Air fryer churros with chocolate sauce

 Ingredients:

• cooking spray
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 3/4 tsp. Vanilla extract, divided
• 2 1/2 tbsp. granular sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup milk
• 4 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp.cornstarch
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp. light butter, melted

Makes 6 Servings (1 churro & 1 tbsp. sauce per serving)

1. In a small bowl, place flour, yogurt, and ½ tsp vanilla; stir well with a wooden spoon until just combined and then keep mixing dough in bowl with your hands until smooth (about 1 minute of kneading).
2. Place a large piece of parchment or wax paper on a work surface and sprinkle lightly with a little flour. Place dough on paper. Use a knife to cut dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 5-inch long rope.
3. Preheat air fryer, if necessary, to 375°F. Coat air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange dough ropes in air fryer, leaving some space between them. Lightly coat dough with nonstick cooking spray. Air-fry until golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
4. While churros cook, combine 2 tbsp sugar and cinnamon in a pie plate or other shallow dish. In a glass measuring cup, whisk milk, cocoa, cornstarch, pepper, and remaining 1½ tsp sugar and ¼ tsp vanilla. Microwave on High until bubbly and thick, about 1 minute, whisking every 20 seconds.
5. When churros are done, brush all over with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar. Serve warm with sauce.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwachers.com. Churros are the official comfort food of Mexico. They are also a delicious take on doughnuts. I think these doughnuts are better than the doughnuts in America. The dough gets a flavor boost with vanilla extract, and is then rolled into ropes and air-fried until crisp and light. To create the churros effect, the cooked dough gets brushed with a little butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. The accompanying microwave sauce gets a gentle chile kick that amps up the goodness (you can omit it if you’d like). If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the dough at 375°F for about 8 minutes; these churros will just be a little denser than air-fried ones.

Banana-stuffed French toast

 Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. cream cheese
• 4 slices cinnamon-raisin bread
• 1 medium banana, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• 1 tsp. unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp. maple syrup, warmed
• Berries of your choice

Makes 1 stuffed French toast with toppings per serving.

1. Spread the cream cheese on the bread. Divide the banana over 2 slices of the bread and top each with a slice of the remaining bread.
2. Combine the milk, egg, and vanilla in a small shallow bowl; beat lightly with a fork.
3. Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Briefly dip the sandwiches, one at a time, into the egg mixture. Place both sandwiches in the skillet. Cook until golden brown, 3–4 minutes on each side. Place a stuffed French toast on each of 2 plates; top each with 1 tablespoon of the maple syrup and 3 of the sliced strawberries. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 12 pts. per serving

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. This delicious stuffed French toast is the best treat for breakfast, brunch or dinner. Whatever kind of bread you use, e, you can either remove the crusts or leave them on. Serve this hearty breakfast dish with a variety of your favorite fresh fruits alongside or on top. And to warm the maple syrup, place it in a small custard cup and microwave on High for about 20 seconds. For a creamier taste, you can substitute fat-free half-and-half for the milk if you like, which shouldn't affect the recipe's nutritional value.

Peanut Butter Pancakes

 Ingredients:

• ½ cup creamy, natural peanut butter (no sugar added)
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup zucchini, diced
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. stevia
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• ½ cup almond flour

Makes 4 Servings (3 pancakes per serving)

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. 
2. Preheat a large pan over medium heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, pour the batter into the pan to create pancakes.
4. Cook the pancakes until bubbles start to form on the batter, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip using a spatula and continue to cook for another minute.
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until all the batter is used.
6. Serve with desired toppings. 

WW POINTS VALUE: ?

Note: This recipe appears on palm.southbeachdiet.com/recipes/. If  you are a devoted fan of the South Beach Diet, you can enjoy these treats on all 3 phases of the diet. These low-carb pancakes are a great way to start your day or even for Sunday brunch or a weeknight dinner. Yes, you can enjoy breakfast for dinner once in a while. These pancakes are different because they use almond flour and diced zucchini in the recipe which makes them filling. These pancakes are filling and flavorful. You  can use any kind of nut butter such  as peanut, almond, cashew, etc. and your pancakes will be just as delicious. I highly recommend adding a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg while mixing these pancakes for more flavor. Feel free to pile on your favorite low-carb toppings such as peanut butter, berries, nuts or plain Greek yogurt. Just make sure to count anything you add towards your Healthy Fats, Proteins or net carbs for the day. 

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Oven-Baked Egg Bites

 Ingredients:

• 1 cooked chicken sausage, crumbled (any variety)
• 2 Tbsp. cooked baby portabella mushrooms, minced
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar (you can use any shredded cheese)
• 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 4% fat
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• cooking spray

Makes 6 Servings

1. Make sure to cook the sausage and mushrooms prior to making the egg bites.
2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Fill a baking dish with 1 inch water and place on the bottom rack of the oven. This creates a humid environment and helps cook the eggs evenly.
3. Add the eggs, cheese, cottage, cheese and dash of salt and pepper to a blender. Blend on high for 30-45 seconds until mixture is frothy.
4. Spray a 6 ct muffin tin lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Fill each evenly with the egg mixture.
5. Top with the cooked sausage and mushrooms, divided evenly between the muffin tins.
6. Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the center of the egg bites are set.
7. Remove from the oven and let sit for about 5 minutes. Remove each carefully with a spatula. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

WW POINTS VALUE: ?

Note: This recipe appears on www.palm.southbeachdiet.com/recipes. Eggs with sausage and cheese for breakfast is delicious when it's done right. These egg bites are easy to make and are great for when you are on-the-go. You can make a huge batch and enjoy them throughout the week or freeze some for up to 2 months. 

Mug Scramble

 Ingredients:

• ¾ cup arugula, fresh, chopped
• 2 Tbsp. red bell pepper, diced
• 2 Tbsp. tomatoes, diced
• 2 large eggs
• 1 Tbsp. unsweetened almond milk
• 1 Tbsp. cheddar cheese, shredded
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Salt 
• freshly ground black pepper

Makes 1 Serving

1. 1.Spray a large microwave-safe mug lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Add the vegetables and microwave on high for about a minute or until vegetables are soft. Drain any excess liquid from the mug when finished cooking.
2. 2.Crack the eggs into the mug. Add the almond milk and whisk well with a fork. Microwave on high for 45 seconds.
3. 3.Remove the mug and stir. Microwave for another 45 seconds to a minute or until your scrambled eggs are nice and set. Note: Microwave ovens may vary, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
4. 4. Top your mug with cheese, salt and pepper. Let your mug cool for about 5 minutes before eating. 

WW POINTS VALUE: ? 

Note: This recipe appears on www.palm.southbeachdiet.com/recipes. Who says fast food is not good for you?  You can make this scramble in less than 10 minutes and you will have a filling and tasty breakfast. This Mug Scrambles tastes just as delicious as your favorite omelet. Packed with mouthwatering ingredients like fresh arugula, tomatoes, bell peppers and cheddar cheese, this Mug Scramble can be popped in the microwave for less than two minutes and enjoyed on your way out the door. If you don't have arugula on hand, use kale or spinach and the dish will be just as good. 

Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Cups

 Ingredients:

• 4 oz. turkey sausage or crumbled turkey bacon
• 1/2 green bell pepper
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 5 large eggs
• 1 (12 oz.) package sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Makes 6 Cups (1 cup per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Coat a 6-cup nonstick muffin pan with cooking spray or line with paper baking cups. 
2. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, pepper and onion for 5 minutes, or until the sausage is no longer pink. Soon the mixture into a bowl and cool slightly. Stir in the  eggs and mushrooms. Evenly divide the mixture among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with the cheese. 
3. Bake for 20 minutes, or until egg is set. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. These treats are a healthier and different take on the typical egg muffin you would get at a fast food restaurant. You can use bacon or sausage in these egg muffins and they will fill you up. You can also use any kind of shredded cheese in these muffins and they will still be tasty. You can make these muffins on the weekend and warm them in the microwave for a fast treat for breakfast or an on-the-go snack. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. creamy natural peanut butter, unsalted and unsweetened
• 1 ½ Tbsp. unsalted butter or ghee
• 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseeds
• 1 scoop (about 2 Tbsp.) keto friendly vanilla protein powder
• ¼ tsp. baking powder
• 2 ½ Tbsp. full-fat sour cream or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp. powdered erythritol sweetener
• 2 Tbsp. sugar-free chocolate chips

Makes 2 Servings (1 muffin per serving)

1. Split all ingredients except for the chocolate chips between two large mugs. Whisk with a fork until well combined.
2. Stir in the chocolate chips.
3. Cook in the microwave for about 1 to 1 ½ minutes, until the mixture is set in the center.

WW POINTS VALUE: 12 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Peanut butter and chocolate is a delicious and decadent combination. You can enjoy this muffin in minutes and it is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. if you want to give these muffins a more chocolatey flavor and creamier texture, add 1/2 a tablespoon  of unsweetened cocoa powder  and increase the sour cream or yogurt to 3 tablespoons and you will be satisfied. You can enjoy these muffins anytime of day. 

Keto-Friendly Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup granular sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt 
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, measured solid and then melted
• 1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup frozen blueberries

Makes 6 Servings (2 muffins per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12 count muffin pan cooking spray or line with baking cups.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients - almond flour, Stevia, baking powder and salt.
3. Mix in the wet ingredient - coconut oil, almond milk, eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Gently fold in the frozen blueberries.
5. Evenly distribute the batter into the muffin cups. Bake for 25 minutes, until golden brown.
6. Remove muffins from tray and place on cooling rack.

WW POINTS VALUE: ?

Note: This recipe appears on www.southbeachdiet.com in the Recipes section. According to the people at South Beach Diet, you can have muffins for breakfast and be satisfied. These muffins swap the regular and whole wheat flour for almond flour and uses coconut oil and almond milk in place of milk or buttermilk. The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of granular sugar but you can use 2 tablespoons of sugar and the muffins will be tasty. 

Cinnamon Cherry Scones

Ingredients:

• olive oil cooking spray
• 1 cup gluten-free oat flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 2 tbsp. monk fruit natural no-calorie sweetener
• 1 tbsp. gluten-free baking powder
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chopped gluten-free all-natural, no-sugar-added dried cherries

Makes 8 Scones (1 scone per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with foil (for easier cleanup) and lightly spray with olive oil.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the oat flour, almond flour, coconut flour, monk fruit sweetener, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla, and lemon juice. Stir in the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Fold in the dried cherries.
4. Divide the dough into 8 balls and place on the baking sheet. With moistened hands, flatten and shape the dough into 8 triangles, 1 1/2 -2 inches thick. Make sure the triangles are at least 2 inches apart.
5. Bake until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center of the scone comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Let cool on pan.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Gluten Solutions Cookbook. Who doesn't love a scone once in a while? Cherries and cinnamon make a heavenly combination any time of day. If you don't want to go completely gluten free, I highly recommend using fresh Bing cherries for a juicier bite and more zing to your scones. These scones can be made ahead and be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Peanut Butter-Banana Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cup 100% buckwheat flour
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 2 tsp. monk fruit natural no-calorie sweetener (baking formula)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 cups + 2 tbsp. fat-free milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp. all-natural peanut butter
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• olive oil cooking spray
• 2 medium bananas, thinly sliced

Makes 12 Pancakes (2 pancakes per serving)

1. In a large bowl, combine the buckwheat flour, coconut flour, monk fruit sweetener, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, peanut butter, oil, and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well with olive oil and heat over medium heat.
3. Lightly spray a large skillet with olive oil and heat over medium heat.
4. For each pancake, pour 1/4 cup batter into the skillet. Place 3 slices of banana on each pancake. Cook until small bubbles form near the middle of the pancake and it is golden brown on the underside (take a peek), 1-2 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown on he other side, another 1-2 minutes. Repeat until no batter remains (it should yield 12 pancakes).

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Gluten Solutions Cookbook. These waffles can be made in 30 minutes or less and will be enjoyed by family and friends every day of the week. The combination of peanut butter and bananas is not only heavenly delicious but all packed with fiber and protein. You can use almond butter, crunchy or smooth peanut putter and even cashew butter in this recipe and your pancakes will still be good. You can even make these as waffles and they'll taste just as good and will be easier to put away in the freezer. Plus, the waffles will come out beautiful in the waffle iron and the texture will be just as fluffy. The great thing about these waffles us that there is no granular sugar in these treats. If you don't want to go completely gluten-free, use whole wheat or all-purpose flour in place of the buckwheat flour and use baking powder in place of the monk-fruit sweetener. You won't need to add sugar-free syrup or other toppings because the bananas are moist and naturally sweet.

Soy-ous Apricot Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat or whole grain pastry flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar substitute
• 1/3 cup soy flour
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup soy milk
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tbsp. canola oil
• 1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped

Makes 12 muffins

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Coat a 12-cup nonstick muffin pan with cooking spray or line with paper baking cups.
2. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the pastry flour, sugar, sugar substitute, soy flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Hollow out the center of the dry mixture, and add the egg, soy milk, applesauce, oil, and apricots, stirring until moistened. Pour the batter in the prepared muffin cups.
3. Bake for 14 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then place on a rack to completely cool.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. The people at South Beach Diet have done it again, this time with muffins. These muffins are chewy, moist, flavorful and delicious. The original recipe calls for about 1/2 cup of granulated sugar but you can use 1/4 cup granular sugar substitute and your muffins will taste just as good due to the unsweetened applesauce. The apricots give these muffins a nice kick of flavor to them. If you don't have any soy flour on hand, substitute wheat bran and the muffins will taste just as good. Make these on the weekend and they can be enjoyed throughout the week when you have that sugar craving.

Spiced Oatmeal with Dried Apricots & Walnuts

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup steel-cut oats
• 12 dried apricots, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1 1 /2 tsp. sugar-free pancake syrup
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• salt

Makes 4 (1/2 cup) Servings

1.  Heat oven or toaster oven to 275° F. Spread walnuts on a baking tray and bake until fragrant and toasted, 8-10 minutes. Roughly chop.
2. MICROWAVE INSTRUCTIONS: While the nuts are toasting, combine water, oats, apricots, syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in an 8-cup microwave-safe bowl (the size of the bowl is important as it must allow the oats to bubble up without spilling over). Cover with plastic wrap, vent, and cook at full power 5-7 minutes. Stir, replace plastic wrap, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until liquid is mostly absorbed. Sprinkle with nuts and serve.
3. STOVETOP DIRECTIONS: Combine water and oats in a medium saucepan; soak overnight. Add apricots, syrup, and salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid absorbed, 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle each serving with nuts and cinnamon.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook. Oatmeal can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can make homemade oatmeal at home and enjoy it throughout the week. This quick and easy oatmeal is made from steel-cut oats which are a favorite on South Beach because of dense texture and high levels of protein, iron and fiber. You can also add a touch of nutmeg alongside cinnamon to this oatmeal or substitute almonds and your oatmeal is still delicious. One bite of this oatmeal and you will never buy processed oatmeal at the grocery store again.



Buckwheat-Applesauce Griddle Cakes

Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg white
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1 /2 tbsp. canola oil
• 1 tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Makes 6 Servings (3 griddle cakes per serving)

1. Beat the egg, egg white, yogurt, applesauce, oil and maple syrup in a small bowl. Whisk together the whole wheat flour, buckwheat flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until just combined.
2. Spray a large griddle or skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cupfuls of the batter onto the griddle. Cook  until bubbles appear and the edges of the griddle cakes look dry, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook until browned, 2-3 minutes longer. Repeat with the remaining batter to make a total of 12 griddle cakes.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW in 20 Minutes Cookbook. You can enjoy these quick and easy treats for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The only sugar you'll find in these pancakes can be found in the unsweetened applesauce. If you don't have access to applesauce, a whole apple, cored, peeled and shredded mixed in with the wet ingredients will work just as well. You can even make these griddle cakes into waffles and they will be just as delicious. I highly recommend adding a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a half a teaspoon of ground nutmeg for more flavorful griddle cakes/waffles.

 

Cherry-Orange Breakfast Scones

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
• 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp. baking powder 
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/3 cup fat-free buttermilk
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tsp. grated orange zest
• 6 tbsp. confectioners' sugar
• 2 tsp. orange juice

Makes 8 Servings (1 glazed scone per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray.
2. Whisk together flour, oats,brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. With a pastry blender or 2 knives used scissor-fashion, cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in cherries. Whisk together buttermilk, egg white, and orange zest in small bowl. Add to flour mixture and stir until just soft dough forms.
3. Gather dough into ball and place on lightly floured surface. Lightly knead 2 or 3 times. Press dough into 8-inch circle and cut into 8 wedges. Place wedges on prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake until toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Transfer scones to a rack; cool 10 minutes.
4. Stir together confectioners' sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Place sheet of wax paper under the rack to catch drips. Drizzle glaze over scones and let stand until glaze sets, about 30 minutes.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Tastier Than Takeout Cookbook. This is a great treat to make and serve on the weekend. These are not your typical scones. These scones are full of flavor and nice and moist. I highly recommend adding cinnamon, nutmeg or both for a pinch more flavor. You can use any dried berries in this recipe and your scones will still be delicious.

Buckwheat Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 4 tbsp. applesauce
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
• 2 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• nonstick cooking spray

Makes 6 Servings

1. Preheat griddle over medium heat.
2. Combine buttermilk, egg, egg white, applesauce, vanilla and zest in a bowl. Mix well.
3. In another bowl, combine flours, sugar, salt and baking soda. Mix well.
4. Gently incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix just enough to combine. Overmixing will make the pancakes tough.
5. Lightly spray the pancakes griddle. Pour 1/4 cupfuls of pancake batter on the griddle, 1/4 inch thick. Cook until golden brown and  the edges start to set.Flip and cook on the other side.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Sonoma Diet Cookbook. Who does not love pancakes or waffles once in a while?  You can make these pancakes into waffles and they will taste just as delicious and waffles are a much easier cleanup than pancakes. These treats are light, fluffy and are easy to prepare. These treats are also gluten-free due to the buckwheat flour. I highly recommend adding a touch of ground cinnamon because cinnamon in pancakes or waffles adds a touch more flavor and tastes better. I also highly recommend adding a fruity flavor such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, bananas, apples, peaches, etc. for a more fruity taste. Forget going to Waffle House, come to Katie's House for really good pancakes and waffles.

Lemon-Raspberry Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa flakes
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 2 tbsp. granular sugar substitute
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup light buttermilk
• 3 tbsp. safflower or canola oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) raspberries

Makes 12 muffins (1 muffin per serving)

1. Heat the oven to  375 F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the quinoa flakes, flour, sugar substitute, baking powder, lemon zest, baking soda and salt.
3. In another large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil and egg. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add the buttermilk mixture, and fold until just combined. Fold in the raspberries.
4. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Super Quick Cookbook. The people at the South Beach Diet have done it again. These fruity muffins are deliciously filling. These muffins are better than the ones you but at the grocery store and at your local bakery. This was also the first time I cooked with quinoa and it was surprisingly delicious. Quinoa is filled with protein so it will keep you going like the Energizer Bunny. You can also use blueberries or blackberries in place of the raspberries and your muffins will still be delicious.

Fluffy Berry-Studded Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. low-fat cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tbsp. granular sugar substitute
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp. + 2 tsp. vegetable or canola oil
• 1 tsp. grated orange zest
• 1/3 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed and drained

Makes 8 pancakes (2 pancakes per serving)

1.  In a large bowl, stir together cottage cheese, flour, sugar substitute, baking powder and salt. Stir in the egg, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and the orange zest.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium heat. Drop half of the batter into the skillet by rounded tablespoons, making 4 pancakes. Cook until the tops are bubbly and the pancakes are set, about 2 minutes. Scatter half of the blueberries over the tops and press gently. Turn the pancakes over and cook until firm and set, 1-2 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
3. Repeat with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil, the batter, and blueberries. Serve warm.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Super Quick Cookbook. Cottage cheese pancakes are absolutely delicious. If you have too much liquid in your cottage cheese, strain the cottage cheese through a strainer. These pancakes are packed with flavor and zing thanks to the orange zest and blueberries. You can use raspberries, blackberries or strawberries as well as lemon or lime zest in this recipe and the pancakes will still be good. You can even make these as waffles and they will still be fluffy. 

Streussel-Topped Apple-Buttermilk Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 3/4 cup fat-free buttermilk
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp. packed brown sugar
• 3 tbsp. canola oil
• 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and chopped
• 3 tbsp. old-fashioned oats
• 2 tbsp. chopped walnuts

Makes 12 Muffins

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and  1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk together buttermilk, applesauce, maple syrup, egg whites, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons oil in a medium bowl. Add to flour mixture and stir until just flour mixture is just moistened. Fold in apple. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small bowl. Add oats and walnuts; mix with fingers until evenly moistened. Sprinkle oat mixture over batter, pressing lightly to adhere. Bake until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool in pan on rack 10 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and cool completely on rack.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Tastier than Takeout Cookbook. These muffins are absolutely delicious and are full of flavor. They're chewy, moist and perfect for weekend baking and anytime you need a quick snack during the week. If you make these muffins on a Sunday and you have some leftover, freeze the rest of them and take one out during the week if you need a quick bite to eat. They will fill you up right away. Also, I highly recommend adding a 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg and a teaspoon of almond extract because nutmeg goes very well with cinnamon and the almond extract will add a little more nutty flavor to the muffins.



Strawberry Elvis Breakfast Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 6 strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp. water
• 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 8 slices multigrain bread, toasted
• 4 tbsp. reduced-fat creamy peanut butter
• 2 medium bananas, sliced

Makes 4 Servings

1. Combine strawberries, sugar and water in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until strawberries soften, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
2. Meanwhile, spread one side of 4 slices of bread with 1 tablespoon peanut butter. Top each with one fourth of the strawberry slices and one fourth of the banana slices. Cover sandwiches with remaining 4 slices bread. Cut each sandwich in half on an angle. Serve immediately, or wrap in plastic and refrigerate up to 2 days.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

 

Note: This recipe  appears in the WW Tastier Than Takeout Cookbook. This sandwich is great for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even for Sunday brunch.You can substitute 1 tablespoon of strawberry fruit spread in place of the strawberries and the points value will no be affected. You can also use any kind of berries in this sandwich and it will still be delicious. you can also use almond butter in place of the peanut butter and the sandwich will still be delicious. People of all ages will loves this sandwich because it's packed with all your favorite guilty pleasures and full of flavor. You will love the combination of bananas, strawberries and peanut butter in between 2 pieces of bread. Elvis Presley was known for craving peanut butter and banana sandwiches anytime, anywhere. If he were alive today, I think he would totally approve of this sandwich, thank you very much.

Papaya Parfait

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cubed papaya
• 1/4 tsp fresh lime juice
• 1 cup vanilla fat-free or low-fat yogurt, divided
• 1/2 cup multigrain, low-sugar cereal, divided

Makes 2 Servings

 

Toss papaya with lime juice. Layer 1/4 cup yogurt, 2 tablespoons cereal, 1/4 cup papaya, another 1/4 cup yogurt, and another 2 tablespoons cereal in a glass dessert cup or bowl. Repeat with remaining ingredients in another cup. Serve immediately.

 

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook. This was such a nice treat for breakfast. I never had papaya before and I must say it was delicious. Lime juice goes well with any tropical fruit becauseit give the tropical fruit an extra kick of zing. If you don't have vanilla yogurt on hand, use plain yogurt and add vanilla extract, almond extraxt or any flavor extract of your choice and it will still be delicious. You can also use any fruit in this parfait and it will be delicious as well.