LaaLoosh » Mexican

White Chicken Chili Recipe – 5 Points +

LaaLoosh — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:13:15 +0000

photo credit: incredifood

This low calorie White Chicken Chili recipe has been one of my go to Weight Watchers Recipes whenever I need a quick and healthy dinner idea that can be ready in a pinch. To save time, I usually buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store, peel the skin off the breasts and then shred the breast meat. It’s a super easy chili to prepare and has just 5 Points + for a 1 1/4 cup serving. Sometimes, I’ll add a few of my favorite crumbled Reduced Fat Organic Tortilla Chips. Loaded with delicious spices and packed with protein, it’s the perfect, spicy chili for a cold Fall or Winter night!

White Chicken Chili Recipe

Tasty and hearty, this low calorie White Chicken Chili Recipe is not only an easy dish to make, it has just 5 Points + per serving, making it a great idea for a healthy Weight Watchers dinner.

Ingredients

8 oz cooked skinless chicken breast, shredded
2 15-ounce cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
2 4-ounce cans chopped green chiles
4 cups fat free chicken broth
1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
2 limes, juiced
1 tsp canola oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
3 tbsp reduced fat sour cream
1 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat.
Add garlic and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in chiles, jalepenos, cumin, coriander, chili powder and salt & pepper.Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
Add in beans and broth; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
Mix in chicken, lime juice and cilantro and cook for 5 minutes more.
Dollop each serving with 1/2 tbsp sour cream.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 40 minute(s)

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 6

Culinary tradition: USA (Traditional)

Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is 1 ¼ cups
Each serving = 5 Points +

PER SERVING: 223 calories; 3 g fat; 20 g carbohydrates; 29 g protein; 6 g fiber

Trader Joe’s Low Calorie Queso Cheese Dip – 0 Points Plus

LaaLoosh — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:05:33 +0000

Man, I love Trader Joe’s….what did I ever do before this store existed? Just recently, I was spotted their Trader Joe’s Queso Cheese Dip on the shelf, and was REALLY craving some. I almost walked away, assuming that it’d be super fattening and way too many Points Plus, but I decided to pick it up and just have a look. Well I’m sure glad I did!!! I was BLOWN AWAY by what I saw on the nutritional label…each 2 tbsp serving has 0 Points Plus!!! That’s right, people…ZERO POINTS PLUS!!! And it tastes really good! So if you’ve got a craving for some cheesy nachos made with Queso Dip, Trader Joe’s, once again, is the place to go. I just bought about 10 jars of this stuff! Perfect for a quick and easy low calorie game day dip too…no one will have any idea that it’s low calorie. P.S. Check out the nutritional stats…

Trader Joe’s Low Calorie Queso Cheese Dip

With a bold cheesy flavor and a spicy kick, it’s hard to believe this queso dip has 0 Points Plus. But joy to the world…it does. And by the way, did I mention that you can eat the WHOLE JAR for 5 Points Plus!??!? Oh Em Gee. I’m in love.
The nutritional information on this dip is beyond amazing….take a look….

Entire package has 11 servings
Serving size is 2 tbsp
Each serving = 0 Points Plus

PER SERVING: 15 calories; 0.5 g fat; 3 g carbohydrates; 0 g protein; 0 g fiber

So run…don’t walk to your nearest Trader Joe’s and pick some up, ASAP!

Shrimp Enchilada Casserole Recipe – 7 Points +

LaaLoosh — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:00:01 +0000

photo credit: kaboodle

Looking for a quick and easy summer casserole recipe that won’t use up a lot of Daily Weight Watchers Points Plus allowance? Well this delicious Shrimp Enchilada Casserole Recipe will definitely fit the bill. Full of fiber and protein, each satisfying serving is just 7 Points +, and is a wonderful healthy dinner idea that the whole family can enjoy. Classic enchilada flavors are combined with low calorie shrimp and bulked up with fresh vegetables in this low points plus casserole, and the end result is pretty darn tasty. It doesn’t take too long to throw together, which makes it a great choice when you need a quick and easy weeknight dinner idea that’s also Weight Watchers friendly. So get those casserole dishes out, folks!!

Shrimp Enchilada Casserole Recipe

A healthy and low calorie casserole that tastes great and has just 7 Points + for a nicely sized serving? Yes, please! This Shrimp Enchilada Casserole is a great idea for a quick, low fat dinner in a pinch. It tastes fantastic and is loaded with good for you ingredients too.

Ingredients

1 lb peeled cooked shrimp, tails removed, diced
12 corn tortillas
2 4-ounce cans chopped green chiles, (not drained)
2 cups canned green enchilada sauce
1 cup red onion, diced
1 cup fresh tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 cup zucchini, diced
1 15-ounce can black beans
1 cup reduced-fat Mexican-style cheese blend, shredded
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Spray a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with non-fat cooking spray.
Combine shrimp, zucchini, tomatoes, chiles, onions, and 1/2 cup enchilada sauce in a microwave-safe medium bowl. Cover and microwave on High until heated through, about 2 1/2 minutes.
Spread 1/4 cup enchilada sauce in the prepared baking dish. Top with a layer of 6 overlapping tortillas. Spread black beans evenly over the tortillas.
Top the beans with the shrimp mixture, followed by the remaining 6 tortillas. Pour the remaining sauce over the tortillas. Cover with foil.
Bake the casserole until it begins to bubble on the sides, about 20 minutes.
Remove the foil; sprinkle cheese on top. Continue baking until heated through and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes more.
Top with cilantro, cut into 6 equally sized portions, and serve.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 30 minute(s)

Diet type: Pescatarian

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 6

Culinary tradition: Mexican

Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is 1/6th of casserole
Each serving = 7 Points +

PER SERVING: 277 calories; 5 g fat ; 34 g carbohydrates; 27 g protein; 8 g fiber

Chicken Breasts with Chile Coconut Cream Sauce Recipe – 4 Points +

LaaLoosh — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:00:03 +0000

There are just too many yummy words in the title of this low calorie chicken recipe to keep me from salivating as I type it. This DELICIOUS Chicken Breasts with Chile Coconut Cream Sauce tastes so amazingly good, it’s hard to believe that each serving has just 4 Points +. For some additional bulk to this meal, try serving it over some a small serving of brown rice (for additional Points Plus) or some Zero Calorie Orzo (for NO additional Points Plus) and let the Coconut Chile Cream sauce do it’s job. This summer chicken recipe makes such a light, and deliciously creamy meal idea with refreshing new flavors that will excite your palate, but still keep you on track to reaching your weight loss goals!

Chicken Breasts with Chile Coconut Cream Sauce Recipe

A new and excitingly flavorful low calorie chicken recipe that makes a fantastic summer meal idea. These delicious Chicken Breasts with Chile Coconut Cream Sauce are not only incredibly tasty, each serving has just 4 Points +. What a unique low calorie dinner idea to spice up the menu!

Ingredients

6 4oz chicken breasts
2 cups light coconut milk, canned
1/2 cup fat free chicken broth
1 cup roasted green chiles, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
6 scallions, sliced, white and green parts separated
Zest from 1 lime
4 clove garlics, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper

Instructions

Combine coconut milk, lime zest, broth, green chiles, scallion whites, cilantro, garlic, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook the mixture until reduced by half, 20 to 30 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender or puree in a blender until smooth.
Sprinkle chicken with the remaining salt. Spray a large nonstick skillet with non-fat cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. Cook half the chicken until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Cook the remaining chicken until browned.
Add the first batch of chicken back to the pan. Pour in the sauce and cook at a low simmer, turning occasionally, until all the chicken is cooked through and tender, 4 to 7 minutes.
Remove from the heat and transfer the chicken to a serving platter.
Sprinkle with the reserved scallion greens.

Preparation time: 20 minute(s)

Cooking time: 45 minute(s)

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 6

Culinary tradition: Mexican

Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is 1 chicken breast with about ½ cup sauce
Each serving = 4 Points +

PER SERVING: 189 calories; 6 g fat ; 3 g carbohydrates; 27 g protein; 1 g fiber

Steak Burrito Recipe – 8 Points +

LaaLoosh — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:10:11 +0000

Looking for a quick and easy low calorie dinner for two? Try this DELICIOUS Steak Burrito Recipe, and enjoy it without feeling any guilt. Each burrito has just 8 Points +, which is pretty good, considering most traditional Mexican burrito recipes are about 30-something Points+ and super high in fat and calories. And this slimmed down version comes with all the bells and whistles too – sour cream, guacamole, steak, beans and rice. It’s LOADED with fiber and protein, and lower in carbohydrates and fat. If you are feeling the need for a steak burrito, but don’t want to go overboard on your Points +, give this low Points recipe a try! Though it’s not an official one of Weight Watchers Mexican Food Recipes, it’ll help any dieter feel satisfied, while still staying on track to reach their weight loss goals.

Steak Burrito Recipe

This healthier version of a Mexican Burrito Recipe, still has all the fixin’s, but a lot less fat and calories. It’s very filling and is a great way to satisfy your craving for Mexican food without going off track of your daily Weight Watchers Points Plus Allowance.

Ingredients

2 La Tortilla Factory Smart & Delicious 100 Calorie Tortillas
6 ounces strip steak, trimmed and thinly sliced
3/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp instant brown rice
1/4 cup prepared fresh salsa
1/4 cup water
Juice from 1 lime, freshly squeezed
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tbsp prepared guacamole
1/4 cup red onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp reduced fat sour cream

Instructions

Combine salsa and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Stir in rice, reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 5 minutes.
Stir in beans, return to a simmer and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes more.
Meanwhile, sprinkle steak with salt & pepper. Spray a medium skillet with non-fat cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. Add steak and onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.
To assemble, divide the steak & onions among the tortillas and squeeze ½ of the lime over each. Then top with equal amounts of sour cream, guacamole, cilantro and the rice mixture. Roll each tortilla up into a burrito.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 20 minute(s)

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced carbohydrate, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 2

Culinary tradition: Mexican

Entire recipe makes 2 servings
Serving size is 1 burrito
Each serving = 8 Points +

PER SERVING: 364 calories; 11g fat ; 28 g carbohydrates; 36 g protein; 10 g fiber

Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos Recipe – 7 Points +

LaaLoosh — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:19:02 +0000

photo credit: the homesick texan

No matter how healthy I eat, I will NEVER stop loving Mexican Food. There’s something about a greasy, messy taco that just gets me all excited. But, if I want to stay on track with my weight loss goals, those greasy tacos, and all my other favorite Mexican recipes are only to be indulged in very very rarely. So, to get my fix in the meantime, I make this delicious Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos Recipe, which have 7 Points + for 2 tacos. They are very nicely sized and full of fabulous flavor, so it helps to keep me feeling deprived. My family also loves them, so they make a great healthy weeknight dinner idea too.And I love that they are so quick and easy to prepare. When I’m feeling ambitious, I like to make my own salsa, and use that instead of the pre-made, jarred kind and it tastes SO much more fresh and flavorful. If you are a taco fiend, these delicious low calorie chicken tacos will surely become a staple on your menu!

Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos Recipe

Full of flavor and zing, these low calorie Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos are a dieting Mexican food lover’s best friend. Get your fix for tacos with this healthy chicken taco recipe and feel satidfied…not deprived. Each 2 taco serving has just 7 Points +!

Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
8 corn tortillas
1 large red onion, sliced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
Juice from one lime
1 tsp lime zest
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp ground cumin
1/2 tbsp ground chili chipotle
1/2 cup salsa (the kind in a jar or fresh is fine)
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Sliced scallions and chopped fresh tomatoes for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300°F. Wrap tortillas in foil and bake until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.
Season chicken with salt, pepper and cumin. Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonfat cooking spray and place over high heat until very hot.
Add chicken and cook, stirring until browned on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover with lime juice.
Reduce heat to medium and add spray skillet again with the nonfat cooking spray. Add onion and cook, stirring, until they start to become transparent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add bell pepper, lime zest, garlic, jalapeño and chili chipotle. Cook, stirring, until peppers are bright green but still crisp, 2 to 3 minutes more.
Stir in salsa and reserved chicken. Cook, stirring, until chicken is heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro. Spoon into warmed tortillas and garnish with scallions, tomatoes.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 20 minute(s)

Diet (other): Reduced fat, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: lunch

Culinary tradition: Mexican

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is 2 tacos
Each serving = 7 Points +

PER SERVING: 263 calories; 3g fat; 30 g carbohydrates; 32 g protein; 5 g fiber

Watermelon Slush Recipe – 2 Points +

LaaLoosh — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:07:58 +0000

Here’s another delicious, low calorie slush recipe that’ll keep you cool and satisfied this summer. Light and refreshing, this Watermelon Slush is not only amazingly yummy, it has just 2 Points + per serving, and is a much healthier snack option than a milkshake or even yogurt smoothie. It’s so easy to make and is perfect when you are craving something cool and sweet, but don’t want to use a lot of your Weight Watchers PointsPlus. And my husband and toddler LOVED it! I’m actually planning on making these for my Memorial Day BBQ this year, and I’m pretty confident that they’ll be a hit with everyone.

Watermelon Slush Recipe

A delicious and easy low calorie drink recipe that’s perfect for summer BBQ’s and poolside afternoons! Treat the whole family to a cool and refreshing watermelon slush for just 2 Points + each, instead of a milkshake or smoothie, and save a ton of sugar and calories.

Ingredients

4 cups watermelon, chopped
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp sugar
1 cup ice cubes
1 cup water

Instructions

Put all ingredients in a blender and use the chop setting for about 10-15 seconds, then use the puree setting for about another 15 seconds.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Cooking time:

Diet type: Vegan

Diet (other): Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: cocktail

Culinary tradition: USA (General)

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is about 1 1/2 cup
Each serving = 2 Points +

PER SERVING: 58 calories; 0g fat; 14 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber

Vegetarian Taco Salad Recipe – 6 Points +

LaaLoosh — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:51:39 +0000

If you’ve got a hankering for some tasty Mexican food, but don’t want to blow your daily Points Plus allowance on the typical taco “salad” that you’ll find, laden with fat and calories, at your favorite Mexican restaurant, then try this slimmed down version – a Vegetarian Taco Salad Recipe. Loaded with fiber, protein, Vitamin C, and tons of good for you ingredients, this healthy salad recipe packs a lot of punch, but has just 6 Points + per serving. It’s so incredibly satisfying, which is extremely difficult for a salad to accomplish, so it serves as a great WW main dish recipe for dinner or lunch. So if you like your Mexican food sans meat, then this Vegetarian Taco Salad recipe is a must try! Carnivores, click HERE for my super, oh-so yummy, Beef Taco Salad Recipe or click HERE for my rockin’ and squawkin’ Chicken Taco Salad Recipe. Enjoy!

Vegetarian Taco Salad Recipe

Ingredients:
- 3 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup cooked long-grain brown rice
- 1 15-ounce can black, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels or frozen, thawed
- 1 large red onion, chopped
- 4 large tomatoes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- juice from 1 fresh squeezed lime
- 1/2 cup fresh salsa
- ½ cup reduced fat sour cream
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cups reduced fat tortilla chips, broken up into pieces

Directions:
Spray a large nonstick skillet, with nonfat cooking spray and set over medium heat. Add garlic, onion and corn; cook, stirring, until the onion begins to brown, about 3-5 minutes. Coarsely chop 1 tomato. Add it to the pan along with rice, beans, cumin, chili powder, and salt & pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the tomato cooks down, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Coarsely chop the remaining 3 tomatoes. Combine with cilantro, lime juice, salsa in a medium bowl.
Toss cabbage and lettuce in a large bowl with the bean mixture, and salsa mixture. Serve dolloped with approx 1 tbsp of sour cream and sprinkled with tortilla chips.

Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is 1 ½ cups each
Each serving = Points +

PER SERVING: 247 calories; 5 g fat; 40 g carbohydrates; 14 g protein; 9 g fiber

Trader Joe’s Organic Reduced Guilt Tortilla Chips – 3 Points Plus

LaaLoosh — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 01:38:10 +0000

Well, Trader Joe’s does it again….another Fabulous Food Find hails from good ol’ reliable TJ’s. Their Organic Reduced Guilt Tortilla Chips have just 3 PointsPlus for about 14 chips. Now, I know that there are a lot of low fat tortilla chips out there with some great nutritional stats, but none taste quite as good as these. Plus they are organic! And while they are 40% lower in fat than most regular tortilla chips, they still pack great flavor and crunch.

Trader Joe’s Organic Reduced Guilt Tortilla Chips

With just 5 items on the ingredient list, not only are you getting a great tasting snack that’s low in Weight Watcher PointsPlus, but you are eating something that is natural and unprocessed with no preservatives and nothing artificial. Quite a bargain for just 3 Points Plus. Perfect with salsa, dips, nacho fixins, or your favorite Weight Watchers Guacamole Recipe, you can have your chips and eat them too!

Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value = 3

PER SERVING: 120 calories; 4g fat; 19g carbohydrates; 2g protein; 1g fiber

Roasted Corn Salsa Recipe – 4 Points +

LaaLoosh — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 01:04:43 +0000

This year, don’t be the one who puts out that crappy, jarred salsa at your Super Bowl Party….instead, try this quick and easy Roasted Corn Salsa Recipe. It’s colorful, amazingly flavorful, and definitely a change of pace. Granted, corn is the base for this salsa, so it will have some calories and carbs, but for just 4 Points +, you get a HUGE, heaping, full cup serving! Sometimes, I just forgo the chips and eat this by itself as a side salad. My husband LOVES it. It’s so easy to make, and it’s so much more flavorful and impressive than typical salsas. This is one more WW Super Bowl Recipe that should make it to your table this year!

Roasted Corn Salsa Recipe – 4 Points +

Ingredients:
- 4 cups corn kernels (I used frozen)
- 1 medium sized red bell pepper, diced
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped and seeded
- 1 4-ounce can chopped mild green chilies
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion
- 1 tsp fresh jalapeno, finely minced
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:
Heat a dry cast-iron skillet over medium heat until hot. Add corn and bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, 12 to 15 minutes.
Transfer to a large bowl and mix in remaining ingredients. Let stand for 30 minutes before serving.

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is 1 cup
Each serving = 4 Points +

PER SERVING: 158 calories; 2g fat; 32g carbohydrates; 7g protein; 7g fiber