In the previous post

I mentioned the Mango Lime Mousse. Just a tip, when the recipe says "pour into 4 freezer safe containers" do it. Don't just use 2 containers. When frozen, that stuff is FROZEN. Hard to just eat half of a container. On so many levels, it's hard.

Recent yummies made here

oh, poor little neglected blog. I'm here to plug my favorite cookbook these days - The New Complete Cookbook again.

Some fantastic meals we've had lately
- the London broil steak, but done on the bbq. We did 1.5 pounds of meat instead of the 1 pound it called for. Took the 2 extra servings and sauteed with peppers the next night and had fajitas with WW tortilla shells, some light grated cheese, salsa and sour cream.

- Lemony Spring Vegetable Risotto
This was so good. Probably would have been better with fresh thyme, but we only had dried. Risotto is a bit 'hands on' prep-wise, but SO worth it.

-Barbeque Pork with Mop Sauce
If you are a pork lover, this is amazing. the hubby didn't believe that this was a WW recipe. If we weren't married, he would have proposed on the spot. :) the kids didn't care for it (too 'picy said one), but we liked it! The recipe says to use indirect heat on the bbq, and I had to google it. Apparently, it involves turning one bbq burner on, and putting the meat over the other burner, with a pan of water in the bbq - I used a small foil pan - and shut the lid. Simple as anything! Served with leftover risotto and salad. Yum!

I also made the Frozen Mango-Lime Mousse. Nice and tasty, and easy, if a bit higher in points than I would have hoped for.

not ignoring this!

I'm just ever so slightly off the wagon right now. The recent attempt of winter to return around here bummed me out enough to jump back into some comfort food, and then Easter arrived. I'm kicking myself back into gear and pulling out some new recipes. Hope to have some to share soon!

10 pounds!

10 pounds down. that is all. :)

My version of the WW no point veggie soup

I made some variations on the WW no point soup, and generally make up a big pot of it to last a few days. I will eat it most days for lunch, with some crackers. I like my soup to be more 'chunky' than 'soupy'.

1/2 cup or so sliced carrots
1/2 cup or so diced celery
saute them in a big pot with a good spray of cooking spray.
toss in some garlic (I keep minced garlic in my fridge, about a tsp is good)

after the veggies soften up a bit, I add in
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
3 or 4 cups low sodium chicken or veggie broth
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried oregano

then I throw in veggies.
maybe a cup, cup and a half of
-frozen peas, frozen beans
and for variety I may add in:
-chopped fresh spinach
-broccoli (fresh or frozen)

I simmer it for about 10 -15 minutes, until all the veggies are soft enough, but not mushy. Delicious! 0 points!! one cup is one serving of veggies too.

check out what I made!

California rolls!

Granted, some of the items needed for the recipe were picked up on a trip to the city, and I couldn't get wasabi in town. I still managed to get california rolls made. 4 pieces for 6 points...but I actually think it works out to be only 5 points for 4 pieces, as I'm skipping the dipping sauce, which contains oil.

This recipe is in the book posted below.

Crackers!

I *heart* good crackers. I'm a big fan of Stoned Wheat thins - 1 point for 4 of those bad boys. I was recently told about another yummy option. They are available at Extra Foods/Superstore - wherever they sell President's Choice stuff. It's the PC brand 7 Grain Rosemary & Onion crackers. 2 points for 3 of them - and they are pretty good-sized. Oh, but the flavour! Delicious, even for a known onion hater like me. ;)

Awesome cookbook

This is the cookbook that I'm pulling most of my dinner recipes from lately. It is fantastic! Even has a recipe for chocolate fondue. I'm really enjoying the variety of recipes in here.

roasted pepper dip!

I prepared this while on the phone with Mo yesterday...and I wish I could have shared it over the line! So good.

1 jar roasted red peppers, drained
2 tsp tomato paste
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
garlic - I use minced from the jar, so I think I used maybe a 1/2 tsp?

run through a food processor until texture you like. Great with crackers and veggies, and the recipe said it's good on baked potatoes too.

0 points for 1/4 cup

Stuffed Peppers

1/3 cup rice, cook with 2/3 cup water and dash salt.
4 bell peppers - red, yellow or orange
10 oz lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups V8
3 tbsp parmesan cheese
dash salt and pepper

-cook rice and cool
-slice off top of pepper and remove seeds
-combine ride, ground beef, 1/4 cup of V8, parmesan, salt and pepper in bowl.
-spoon mixture into peppers
-place peppers in large saucepan, pour remaining 1 1/4 cups V8 around peppers. place over medium-high heat, bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until beef is fully cooked (about 25 minutes). Serve with sauce. Really nice with a salad. 4 points per pepper

Crockpot Swiss Steak

not terribly exotic, but easy and low point.

2 cups sliced onion (or skip it if you are me)
1 cup each sliced carrot and celery
put into crock pot

2 tbsp flour, dash salt and pepper
mix in freezer bag

2 lbs boneless round steak - cut into 8 pieces
toss in flour mix, then brown in frying pan sprayed well with cooking spray or touch of oil. works well to do in 2 batches. then put in crockpot.

in mixing bowl, combine
1/2 cup beef broth
2 tbsp flour
14 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp dried thyme
then pour over steak

cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or high for 4-5. 8 servings 4 point/serving
I served with potatoes one night, and rice the next. With veggies, it brought the whole meal to 7 or 8 points, depending on how you do the potatoes.

I was in Staples the other week, just browsing, because I was in a store! Anyhow, bought myself a little day planner. Then I realized, what do I need a day planner for, I have a big calendar in my kitchen.

Ah-ha! My new journal!! It's a week-per-page planner, and it's perfect to use as a journal. It's small, portable, and I can track my progress on the extra pages for the address book. Nice, and so much easier to use than random sheets of paper in a binder (my old system).

How do you track your points?

If you're interested...

I've made up a little spreadsheet to calculate points and list faves. I've always been frustrated at having the nutritional info, but not being able to calculate. Let me know if you want a copy.

my favourite breakfast these days

I have been a big fan of oatmeal since my oldest child was born. Apparently, oatmeal helps with milk production, it's filling and it's low point. Oh, and I'm using maple syrup because I'm working darn hard at being off all refined sugars.

Here is my typical breakfast

1 cup water
dash salt

boil water and add in:
2/3 cup quick cooking oats (I don't like instant or slow cook oats)

and one of the following:
a small apple, chopped
or the equivalent to 1 point of chopped pear or canned peaches

Boil about 3 minutes, and let sit for a few more minutes to thicken up.
put into bowl and top with 1 tbsp of pure maple syrup

All together - 5 points! Filling and delicious.

Pizza!

We love pizza around here, and here is one I made that is very point-friendly.

Dough - makes 2 crusts, 8 servings
1 tsp quick rise yeast (make sure yours is fresher than mine *roll eyes*)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
2 tbsp cornmeal

In mixer or food processor, combine dry ingredients, then add in wet and mix until it forms a ball. Put into bowl sprayed with cooking spray, cover and let rise until it doubles in size (around 60 minutes). Divide dough in half, and roll into 2 balls and let rise for another 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 500. Prepare 2 pans with non-stick spray, dusted with 1 tbsp cornmeal. Roll out dough and place on pans. Bake for about 15 minutes.
4 points per serving - 1/4 of pizza.

Toppings!
Here is where it's fun! I did some tomato sauce with italian spices on the bottom. Then I did orange peppers, sun-dried tomatoes (not the ones in oil), mushrooms, fresh spinach. You could add just about any veggies you want to make it good. Then I did a cup of low fat mozzarella cheese shredded overtop, with a small sprinkle of parmesan.

For the whole thing, including topping - 6 points for 1/4 of a pizza. Yummy, and way better than frozen pizza!

What's for dinner?

Back on the WW wagon time. I've had a couple of good weeks, and I'm hoping to keep it up.

Figured this may be a good way to share some yummy, inspiring and easy recipes with others who are 'on the plan'. Especially to share recipes our kids (or partners, depending on who is the most picky) will eat.

Come and join in on the fun! What's for dinner at your house?