LaaLoosh » Christmas

Goat Cheese and Fig Muffins Recipe – 5 Points +

LaaLoosh — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:35:08 +0000

photo credit: delish

Need a healthy idea for something to serve on Christmas morning? Well these amazingly delicious Goat Cheese and Fig Muffins are not only tasty and festive, they are just 5 Points + each. Each healthy fig muffin is stuffed with a rich, creamy honey and goat cheese filling. They are moist and fluffy, and oh-so yummy! The combination of the sweet figs and honey combined with the tangy goat cheese make for a wonderfully decadent treat. These yummy muffins also make a great gift to bake for your friend, neighbor, or child’s teacher!

Goat Cheese and Fig Muffins Recipe

Make a batch of these healthy Goat Cheese and Fig Muffins for Sunday morning, and then enjoy one for breakfast all week long. They’d also make a great Christmas morning breakfast recipe idea!

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/4 cups chopped dried figs
1 cup crumbled goat cheese at room temp
1/2 cup liquid egg substitute (like Eggbeaters)
1 large egg white
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup low fat buttermilk
1/3 cup canned pure pumpkin
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Line 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups with paper liners or coat with non-fat cooking spray.
Thoroughly combine goat cheese, honey, lemon zest and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a small bowl. Set aside.
Whisk flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
In another bowl, beat liquid egg substitute and egg white; add brown sugar and the remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla and whisk until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in buttermilk and pumpkin until smooth.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined; don’t mix too much.
Fold in figs.
Spoon half the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
Add 1 teaspoon of the reserved cheese filling to the center of each muffin, and cover with the remaining batter.
Bake the muffins until the edges start to brown and the tops spring back when gently pressed, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 20 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegetarian

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat

Number of servings (yield): 12

Culinary tradition: USA (General)

Entire recipe makes 12 muffins
Serving size is 1 muffin
Each serving = 5 Points +

PER SERVING: 200 calories; 3g fat; 38g carbohydrates; 7g protein; 3g fiber

Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe – 2 Points +

LaaLoosh — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:09:45 +0000

Since I cannot stop fantasizing about cookies lately, I decided to try out this recipe for Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, and I am SO glad I did! The original version uses regular, chunky peanut butter, but I decided to use my favorite peanut butter substitute – Better’n Peanut Butter, so that I could eat more cookies for less Points. It worked out really well, and the end result was a deliciously sweet and satisfying treat that will for sure be on my tray of Chrismukkah Cookies this year! I use the term Chrismukkah because I celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah, which means more presents and yummy food!! Each cookie is just 2 Points +, which isn’t bad considering how rich and flavorful they are. I’m satisfied with eating just two or three of them, and I don’t go overboard. So if you are looking for another great Christmas cookie that won’t blow all your Weight Watchers Points, then this Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is a must try. I mean, really, does it get any better than peanut butter and chocolate together in a moist and chewy cookie? No, it doesn’t. So get yourself to the kitchen pronto and whip up some of these low calorie Christmas cookies ASAP!

Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Get your chocolate-peanut butter craving satisfied quickly, with these moist and chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. Sweet and rich, they pack a big peanut butter punch for just 2 Points +.

Ingredients

1 cup Better’n Peanut Butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup liquid egg substitute
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup Turbinado sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
4 tbsp fat free plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Beat Better n’ Peanut Butter, oil, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until the sugars are blended. Beat in egg substitute, yogurt and vanilla until combined.
Whisk flour, cocoa, oats, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture until blended. (It will be sticky.) Stir in chocolate and peanut butter chips.
Using a small cookie scoop or slightly rounded tablespoons of dough, place cookies 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheets.
Dip the bottom of a glass in water and then in Turbinado sugar. Use the sugared glass to flatten the cookies slightly, leaving a thin layer of sugar on top, re-wetting the glass as needed.
Bake the cookies in batches until they are just set and the tops appear cracked, 8 to 10 minutes. (Do not over-bake or they will be dry.)
Cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Quick Notes

Turbinado sugar is a coarse looking sugar and is light brown in color. Find it in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets or at natural-foods stores.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 10 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegetarian

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate

Number of servings (yield): 36

Culinary tradition: USA (General)

Entire recipe makes 3 dozen
Serving size is 1 cookie
Each serving = 2 Points +

PER SERVING: 96 calories; 3g fat; 12 g carbohydrates; 3g protein; 1 g fiber

Sage and Sausage Cornbread Stuffing Recipe – 6 Points +

LaaLoosh — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:56:04 +0000

Christmas will be here before you know it, so it’s time to start thinking about that fabulous holiday dinner! Instead of the stuffing I make for Thanksgiving, I like to shake things up and serve this Sage and Sausage Cornbread stuffing recipe instead. Inspired by Ina Garten’s Cornbread Stuffing, the unique flavor combination is amazing and it’s made with delicious ingredients that are quite satisfying at 6 Points + per 1 cup serving. It goes great as a side dish with a roast turkey, chicken or Christmas ham. Put this decadent Christmas Cornbread Stuffing recipe on your dinner table this year and your family and friends will enjoy an amazing meal without even knowing that it’s a healthier version.

Sage and Sausage Cornbread Stuffing Recipe

Looking for a tasty Christmas Stuffing Recipe that the family will love, but will still keep you on track to meeting your Weight Watchers goals? Well this healthier version of the Barefoot Contessa’s Sage and Sausage Cornbread Stuffing Recipe is not only delicious, it’s just 6 Points + per serving.

Ingredients

1 3/4 lbs prepared cornbread, cut into small cubes
1 lb sweet Italian lean turkey sausage, casings removed
1 1/2 cups water
1 large chicken bouillon cube
1 tbsp light butter
2 cups finely chopped onion
1 cup mushrooms, chopped
2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored and large-diced
2 cups finely chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
Cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring and breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 10 minutes.
Add apple, mushroom, onion and celery; cover, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add cornbread, parsley and sage.
Bring water to a simmer in a small saucepan and add in the butter and bouillon.
Pour 1 cup over the stuffing mixture and toss gently (the cornbread will break into smaller pieces). Add as much of the remaining broth as needed, 1/2 cup at a time, until the stuffing feels moist but not wet. Spoon the stuffing into the prepared pan and cover with foil.
Bake the stuffing until thoroughly heated, about 25 minutes. Serve warm.

Preparation time: 20 minute(s)

Cooking time: 45 minute(s)

Diet tags: Reduced fat

Number of servings (yield): 12

Culinary tradition: USA (Southern)

Entire recipe makes 12 servings
Serving size is 1 cup
Each serving = 6 Points +

PER SERVING: 238 calories; 8 g fat; 32 g carbohydrates; 12 g protein; 3 g fiber

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe – 1 Point +

LaaLoosh — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:08:03 +0000

photo credit: heyhoneyimhome

Truly an amazing seasonal drink, this Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe is a real treat at just 1 Points + per serving! Creamy, pumpkin-y and everything you’d expect, and it still has the whipped cream. I love the popular coffee shop version, but I’d rather save myself the $$ and the extra Points, as Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe has about 300 calories and 11 g of fat, making it 8 Points +. Yikes. This is a great drink to serve at your favorite fall holiday party, or to just enjoy yourself at anytime of the year!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Treat yourself to a low calorie version of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, and indulge in the fabulous flavors of fall for just 1 Points +. It’s the perfect low calorie holiday latte recipe to enjoy this season!

Ingredients

2 cups strong coffee (brewed using 2 tbs per 1 cup of water)
3 tbsp canned pure pumpkin
1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze Almond Milk
4 tbsp fat free liquid Coffee-mate creamer, Original flavor
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup Fat Free Reddi-wip

Instructions

Brew coffee.
In a blender puree the canned pumpkin, Coffee-mate, Almond Breeze, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla. Pour into a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the milk is warm and begins to froth slightly. (About 4-5 minutes.) Remove from heat.
For each serving: Pour 1/2 cup of the pumpkin milk mixture into your coffee mug and 1 cup of brewed coffee.
Top each cup with ¼ cup Reddi-wip.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 5 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegetarian

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate

Number of servings (yield): 2

Culinary tradition: USA (General)

Entire recipe makes 2 servings
Serving size is about 1 ½ cups
Each serving = 1 Points +

PER SERVING: 70 calories; 2 g fat; 3 g protein; 5 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber

Molasses Cookies Recipe – 2 Points +

LaaLoosh — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:08:21 +0000

photo credit: janes sweets

We are still weeks away from Christmas, and I’m already fantasizing about Christmas cookies! This year, I plan on doing a LOT of baking, and since I know I’ll be surrounded by tons of cookies, I’ll be using some healthier, lower calorie versions of popular Christmas cookies. One of my favorites, is this delicious Molasses Cookie Recipe. It’s so simple, but it just tastes so Christmas-y to me, and it’s a must have on my cookie tray. By making a few changes to the traditional molasses cookie recipe, I was able to knock off some extra fat and calories, making this version just 2 Points + per cookie. Not bad considering the rich ingredients used in this particular type of cookie. And considering it’s such a powerful cookie with lots of intense flavors, one or two of them is just enough to satisfy.

Molasses Cookies Recipe

Enjoy a lower calorie version of this popular Molasses Christmas Cookie Recipe. Each cookie has just 2 Points +, and has that delicious seasonal flavor you know and love.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/3 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup liquid egg substitute
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ground ginger

Instructions

In a large bowl, beat butter and 1 cup sugar until creamy. Add in egg and molasses, and mix well.
In another large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves and ginger until well blended.
Stir in crystallized ginger.
Blend the flour mixture into the butter mixture slowly, mixing well.
Chill the dough in the refrigerator until firm, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
Place the remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a shallow dish. Roll the dough into 36 1-inch balls and then roll in the sugar. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the cookies, in batches, until they crackle on top, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 10 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegetarian

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate

Number of servings (yield): 3

Culinary tradition: USA (Traditional)

Entire recipe makes 3 dozen
Serving size is 1 cookie
Each cookie = 2 Points +

PER SERVING: 52 calories; 1 g fat; 14 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 0 g fiber

Holiday Crock Pot Recipe, Peppered Beef Brisket in Beer – 6 Point Total

LaaLoosh — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:31:56 +0000

As the cold weather really kicks in for these last few weeks of 2009, it’s time to enjoy some hot, yummy holiday recipes that will warm your tummy and soul! This Peppered Beef Brisket in Beer crock pot recipe is the perfect dish to take away that winter chill. It’s an easy holiday recipe that takes minimal prep, but delivers maximum taste. I love using my crock pot, so I jump at every chance I get to try out some delicious crock pot recipes! And I plan on making this one for my Christmas Eve dinner this year. The best thing is that it only has a 6 Point Total per serving. Though this is not an official one of Weight Watchers Christmas Recipes, it’s great for anyone who is a weight watcher and this dish makes a wonderful, low calorie Christmas recipe. Pair it with some salad or roasted veggies to keep your overall meal points low. Enjoy!

Crockpot Peppered Beef Brisket in Beer Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 (4 lb) beef brisket, the leanest you can find
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 3 tbls all-purpose flour
- 3 tbls brown sugar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup beer
- 2/3 cup chili sauce

Directions:
Trim fat from brisket; and cut in half. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, paprika and cumin. Evenly rub the mixed spices. Place onions in slow cooker. Place brisket halves over onions. In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and garlic and gradually add beer and chili sauce, stirring until well blended. Pour over brisket. Cover with lid and cook on high setting for 1 hour then reduce to low setting and cook 6-8 hours our until tender.

TIP: To make serving sizes easier to dish out, cut the brisket into 12 evenly sliced pieces after rubbing with seasonings and before putting in the slow cooker.

Entire Recipe = 12 servings
Serving size is 3 oz and approx 6 tbsp of sauce
Each serving = 6 Point Total

Spinach Puffs Christmas Appetizer Recipe – 1 Point Total

LaaLoosh — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:28:02 +0000

With all the holiday parties coming up, it’s easy to be tempted by all the fabulously delicious food, and to let yourself be seduced into an all you can eat holiday buffet. But just by making some healthier versions of the holiday favorites, you can save yourself some calories and weight watchers points! If you are hosting a holiday party this year, and are in need of a good, low calorie Christmas appetizer recipe, this Spinach Puffs Recipe is a must try. Full of flavor, but low on fat, I found them to be much more yummy than I expected. And it’s a quick and easy Christmas recipe to make if you need something in a pinch. Just prepare it the night before, them pull them out of the freezer, pop them into the oven, and you’re good to go. Though this is not an official one of Weight Watchers Christmas Recipes, I think it’s a great holiday appetizer for anyone who is watching their weight, but wants to serve an appetizer that tastes good enough to serve to everyone.

Spinach Puffs Recipe

Ingredients:
- 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 small onion (I used red onion)
- 3 egg whites, slightly beaten
- 1 cup dried bread crumbs
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp marjoram
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons light butter, melted (I used Balade Light Butter)

Directions:
Squeeze liquid from spinach very well. Chop garlic and onion in food processor and process until finely chopped. Add spinach and remaining ingredients. Pulse two or three times, leaving spinach in distinct pieces but the mixture well combined. Chill 2 – 3 hours or overnight. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet. Freeze. When frozen, transfer to freezer bags.
To serve, bake at 300F for 30 minutes.

Entire recipe makes 36 puffs
Serving size is 1 puff
Each serving = 1 Point Total

Sweet Potato Soup Recipe – 4 Point Value

LaaLoosh — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:06:17 +0000

This fantastically healthy Weight Watchers Sweet Potato Soup Recipe is the perfect dish to heat up as the temperature drops. It’s loaded with lots of vitamins and antioxidants and packs a lot of nutritional value for the 4 Weight Watchers Points that it carries. Not to mention, it’s incredibly yummy! It’s warm and creamy, and has such a delicious seasonal flavor, it’ll make a great Thanksgiving Recipe and Christmas Recipe. But of course, it’s perfect to serve at any time of the year! I love this soup because it adds a little variety in flavor compared to other soup recipes. Try serving it with a nice low Point salad for a tasty and healthy lunch!

Weight Watchers Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

Ingredients:
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 2 cups canned chicken broth, divided
- 1 tbsp reduced-calorie margarine
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 cup fat-free evaporated milk
- 1 tbsp chopped pecans

TIP: For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a dash of curry powder with the flour and ginger. And toast the pecans to help maximize their flavor.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Pierce potatoes in several places with a fork. Bake for 45 minutes, remove from oven and allow to cool. When cool, remove and discard skin; chop potatoes.
Combine sweet potatoes and 3/4 cup of broth in a blender or food processor; blend or process until smooth, about 1 minute. Set potato mixture aside.
Melt margarine in a medium-size saucepan; stir in flour and ginger, and then add milk. Cook, stirring, until slightly thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Cook 1 minute more and then stir in sweet potato mixture and remaining 1 1/4 cups of broth. Cook, stirring, until heated through, about 5 minutes more. Pour into 4 serving bowls and sprinkle each with 3/4 teaspoon of pecans.

Serving size is 1 cup
Each serving = 4 Weight Watchers Points

Eggnog Recipe for the Holiday – 5 Point Value

LaaLoosh — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 22:12:46 +0000

This rich-tasting creamy Weight Watchers eggnog recipe is a delicious and festive way to celebrate the holiday with family and friends! And what Christmas celebration is complete without it!? But the traditional eggnog recipe is LOADED with fat and calories and is quite high in Points. Try this slimmed down version and enjoy this Christmas beverage favorite for only 5 Weight Watchers Points per serving. And trust me when I tell you that this low calorie eggnog recipe tastes just as good as the high calorie version! So if you are looking for a rockin’ Weight Watchers Holiday beverage recipe for your Christmas shindig, make sure to give this one a try!

Weight Watchers Eggnog Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 large eggs
- 1/4 cup fat-free egg substitute
- 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 cups fat-free evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 fl oz brandy, or rum, 80 proof (1/4 cup)
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions:
Beat together egg, egg substitute and sugar in a medium bowl; set aside. Warm milk in a small saucepan until it steams (do not boil); very gradually beat milk into egg mixture.
Return egg-milk mixture to stove and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened slightly and very steamy. Do not let eggnog boil. Stir in vanilla and chill thoroughly.
Stir brandy into chilled eggnog. Pour into four glasses and sprinkle a touch of nutmeg on top of each serving.

One serving = about 3/4 cup
Each serving = 5 Weight Watchers Points

Spicy Meatballs Recipe – 1 Point Value

LaaLoosh — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:38:12 +0000

Everyone loves a good meatball…they are such a tasty appetizer and are perfect for any party or celebration. And this spicy BBQ meatball recipe is sure to be a hit at your holiday celebration this year! They are so easy to make and each serving of 2 meatballs is just 1 Weight Watchers Point. By making a few substitutions in the tradition hors d’ouvre recipe, its now much lower in fat and calories but still tastes fantastic, making it a wonderful Weight Watchers Holiday Recipe to serve this year. These juicy little meatballs taste so good, no one will even know that they are eating less calories than most all other meatball recipes! If you are a Weight Watcher and you want a healthy, low Point appetizer to prepare for your holiday bash, put this awesome holiday appetizer recipe into action!

Weight Watchers Spicy Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
- 1 cups uncooked quick oats
- 2 medium egg whites
- 1 large onions, finely chopped
- 1 medium garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/4 cups parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp beef bouillon granules
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/4 cups barbecue sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Combine all ingredients, except barbecue sauce, in a medium-size bowl; mix well.
Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape meatball mixture into sixty 1-inch balls; place on baking sheet.
Bake at 350ºF until cooked through, about 25 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a chafing dish or crockpot to keep warm.
Meanwhile, heat barbecue sauce over medium-high heat until hot. Pour sauce over cooked meatballs, toss gently and serve. Yields 2 meatballs per serving.

Each serving = 1 Weight Watchers Point