Black Bean and Cheese Baked Quesadillas

Let’s face it, quesadillas are delicious!  This recipe is for a healthier, baked version.  Baking your quesadillas instead of frying is a great way to lighten up the traditional restaurant version.  These make for a quick and easy weeknight dinner too!

Servings:  2

Size:  2 quesadillas

Points Plus: 8pp

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:  10 minutes

Rating: 3 stars – Good

 

Ingredient List:

8 corn tortillas

1 can (15 oz) black beans

½ cup onion, diced

4 oz. cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded

Fresh cilantro, chopped

Cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450°. In a skillet, combine the black beans and onion and sauté for a few minutes over medium heat. With cooking spray, coat one side of 4 corn tortillas and place the coated side face down on a large cookie sheet.  Divide the black bean/onion mixture evenly amongst the 4 quesadillas; top each one with 1 oz. of cheddar cheese. Place the 2^nd corn tortilla on top and press down firmly.  Finish by coating the top tortilla with cooking spray. Bake the quesadillas in the oven for about 10 minutes or until they begin to brown.  Slice into wedges and serve with a garnish of chopped fresh cilantro.

Tip:

You can also serve these with some fresh salsa too without adding to the pp value of your meal!

XOXO Megan

Asian Sloppy Joes

We discovered this recipe from a sample they were handing out at Byerly’s.  Have you ever tried ground chicken?  It’s basically just like ground turkey, but replace the meat with chicken instead.  Ground chicken worked perfectly to lighten up the traditional sloppy joe recipe – and the cilantro and Thai peanut sauce took a new twist on a classic sandwich.

Servings:  6

Size:  1 Asian sloppy joe sandwich

Points Plus: 8pp

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:  20 minutes

Rating: 3 stars – Good

Ingredient List:

1 Tbsp. olive oil

½ cup chopped onion

½ cup chopped celery

½ cup chopped bell pepper (red or green)

1 lb. ground chicken

5 oz. Thai peanut sauce

6 whole wheat hamburger buns

2-3 Tbsp. chopped cilantro, optional

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add in the chopped onion, celery and pepper – sauté until the veggies are tender.  Add the chicken and cook until no longer pink, stir frequently to break up the chicken into smaller pieces.  Next, stir in the Thai peanut sauce making sure all the chicken and veggies are evenly coated.  Cover the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.  Serve on hamburger buns and top each sloppy joe with chopped cilantro.

Tip:

Another way to cut out some pp value on this recipe is to turn this into a lettuce wrap instead of serving it on a hamburger bun - check it out!  The pp value would drop to only 5pp if you make lettuce wraps instead. 

XOXO Megan

Mixed Greens + Egg + Grains Salad

Here is another unique entree salad (for one) combo that turned out really tasty!  I love putting a soft fried (or poached) egg on a salad, it works as a unique salad dressing.  This salad also features my favorite Trader Joes Harvest Grains.  IF you haven't tried those yet you need to get on that ASAP.  Enjoy!

Servings: 1
Servings Size: 1 salad
Points Plus: 8pp
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes (for egg)
Rating: 4 - Very Good

Ingredient List:

1 handful of mixed greens

3/4 cup Trader Joes Harvest Grains, cooked according to package directions

1 egg, raw

1 T. fat free feta

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

Salt + pepper to taste

Spicy Dressing (optional, if you omit it will decrease the pp value by 1)

Siracha

1 T. light mayo

Directions:

Heat a skillet and fry your egg until cooked to your desired hardness. Mix 1 T. light mayo with 1 squirt of siracha to make a spicy dressing.

To assemble salad - layer greens, Harvest Grains, cheese, egg, spicy Siracha dressing and salt and pepper to taste.  Serve with tomatoes on the side.

Tip:
On a totally unhealthy note (although healthy in moderation), my spicy siracha dressing is inspired by THIS totally delish shrimp sauce with is inspired by MN hibachi restaurant Benihaha. This sauce is really good on rice or grains, I actually have never had it on shrimp.  But I bet it is really good!

XOXO Katie

Couscous Salad with Tomatoes, Green Onions & Feta

This is a really quick salad that I like to serve as a light meal.  Check it out - feel free to add different ingredients if you want to change up the flavor profile!  Starting with a base of a plain couscous mix, your options are unlimited.

Servings:  6

Size:  1/6 of the salad

Points Plus: 7pp

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Rating: 3 stars – Good

Ingredient List:

1 box couscous, plain
1 cup water
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1 cup feta, reduced-fat
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:

In a saucepan, cook the couscous according to the directions on the box.  I used 1 cup water and 1 cup chicken broth to add some extra flavor.  I also reduced the olive oil by half to cut down on pp.  While the couscous is cooking, you can wash and prep the cherry tomatoes and green onions.  After the couscous is done, transfer it into a large mixing bowl.  Stir in the veggies, feta and any salt and pepper to taste.  Enjoy!
Tip:
You can subsitute in other types of couscous if you want.  They do make a whole wheat version.  My other favorites include parmesan and toasted pine nut varities!

XOXO Megan

Greek Pita Pizzas

This is a recipe I found on Pinterest a long time ago and was curious how it would turn out.  We made this for dinner on Friday night and it was a perfect light meal to kick off the weekend.  I wasn't sure if one pita would be satisfying enough, but you will be surprised at how filling these pita pizzas are. The original recipe can be found on this blog.  I made a handful of adaptations when I made my version - mostly using pitas instead of making your own pizza crust.  Either way would be delicious!

Servings:  2

Size:  1 pita pizza

Points Plus: 9pp

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Rating: 4 stars – Very good

Ingredient List:

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 pitas
1 cucumber
2 Roma tomatoes
1/2 cup feta cheese

Homemade Tzatziki Sauce:
1 cup Greek yogurt, plain, reduced-fat
1/2 cup shredded cucumber
2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp. minced garlic
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat up the olive oil and cook the chicken.  You may want to cut the chicken breasts into smaller strips to speed up the cooking time.  While the chicken is cooking, you can make the homemade Tzatziki sauce and prep the veggies.  For the Tzatziki, combine the Greek yogurt, shredded cucumber, lemon juice, garlic and salt & pepper in a small Pyrex measuring cup.  Whisk together until well mixed.  Wash and prep the Roma tomatoes by dicing and dice the remaining cucumber.  Once the chicken is done cooking, allow to cool for a few minutes before you cut into bite-sized pieces.  Assemble the pizzas by brushing each pita with a little olive oil - then layer veggies (tomato and cucmber), feta and chicken.  Drizzle the Tzatziki sauce over the top of each pita pizza.  Cook in a 350 degree oven for 5-10 minutes.  You are really just warming up the pizzas and making sure the pitas crisp up a bit.

Tip:
For the shredded cucumber, using a zester worked well for me.  You will end up with more juice than actual shredded cucumber pieces, but it will help to flavor the Tzatziki just the same.

XOXO Megan

Turkey and Feta Stuffed Peppers

I found this recipe on Pinterest and it comes from the eatliverun blog.  This was an easy weeknight meal for Paul and me.  I loved that it made four servings too – sometimes it’s so nice to have leftovers and not have to cook again!

Servings:  4

Size:  1 stuffed bell pepper

Points Plus: 7pp

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time:  30 minutes

Rating: 4 stars – Very good

Ingredient List:

4 large green bell peppers

1.5 lbs ground turkey

1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 small onion, diced

1 Tbsp. olive oil

2 tsp. minced garlic

2 Tbsp. tomato paste

2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. dried basil

¼ tsp. red pepper flakes

2 tsp. kosher salt

1 cup crumbled feta cheese, reduced-fat

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add in the diced onion and garlic – sauté until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes.  Add in the tomato paste and mix well.  Next, add the ground turkey, breaking into smaller pieces; cook until browned.  Add in the can of diced tomatoes along with the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes and salt.  Simmer and cook the mixture for about 15-20 minutes to help reduce the sauce down.  While the turkey is browning, wash the green bell peppers and slice off the top and remove the seeds and fleshy part inside the peppers.  Line a cookie sheet with tinfoil and place the peppers on it.  Once your turkey stuffing is done cooking, scoop the mixture into each pepper.  Top each pepper with crumbled feta.  Place another piece of tinfoil over the tops of the peppers to seal.  Bake your peppers in a 350° oven for approximately 30 minutes.

Tip:

My pepper stuffing mixture ended up being very runny – I would recommend trying to drain out some of the liquid from the can of diced tomatoes to help cut back on this.

XOXO Megan

Salad for One! (chicken, veggies, cottage cheese and evoo)

Sometimes salads sound so blaaaaaa.  Sometimes all you need though, is a new mix of salad ingredients to reinvigorate your salad love.  Example - one day my weight watchers leader said 'I love to mix cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, feta, evoo and salt'! I went home, made that salad, and then ate it practically every day for weeks!  Here is an easy salad that I made in an effort to use up some CSA veggies. Also, I am a quantity eater, and I love that this salad is huge, filled my WHOLE plate and made me full. It is packed with protein and made for a great dinner for one!

Servings: 1

Size: 1 salad!

Points Plus: 9 pp (keep in mind this salad is HUGE and could be split in 1/2)

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: n/a

Rating: 3 stars - Good

Ingredient List: 

1 handful of mixed greens

4 oz. rotisserie chicken

1/2 cup sliced cucumber

1/2 tomato

2 T. fat free feta

1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese

4 basil leaves, chopped

1 t. olive oil

Kosher salt

Directions:

Mix first 7 ingredients in a bowl. Add olive oil and salt, then toss.  Put on a plate and enjoy!

Tip:

1. I love using cottage cheese as salad dressing, try it! 2. There is something about tossing your salad together at home that makes it feel fancier, try it!

Veggie Stuffed Tortillas

My mom told me about this recipe that she found in this summer’s Penzey’s spice recipe book.  It was a good light, vegetarian dinner recipe I made on Monday night.  I had a weekend full of eating, so this dinner was a good way to get back on track – the beans help to make for a satisfying meal that will keep you full and its relatively low in points!
 

Servings:  8

Size:  2 stuffed tortillas

Points Plus: 6pp

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time:  5-10 minutes

Rating: 4 stars – Very Good

 

Ingredient List:

2 Tbsp. EVOO

½ tsp. minced garlic

1 large onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 medium zucchini or squash, sliced and quartered

½ cup chicken broth

1 15 oz. can corn, drained and rinsed

1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. black pepper

1 ½ tsp. Arizona Dreaming (this is a specific spice blend from Penzey’s)

3 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped

1 cup shredded cheese, reduced-fat

Salsa

16 corn tortillas

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat up 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat.  Add garlic, onion, pepper, zucchini and ¼ cup of chicken broth to the pan.  Sauté the veggies until they are tender.  Add the drained and rinsed corn and beans to the pan and the remaining ¼ cup chicken broth (the liquid will cook down).  Next add in the spices – cumin, Arizona Dreaming and salt and pepper.  Make sure to stir well so the spices are mixed throughout the veggies.  Stir in fresh cilantro.  Total cooking time for the tortilla stuffing is about 10-12 minutes.  In a small skillet, heat up the remaining olive oil.  Place one tortilla in the pan and cook until the bottom is lightly browned.  Sprinkle some shredded cheese on one ½ of the tortilla and then scoop about ¼ cup of the vegetable filling onto the tortilla.  Fold the tortilla in half and press down with a spatula so it resembles the look of a quesadilla.  Heat the tortilla for about a minute before moving on to the next stuffed tortilla.  Serve with salsa and additional cheese on top if you prefer!

Tip:

The first one or two tortillas might be difficult to get perefectly browned or to fold in half easily - keep at it and you should be able to get it right.  Try adjusting the heat either up or down too to achieve lightly browned tortillas.

XOXO Megan

Grilled Salmon with Dill & Lemon

I really like to grill fish – it makes for a quick dinner.  Here’s an easy recipe for grilled salmon filet.  Adding in dill and lemon flavors will help to complement the taste of the salmon.  Serve this with a grilled vegetable – asparagus or Brussels sprouts and a side salad!

Servings:  4

Size:  ¼ of grilled salmon filet

Points Plus: 8pp

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time:  8-12 minutes

Rating: 4 stars – Very good

Ingredient List:

1 ½ lb. salmon fillet

2 Tbsp. olive oil

Salt

Pepper

2 Tbsp. dried dill

2 lemons

Directions:

Use heavy-duty aluminum foil and make a foil packet to grill your fish in.  To prepare your fish for grilling, start by brushing the olive oil over the salmon filet.  Next, sprinkle a generous amount of salt and pepper followed by dill.  Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice from one half over the top of the seasoned salmon filet.  This will help to cut down on any sort of fishy taste once your salmon is fully cooked.  Spray the bottom of the aluminum foil packet with cooking spray (PAM even makes a specific grilling variety).  Place the seasoned side down first in the foil packet, and skin side up.  This ensures you that you have a nicely grilled top of the fillet.  Cook on the grill for about 4-6 minutes before flipping the filet over to cook the other side for an additional 4-6 minutes.  While your fish is on the grill, slice up the remaining lemon into wedges to serve with your meal.

Tip:

Make sure you ask for a salmon fillet vs. steaks.  A filet is a long piece while salmon steaks are smaller cross-section pieces.  A filet allows you to serve larger or smaller pieces based on your guest’s preference.  The pp value above assumes you serve equal sized portions of the filet. 

XOXO Megan

Sunday Night Pizza Party!

It has been quite a weekend ya'all! Laying by the pool, celebrating a very special bachelorette, dinner at a few of my FAV restaurants of all time and wine...lots and lots of wine.  I decided, the best way to get back into the swing of things and prep for the full work week ahead was to have a pizza party tonight (just me and my husband mind you)! I had two mini Bobloi crusts in my pantry (so cute!) so created two contrasting pizzas.

Servings: 4
Size: 2 pieces (1/2 mini Boboli crust)
Point Plus: 10pp
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Rating: 4 stars - Very Good

White Pizza
1 Boboli 8 inch crust
1/4 cup alfredo sauce, light
Red pepper flakes, to taste
3 oz. chicken breast
3 fresh garlic cloves, chopped
4 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, part skim

Buffalo Chicken Pizza
1 Boboli 8 inch crust
1/4 pizza sauce
3 oz. chicken breast
1/4 cup Franks buffalo sauce
1/4 c. blue cheese crumbles
2 scallions, white and green, chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut chicken (6 oz. total) into small pieces and saute in a non-stick skillet until cooked through, about five minutes. Remove 3 oz. of chicken from pan and set aside.  Add Franks to the remaining chicken in your pan and cook until warmed.

To assemble - put crusts on a cookie sheet and add respected sauce to each.  Layer toppings in the order listed above. Bake for 10 minutes, until tops of pizza are browned!

Tip:
Using a small pizza crust is perfect for creating more variety!

XOXO Katie

Sausage Spaghetti Squash

This was my first attempt at cooking a paleo recipe (at least knowingly), and it was so good! First, have you ever cooked spaghetti squash?  Once you roast this unique squash you remove the insides with a fork, and they really do resemble spaghetti.  Anyone who tells you that it TASTES like spaghetti is lying, but it is a fun and healthy alternative to the noodle.  The squash, based off this recipe,  is jazzed up with some spicy Italian sausage and kale, and has a slight Thai twist with the addition of coconut milk.

Servings: 4
Size: 1 1/2 cup
Points Plus: 4pp
Level of Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Rating: 4 stars - Very Good

Ingredient List:
1 Italian sausage (I used 7pp of sausage)
1 Medium spaghetti squash, halved and seeds removed
1 Bundle of kale, roughly chopped
1/2 Red onion
1/3 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. canned coconut milk, light
1 Clove garlic, minced
1 T. garlic powder
1 t. tarragon
1 t. salt (more to taste)
1/2 t. black pepper
1/4 t. ground sage
1 Green onion, white and green part

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Roast squash, cut side down for 40 minutes. When cooked remove, flip to cut side up, and let cool so you can handle it.

While squash cooks, cook sausage, breaking up into small pieces.  When cooked remove from pan and set aside.  Add garlic, kale, onion and chicken broth to pot and stir. Add coconut milk and spices, cover and let simmer about 7 minutes.

When you can handle squash pull it apart with a fork (de-thread).  Add squash and sausage back to pot and mix well.  Top with onions and serve!

Tip:
I packed this in my lunch today, this is a really big deal!  I never pack my lunch, ever!!  I divided up the leftovers into individually portioned glass pyrex so it was easy to grab this morning.  If anyone has any tips for packing a lunch please PLEASE let me know! I feel like when I pack my lunch it doesn't make me full, but when I go out to my normal, WW friendly lunch spots it does!  I think it is all in my head...

XOXO - Katie

Mushroom Stroganoff

Do you ever just want to make homemade mushroom stroganoff but then you go online to Google a recipe and a million come up and you research and research and then finally give up because it seems too hard?  That exact sinareo has happened to me at LEAST 10 times (is that weird?).  I guess I find mushroom stroganoff subconsciously overwhelming.  Well don't fret, I have the recipe for you! This sauce is actually vegan, so no cheese or milk.  You would never believe it is so healthy!

Servings: 4
Size: 1/2 c.
Points Plus: 2pp (sauce only)
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Rating: 4 stars - Very Good

Ingredient List:
10 oz washed button mushrooms
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 T olive oil
1 T. Smart Balance Light butter
1 T. Flour
1 t. dried dill
1 t. dried parsley
1/2 c. fresh chives
1 c. soy milk
1/2 c. veggie stock
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Add 1 T olive oil to large dutch oven followed by 1 T flour.  Mix until incorporated and cook for 4 minutes, siring frequently.  Add onion, stir and cook for 4 more minutes.  Add stock, soy milk, mushrooms, spices, salt and pepper to taste, and bring to a boil.  Add butter and chives, cover and cook for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes taste and adjust salt and pepper.  Eat over noodles or veggies (I thought broccoli would be good).

Tip:
This recipe can EASILY be doubled or even tripled! Since it is so low in pp you could eat a cup of the sauce for no guilt!

XOXO - Katie

Buffalo Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Stuffed chicken breasts are a fun spin on chicken.  These use traditional buffalo wing flavors of hot sauce, celery, carrot and blue cheese.  This recipe is from Skinnytaste with some slight adaptations – I chose to cut out the shredded cheddar in the stuffing mixture, used sour cream instead of mayo for breading the chicken and slightly increased the size of each chicken breast.

Note: If you buy thicker chicken breasts, have the butcher at the grocery store slice them in half length-wise to end up with 4 thinner chicken breasts which will work great for stuffing!

Servings:  4

Size:  1 stuffed chicken breast
Points Plus: 6pp

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Ingredient List:

4 thin chicken breasts (4 oz. each)

⅓ cup carrot, minced

⅓ cup celery, minced

⅓ cup green onions, chopped

4 wedges Laughing Cow blue cheese

Salt and pepper

15 Ritz crackers, reduced fat

1 Tbsp. light sour cream

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Frank’s hot sauce

Cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°. Use cooking spray to lightly grease a baking dish.  In a small bowl, mix together the carrot, celery, green onions and Laughing Cow cheese.  Divide this mixture evenly between the 4 thin chicken breasts, then roll-up each cutlet to make a stuffed chicken breast.  Crush the Ritz crackers in a ziplock bag to make a crumb mixture for your chicken breading.  In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream, lemon juice and 1-2 Tbsp. of hot sauce based on your preference.  Set up an assembly line for breading your stuffed chicken breasts.  First roll each in the hot sauce mixture, then the cracker crumbs, making sure the crumbs evenly coat the chicken.  Lay the chicken in a baking dish, seam side down so they don’t open up.  Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.  Drizzle the top with additional hot sauce for more buffalo flavor.

Tip:

An easy side dish to serve with this meal that doesn’t require many extra ingredients is a side salad of cucumbers, celery and carrot with light blue cheese dresses.  We had it just as an all veggie salad, but you could serve it over romaine lettuce too.

XOXO Megan

Fried Wild Rice

Have you ever thought about stir frying wild rice?? I haven't...until today!  This is a simple twist on traditional fried rice, and like many recipes you find on EAT ME, it can be customized based on what is in your fridge. I experimented with an interesting spice combo and I think the dish turned out great.

Servings: 2
Size: About 1 1/4 cup
Points Plus: 5pp
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooke Time: 25 minutes
Rating: 4 stars - Very Good

Ingredient List:
1 box wild rice
1 egg
1/2 cup peas
1 cup raw onion, cut in long stips
1 cup raw carrot, diced
1 garlic clove, chopped
Salt & Pepper to taste
Dash of red pepper flakes, curry powder, garlic powder & cinnamon
Low sodium soy sauce, optional

Directions:
Cook rice according to package directions.  Prep veggies. Spray a medium sized wok. Start with carrot and  sautee about five minutes.  Add onion and sautee for 3 minutes more.  Add peas, garlic and spices and sautee for about 2 more minutes.  Remove wok from heat and spray a small sautee pan.  Scramble egg and cook it until, well, it resembles a scrambled egg! Add scrambled egg to veggie mixture and return to stove. When rice is cooked add one cup to veggie mixture and sautee for about one more minute.

Tip:
A dash of cinnamon is an excellent addition to curry.

XOXO - Katie

Bacon Wrapped Filet Stacks

It is finally, maybe, grill season! This recipe is a fun and creative take on grilled filet, and helps you get in a veggie serving.  Impress your guests with these bacon wrapped filet stacks, that can be customized for your taste.  Also, who doesn't love meat wrapped in meat?  I actually barely ever cook with meat, but I will for sure make these again this summer.

Servings: 2

Size: 1 steak

Points Plus: 5

Level of Difficulty: Medium

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Rating: 4 - Very Good

Ingredient List:

2, 4 oz lean and trimmed uncooked filets

4 slices uncooked reduced fat bacon

1 vadallia onion

1 green pepper

1 tomato

Salt & pepper

Toothpicks

Directions: 

Turn your (outside) grass grill on low. Salt and pepper steaks and seat aside.  Slice green pepper, onion and tomatoes in half inch slices.  Take two pieces of bacon and set on your work surface in an X.  Place one filet in the center of the bacon.  Top with onion slice, green pepper and tomato.  Bring bacon up around filet like a present ribbon, and secure on top of filet with a toothpick.  Repeat with second filet.  Place on grill and cook on low heat without flipping for 40 minutes (depending on how you like your steak).  Enjoy!

Tip: 

If you want you bacon crispy, consider placing under a broiler for a few minutes after removing meat from the grill.  For a few more pp add a piece of cheese to the top after cooking.  YUM!

XOXO - Katie

Broiled Cod with Chipotle Creme

After a weekend of eating out, eating unhealthy, and eating pretty much whatever we wanted, I decided to take it down a notch and make a light Memorial Day dinner. I have wanted to try making fish tacos forever, and landed on cod, a light flaky white fish.  After some internet research (my fav!) I came up with a good spice mixture and sauce for this Mexican inspired meal. In an effort to lighten things up a little more I opted to skip the tortillas and just serve the fish baked with a side of cilantro lime rice. You could also top with traditional fish taco fixings, red onion, tomato, cabbage, shredded radishes, exc!

Servings: 4

Size: 4oz fish

Points Plus: 4pp

Level of Difficulty: Medium

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Rating: 4 stars - Very Good

Ingredient List: 

1 lb Atlantic cod

1 T. olive oil

1 t. kosher salt

1/4 t. black pepper

1/8 t. garlic powder

1/2 t. paprika

1/4 t. chili powder
1 lime

1/2 c. light sour cream

1-2 t. chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (sauce only)

Cilantro for garnish

Directions:

Turn oven to broil and place oven rack a few inches from the flame. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil and lay cod on foil. Pour olive oil over cod and brush to cover evenly. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and chili powder. Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over fish. I ended up only using about half of the spice mixture, so feel free to do the same depending on how spicy/salty you would like it. Squeese the juice from one lime over fish. Place cod under the broiler and cook until flaky, for me this was about four minutes. While fish is cooking mix sour cream and chipotle pepper sauce.  When fish is cooked remove from oven and top with 2 T. chipotle cream mixture.  Garnish with cilantro.

Tip: 

With summer on it's way you could easily grill this fish outside.  

Roasted Vegetable & Refried Bean Tostadas

As I was going through old magazines, I came across this easy recipe from Real Simple.  This is a great meatless meal that is full of ingredients and will definitely leave you feeling full.

Servings:  4

Size:  2 tostadas

Points Plus: 7 pp

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:  35 minutes

Rating: 4 stars – Very Good

Ingredient List:

10 oz. button mushrooms, trimmed and quartered

2 zucchini, thinly sliced

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1 ½ inch pieces

2 Tbsp. olive oil

Kosher salt

Black pepper

8 corn tortillas

1 15 oz. can refried beans

4 oz. cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded

Optional (these are not calculated into pp value):

Fresh cilantro, chopped

Light sour cream

Hot sauce

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450°.  On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss the mushrooms, zucchini and peppers with 1 Tbsp. olive oil.  Generously season the veggies with salt and pepper.  Roast the veggies, tossing once hallway through, until they are tender (about 20-25 minutes).  Place the tortillas on baking sheets.  Lightly brush each tortilla with olive oil, then spread with a generous layer of refried beans.  Top each tortilla with ½ ounce of cheddar cheese.  Bake the tostadas until the cheese is melted, about 5-7 minutes.  Top each tostada with roasted veggies, dividing evenly among all 8 tostadas.  Serve with sour cream, fresh cilantro or hot sauce if want.

Tip:

A really handy tool that works great for spreading the refried beans is Pampered Chef’s small spreader.  I love Pampered Chef products!  All of their products are great quality and they make such a variety of useful kitchen tools.  Check them out!

XOXO Megan

Sweet & Sour Chicken

You will not believe this sweet and sour chicken is homemade!  It honestly is exactly the same as the breaded kind you would get in a restaurant  but waaaaaay more healthy.  There are several radical and unique things about this chicken.

1) You make your own sweet and sour sauce, which is actually very easy.

2) This chicken looks breaded.  This chicken TASTES breaded.  But this chicken isn't breaded!  The breaded effect is made by dipping the chicken cubes in cornstarch and egg, and then frying them slightly before baking them slowly with the sauce.  This slow bake + the sticky and sweat sauce + the egg is a truly amazing process to watch in the oven, so turn on the light! This will easily become a weekly favorite. I adapted the below recipe from here.

Servings: 4

Size: About 1 cup

Points Plus: 7pp

Level of Difficulty: Medium

Prep Time: 15 minutes if chicken is defrosted

Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes, this includes frying and baking

Rating: 4 stars - Very Good

Ingredients

Chicken

1 lb boneless chicken breasts

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup cornstarch (you should have about 1/2 cup leftover)

2 eggs, beaten

Cooking spray or MISTO with EVOO

Sauce

1/3 cup sugar

2 T. ketchup

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 t. soy sauce

1/2 t. garlic salt

Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Rinse chicken and cut into 1 inch cubes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Prepare one bowl of egg and one bowl of cornstarch. Dip chicken into the cornstarch to coat then dip into the egg.  Spray a non-stick skillet and cook chicken until browned but not cooked through. Place the chicken in a baking dish. Wisk together sauce and evenly pour over chicken. This would be especially helpful. Bake for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Don't feel like you have to serve with an Asian inspired side.  I have paired with any steamed veggie, TJ's Harvest Grains Blend or even on it's own!

Tip:

When sauteing the chicken don't crowd it.  Fry it in batches so that the chicken pieces don't touch, this will make the browning process a lot smoother!

XOXO Katie

Veggie Cajun Pasta

Have you every heard of a SLURRY??!?!?!  It is a way to thicken up stuff (soup, sauces, exc.) without adding heavy cream, massive amounts of flour or cornstarch.  Slurry's are the bomb!  Anyways, this recipe calls for a slurry made with a just 1 Tablespoon of flour, cream cheese and milk.  It makes for a really creamy pasta sauce.  I altered Skinnytaste's recipe by omitting the meat and kicking up the veggies.  This is a great dish when you are craving spicy pasta!

Servings: 2
Size: about 1 1/2 cups
Point Plus: 8pp
Level of Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Rating: 4 stars - Very Good

Ingredient List:
3 ounces uncooked whole wheat pasta
2 tsp Cajun seasoning (more or less to taste)
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 medium red bell pepper
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium tomato, diced
1 cup chicken stock
1/3 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon flour
3 tablespoon light cream cheese
2 shallots
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic powder

Directions:
Prep all veggies. In your small food processor make slurry by combine milk, flour and cream cheese. Set aside.  Prepare pasta in water according to package directions.  Add olive oil to a large skillet and sautee bell pepper, onions and garlic, about five minutes on low heat.  Add mushrooms and tomato and suatee 3-4 more minutes.  Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Add stock and pour in slurry.  Stir and let boil, about 3 minutes.  Sauce should thicken slightly.  Add Cajun seasoning.  When pasta is cooked add to veggie slurry mixture and mix together.  Let simmer until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.  I added a sprinkle of parm (see photo) but I don't think you need to.  The flavor of this is so GOOD!

Tip: 
If you don't have a blender, food processor or anything that you can mix the slurry in, I would suggest using room temp cream cheese and putting three slurry ingredients into a dish with a lid.  Mix with a fork and then shake so that the slurry gets a little bubbly.  Then, go buy a food processor, blender or other mixing item.  I have a food processor obsession, and I would highly recommend this tiny four cuper for dishes such as this!

XOXO Katie

Maple Glazed Salmon with Brussels Sprouts

Salmon is quick and easy to bake in the oven; and adding a delicious glaze to the top can really increse the flavor of your fish.  Pair it with Brussels sprouts (one of my FAVORITE veggies) and you've got an easy, healthy dinner on your hands!  You can substitute whatever veggie you want on the side, but honestly I cannot get enough of roasted Brussel sprouts.  They are so delicious!

Servings:  4

Size:  ¼ of the cooked salmon fillet

Points Plus: 10 pp

Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:  25 minutes

Rating: 3 stars – Good

*Recipe from Real Simple

Ingredient List:

1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

½ large red onion, cut into 1 inch wedges

1 Tbsp. olive oil

Kosher salt

Black pepper

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

2 Tbsp. whole-grain mustard

1 ½ pounds salmon fillet, cut into 4 pieces

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450°, with the racks in the upper and lower thirds of your oven.  On a rimmed cookie sheet, toss the Brussels sprouts and onion with the oil.  Sprinkle salt and pepper over the veggies.  Roast on the bottom rack, tossing occasionally with tongs until they are golden and tender (about 15-20 minutes).  In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, mustard and ¼ tsp each of salt and pepper.  After the veggies have been roasting for 10 minutes, place the salmon in a glass 9x9 baking dish.  Brush the maple mixture over the top of the salmon fillets.  Roast the salmon on the top rack until cooked through, about 15 minutes.  Serve with lemon wedges if you prefer.

Tip:

The original recipe calls for skinless salmon fillets.  I usually buy the packaged fresh fillets at my local grocer that have skin on the bottom.  Rather than struggle to cut off this skin before it’s cooked, just bake the salmon as the directions say above.  Once your salmon is cooked, the fish will literally peel away from the skin on its own.  Just be careful to avoid any fish scales/skin on the pieces you will be serving.

XOXO Megan