy found this recipe for me on one of her blogs, we tried it, and loved it!! If you like enchiladas, you NEED to try these!! I usually double the recipe to make a couple of pan fulls. Delicious both when you first make them and if you freeze them then cook them!

Honey Lime Enchiladas
1.5 pounds pork or chicken, cooked and shredded

Sauce:
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup lime juice
1 TBS chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder


Topping:
2 (10 oz) cans green enchilada sauce
equal parts mixed together of: Shredded Mozzarella cheese and Shredded Cheddar cheese
flour tortillas


Cook and shred chicken or pork ( I cook mine in the crock pot so it's nice and tender)


Mix together sauce ingredients, then add to shredded pork or chicken. Let the sauce soak into the meat for about 30 minutes.
Lightly spray 2 pans with non stick baking spray. ( I usually use one 9X13 and one 9X9, but may vary by how thick you stuff your enchiladas) Pour green enchilada sauce into pans to coat the entire bottom. Fill tortillas with shredded meat and desired amount of cheese. Roll and place in dish.
Pour remainder of enchilada sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle more cheese on top- don't be stingy. (Then cover and Freeze.)


Bake uncovered at 350 for 30 minutes. Then turn on broiler and place enchiladas near the top of oven. Let it broil until cheese is slightly brown and crispy.




Monday, June 27, 2011

Red and White Pasta

I am a huge pasta fan, and I love this recipe!! This is a new favorite of mine and if you like pasta, you should give it a try.
1 box Penne pasta
1 (26 oz) meatless spaghetti sauce
1 (16 oz) alfredo sauce
3 cups shredded mozzerella cheese
Directions: Preheat oven to 375*. Boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. In a 9X13 baking dish, spread 1/2 cup (enough to coat the bottom of pan) of spaghetti sauce. Then layer half of the cooked pasta on top of sauce, half alfredo sauce on noodles, top that with more spaghetti sauce and then half the cheese. Repeat til pan is full. Bake for 30 minutes.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Jimmy really enjoyed this pizza, very easy and really yummy!!
1 can pizza dough
2 chicken breasts(cooked and cut up)
Bacon(cooked and cut up)
BBQ sauce
Mozzerella cheese
Red onion(as much as you like)
Cilantro
Directions: Roll out pizza dough onto cookie sheet. Cover with BBQ sauce and cheese. Add chicken, bacon, red onions, cilantro and then top with more cheese. Cook 425* for 10-20 minutes.

Cheesy Pesto Chicken

This is a very great recipe if you like pesto sauce!! The flavors work great together, and with the chicken, make sure to either get thin chicken breasts or to pound them til about 2 in. thick.
3-4 Chicken Breast
Pesto sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Marinara sauce
Direction: Pound out chicken til about 2in. thick, then cut in half. In the middle of chicken, add pesto sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Cover with the top of the chicken breast and then add marinara sauce, cheese, salt and pepper. Bake at 350* for 35-45 minutes.

Monterey chicken

Jimmy loves this recipe and its really yummy!!

4-6 Chicken breast
BBQ sauce(whatever brand you prefer)
Zesty Italian Dressing
1/2 c. Green onions
1/2 pkg cooked bacon
Shredded cheese
Directions: Marinate chicken in Zesty italian dressing for 12-24 hrs. Grill Chicken breast til done. Place chicken in pan and coat with BBQ sauce on both sides. Top with bacon, cheese and green onions. Bake at 350* til cheese is melted. ENJOY!!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Broiled Tilapia with Thai Coconut Curry Sauce

One thing I have loved lately is that Gary is home early enough that he does all the cooking :) (too bad that won't last forever) And he has done an AMAZING job!! So far this has been our favorite recipe from http://www.skinnytaste.com/ We think it would also be good with chicken...or even just the sauce over rice would be delicious. Gary doesn't love "Indian" curry, but really loves "Thai" curry. To me curry is curry and it's all delicious, but I'm just happy we have found a curry dish that Gary is happy with and willing to have again....and again...and again :)


This amazing fish dish will make you look like you really know your way around the kitchen. The sauce really makes the dish! For you Thai lovers, this recipe is a keeper. Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking, I used my mini food processor to save time (love this!). This dish is quick, easy, took less than 30 minutes start to finish. Perfect over jasmine rice. (You can substitute basil for cilantro if you don't care for cilantro)




Adapted from Cooking Light
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 1 piece fish plus sauce Old Points: 5 pts Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 225.2 • Fat: 6.9 g Protein: 35.5 g Carb: 5.6 g Fiber: 1.1 g

  • 1 tsp dark sesame oil, divided
  • 1 tbsp minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 cup chopped scallions
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 2 tsp red curry paste
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 4 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp Asian fish sauce
  • 1 (14-ounce) can light coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 6 (6-ounce) tilapia fillets
  • salt
  • Cooking spray

Preheat broiler.

Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add pepper and scallions; cook 1 minute. Stir in curry powder, curry paste, and cumin; cook 1 minute. Add soy sauce, sugar, Asian fish sauce, and coconut milk; bring to a simmer (do not boil). Remove from heat; stir in cilantro or basil if using.

Brush fish with 1/2 teaspoon oil; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Place fish on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Broil 7 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Serve fish with sauce, rice, and lime wedges.

Chicken Rollatini with Spinach alla Parmigiana

This is super yummy! And while we may not be the best photographers at least you have a little idea of the yummy-ness :)




Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 stuffed breast • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 194.7 • Fat: 7 g • Protein: 24.2 g • Carb: 7.2 g • Fiber: 1.5 g

  • 8 thin chicken cutlets, 3 oz each
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
  • 6 tablespoons egg whites or egg beaters
  • 5 oz frozen spinach, squeezed dry of any liquid
  • 6 tbsp part skim ricotta cheese
  • 6 oz part skim mozzarella (I used Polly-O)
  • olive oil non-stick spray (I use my Misto)
  • 1 cup pomodoro sauce or your favorite marinara sauce
  • salt and pepper to taste

Wash and dry cutlets, season with salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 450°. Lightlyspray a baking dish with non-stick spray.

Combine breadcrumbs and 2 tbsp grated cheese in one bowl and 1/4 cup egg beaters or egg whites in another.

Shred or finely chop 1.5 oz of mozzarella cheese and combine with remaining grated cheese, spinach (make sure you squeeze it dry), 2 tbsp egg beaters, and ricotta cheese.

Lay chicken cutlets down on a working surface and spread 2 tbsp of spinach-cheese mixture on each cutlet. Loosely roll each one and keep seam side down.

Dip chicken in egg mixture, then in breadcrumbs and place seam side down in a baking dish (no toothpicks needed). Repeat with the remaining chicken. When finished, lightly spray with olive oil.

Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven, top with sauce then cheese.
Bake until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 3 more minutes. Serve with additional sauce on the side and grated cheese.



Coconut Cream Pops (Limber de Coco)

If you like coconut you will LOVE these homemade popsicles!! These are the perfect treat on a hot summer day! My kids loved these too!

Servings:
10 Prep Time: 10 minutes Old Points: 3 pts • Points Plus: 3
Calories: 106.3 • Fat: 4.5 • Carbs: 13.6 • Fiber: 0.4 • Sugar: 10.7 • Protein: 2.8

  • 12 oz can fat free evaporated milk
  • 14 oz can lite coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp coconut extract
  • cinnamon to taste
  • 1/2 cup of shredded sweetened coconut
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Pour into freezer molds.
Freeze and Enjoy!!

We decided next time we would either use our food processor or omit the shredded coconut altogether....we didn't love the chunks.

Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad

I really loved this salad and decided it's perfect for summer!! We ate it as a main dish. We will definitely be having it again...soon :)

Servings:
4 • Serving Size: 7/8 cup • Old Points: 4 pt • Points+: 5 pt
Calories: 210.4 • Fat: 9.2 g • Protein: 25.1 g • Carb: 7.8 g • Fiber: 3.6 g • Sugar: 0.6

Sodium without salt: 260.8 mg

  • 1 lb jumbo cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, chopped*
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1 hass avocado, diced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, diced fine
  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 limes, juice of
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • salt and fresh pepper to taste

In a small bowl combine red onion, lime juice, olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper. Let them marinate at least 5 minutes to mellow the flavor of the onion.

In a large bowl combine chopped shrimp, avocado, tomato, jalapeño. Combine all the ingredients together, add cilantro and gently toss. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 3 1/2 cups.


*Weight after shrimp has been peeled.


Chicken and Mushrooms in a Garlic White Wine Sauce

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: divide between 4 • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 169 • Fat: 5.5 g • Protein: 22.8 g • Carb: 4.9 g • Fiber: 1.2 g Sugar: 1.7 g


  • 8 chicken tenderloins, 16 oz total
  • 2 tsp butter
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour* (use rice flour if gluten free)
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12 oz sliced mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/3 cup fat free chicken broth
  • salt and fresh pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 200°. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge in flour.

Heat a large skillet on medium heat; when hot add 1 tsp butter and 1 tsp olive oil. Addchicken to the skillet and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side, or until chicken is no longer pink. Set aside in a warm oven.

Add additional oil and butter to the skillet, then garlic and cook a few seconds; addmushrooms, salt and pepper stirring occasionally until golden, about 5 minutes.

Add wine, chicken broth, parsley; stir the pan with a wooden spoon breaking up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook a few more minutes or until the liquid reduces by half. Top the chicken with the mushroom sauce and serve.

*I only used 1 tbsp of flour and tossed the rest, so calculations were for 1 tbsp flour only.


Again this recipe is from http://www.skinnytaste.com/

We substituted chicken broth with a little vinegar for the white wine

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Low Fat Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

Servings: 12 • Serving Size: 1 muffin Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 ptsCalories: 147.3 • Fat: 2.7 g Protein: 2.7 g Carb: 28.5 g Fiber: 3.4 g Sugar: 12.3 g
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 cups 100% whole wheat pastry flour (Bob's Red Mill) *
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups blueberries (about 6.5 oz)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp melted butter or margarine

Preheat oven to 325°. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Mix well. In a medium bowl, mix eggs, melted butter, vanilla and applesauce. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just blended. Gently fold in blueberries.Pour batter into 12 lined muffin tins and bake at 325° for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for about 10 minutes.

*on the website she suggested that if you don't have this flour then use 1/2 white and 1/2 wheat flour...that's what I did and they turned out perfect!!


So, Gary and I have been cooking from this website:
every day for the last week and a half. We make dinner using her recipes every night (more recipes to come) and I wanted to try a breakfast recipe. We had a bunch of blueberries so this recipe was perfect. Our kids LOVED these and have already asked for them again. Can't complain about yummy HEALTHY food!! :)

Friday, May 27, 2011

Grilled Chicken Bruschetta

This recipe is also from http://www.skinnytaste.com

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 4 oz chicken + tomatoes • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 6
Calories: 236.8 • Fat: 8.5 g • Protein: 32.4 g • Carb: 6.8 g • Fiber: 1.3 g • Sugar: 0.5 g
Sodium: 182.9 mg (without the salt)


Ingredients:

· 3 medium vine ripe tomatoes

· 2 small cloves garlic, minced

· 1/4 cup chopped red onion

· 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped

· 1 tbsp extra virgin oil

· 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

· kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

· 3 oz part skim mozzarella, diced

· 1.25 lbs (8 thin sliced) chicken cutlets


Directions:

Combine onion, olive oil, balsamic, salt and pepper. Set aside a few minutes.

Chop tomatoes and place in a large bowl. Combine with garlic, basil, onion-balsamic combo and additional salt and pepper to taste. Set aside and let it sit at least 10 minutes or as long as overnight. Toss in the cheese when ready to serve.

Season chicken with salt and fresh pepper. Grill the chicken cutlets on your indoor or outdoor grill, top with bruschetta and serve.


We REALLY liked this recipe. We used store bought tomatoes, but we can't wait to try it with someone's garden tomatoes....assuming they'll share some with us :)

We did not go buy the part skim cheese we just used the shredded mozzarella that we already had and that worked just fine.