Sauteed Chicken with Marsala

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp. finely chopped prosciutto
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 cup dry Marsala
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tbsp. capers, rinsed, drained and chopped
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh sage

Makes 4 Servings

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken; cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender and no longer pink (170 F), turning once. Transfer to a serving platter; cover and keep warm.
2. In the same skillet combine the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil, prosciutto, and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add Marsala. Bring just to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until reduced to 1/4 cup. Add chicken broth, capers, parsley, and sage. Return to boiling; boil gently about 8 minutes or until reduced to 2/3 cup. Return chicken to skillet; heat through.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the Sonoma Diet Cookbook. This is what I call classic Italian comfort food that is elegant and tastes heavenly delicious. You can have this restaurant quality dish at home  in 30 minutes or less and you  will be satisfied. If you're on the early phases of your diet, serve a side of sautéed spinach as a side. When you're on your later phases of your diet, you can serve hot cooked whole wheat pasta as a side. This dish is so good it will become a classic at your dinner table.

Chocolate Gingerbread

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup buckwheat flour
• 1/2 cup tapioca starch
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 cup light molasses
• 1 large egg

Makes 12 (1 piece) Servings

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray. Line pan with foil or parchment paper allowing foil to overhang rim by 2 inches on two opposite sides. Spray with nonstick spray.
2. Whisk together buckwheat flour, tapioca starch, cocoa, ginger, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir together brown sugar, buttermilk, applesauce, oil, molasses, and egg in a large bowl. Stir buckwheat-flour mixture into applesauce mixture until combined well.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top. bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out with few moist crumbs clinging, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on wire rack. Use foil as handles, lift cake from pan. Cut gingerbread into 4  strips then cut each strip crosswise into thirds, making a total of 12 pieces.

WW POINTS VALUE: 8 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. You can have your chocolate and gingerbread too at the holidays. This treat is the perfect combination and it's gluten free too. If you don't have applesauce on hand, use 1/2 cup shredded Granny Smith apple and it will taste just as good.

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough for Flatbreads

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. agave nectar
• 1 1/2 cups water at room temperature
•  1 tbsp. yeast
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
• parchment paper
• nonstick cooking spray

Makes 10 Servings

1. Combine agave nectar, water and yeast. Allow to sit for 5 minutes until yeast starts to bloom. Add flours, salt and olive oil. Mix in stand mixer with dough hook for 3 minutes on low. Turn to medium and mix for 8 minutes. Add 1-2 tablespoons of flour if the dough is sticky. It should not stick to your hands if you handle it. Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
2. Punch down dough and portion into ten 3-ounce balls. Spray a parchment-lined sheet pan with nonstick pan spray. Place balls evenly spaced on the sheet pan. Cover with parchment. Keep refrigerated until ready to bake. Fifteen minutes before baking, remove the dough from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
3. Preheat oven to 500 F. If using a pizza stone or baking tiles, place on lowest rack in oven. If not, place a sheet pan on lowest rack in oven.
4. On a lightly floured surface, pat dough into flat circles with your fingers, being careful to keep your hands flat so not as to poke in the dough. The circles will be about 6 inches across.
5. Season dough with salt and pepper; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired. Place on pizza stone, baking tiles, or sheet pan. Bake until just puffed and slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Serve topped with salads or use as flatbreads for sandwiches.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the New Sonoma Cookbook. This is what I call pizza dough. If you're thinking about ordering a pizza, put down the phone. This dough can be made on the weekend and you can freeze it and then take it out when you feel like making a pizza. It's fluffy, flavorful and delicious.



Turkey Meat Loaf

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 3/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey
• 3/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

Makes 8-10 Servings

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with foil, letting extend slightly over sides; set aside. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic; cook about 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
2. In a large bowl combine the cooked vegetables, ground turkey, oats, chicken broth, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, egg, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and ground black pepper. Mix well. Spoon into prepared pan; press firmly. Bake for 45 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine 1/4 cup tomato sauce, honey, and 1/2 teaspoon cumin. Spoon over meatloaf in pan. Bake for 15-25 minutes more or until juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center of meat loaf registers 165 F.
4. Let meat loaf stand in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully lift meat loaf from pan using foil. Using a large spatula, transfer meat loaf from foil to a serving platter. Slice to serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the Sonoma Diet Cookbook. This is elegant comfort food with flavor. I never like meatloaf as a kid but I enjoy it as an adult. You can use ground turkey, chicken or pork in this meatloaf recipe and it will still be delicious. You also have 3 servings of vegetables in this meatloaf too. The original recipe called for tomato sauce to be use in the meatloaf. Tomato paste works just as well keeping the textures together and flavorful at the same time. The glaze on top of the meatloaf is sweet and saucy adding a nice touch to the meatloaf. You can also enjoy a glass of  Merlot with this meatloaf too!

Pork Chops with Port & Cranberries

Ingredients;

• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup port
• 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp. cornstarch
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 4 boneless pork sirloin chops, cut 3/4-inch thick
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Makes 4 Servings

1. In a small saucepan, combine the 1 cup chicken broth, port, and ginger. Bring to boiling. Boil gently for 15-20 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup. Add cranberries; cook just until cranberries begin to pop. Stir in lemon juice. In a small bowl stir together the 1 tablespoon chicken broth and the cornstarch; add to the cranberry mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly; cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Season to taste with kosher salt and pepper.
2. Meanwhile, season pork chops with kosher salt and pepper. Sprinkle chops evenly with rosemary and garlic, pressing lightly with fingers. In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add pork chops; cook for 8-12 minutes or until chops are done (160 F) and juices run clear, turning once. Serve chops with cranberry mixture.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the Sonoma Diet Cookbook. This is a quick, easy and delicious meal will get you in the mood for the holidays. Who knew that cranberries went so well with pork and port? The pork is so succulent and juicy it will melt in your mouth. I added a touch of garlic to this dish because garlic always taste better when it's added to a savory dish. Any red wine will do in this dish if you don't have port on hand.



Crispy Kale Chips

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. kale leaves, stems removed
• nonstick cooking spray or olive oil in a mister
• salt
• freshly black pepper

Makes 4 Servings

1. Preheat oven to 250 F. Line 2 sheet pans with a silpat or parchment paper. Spray generously with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Lay kale leaves in a single layer on the sheet pan; press on surface and turn over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil mister.
3. Place sheet pan in preheated oven and cook for 20 minutes or until kale is crisp. Remove from sheet pan; place in a single layer on a clean sheet of parchment paper. Do not mound.

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Sonoma Cookbook. I now have become a love of kale because you can eat it alone, alongside something or in soups or stews. Kale is filled with nutrients and tastes so good for you that you'll forget it's good for you. These kale chips hale from Sonoma and they are delicious and simple. These chips go great with chicken, beef, turkey, pork, fish, lamb and any other protein you're having for dinner you'll cook these again and again.

Gingerbread Muffins

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup buckwheat flour
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup sorghum flour
• 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
• 2 tsp. gluten-free baking powder
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup 1 % milk
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup monk fruit no-calorie sweetener (baking formula)
• 2 tbsp. agave nectar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Makes 12 Servings (1 muffin per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together buckwheat flour, coconut flour, sorghum flour, flaxseed meal, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer at low speed, beat together the milk, applesauce, oil, egg, monk fruit sweetener, agave nectar, and vanilla. With the mixer running, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat until well combined.
4. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 19-22 minutes. Serve warm or at room  temperature.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Gluten Solutions Cookbook. These treats make a nice holiday treat for breakfast, brunch or even on the go. They do taste like gingerbread and they aren't your typical muffins. The applesauce adds a nice sweetness to it and you won't miss the sugar. Leave these for Rudolph and the reindeer this Christmas. They'll need them for all the energy.



Tuxedo Meatball Soup with Escarole

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 (28 oz.) can peeled tomatoes, broken up
• 1 cup small egg bow ties or small elbow macaroni
• 1 lb. ground skinless chicken breast
• 1/3 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small bunch escarole, cleaned & chopped (about 8 cups)
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
• 6 tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese

Makes 6 Servings (1 1/2 cups soup with 1 tablespoon cheese per serving)

1. Heat the oil in a nonstick Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer half of the onion mixture to a medium bowl; set aside.
2. Add the broth, tomatoes, and pasta to the remaining onion mixture in the Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, about 2 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, add the chicken, bread crumbs, egg, salt and pepper to the onion mixture in the bowl; mix well. Shape into 24 meatballs.
4. Add the meatballs to the simmering mixture in the Dutch oven; return to a boil. stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the meatballs and pasta are cooked through, about 10 minutes. Gently stir in the escarole and basil; return to a simmer and cook, partially covered, about 3 minutes. Serve with the cheese.

WW POINTS VALUE: 8 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. This is what I call elegant Italian comfort food.  The small bow-tie pasta give the soup its name and makes it easy to be special. You can use ground chicken, turkey, pork or veal for the meatballs and/or use kale or spinach in place of the escarole and the soup with be tasty. The colors of the soup represent Italy very well in this soup. Don't worry if it looks like a hot mess. This soup is so delicious it will become a favorite during winter.

 

 



Buttermilk-Blueberry Corn Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, preferably stone ground
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 2 tbsp. turbinado (raw) sugar

Makes 12 muffins (1 muffin per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
2. Whisk together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking pow der, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Beat buttermilk, oil, and egg in a small bowl until blended. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until flour mixture is moistened (do not overmix). Gently stir in blueberries. Spoon batter evenly into prepared cups; sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
3. Bake until muffin springs back when lightly pressed, 15-20 minutes. Let cool in pan on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and let cool on rack.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. You can have your muffins and eat them too. This muffins taste just as good as the packaged muffins you would buy at the grocery store. The recipe calls for 1/3 cup granulated sugar but you can cut the amount in half or use honey in place of the sugar and they will taste just as delicious. The natural sugars from the blueberries already make these muffins sweet. You can also use blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and even cranberries in these muffins and they will be yummy.