Chicken Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive  oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 celery stick, finely chopped
• 1 (one-inch) piece fresh gingerroot, grated
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 lb. lean ground chicken or turkey
• 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
• 1 small dried bay leaf
• 2 cups packed baby kale

For the Topping:

• 2 cups finely chopped cauliflower florets
• 2 tbsp. ghee or butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric (optional)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Makes 4 Servings

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. 
2. Heat the oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft. Stir in the ginger, garlic, and turmeric and cook, stirring for 30 seconds, until fragrant. 
3. Add the chicken and turn up the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. Add the tomatoes, thyme, marjoram and bay leaf, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the baby kale and turn off the heat. 
4. Meanwhile, steam the cauliflower florets for about 8-10 minutes, until soft. Transfer the cauliflower to a large saucepan and mash it with the ghee, heavy cream, turmeric (if using), and cheddar over medium heat, until creamy. If you prefer a smoother mash, blitz the mixture in a food processor. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set it aside. 
5. Transfer the filling to a large pie dish or divide it among 4 individual pie dishes or ramekins. Top it with the mashed cauliflower, ruffling it with a fork. 
6. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until bubbling and golden. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 11 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Shepherd's Pie is considered the national dish of England and a classic comfort food. This version is keto-friendly because it contains a lot of vegetables and uses lean ground meat. The mashed cauliflower is used in place of traditional mashed potatoes. You can use lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey in this recipe for a succulent flavor. Don't worry if the plate looks messy; it still tastes delicious. 

Home-Style Chicken & 'Rice'

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup diced carrot
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 tbsp. tapioca flour
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1 1/2 cups cooked cauliflower rice
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Makes 4 Servings

1. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan.
2. Pat the chicken dry. Dice it into 1/2-inch pieces and season it with salt and pepper to taste. Place the chicken in the hot pan and cook it for 3-4 minutes, until brown. Remove the chicken and set it aside, reserving the grease in the pan. 
3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to melt. 
4. Add the onion, carrot, and mushrooms. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the onions are soft and the mushrooms are browned. 
5. Sprinkle the vegetables with tapioca flour and stir for 1 minute to incorporate. 
6.  Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, and paprika to the mixture. Bring it to a light boil. 
7. Return the chicken to the pan, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 5-7 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened. Evenly distribute the cauliflower rice into 4 individual bowl; than add the cooked chicken and veggies. Garnish with parsley and serve. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 8 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. I had chicken and rice for dinner as a kid and it was NOTHING like this dish. This chicken dish is filled with vegetables and flavor. The rice in this dish is shredded cauliflower. Shredded cauliflower is so good you'll forget it's not rice. The sauce has a nice, spicy taste to it adding flavor to the succulent chicken and vegetables. Serve this comfort food dish and it will become a staple favorite on the weekeday. 

Our Favorite Meat Loaf

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped white mushrooms
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 2 large egg whites
• 3 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp. finely chopped freshly chopped thyme or 1/2 tsp. dried
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce

Makes 4 Servings (2 slices per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, carrot, celery; cook, stirring, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl.
3. Add all remaining  ingredients except tomato sauce to vegetables in bowl; mix well. Press meatloaf mixture into 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 -inch loaf pan.
4. Bake meat loaf 30 minutes. Brush tomato sauce on top of loaf. Bake until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meat loaf registers 160 F for well done, 30-45 minutes longer. Let stand about 5 minutes. Cut into 8 slices.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. I can understand why this is called our favorite meatloaf. It's flavorful, it's got lots of servings of vegetables and it's juicy. Who also knew that quick-cooking oats could be a great substitute for bread crumbs in holding the meatloaf together? This is a great comfort food that can be made on the weekend and be enjoyed the next day as leftovers. You won't miss the gravy with this meatloaf. The tomato sauce  makes it more flavorful.

Osso Buco-Style Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 (7 oz.) whole chicken legs, skinned
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Makes 6 Servings (1 whole chicken leg with 1/2 cup of sauce per serving)

1. Heat the oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 3 chicken legs and cooked until browned, about 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Repeat to brown the remaining chicken.
2. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Pour in the broth, stirring constantly to scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the tomatoes, salt, and chicken; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender, about 40 minutes.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. Osso bucco is a Millanese specialty  that consists of veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine and broth, is often garnished with gremolata and served with a side of risotto Milanese. This version of an Italian classic uses chicken in place of the veal and it tastes just as good. This dish is very filling it will leave you satisfied.

Vegetable Dumplings with Soy Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups shredded green cabbage or coleslaw mix
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 2 scallions, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup + 2 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 24 wonton wrappers
• 1 tsp. Asian (dark) sesame oil

Makes 6 Servings (4 dumplings & 1 tablespoon sauce per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray large baking sheet with nonstick spray.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cabbage, carrot, half of scallions, and the garlic; cook, stirring, until cabbage is wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 teaspoons of soy sauce.
3. Lay wonton wrappers on work surface. Place 1 teaspoon cabbage mixture in center of each wrapper. With wet finger, moisten edges of wrappers, one at a time. Fold one corner over to meet opposite corner forming triangle; firmly press edges together to make tight seal. Repeat, transferring dumplings to prepared baking sheet; spray with nonstick spray.
4. Bake until dumplings are golden brown, about 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, stir together remaining  1/4 cup soy sauce, remaining scallions and the sesame oil in serving bowl. Serve with dumplings.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook.  This was a different take on typical Asian snacks. These wonton treats are baked not fried and they are not actually bad. They are very filling and will quickly fill you up. I highly recommend putting parchment paper on the baking sheet so the wontons don't stick to the baking sheet.



Chicken en Papillote

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• pinch salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, sliced diagonally
• 1 small zucchini, cut lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tsp. dried tarragon
•  1/2 tsp. grated lemon or orange zest

Makes 4 Servings

1. Heat oven to 400 F (425 F if foil is used). Cut four 2-foot lengths of parchment paper or foil. Fold each in half to make a 1-foot square. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place a breast slightly  below the middle of each square of paper.
2. In a small bowl, combine the scallions, carrot, zucchini, tarragon, and zest. Spoon 1/4 of the vegetable mixture over each chicken breast.
3. Fold the parchment or foil over the chicken or crimp the edges together tightly. Bake for 20 minutes on a baking sheet.
4. To serve, cut an X in the top of each packet with scissors and tear to open.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Book. This dish is a good start to kick start your diet if you fall off the wagon. There are three servings of vegetables in this dish and some meaty chicken. I highly recommend adding minced garlic to the chicken because everything tastes better with garlic. You can also use turkey or certain fish in this recipe and the dish will still be delicious.

Ragu Bolognese

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 3/4 lb. lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (28 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 1/2 lb. whole wheat spaghetti
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Makes 6 Servings (1 cup per serving)

1. Heat oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook, breaking it apart with wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring, until evaporated. Stir in onion, carrot, celery, oregano, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with their juice; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 12 minutes. Stir in milk and cook, stirring, until creamy and thickened, about 5 minutes longer.
2. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti, according to package directions, omitting salt if desired; drain well.
3. Add pasta and Parmesan to skillet and cook, tossing, until heated through, about 2 minutes longer.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. This is what I call a taste of Italy. Don't be intimidated by all the ingredients. Once you get your mise en place together, it's all smooth sailing from then on. The original recipe calls for dry white wine but I prefer red wine with my ground beef. You can use ground turkey, chicken, pork or veal in the Bolognese and this dish will still be deliciously comforting. You can use the white wine with the white meat and the red wine with the ground beef. I also recommend 3 garlic cloves minced in with the vegetables for a more aromatic flavor and garlic always makes everything taste better. If you make this dinner, I promise you it will bring your family and friends to the table and people will love it. As for the olive oil, you can use a variety of Mediterranean in fused olive oil in this dish. For a selection, visit www.TheImperialOlive.com.

Sonoma Plum and Rosemary Pork Roast

Ingredients:

• 1 2-pound boneless pork top loin roast (single loin)
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 2 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (1 teaspoon minced)
• 1 1/2 cups port
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 6 fresh plums, pitted and quarteredwi
• Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

Makes 6 Servings

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Season with pork with kosher salt and pepper. In a 4- to 5-quart oven-going Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add pork; cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until browned, turning roast to brown evenly on all sides. Remove pork from pan; set aside.
2. Add onion and carrot to Dutch oven. Cook about 5 minutes or until the onion is golden brown, stirring frequently. Stir in the rosemary and garlic; cook and stir for 1 minute more. Add port and broth. Return the pork to the pan. Heat just until boiling.
3. Cover Dutch oven and bake for 20 minutes. Add plums. Bake, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes more or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 145°F.
4. Transfer the pork to a cutting board; cover with foil and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing. The temperature of the pork after standing should be 150°F. Meanwhile, using a slotted spoon, transfer plums to a serving platter. Remove any grease from the sauce. Place Dutch oven over medium-high heat on the stove. Reduce heat; boil gently, uncovered, about 10 minutes or until sauce is reduced to about 3/4 cup.
5. To serve, thinly slice pork. Arrange pork slices on platter with plums. Serve with sauce. If desired, garnish with fresh rosemary.

WW POINTS VALUE: 8 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Sonoma Cookbook. This is what I call a winner, winner, pork dinner. Who doesn't love pork and wine? Certain fruits go very well with pork and plums are one of them. You can use any variety plum in this dish and your pork roast will be delicious. The recipe also suggests you can use figs or dried figs in this dish. I made this last night and it was delicious. The combination of red wine, plums, pork and vegetables is so heavenly delicious. I do highly recommend checking your pork so it doesn't come out dry in the end and keeping an eye on the sauce so it doesn't evaporate. I highly recommend serving this on a special occasion or for when you're having company for dinner. One bite of this and they will go nuts for it. I also highly recommend using Rosemary-Infused Olive Oil in this dish to enhance the rosemary flavors. For more information, visit www.TheImperialOlive.com.