Tuesday, January 11, 2011

WW Chocolate Chip Clouds

Chocolate Chip Clouds
This recipe was adapted from Hershey's Kitchens
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 30 • Serving Size: 1 cookie • Old Points: 1 pt Points+: 1 pt
Calories: 53.7 • Fat: 2.2 g • Carb: 8.4 g • Fiber: 1.7 g • Protein: 1.1 g 
 

  • 9 tbsp egg whites (room temperature)
  • 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
Heat oven to 300°F. Cover cookie sheet with silpat or nonstick silicone pad.

Using a mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together in large bowl at high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar a little at a time, then vanilla, beating well after each addition until you get stiff peaks, the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is glossy.

Sift cocoa onto egg white mixture; gently fold until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Drop mixture by tablespoons onto cookie sheet. Makes 30 cookies.

Bake 35 to 45 minutes or just until dry. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely on wire rack. Store covered, at room temperature.

Creamy Cauliflower Purée

Creamy Cauliflower Purée
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 3/4 cup • Points: 1 pt
Calories: 60.7 • Fat: 2.4 g • Protein: 3.7 g • Carb: 8.6 g • Fiber: 4.2 g   
  • 1 medium head cauliflower, cut up into florets
  • 4 cloves crushed garlic
  • 1/3 cup 1% buttermilk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp light butter spread (I used Brummel and Brown)
Steam or boil cauliflower and garlic until soft. Drain, add buttermilk, light butter, salt, pepper and purée with a hand blender. If you don't own a hand blender, you should consider getting one. It is one of my most used gadgets in my kitchen, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. A regular blender would work fine as well.

Lighter Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Lighter Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 cup Old Points: 6 pts Points+: 7 pts
Calories: 296.67 • Fat: 9.7 g Protein: 15.8 g Carb: 34.5 g Fiber: 5.3 g 

  • 12 oz high fiber elbows like Ronzoni Smart Taste
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp light butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 2 cups skim milk
  • 1 cup fat free chicken broth
  • 8 oz Sargento 2% reduced fat mild cheddar
  • salt and pepper
  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • 1/8 cup grated parmesan
  • 1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
  • Pam butter flavored spray
Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Spray a baking dish with buttered flavor Pam. Preheat oven to 375°.

In a large, heavy skillet, melt butter. Add flour and cook over low heat stirring with a whisk. Add onion and cook another 2 minutes. Add milk and chicken broth and continue whisking, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil and becomes smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.

Once it becomes thick, remove from heat, add cheese and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked macaroni and baby spinach. Pour into baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more buttered flavor Pam on top.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, then broil for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs golden.

ww Low Fat Strawberry No-Bake Cheesecake

Low Fat Strawberry No-Bake Cheesecake
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 slice Points: 5 ww pts
Calories: 233.5 • Fat: 9.6 g Protein: 3.1 g Carb: 29.9 g Fiber: 1.5 g 
  • 8 oz Cool Whip Free
  • 8 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese
  • 9 inch reduced fat Graham Cracker Crust
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 12-14 strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise
In a large bowl, whip cream cheese, vanilla extract and sugar for a few minutes until fluffy. Add Cool Whip and whip until smooth. Spoon mixture into pie crust and chill for a few hours, until firm. Arrange strawberries on top and serve.

WW Chicken and White Bean Enchiladas with Creamy Green Chile Sauce

Chicken and White Bean Enchiladas with Creamy Green Chile Sauce
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 enchilada Old Points: 4 Points: 5
Calories: 230 • Fat: 7.3 g Protein: 20.4 g Carb: 28.7 g Fiber: 12.2 g 


Chicken and White Bean Filling:
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup minced white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
  • 15.5 oz can Navy beans (or Cannellini beans)
  • 8 oz cooked shredded chicken breast
  • 1/3 can water
  • 1 chicken bullion
  • 1 tsp cumin
Green Chile Enchilada Sauce:
  • 1 tsp butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped white onion
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 cup fat free chicken broth
  • 7 oz can chopped green chile
  • 2 jalapeños, chopped (I used jarred)
  • salt
  • 1/2 cup light sour cream
  • 3/4 cup reduced fat Mexican cheese
  • 8 medium low carb tortillas
  • chopped fresh cilantro or scallions (or both!)
Preheat oven to 375°.


For the Filling:
In a medium pan, heat olive oil on low. Add onions, garlic and saute until soft, about 2-3 minutes. Add green chiles, beans, water, bullion, and cumin. Mix well and cover. Simmer on low 15 minutes. Remove cover, add chicken and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until it thickens and liquid boils down. Set aside.

Green Chile Enchilada Sauce:
In a large nonstick pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and starts to turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add flour and stir well. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth. Whisk until the sauce becomes smooth. Cook over medium heat until the sauce boils and thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Add green chiles, jalepeños, and salt to tatse. Cook another minute then remove from the heat. Stir in the sour cream.

Spread about 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9x13" baking dish. Fill each tortilla with 1/3 cup of the chicken/white bean filling. Roll the tortillas and place seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Continue filling remainder of the tortillas.

Pour the enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Top with cheese. Cover with aluminum and bake 20-30 minutes, until the enchiladas are hot and the cheese is melted. Remove from oven and top with fresh cilantro or scallions.

WW Zucchini Pizza Bites

Zucchini Pizza Bites
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 1 • Serving Size: 4 pieces Old Points: 2 pts Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 124.8 Fat: 5.7 g Protein: 8.2 g Carb: 10.4 g Fiber: 3.0 g  
  • 4 slices large zucchini 1/4" thick (or 1 medium zucchini cut on diagnal)
  • Spray olive oil (I used my Misto)
  • 2 tbsp pizza sauce
  • 1/4 cup part skim mozzarella
  • salt and pepper
Cut zucchini about 1/4 inch thick. Spray both side lightly with oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil or grill for about 2 minute on each side. Top with sauce and cheese and broil for an additional minute or two. (Careful not to burn cheese)

Skinny Rice Krispies Treats

Skinny Rice Krispies Treats
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes 
Servings: 16 • Serving Size: 1 piece Points: 2 pts Points+: 2 pts
Calories: 84.4 Fat: 0.7 g Protein: 0.8 g Carb: 18.9 g Fiber: 0.0 g 
  • 2 tbsp light butter spread (I used Smart Balance Light)
  • 4 cups or 10 oz mini marshmallows
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies
  • cooking spray

Spray a 9x12-inch pan with cooking spray and set aside.  

Heat a large saucepan on low heat. Melt butter spread being sure to coat the bottom of the pot to prevent sticking. Add marshmallows and melt on low flame. Stir until completely melted, then remove from heat.

Add Rice Krispies to the melted marshmallows, and stir until completely combined (this is the hardest part, do this quick before the marshmallows cool). Press into the buttered pan with wax paper and cut them into 16 pieces.

WW Skinny Pumpkin Spiced Latte

Skinny Pumpkin Spiced Latte
Gina's Skinny Recipes
Servings: 2 • Serving Size: 1 latte • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 115.6 • Fat: 0.4 g • Protein: 6.6 g • Carb: 20.8 g • Fiber: 0.7 g   

Adapted from The Kitchn  

  • 1 1/2 cups fat free milk
  • 2 tbsp pumpkin butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 tsp sugar or sugar substitute (to taste) 
  • 1/4 cup of espresso (or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee works)
  • fat free whipped topping
  • pumpkin pie spice for topping
In a small pan combine milk, pumpkin butter and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until boiling. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth (or whisk well with a wire whisk)


Pour into two mugs, add the hot espresso and top with fat free whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie spice on top.

WW Skinny Artichoke Dip

Skinny Artichoke Dip
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes 
Servings: 10 • Serving Size: 1/4 cup • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 2 pts

Calories: 73.7 • Fat: 4.0 g • Carb: 4.8 g • Fiber: 0.7 g • Protein: 4.5 g



  • 13.75 oz artichoke hearts packed in water, drained
  • 2 tbsp chopped shallots
  • 1/4 cup fat free Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1/2 cup (2 oz) shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
  • salt and fresh pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp whole wheat bread crumbs
  • olive oil spray
Preheat oven to 400°.

In a small food processor, coarsely chop the artichoke hearts with the shallots.

Combine artichokes, yogurt, mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, mozzarella, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Place in an oven-proof dish and top with breadcrumbs. Lightly spray the crumbs with olive oil then bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes, until hot and cheese is melted. Serve right away.

Can be made one day in advance without the breadcrumbs and stored in the refrigerator before baking. Add breadcrumbs before baking. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

ww pumpkin pie dip

Pumpkin Pie Dip
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 12 Size: 1/2 cup • Old Points: 2 pts Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 102.9 • Fat: 0.1g • Protein: 1.8 g • Carb: 27.7 g • Fiber: 0.9 g

  • 15 oz can pumpkin
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar (Splenda would work too)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or more to taste)
  • 6 oz fat free Greek yogurt (I used Chiobani)
  • 8 oz cool whip free
  • cut up apples to dip (extra points)

Mix pumpkin with brown sugar, vanilla and spices, blend well. Mix in yogurt. Fold in cool whip and chill in refrigerator until ready to eat.
Makes about 6 cups.

WW Taco Dip

Skinny Taco Dip

Servings: 24 • Serving Size: 1/24th of dip Old Points: 1.5 pts Points+: 2 pts
Calories: 59.2 • Fat: 3.6 g Protein: 2.2 g Carb: 4.7 g Fiber: 0.6 g 
  • 8 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia cream cheese
  • 8 oz reduced fat sour cream
  • 16 oz jar mild salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
  • 2 large tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2.25 oz black olives,
In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, salsa and taco seasoning and mix well with an electric mixer. Spread on the bottom of a large shallow glass dish. Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese and black olives. Serve with baked tortilla chips.

WW Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Spinach Lasagna Rolls
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 9 • Serving Size: 1 roll • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 6 ww pts
Calories: 224.9 • Fat: 5.1 g • Fiber: 3.4 g • Protein: 13.0 g • Carbs: 31.5
  • 9 lasagna noodles, cooked
  • 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and completely drained
  • 15 oz fat free ricotta cheese (I like Polly-o)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • salt and fresh pepper
  • 32 oz tomato sauce
  • 9 tbsp (about 3 oz) part skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Ladle about 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking dish.

Place a piece of wax paper on the counter and lay out lasagna noodles. Make sure noodles are dry. Take 1/3 cup of ricotta mixture and spread evenly over noodle. Roll carefully and place seam side down onto the baking dish. Repeat with remaining noodles.

Ladle sauce over the noodles in the baking dish and top each one with 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese. Put foil over baking dish and bake for 40 minutes, or until cheese melts. Makes 9 rolls.

To serve, ladle a little sauce on the plate and top with lasagna roll.

WW Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 enchilada • Old Points: 3 pts Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 159.5
Fat: 5.9 g • Protein: 16.2 g • Carb: 17.8 g • Fiber: 8.3 g  

For the sauce:
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1-2 tbsp chipotle chilis in adobo sauce
  • 1-1/2 cups tomato sauce
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 3/4 cup fat free chicken broth
  • kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste
For the chicken:
  • 1 tsp vegetable oil
  • 8.5 oz (2 breast halves) cooked shredded chicken breast
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 2 large clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • kosher salt
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 8 (6-inch) reduced carb whole wheat flour tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded low fat Mexican cheese
  • Nonstick cooking spray
In a medium saucepan, spray oil and sauté garlic. Add chipotle chiles, chili powder, cumin, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic on low until soft, about 2 minutes. Add chicken, salt, cilantro, cumin, oregano, chili powder, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Spray a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick spray. Put 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each tortilla and roll it. Place on baking dish seam side down. Top with sauce and cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes. Top with low fat sour cream or scallions if you wish. (Extra points) Makes 8 enchiladas.

WW Shepard's Pie



Shepard's Pie, Lightened Up
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings:
Serving Size: 10.5 oz 
Old Points: 6 pts 
Points+: 7 pts
Calories: 290.5 
Fat: 11.1 g 
Protein: 16.8 g 
Carb: 31.5 g 
Fiber: 4.9 g   

Potatoes:
  • 1-1/2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, diced
  • 3/4 cup fat free chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp fat free sour cream
  • salt and pepper
  • paprika
Filling:
  • 1 lb 95% lean ground beef
  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced
  • 8 oz mushrooms, diced
  • 10 oz frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, peas, green beans, baby lima beans)
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 cup fat free beef broth
  • 2 tsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp freshly chopped rosemary leaves
  • 1 tsp freshly chopped thyme leaves
  • salt and pepper
Boil potatoes in water until cooked and soft. Drain and mash with chicken broth, sour cream, salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 400°.

In a large saute pan brown meat. Season with salt and pepper. When cooked, set aside on a plate. Discard any fat in the pan, add oil, onion and garlic and sauté on medium heat about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and celery and sauté another 3-4 minutes. Add flour, salt and pepper and mix well. Add frozen vegetables, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, chopped meat and mix well. Simmer on low about 5-10 minutes.

Spread the meat mixture on the bottom of a 11x7 glass baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes, using a fork to scrape the top to make ridges and sprinkle with paprika. Bake 20 minutes or until potatoes turn golden. Remove from oven and let it cool 10-15 minutes before serving.

WW Taco Chili



There is nothing like a lazy Sunday when you have a meal cooking all day in the crock pot and the aroma of food is in the air, or coming home from work on a weeknight and having dinner ready when you get home. I love my slow cooker and this chicken chili is a delicious, low point, high fiber meal. It's so easy to make and it is great over rice, with multi-grain chips, topped with low fat cheddar cheese or low fat sour cream. This makes a lot and it is even better the next day for lunch!

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili
 Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 10 
Size: 1 1/4 cups 
Old Points: 3 pts
Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 203.7
Fat: 1.4 g
Carb: 33.3 g 
Fiber: 10.0 g  
Protein: 16.9 g
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 16-oz can black beans
  • 1 16-oz can kidney beans
  • 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
  • 10 oz package frozen corn kernels
  • 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 24 oz (3-4) boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • chili peppers, chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream (extra points).

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

4 cups of washed spinach
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
4 cups low sodium veggie broth
28 oz canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 T dried basil
1 t dried oregano
1/2 t red pepper flakes

Put all ingredients in crockpot on high for 5 hours.  Remove bay leaves.