Chicken, Shrimp & Chorizo Paella

 Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 (3/4 lb.) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut in half crosswise
• 1/2 lb. extra-large shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 1/4 lb. chorizo sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup peas
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 cup long-grain rice
• 8 small piemento-stuffed green olives sliced
• 1/2 tsp. saffron threads, crushed
• 1/8 tsp. smoked paprika
• 3 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Makes 6 Servings (1 1/3 cups per serving)

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned, 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook until browned, 1 1/2 minutes on each side; transfer to a separate plate. Add the chorizo to the skillet and cook until browned, about 3 minutes on each side; transfer to the plate with the chicken. 
2. Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic to the skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, broth, rice, olives, saffron, and paprika; bring to a boil. Add the chicken and chorizo; return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, about 15 minutes. 
3. Add the shrimp to the skillet and simmer, covered, until the chicken and chorizo are cooked through and the shrimp are opaque in the center, about 7 minutes. Fluff mixture with a fork and stir in the parsley, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. Paella is considered the national dish of Spain and it's a wonderful comfort food that is full of flavor. Paella is a saffron-infused Valencian rice dish that is rich with ingredients such as chicken, seafood, sausages, vegetables and flavorful seasonings such as saffron and paprika. This version of paella is tasty, filling and deliciously satisfying. The original recipe calls for Keilbasa sausage but I used chorizo because chorizo is a traditional ingredient used in paella. I added peas to the paella for a more filling flavor. Red bell peppers are used in traditional paella but you can use any bell pepper in this recipe. I highly recommend using bomba rice in this recipe for an authentic Spanish flare. 

Mexican Breakfast Bake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. chorizo sausage
• 1/4 cup diced onions
• 1 cup diced bell peppers
• 1/2 cup sliced white mushrooms
• 2 tbsp. minced garlic
• 2 cups packed chopped baby kale
• 12 eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Makes 8 Servings (1 piece per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Lightly coat with butter a 9 x13-inch baking dish and set it aside. 
2. Heat the sausage in a large saute pan over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks, until it is cooked through. 
3. Remove the sausage, reserving the grease in the pan. Add the onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the mushrooms are browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the kale and and stir until wilted. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside for 5 minutes to cool slightly. 
4. Whisk together eggs, milk, and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Add to the bowl the cooled vegetable and sausage mixture, half the cheddar, and half the Colby Jack. Stir to combine.
5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese. 
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the eggs are set and the cheese is bubbling. Cut into 8 pieces. Serve warm, garnished with cilantro. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 10 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. This dish is both filling and flavorful. Chorizo sausage combined with eggs, vegetables and cheese is absolutely delicious. I highly recommend serving this dish at a brunch it's that good. 

Sausage, Pepper, & Mushroom Paella

Ingredients:

• 3 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 (13 oz.) package chorizo sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 (10 oz.) package sliced white mushrooms
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (8 oz.) package yellow rice mix
• 2 tsp. ground smoked paprika
• pinch saffron
• 1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Makes 8 Servings (1 cup per serving)

1. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chorizo and cook, stirring, until browned, about 8 minutes. With slotted spoon, transfer to a plate.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Heat remain 2 teaspoons oil in Dutch oven. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms, bell peppers, and garlic; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Add rice to mushroom mixture, stirring until coated well. Stir in broth, wine, tomatoes, and chorizo; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Stir in peas. Remove Dutch oven from heat; let stand, covered, until peas are heated through, about 5 minutes.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. I have never been to Spain but paella is considered to be the national dish of Spain. Paella is so delicious when it's done right. Paella can be served for almost any occasion: game day, get togethers, movie night or even holidays. The original recipe calls for water but I substituted vegetable broth and dry white wine to make the paella more flavorful. I also added a touch a paprika and saffron for an authentic Spanish taste. The original recipe called for turkey kielbasa but I used chorizo for a more authentic Spanish taste. Paella is so delicious it will quickly become a favorite at your table.

Seafood Paella

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 (4 oz.) low-fat chorizo sausage link
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup quick-cooking whole-grain brown rice
• 1 1/2 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
• 2 roasted red peppers (from a jar), thinly sliced
• pinch saffron
• 1/2 lb. large shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 2 large plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen baby peas
• 1 1/2 lbs. littleneck clams or cockles (about 2 dozen), cleaned
• 1 1/2 lbs. mussels (about 2 dozen), cleaned
• freshly ground black pepper

Makes 4 Servings

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes; transfer to a cutting board. Add onion and garlic to the pan; cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cut sausage into thin slices. Return sausage to the pan and add wine, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add rice, broth, red peppers, and saffron; bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in shrimp, tomatoes, and peas. Add clams and mussels, cover, and cook until clams and mussels open, about 5 minutes. Discard any shellfish that haven't opened. Season lightly with black pepper. Divide among 4 bowls and serve warm.

WW POINTS VALUE: 8 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. Paella is considered to be the national dish of Spain. I have never been to Spain but I've had paella a couple of times and paella is delicious. This is a healthy version of paella and it is flavorful and delicious. The original recipe called for a low-fat hot Italian turkey sausage link. I recommend using a chorizo sausage for an authentic Spanish taste. Chorizo is always used in paella so please don't insult the national dish of Spain. Also, bomba rice is typically use in making paella but this recipe calls for whole grain brown rice and the paella tastes just as good and it's perfect for people who are prone to heart disease, diabetes and other health concerns. If you don't have or like clams or mussels, double up on the shrimp and the paella will still be delicious. Paella is a wonderful comfort food and it's perfect for any kind of party or gathering. Serve this and company will eat this up.