LaaLoosh » 1 Point

Simple Sauteed Swiss Chard Recipe – 1 Points +

LaaLoosh — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:17:51 +0000

Swiss chard recipes always frightened me…something about cooking leaves just made me feel like I would mess it up. Granted, I’ve cooked spinach, but Swiss chard just sounded so much more complicated. I knew it was an incredibly good for you – in fact, it’s considered to be one of the healthiest vegetables available and a valuable addition to a healthy diet, so it was something I did want to try at some point. And since some arrived in my Farm Fresh to You box this week, I decided now was a good time to take a stab at preparing a simple sauteed Swiss chard recipe. I did a bit of research and decided that to keep it easy was the way to go – a few simple ingredients with lots of flavor. The end result was a wonderfully delicious sauteed Swiss chard full of color and taste. Despite my poor photo (which was taken with my iPhone instead of my regularly used Nikon) it was incredibly tasty, and each serving was just 1 Points +. It was so good, in fact, that it encouraged me to also try my hand at collard greens for the first time, which was another leafy vegetable recipe that intimated me. That one turned out pretty good too and will be posted here later this week! If you are a lover of the leafy greens, fill your plate with some of this delicious, yet terribly easy, Sauteed Swiss Chard Recipe.

Sauteed Swiss Chard Recipe

An easy Swiss chard recipe, this dish offers a great way for first time chard preparers to try their hand at cooking some. And at just 1 Points + per serving, it makes a great low Points side dish recipe to accompany a variety of meals.

Ingredients

1 large bunch of Swiss chard leaves, cut into strips
1 tbsp light butter
5 garlic cloves
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp salt
Pepper to taste

Instructions

Set a large skillet over medium heat and heat up the butter.
Add in the garlic and cook until tender and aromatic, about 2 minutes.
Toss in the Swiss chard, balsamic vinegar and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until the chard is wilted and tender, about 5 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Cooking time: 7 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegetarian

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate

Number of servings (yield): 2

Culinary tradition: USA (Traditional)

Entire recipe makes 2 servings
Serving size is 1/2 of entire recipe
Each serving = 1 Points +

PER SERVING: 69 calories; 2.5g fat; 4g carbohydrates; 3g protein; 3g fiber

Spicy Green Salad Recipe – 1 Points +

LaaLoosh — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:38:43 +0000

I love salads, but I often tire of the same old salad recipes with the same old salad dressings. This delicious Spicy Green Salad Recipe I learned from my father-in-law, who makes the most amazing salads I’ve ever had, with just the simplest of ingredients. Full of fresh herbs, crisp romaine lettuce and spicy jalapenos, this low calorie salad definitely does not lack flavor! And rather than using a pre-made bottled salad dressing, I made my own with just a few ingredients, and I truly believe that it tastes much better than any other salad dressing. Each serving of my Spicy Green Salad is just 1 Points +, and makes a great low Points + accompaniment to many different Weight Watchers Recipes.

Spicy Green Salad Recipe

This unique Spicy Green Salad recipe is not only delicious, light and healthy, it’s lovely to look at and goes well with many different low calorie meal ideas.

Ingredients

2 cups baby romaine lettuce, chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
4 jalapenos, seeded and very finely chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
Juice from 1 small lemon
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp sea salt (more or less to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

In a large bowl combine lettuce, dill, parsley, onion and jalapenos. Toss well.
Add in garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Toss well to combine.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 1 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegan

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate

Number of servings (yield): 4

Culinary tradition: Middle Eastern

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is 1 ¼ cups
Each serving = 1 Points +

PER SERVING: 68 calories; 4g fat; 2g carbohydrates; 1g protein; 2g fiber

Jimmie’s Chipotle Pepper Jam – 1 Points +

LaaLoosh — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:36:22 +0000

A few years ago, I came across Jimmie’s Chipotle Pepper Jam at a Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles. Since I adore anything spicy, I decided to give it a try, and I am SO glad I did!! This amazingly flavorful spicy pepper jam has so many uses…as a sauce in stir fry recipes, a glaze for chicken or lamb, a topping for crackers, a spicy companion for cheese, or my personal favorite – on top of some cream cheese on a baguette. It has a sweet, tangy smoky flavor with a lot of heat and it is DELICIOUS. I don’t know who Jimmie is, but if he is the man behind this Jimmie’s Chipotle Jam, I would consider leaving my husband for him.

Jimmie’s Chipotle Pepper Jam

Produced by hand and with all natural ingredients in their Southern California kitchen, Jimmie’s Chipotle Pepper Jam is made by Uncle Berch. It has just 4 natural ingredients, no preservatives, artificial colors or flavorings. And each serving is just 1 Points +. Since it packs so much flavor, you really don’t need a lot of it. This jam is only available online, or at various Farmer’s Markets across Southern California, so if you want to give it a try, you’ll have to place an order at their online store. If you are located in Southern CA, look for Uncle Berch at your local Farmer’s Markets – if he’s there, you can sample his Jimmie’s Chipotle Pepper Jam along with all of his other amazing products! Yum!

Serving size is 1 tbsp
Each serving = 1 Points +

PER SERVING: 50 calories; 0g fat; 0g protein; 14g carbohydrates; 1g fiber

Baked Kale Chips Recipe – 1 Points +

LaaLoosh — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:48:52 +0000

If you haven’t tried a Baked Kale Chips Recipe yet, you are really missing out! When you are craving something crunchy and salty, this is a MUCH healthier alternative to potato chips, Pop Chips or popcorn. I admit that I was a bit reluctant to believe that roasted kale would actually taste good, but I was pleasantly surprised and I’ve been a fan of baked kale chips ever since. I also love that these are a kid friendly veggie. My 3 year old son gobbles these down, which says a LOT! If a picky toddler eats them, then they’ve got to taste good, right? They are easy and cheap to make, and each 1 cup serving is just 1 Points +. Which means you don’t have to fee guilty about mindlessly eating them while watching TV at night :). So the next time you are thinking about grabbing a bag of potato chips, just make this Baked Kale Chips Recipe instead, and save yourself a ton of Weight Watchers Points Plus, while still feeling satisfied.

Baked Kale Chips Recipe

A delicious and healthy alternative to potato chips, this Baked Kale Chips Recipe has all the crunch and flavor you crave but for just 1 Points + per cup.

Ingredients

1 large bunch of fresh kale leaves
1 tsp sea salt
Light misting of olive oil

Instructions

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Line a non-insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.
With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces.
Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Pat excess water with a paper towel.
Lightly spray kale with olive oil from an oilve oil mister and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 15 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegan

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 cup
Each serving = 1 Points +

PER SERVING: 44 calories; 1g fat; 7g carbohydrates; 2g protein; 3g fiber

Brummel and Brown Butter Spread – 1 Points Plus

LaaLoosh — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:56:11 +0000

With absolutely zero cholesterol, zero trans fat and half the fat and calories, it’s no wonder that I am OBSESSED with Brummel and Brown Butter Spread. It’s blended with natural yogurt and has that amazing creamy, buttery taste I crave. I use it as a butter substitute in just about every recipe I have that typically calls for butter. It’s also delicious by itself spread on whole grain toast or bagels. My husband and son love it as much as I do, so it has become a staple in our house and there’s always a tub or two in our fridge. Each 1 tbsp serving is just 1 Points Plus, and I truly think it tastes better than butter or margarine. Keep reading to learn more about Brummel and Brown Butter Spread…

The nutritional stats for Brummel and Brown Spread are pretty amazing too, and I am working on some new decadent dessert recipes using this fabulous butter alternative! Checkout their website to find out where you can buy it, but it’s available at many large grocery store chains.

Serving size is 1 tbsp
Each serving = 1 Points +

PER SERVING: 45 calories; 5 g fat; 0 g protein; 0 g carbohydrates; 0 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

Roasted Tomato Gazpacho Recipe – 1 Points +

LaaLoosh — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:37:09 +0000

Traditionally, a tomato based cold soup made with raw vegetables, this version calls for roasting or grilling the vegetables first, to add a delicious smoky flavor. Light and refreshing this Roasted Tomato Gazpacho is just 1 Points + for a cup and is jam packed with fiber, antioxidants and Vitamin C. It’s so flavorful and satisfying and goes great with your favorite salad or sandwich. The first time I made this, I served it in little cups as an appetizer for a party…and it was a huge hit! This is a super tasty way to get your veggie servings in too. Enjoy!

Roasted Tomato Gazpacho Recipe

Fresh, light and super healthy, this Roasted Tomato Gazpacho is wonderful as an appetizer or a side dish. Each 1 cup serving has just 1 Points +, making it a great low calorie soup recipe that tastes decadent.

Ingredients

2 pounds ripe plum tomatoes
2 small red bell peppers
1 small cucumber, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup torn day-old whole wheat bread, (crusts removed)
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
3 cloves garlic
3 tbsp red-wine vinegar
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

Preheat grill to medium-high.
Grill tomatoes, and bell pepper, turning a few times, until they soften and the skins are blistered and charred in spots, about 8 minutes.
Transfer the pepper to a plastic bag and let it steam until cool enough to handle. Peel off the skin; cut the pepper in half and discard the stem and seeds. Place in a blender.
When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, core and roughly chop. Add the tomatoes, to the blender.
Add in the cucumber, bread, garlic, vinegar, parsley, cayenne salt and pepper. Blend until mostly smooth. Add oil and blend until well combined. Refrigerate until room temperature or chilled, at least 1 hour.

Preparation time: 20 minute(s)

Cooking time: 1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegan

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate

Number of servings (yield): 6

Culinary tradition: Spanish

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

PER SERVING: 64 calories; 3 g fat; 7 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein; 4 g fiber

Cheesy Baked Tomatoes Recipe – 1 Points +

LaaLoosh — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:00:42 +0000

Looking for a quick and easy low calorie side dish recipe that will go well with a variety of entrees? This Cheesy Baked Tomatoes Recipe just may be the answer! Fresh, delicious and super quick to make, each serving has just 1 Points +. Perfect as a side dish, or even just as a quick, healthy snack, these super yummy tomatoes are a great idea for just 1 Point. I used heirloom tomatoes when I made this, but really, just about any kind will work. It’s the perfect way to bulk up your plate without adding a lot of extra Points Plus. Enjoy!

Cheesy Baked Tomatoes Recipe

A delicious and healthy side dish recipe, these cheesy baked tomatoes go well with just about anything. Take advantage of those fresh summer tomatoes before they are gone and try this fresh and flavorful low calorie side for just 1 Points + each!

Ingredients

4 tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 oz reduced fat provolone cheese, shredded
1 tsp chopped fresh basil
1 tsp chopped fresh oregano
1/2 tsp salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450° F.
Place tomatoes cut-side up on a baking sheet.
Top with Parmesan, provolone, oregano, basil, salt and pepper.
Mist lightly with non-fat cooking spray and bake until the tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Cooking time: 15 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegetarian

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate

Number of servings (yield): 4

Culinary tradition: USA (General)

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is 1 tomato (2 tomato halves)
Each serving = 1 Points +

PER SERVING: 49 calories; 2 g fat; 6 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 2 g fiber

Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe – 1 Points +

LaaLoosh — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:00:43 +0000

photo credit: the southern table

Perfect as a low calorie sandwich spread or a topping for your favorite fresh vegetables, this delicious low fat Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe is a must add to your collection of Weight Watchers Recipes. Creamy, cheesy and flavorful, this dip lacks nothing but extra fat and calories, and at just 1 Points + for a 2 tbsp serving, it’s a real treat. I love to use it on op of crudité or endive leaves for an elegant, yet flavorful appetizer that is low in Weight Watchers Points Plus. I also love to spread it on a slice of turkey for a quick, low calorie snack idea. It’s really such a versatile dip that’s so yummy, you’ll find yourself putting it on just about anything! Enjoy.

Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe

This slimmed down version of a popular Southern recipe is a real treat for dieting dip lovers. Each serving has just 1 Points +, making it an ideal low calorie dip recipe to use on just about anything.

Ingredients

1 cup reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup reduced fat cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup fat free cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup fat free mayonnaise
1 4-ounce jar sliced pimientos, drained and chopped
2 tbsp red onion, grated
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp garlic powder
Dash of pepper

Instructions

Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheeses until smooth and fluffy. Add all of the remaining ingredients and beat until well blended.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 0 minutes

Diet type: Vegetarian

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat

Number of servings (yield): 12

Culinary tradition: USA (Southern)

Entire recipe is 12 servings
Serving size is 2 tbsp
Each serving = 1 Points +

PER SERVING: 41 calories; 2 g fat; 2 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 0 g fiber

Honeydew and Apple Granita Recipe – 1 Points +

LaaLoosh — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:20:57 +0000

With all the heat waves sweeping the nation recently, this frozen, delicious low calorie granita recipe made with honeydew and apple juice, is a wonderful way to keep cool. So light and flavorful, it makes a great end to any meal, or to use as a palate cleanser between courses! Granita is essentially another way to say Italian Ice, and while many Italian Ice Recipes can be too sweet and syrupy, this one is wonderfully fresh and flavorful without being too sweet. And with just 1 Points + per serving, you can enjoy a super tasty summer treat without feeling any guilt. So if you are looking for a great low calorie summer dessert recipe to whip up for your next party or BBQ, give this Apple and Melon Granita Recipe a try!

Honeydew and Apple Granita Recipe

Treat yourself to a light and delicious low calorie Italian Ice Recipe this summer! Refreshing and flavorful, this fabulous Honeydew and Apple Granita is so amazingly delicious, but has just 1 Points + per serving. It makes a wonderful frozen dessert idea to whip up this summer.

Ingredients

5 cups cubed ripe honeydew melon
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
1/4 cup lime juice
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Instructions

Combine melon, apple juice and lime juice in a blender; puree until smooth. Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch glass or metal pan.
Place the pan on a level surface in your freezer. Freeze, stirring and scraping with a fork every 30 minutes, moving the frozen edges in toward the slushy center and crushing any lumps, until the granita is firm but not frozen solid, 3 to 4 hours.
Remove from the freezer; use a metal spatula or large spoon to break up the frozen ice into small slivers. Pack into an airtight plastic container and freeze for at least 1 hour more.
Remove from the freezer about 20 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Use a wide spoon or ice cream scoop to scrape the granita into shallow bowls or tall glasses.
Garnish with mint leaves, if desired.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 4-5 hour(s)

Diet type: Vegan

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate

Number of servings (yield): 8

Culinary tradition: Italian

Entire recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size is ¾ cup
Each serving = 1 Points +

PER SERVING: 59 calories; 0 g fat; 13 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber