LaaLoosh » Soul Food

Bacon Collard Greens Recipe – 2 Points +

LaaLoosh — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:32:21 +0000

Shamefully, I have to admit that this was my first attempt ever at cooking collard greens. I was always curious, but just didn’t think that cooked greens could actually taste good. I don’t think I could have been more wrong. Not only was this Bacon Collard Greens Recipe to die for delicious, it has become one of my absolute most favorite Weight Watchers Recipes. My husband and I gobbled this dish down like it was a hot fudge brownie sundae. Yes, it was that good. We completely forgot about the main dish recipe that night and just tore up these Bacon Collard Greens like there was no tomorrow. If you are looking for a fantastic vegetable recipe that will help you get your greens in, what better way is there to eat them than cooking them with bacon!?? Seriously…go get the ingredients, and make this ASAP. And at just 2 Points + per serving, it’s the perfect low calorie side dish recipe to compliment your favorite Southern meal!

Bacon Collard Greens Recipe

Amazingly full of flavor, this low Points side dish of Bacon Collard Greens will certainly satisfy your Southern appetite without sacrificing your waistline. Each serving is just 2 Points + and it tastes wonderful!

Ingredients

1 pound fresh collard greens, chopped
6 slices extra lean turkey bacon (like the kind from Jennie-O)
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups fat free chicken broth
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 pinch red pepper flakes

Instructions

Spray a large nonstick pot or skillet with nonfat cooking spray and set over medium-high heat.
Add bacon, and cook until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and set aside to cool.
Re-spray the pan with a bit of the nonfat cooking spray and then add in the onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic, and cook until just fragrant.
Add collard greens, and fry until they start to wilt.
Pour in chicken broth, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Chop or crumble the cooled bacon and add it into the pot.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until greens are tender.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 20 minute(s)

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

Number of servings (yield): 4

Culinary tradition: USA (Southern)

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

PER SERVING: 70 calories; 1g fat; 8g carbohydrates; 10g protein; 4g fiber

Light Seafood Gumbo Recipe – 4 Points +

LaaLoosh — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:54 +0000

photo credit: gourmet.com

If you want to indulge in a huge, 2 cup serving of a traditional Seafood Gumbo Recipe for just 4 Points +, you came to the right place today! Loaded with all the well-loved flavors of a Louisiana Gumbo, this light and healthy version skips a lot of excess fat and calories while still maintaining an amazing taste. With shrimp and crab being so low calorie and high in protein, it wasn’t too hard to make this a Weight Watchers friendly recipe. As with all traditional gumbos, the base is a roux that is slowly browned, and adds wonderful texture and flavor to the dish.

Light Seafood Gumbo Recipe

This delicious, low calorie Seafood Gumbo is an African influence to Louisiana cuisine, and is incredibly filling, for just 4 Points + per serving. Serve this hearty dish as any low calorie lunch or dinner and enjoy its fresh and fabulous flavors.

Ingredients

1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and de-veined
1/2 lb lump crabmeat
1/2 lb okra, thinly sliced
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 large celery stalks, chopped
1 large green pepper, seeded and chopped
3 cups fat free vegetable broth
3 bay leaves
4 garlic cloves, mined
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
2 tbsp light butter
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

Spray a large, non-stick skillet with with non-fat cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. Add in garlic okra, bell pepper, onions, and celery. Cook until veggies are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
Make the roux by adding the butter to the skillet, and then add in the flour; stir until blended. Continue to cook, stirring constantly until the flour is well browned, but not burned, about 8-10 minutes.
Slowly drizzle in the broth into the skillet, continuously stirring to remove lumps, and bring to a slow simmer. Add in the thyme, bay leaves, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and tomatoes.
Add the cooked vegetables back into the skillet and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Stir in the shrimp and crabmeat and simmer until shrimp are cooked, about 3-5 minutes.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 30 minute(s)

Diet type: Pescatarian

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

Number of servings (yield): 4

Culinary tradition: USA (Southern)

*For added bulk without adding any additional calories or Points +, try stirring in some 0 calorie Okra from Miracle Noodle!

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

PER SERVING: 186 calories; 3 g fat; 15 g carbohydrates; 26 g protein; 4 g fiber

Quick & Easy Chicken Gumbo Recipe – 4 Point Total

LaaLoosh — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:49:19 +0000

In the mood for some traditional soul food recipes that don’t take hours to prepare and are low in Point Total? Well this delicious, quick and easy Chicken Gumbo Recipe is sure to make you smile. Get your New Orleans grub on and use up only a 4 Point Total for a serving that’s 1 1/2 cups!! Not bad! Plus, it’s loaded with veggies and protein, so it ends up being pretty darn healthy too. Just by making a few small changes, you can enjoy this classic southern dish, for a lot less points! And though this is not and official Weight Watchers Gumbo Recipe, this is definitely a dish for all dieters to enjoy.

Low Calorie Chicken Gumbo Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 16 oz package frozen gumbo-style vegetables(okra, peppers, onions, etc)
- 12 oz grilled chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
- 2 ribs celery,chopped
- 1 4oz can of mild chilies
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced
- 29 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Creole Seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp all-purpose, whole wheat flour

** For an even more traditional version, add in some Miracle Noodle Orzo to substitute for rice for 0 additional Points!!!

Directions:
Spray a large skillet with nonfat cooking spray. Add garlic, celery and veggies and sauté over high heat, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes. Add in flour and cook 1 minute more. Stir in tomatoes, chicken, bay leaf, salt, pepper and Creole seasoning. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently for about 6-7 minutes.

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is 1 ½ cups
Each serving = 4 Point Total

Cornbread Recipe – 3 Point Total

LaaLoosh — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:56:11 +0000

Tasty cornbread recipes are pretty easy to come by. But tasty low calorie ones aren’t always so easy. The ones I did try were bland or dry and just didn’t make the cut. So, after some experimentation, I managed to come up with an easy cornbread recipe that tastes great and has just a 3 Point Total per serving. And though it’s not an official Weight Watchers Corn Bread Recipe, anyone who is following the Weight Watchers Program will appreciate this low calorie version!

Cornbread Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked cornmeal, yellow
- 1 14oz can of creamed corn
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 packets of Splenda sweetener
- 1 tsp table salt
- 1/2 cup reduced fat buttermilk
- 2 large egg whites
- 2 tsp corn oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat an 8-inch square cake pan with non-fat cooking spray (I prefer the butter flavored kind).
Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, Splenda, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Mix well with a fork and set aside. Combine creamed corn, buttermilk, egg whites and oil in a medium bowl; mix until blended. Fold mixture into dry ingredients and blend. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely. Cut into 8 squares.

Entire recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size is 1 square
Each serving = 3 Point Total

Chicken Jambalaya Recipe – 7 Point Value

LaaLoosh — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:29:03 +0000

If you love Mardi Gras recipes as much as I do, you’ll love this Weight Watchers Chicken Jambalaya Recipe! It’s the perfect meal to serve at any Mardi Gras feast, and it has just 7 Weight Watchers Points per serving, so you can enjoy yourself, while still staying on track with your weight loss plan. This a super easy recipe to make, and it still has all the flair of the traditional jambalaya recipe – just less fat and calories, making it lower in Weight Watcher Points. Packed with fiber and protein, this favorite New Orleans Recipe will fill you up without filling you with guilt. Give it a try and enjoy!

Weight Watchers Chicken Jambalaya Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 spray non fat cooking spray
- 2 1/2 oz raw turkey sausage, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 medium celery, stalk, chopped
- 1 small green pepper, chopped
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp table salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
- 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium chicken breast, cooked, skinless, cubed (about 2 cups)
- 28 oz canned tomatoes, whole, plum, peeled with juice
- 2 cups fat-free chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked white rice, long-grain

Directions:
Coat a large, nonstick saucepan with cooking spray. Over high heat, sauté sausage until crispy on edges. Add onion, celery and green pepper; sauté until tender.
Reduce heat and stir in cayenne, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic; sauté until garlic is fragrant.
Stir in chicken, tomatoes, broth and rice. Bring to a simmer, cover and let cook until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
Flavor Booster: Popcorn rice, a specialty of Louisiana, is a delicious substitute for long-grain rice. The rice, which has a mild nutty taste like basmati rice, is available through gourmet food stores and Internet specialty shops

Serving size is 1 1/4 cups
Each serving = 7 Weight Watchers Points