Creamy Broccoli Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic, minced
• 1 cup broccoli stems
• 3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp. thyme, chopped
• 1/2 cup canned white beans, drained
• 1 tbsp. sour cream

Makes 4 (1 cup) Servings

1. Fill a mixing bowl halfway with ice and enough water to cover it. Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the broccoli florets until they are tender. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the florets from the pot to the ice bath. Remove when they are cold, in about 1 minute. Set aside. 
2. Heat a pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, onion, celery. Cook for 4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook until aromatic Add broccoli stems and cook for 10 minutes over low heat until soft. 
3. Add chicken stock, bay leaf, thyme, and beans. Bring to a simmer. 
4. Add broccoli florets. Simmer for 5 minutes or until warm. 
5. Remove bay leaf. Pour soup into a blender and blend until completely smooth. Adjust seasoning and stir in sour cream. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Sonoma Cookbook. Homemade soup is delicious. This soup is flavorful and tasty. The cannellini beans and a touch of sour cream give this soup a creamy texture to it. If you don't have celery on hand, use chopped carrots and the soup will taste just as good. There are four servings of vegetables in this soup, you will forget it's good for you.  

Grilled Lemon Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 3 tbsp. lemon juice 
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 4 (5 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Makes 4 Servings (1 chicken breast per serving)

1. With the side of a large knife, mash garlic with salt until it forms a paste. 
2. To make the marinade, combine the lemon zest and juice, oil, garlic paste, oregano, and pepper in a large zip-close plastic bag; add chicken. Squeeze out air and seal bag; turn to coat chicken. Refrigerate, turning bag occasionally, at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. 
3. Spray grill rack with nonstick spray. Preheat grill to medium or prepare medium fire using direct method. 
4. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Place chicken on grill rack and grill until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. Serve sprinkled with parsley. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. Grilled chicken is succulent, juicy and delicious when it's done right. The combination of lemon, garlic and herbs is quite tasty and delicious. This chicken dish will melt in your mouth it's that good. 

Green and Yellow Beans with Fresh Mozzarella and Pine Nuts

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. pine nuts
• 8 oz. green beans, trimmed
• 8 oz. yellow wax beans, trimmed
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 4 oz. fresh part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced

Makes 4 Servings 

1. Heat the oven to 275 F. Spread pine nuts on a baking sheet and toast until fragrant and lightly golden, 5-7 minutes. Set aside. 
2. While pine nuts are toasting, bring a large saucepan to a boil. Add beans and cook just until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain in a colander and run under very cold water 1 minute to stop cooking. Drain again and pat dry. Transfer beans to a medium bowl and toss with oil, salt and pepper. 
3. Slice cheese into 4 thin slices and cut each slice in half so that you have 8 half-circles. Divide cheese slices and beans among 4 salad plates, alternating the green and yellow beans with the cheese slices. Sprinkle with basil and pine nuts and serve. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. This salad makes a nice and refreshing light meal or side dish to serve with your protein of choice. This salad is like a caprese salad  but instead of tomatoes, beans are used. The pine nuts add protein and a crunchiness to the salad. The mozzarella cheese give the salad a nice, creamy texture to it as well.