Sunday, February 7, 2010

Black Bean-Sweet Potato Chili







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2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 red sweet pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 green sweet pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
2 medium sweet potatoes, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tbsp)
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
2 14 oz cans vegetable or chicken broth
2 15 oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained
juice of 1 lime (about 2 tbsp)

In a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes or until tender.

Add sweet peppers, jalapeno peppers, and sweet potatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, cook about 1 minute. Add chili powder, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, basil, and marjoram. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and broth. Simmer, uncovered for about 30 minutes.

Stir in beans; continue to cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in lime juice.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Strawberry - Coconut Tiramisu Tart

1 refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on package
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp instant espresso coffee powder or granules
1 container (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup strawberry fruit spread
2 tsp baking cocoa
3/4 cup flaked coconut, toasted

Heat oven to 450. In 10 or 9 inch pie pan, press pie crust evenly on bottom and 1 inch up side. Generously prick crust with fork. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix cheese, pecans, powdered sugar and coffee granules. Gently fold in 1 cup of whipped topping. Spread evely over crust.

In another medium bowl, place remaining whipped topping; gently fold in fruit spread until well mixed. Spread evenly over cheese mixture.

Using fine-mesh strainer, spinkle cocoa over whipped topping mixture. Sprinkl with coconut. Refridgerate at least 1 1/2 hours until chilled.

*to toast coconut, spread in ungreased shallow pan; bake uncovered at 350 for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Tiramisu

6 large eggs
2 cups espresso, cooled
1 cup sugar
16 oz mascarpone cheese
1/8 cup cocoa
20 ladyfingers, toasted

Combine 6 egg yolks, 2 tbsp espresso and sugar into large bowl. Beat 2-3 minutes. Add mascarpone cheese and beat 3-5 minutes until smooth.

In another bowl, combine 6 egg whites and a pinch of sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Genty fold into mascarpone mixture.

Dip one side of each ladyfinger into remaining espresso and layer on bottom of 9x9 serving dish. Spread 1/2 of mascarpone mixture and sprinkle with cocoa. Add another layer of ladyfingers and finish with mascarpone layer and another sprinkle of cocoa. Refridgerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Mexican Chili

1 lb ground round
1 cup prechopped onion
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes w/garlic, undrained
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup hot water
2 tbsp chili powder
1 oz semisweet chocloate, coarsley chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried oregano

Cook beef and onion in a large saucepan over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until beef is browned, stirring to crumble. Drain, if necessary, and return beef mixutre to pan. Add tomatoes, and remaining ingredients; cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.

6 servings (1 cup)
4 Weight Watchers Points
215 calories 7.5g fat 3.9g fiber

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Italian Style Eggplant

1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tbsp water
2/3 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 large eggplant, cut crosswise into 8 (1/2" thick) slices
cooking spray
1/2 cup pizza sauce (I used leftover spaghetti)
1 cup (4 oz) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Preheat broiler.

Combine egg and water in a shallow bowl. Combine breadcrumbs and pepper in another shallow bowl. Dip eggplant slices into egg mixture, coating both sides; dredge in breadcrumbs, turnint to coat both sides.

Line a baking sheet with foil; coat with cooking spray. Place eggplant on baking sheet; broil 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until eggplant is golden brown and tender. Spoon 1 tbsp pizza sauce onto each eggplant slice; top with cheese. Return to broiler, and broil 1 to 2 minutesor until cheese melts.

4 servings (2 eggplant slices)
WW Points - 4
218 calories 8.4g fat

I had 3/4 cup spaghetti noodles and it made the meal 7 points.

Also, I just baked at 450 cause I don't know how to broil.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Hamburger Steak

1 lb ground sirloin
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp dried italian seasoning
cooking spray
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup beef consomme
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl. Shape into 4 (1/2 inch thick) patties.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add patties; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Transfer patties to a platter, and keep warm.

Add onion to pan; coat onion with cooking spray. Saute over medium-high heat for 4 minutes. Return patties to pan. Combine consomme and vinegar; pour over onion and patties. Bring mixture to a boil ; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 to 6 minutes or until meat is done.

4 servings (1 patty and 1/3 cup onion mixture)
Weight Watchers Points - 4
163 calories 5g fat 0.8g fiber

Friday, August 7, 2009

Tuscan Chicken

4 (6 oz) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 pint grape tomatoes
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp water

Place chicken breast halves between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/2 inch thickness using meat mallet or small heavy skillet. Sprinkile chicken evenly with salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add chicken. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden. Add tomatoes; cook 4 minutes or until tomato skins pop. Stir in balsamic vinegar and water. Cook 4 minutes or until chicken is done and liquid almost evaporates.

4 servings (1 chicken breast half and 1/3 cup tomato mixture)
5 Weight Watchers Points
238 Calories. 5.8g Fat. 0.9g Fiber

I only used 2 chicken breast and did not do the tomatos.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Taco Soup

3/4 lb 93% lean ground beef
1 (16 oz) can no-salt-added pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 (1 oz) package 40% less sodium taco seasoning
2 cups water
1 cup frozen whole kernal corn, thawed
1 (14.5 oz) can Mexican style stewed tomatoes, chopped

Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add beef, and cook 4 minutes or until meat is no longer pink; stir to crumble.

Mash half of beans with the back of a fork or a potato masher. Add mashed beans, whole beans, taco seasoning, and remaining ingredients to pan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes.

5 servings at 1 1/3 cup
calories 202
Weight Watchers Points: 4

Friday, June 26, 2009

Santa Fe Ravioletti Soup

prep 3 minutes
cook 12 minutes

2 (14 oz) cans fat free, chicken broth
1 (7 oz) package 3-cheese ravioletti (I use Buitoni)
1 (16 oz) container refridgerated salsa
1 (15 oz) can no salt added black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10 oz) package diced cooked chicken (I use Tyson)
1 tsp bottled minced garlic
reduced fat sour cream

Bring broth to a boil in large saucepan over high heat. Add ravioletti, and cook 3 minutes. Stir in salsa and next 3 ingredients. Cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.

Ladle soup into bowls; top with sour cream if desired.

1 1/4 cup soup is a serving at 234 calories.
4 Weight Watchers Points

Beef & Asparagus Stir-Fry

prep 7 minutes
cook 7 minutes

1/2 pound lean boneless top sirloin steak
3/4 pound asparagus spears
cooking spray
1 cup presliced mushrooms
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 cup soy sauce
brown rice

Trim fat from steak; cut into 1/8 inch this slices, and set aside.

Snap off tough ends of asparagus. Cut asparagus diagonally into 1 inch pieces, set aside.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add beef; stir-fry 3 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Remove meat from pan, and keep warm.

Reheat pan over medium-high heat. Recoat with cooking spray. Add asparagus, mushrooms, crushed red pepper; stir-fry 3 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Retern beef to pan; and soy sauce, and stir fry 1 minute.

Serve over brown rice.

1/2 cup of stir-fry and 1/2 cup of rice is a serving at 322 calories.
6 Points on Weight Watchers