Chicken Banh Mi Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 2 tbsp. pickled sliced jalapeno peppers, drained
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tsp. rice vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. Asian (dark) sesame oil
• 1 lb. ground skinless chicken breast
• 2 scallions, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp. Sriracha or other chili sauce
• 1 (12 oz.) whole wheat baguette

Makes 4 Servings (1 sandwich per serving)

1.  Combine carrots, jalapeno peppers, cilantro, vinegar, and sesame oil in a small bowl. 
2. Stir together chicken, scallions, soy sauce, and garlic in medium bowl, mixing just until combined. With damp hands, shape mixture into 8 (1/2-inch-thick) patties. 
3. Spray large skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook until browned and instant-read thermometer inserted in side of patties registers 165 F, 6-7 minutes per side.
4. Stir together mayonnaise and Sriracha in a small bowl. Split baguette without completely cutting through. Remove small amount of soft center from baguette and discard, or save for bread crumbs. Cut into 4 equal pieces. Spread 2 tablespoons mayonnaise mixture on cut-side of pieces. Stuff each with 2 patties and top with 1/4 cup carrot mixture. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 10 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Tastier than Takeout Cookbook. Bahn Mi is one of the signature cuisines of Vietnam. Bahn Mi is a type of baguette which is often split lengthwise and filled with various savory ingredients as a sandwich and is usually served as a meal. This sandwich is different because of the spicy flavors and filling condiments. The Bahn Mi is quite filling and delicious and will become a favorite in your house. I think this sandwich is better than what you would order at a fast food joint and you  can make it and eat it in 30 minutes or less. 

Keema Samosas

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. garam masala
• 3/4 tsp. curry powder
• 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 lb. ground skinless chicken breast
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
• 34 (3-inch) square wonton wrappers

Makes 17 Servings (2 samosas per serving)

1. To make filling, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, jalapeno, and garlic; cook until onion begins to soften, about 4 minutes. Stir in garam masala, curry powder, and turmeric; cook 30 seconds. Add chicken and sprinkle with salt; cook, breaking up chicken with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat; let cool 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro and lime juice. 
2. Preheat oven to 425 F. Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray.
3. Place 6 wonton wrappers on work surface. Put scant 1 tablespoon of filling in center of each wrapper. Moisten edges of wrappers with water. Fold each wrapper over filling to form triangle. Press edges firmly to seal. Place samosas on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining filling and wrappers, making a total of 34 samosas.
4. Lightly spray samosas with nonstick spray. Bake until crisp and golden, about 6 minutes per side. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. Keema samosas are popular road side snacks that are deep fried and delicious and a staple dish of India. This snack recipe is made using mutton keema and maida. These samosas are baked and use wontons and use ground chicken. You can also use ground turkey in these samosas and they will still be delicious. These Indian treats are filled with protein, plenty of spices and flavor. Samosas also make a great party food because they freeze easily. These Indian dishes will quickly become a favorite after eating just one.  

Layered Chicken Taco Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. canola oil
• 1 lb. ground chicken  breast 
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp. ground cumin
• 1 tbsp. ground dark chili powder
• 1 (8 oz.) can no-salt-added tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup fat-free refried beans
• 3 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1/2 cup salsa verde
• 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
• 12 reduced-fat tortilla chips

Makes 6 Servings (3/4 cup salad with 2 tortilla chips per serving)

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, garlic, onions, cumin and chili powder. Cook, breaking up the chicken with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce and water; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the flavors are blended and the liquid has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat; stir in the cheese and cilantro.
2. Spread the beans in the bottom of a 7 X 11-inch baking dish; top with a layer of the lettuce, hen with the chicken mixture, salsa, and finally a layer of sour cream. Tuck the chips around the dish. Serve at once.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. This is a wonderful dish to enjoy during the game day, movie night or any night of the week. It's quick, easy and flavorful. If you don't have ground chicken available, ground turkey works just as well. If you don't have salsa verde on hand, use homemade guacamole or homemade tomato salsa and the dish will be just as tasty. 

Vietnamese Bahn Mi Chicken Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground skinless chicken breast
• 2 large shallots, finely chopped
• 1 3/4 tsp. Sriracha sauce
• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/3 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 4 light whole wheat hamburger rolls, split
• 1/4 cup very thin matchstick strips or shredded carrot
• 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves

Makes 4 Servings (1 garnished burger per serving)

1. Mix together chicken, shallots, 1 teaspoon of Sriracha, and the salt in a medium bowl until combined well. With damp hands, shape mixture into 4 (1/2-inch thick) patties.
2. Spray a grill pan with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Place patties in pan and grill until instant-read thermometer inserted into side of burger registers 165 F, about 5 minutes per side.
3. Meanwhile, stir together mayonnaise and remaining 3/4 teaspoon Sriracha in a cup. Spread bottoms of buns with Sriracha mayonnaise. Place burgers in buns and top evenly with carrots and cilantro.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. If you love gourmet burgers, you will love these. Bahn Mi is one of the signature dishes of Vietnam and typically consists of one or more meats, accompanying vegetables, and condiments. This version of the Bahn Mi is made of ground chicken, vegetables, a spicy mayonnaise and vegetable toppings. I highly recommend adding minced garlic and some panko bread crumbs to make the burgers more flavorful and to hold them together. Other vegetables you can add include sliced English cucumbers, matchstick-cut daikon radishes and/ or sweet onions to make your burgers more filling and flavorful.

Skewered Sesame Meatbals with Sweet-Sour Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground skinless chicken breast
• 1 (7 oz.) can whole water chestnuts, drained & finely chopped
• 1/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs
• 2 large egg whites
• 2 tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp. sesame seeds
• 36 snow peas (about 3 oz.), trimmed
• 3/4 cup bottled sweet-and-sour dipping sauce

Makes 12 Servings (3 skewers with 1 tablespoon sauce per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Spray a jelly-roll pan with nonstick spray.
2. To make the meatballs, combine the chicken, water chestnuts, bread crumbs, egg whites, soy sauce, shallot, and ginger in a medium bowl until well blended. Shape the mixture into 36 meatballs and place in the pan. Sprinkle the meatballs with the sesame seeds. then lightly spray with nonstick spray. Bake until the meatballs are cooked through, about 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add the snow peas and boil for 1 minute. Drain and rinse under running water to stop the cooking. Drain again.
4. Skewer a snow pea and meatball onto each wooden pick. Repeat with the remaining 35 snow peas and 35 meatballs. Pile the skewers onto a platter and serve the dipping sauce alongside.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. These meatballs are what I call elegant appetizers. You can serve these meatballs on game day, at a brunch, luncheon and even a Chinese New Year's Party. These take on meatballs are actually quite tasty and they taste better than what you would order for takeout. The meatballs are flavorful and moist. I do recommend adding some minced garlic to the meatballs for more flavor and making your own sweet and sour sauce.  

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.

 

 



Chicken Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:

• 3 large Yukon gold potatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs.) peeled & quartered
• 3/4 cup fat-free milk
• 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3/4 lb. ground chicken breast
• 1 1/2 tbsp. whole wheat flour
• 2 tbsp. tbsp. white Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. finely chopped sage
• 1/2 tsp. crushed green peppercorns
• 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 (10 oz.) package frozen peas & carrots
• 1/4 tsp. paprika

Makes 6 (1 cup) Servings

1. Bring the potatoes, with enough water to cover, to a boil in a large pot. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 12 minutes. Drain and place in a medium bowl. Add the milk, mustard, and black pepper. Mash with a potato masher or an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 4 minutes by hand or 2 minutes with a mixer; set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
3. Spray a large skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes.
4. Sprinkle the flour over the chicken mixture. Stir well and cook, just until the flour is absorbed, about 30 seconds. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, sage, and crushed green peppercorns; cook until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture bubbles and thickens, about 1 minute. Stir in the peas and carrots. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch square baking dish.
5.  Spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over the chicken mixture. Sprinkle with the paprika. Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until bubbling and heated through, about 40 minutes. Let stand for about 5 minutes before serving.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. Shepherd's Pie is considered to be the national dish of England. Shepherd's pie normally has mutton or ground beef but this recipe has ground chicken in it. This version of a classic comfort food is absolutely delicious. If you don't have packaged vegetables, use 1 cup each of chopped carrots and peas and the dish will be just as delicious. I highly recommend adding a pinch of salt and minced garlic when cooking the onions because salt, ground pepper and garlic always add flavor and make your savory dish taste better. This comfort food is perfect for eating during the colder months. Don't worry if it looks messy, it tastes great.



Chicken Meat Loaf

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Golden Delicious apples, cored & finely chopped
• 1 1/2 lbs. ground skinless chicken breast
• large egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1 cup fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tsp. honey mustard

Makes 6 Servings ( 1/6 of meat loaf per serving)

1. Spray a medium skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Add the onion and celery; cook, stirring frequently, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the apples, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are quite soft, the onion is golden, and the mixture is very fragrant, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool 15 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a 5 X 9-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
3. Add the chicken, egg whites, bread crumbs, dill, lemon zest, salt, nutmeg, and pepper to the onion mixture; mix until well combined. Spoon into loaf pan and pack down. Spread the mustard over the top.
4. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the meat loaf registers 165 F, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let stand for about 5 minutes, then unmold and cut into slices.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. I never liked meat loaf as a kid but this meat loaf is really nice. Chicken meat loaf is actually delicious when it has the right ingredients. It may look a little messy but it's delicious. You do get your share of fruits and vegetables in this meal. I highly recommend adding minced garlic along with the vegetable while they're being sautéed because garlic always makes everything taste better. The mustard on top of the meatloaf adds a nice touch of zing to the meat loaf.

 

Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs with Penne and Kale

Ingredients:

• 1/4 lb. ground skinless chicken breast
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup plain dried bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup fat-free milk
• 1 large egg white
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 16 (1/2-inch) cubes part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 oz. whole wheat penne
• 2 cups thinly sliced kale

Makes 4 Servings ( 1 1/3 cups pasta mixture, 4 meatballs, 1/2 cup sauce 1 tbsp. Parmesan cheese per serving)

1. Mix together the chicken 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, the bread crumbs, parsley, milk, egg white, garlic and oregano in a large bowl until  well combined. Divide the chicken mixture into 16 equal portions. Shape each portion around a mozzarella cheese cube to form 16 stuffed meatballs.
2. Meanwhile, combine the marinara sauce  and water and bring to a simmer in a large skillet . Gently add the meatballs; cover and simmer, turning the meatballs a few times, until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
3. Cook the penne according to package directions, omitting salt if desired, and adding kale during the last minute of cooking; drain.
4. Divide the pasta-kale mixture among 4 plates; top evenly with the meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

WW POINTS VALUE: 10 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. This is what I call ultimate Italian comfort food mixed in with a touch of elegance. This dish is perfect for making on a cold winter day. Your soul will be warmed after eating this dish and it make a great dish the next day as leftovers, if you have any. Don't be intimidated when cooking with kale. It's really simple and a great way to add a super-nutritious vegetable to your meal. Kale is a member of the cabbage family and has a high concentrations of antioxidants and nutrients such as Vitamins A, C & K and high in fiber too. You can also use any kind of marinara sauce (especially puttanesca sauce) in this recipe and the dish will still be comforting. If you make this dish for family and friends, it will quickly become a favorite.

Chicken & Mushroom Bolognese

Ingredients:

• 1 (9 oz.) package fresh fettucine
• 4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 small carrot, chopped
• 1 small celery stalk, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 lb. ground skinless chicken breast
• 1 (10 oz.) package sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2. tsp. freshly ground black pepper.
• 1 cup prepared fat-free marinara sauce

Makes 4 Servings (1 1/4 cups per serving)

1. Cook the fettucine according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery; stirring, until the onion is golden, about 4 minutes. Add the chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Add the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer.
3. Add the pasta to the Bolognese sauce and toss, adding enough of the reserved cooking water to moisten the sauce, if needed.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW in 20 Minutes Cookbook. This was a nice treat for a change. I was craving Italian food and was cleaning out the refrigerator at the same time and this recipe looked too good to pass up. This was a delicious dinner and a compliment to Italy. Plus, this dinner was tastier than takeout and just as good as what you would order at your local Italian restaurant. You can use any kind of pasta in this dish and your dish will still be delicious. If you're strapped for time, put the onion, celery and carrot in a food processor and then put them in the skillet. I highly recommend adding a touch of basil and oregano to the Bolgnese mixture because basil and oregano add such aromatic flavors to Italian cooking. I also recommend adding a touch of dry red wine to the sauce because wine always makes things taste better. 

Chicken Burgers on Garlic Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp. plain dried bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp. coarse-grained Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 shallots, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (8-oz.) length of French bread, cut into 4 equal pieces and split
• 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, halved

Makes 4 Servings

1. Spray the rack of a broiler pan with nonstick spray and preheat the broiler.
2. Mix together the chicken, bread crumbs, cheese, mustard, shallots, thyme, salt and pepper in a medium bowl until well combined. With damp hands, shape into 4 (1/2-inch thick) oval patties.
3. Place the patties on the broiler rack and broil 4 inches from the heat until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the side of a burger registers 165 F, 5-6 minutes on each side.
4. Meanwhile, brush the cut sides of the bread with the oil. Broil, cut side up, alongside the burgers until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Rub the cut side of the garlic over the toasted side of the bread. Place a burger on the bottom half of each piece of bread and cover with the top of the bread.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW in 20 Minutes Cookbook. Who doesn't crave a flavorful burger once in a while? You don't always need ground beef to enjoy a delicious burger. Chicken burgers are just as tasty and flavorful as your ordinary burgers you get at restaurants. This chicken burger was such a delicious treat. I added the Parmesan cheese for a more authentic Italian taste. This is what I call Italy on the Grill. You can also add other cheeses such as Gruyere, mozzarella, asiago, etc. for a more Mediterranean flavor and it will still be delicious. If you want to add more filling to this burger, I highly recommend adding arugula, spinach, romaine lettuce, aioli, roasted red pepper sauce, tomato, etc and you will be happy. You will never find this burger at a brand name Italian restaurant. If you really want to add more Mediterranean flare to this burger, I highly recommend Organic Basil Extra-Virgin Olive Oil from the Imperial Olive in Williamsburg, VA. You can visit www.TheImperialOlive.com for more information.



Sloppy Joes Tex-Mex Style

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 lb. ground skinless chicken breast
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups prepared black bean and corn salsa
• 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 4 (7-inch) whole-wheat tortillas,warmed
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 scallion chopped

Makes 4 Servings

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, chicken, chili seasoning, salt and pepper; cook, breaking the chicken apart with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 6 mnutes. Stir in the salsa and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes longer. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
2. Combine the sour cream and lime juice in a small bowl.
3. Place 1 warm tortilla on each of the 4 plates. Spoon about 3/4 cup of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla; top with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with the cilantro and scallion.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts per plate

Note: This recipe appears in the WW in 20 Minutes Cookbook. I was in the mood for some comfort food and this dish hit the spot. I have become a fan of Mexican food and Tex-Mex food sine spending a month in Mexico. Ground chicken mixed in with any kind of herbs and spices is delicious. you can also use ground turkey or beef with this dish and it will still be delicious. If you don't have black bean and corn salsa, use another variety instead. I made the WW version  of Pico de Gallo Salsa in this and it still came out great. This is a very tasty comfort food that can be made on the weeknights for the whole family to love. I also think Iron Chefs Jose Garces and Bobby Flay would like these as well. Iron Chef Flay (or any other Celebrity Chef), if you're reading this, I still want to  challnege you to a Throwdown of any kind at Boston College. 

Chicken Empanadas

Ingredients:

• Dough:
• 1 cup hot water
• 2 cups flour
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• Pinch salt
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

• Filling:
• 1 lb. ground chicken breast
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cilantro
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 cup milk
• 2 jalapeno peppers finely diced
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese or any kind of Mexican cheese
• 1 (14 1/2 oz) can diced tomatoes
• olive oil for brushing

Makes 6 Servings

1. For the dough: Mix all the ingredients together and work dough until consistent. Set aside and let it rest for 20 minutes before forming the discos.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium heat. Place chicken, onion, chili and cilantro in skillet and cook until chicken is browned. stirring occasionally to break up meat, about 8 minutes. Remove chicken mixture from skillet and set aside.
3. Place skillet over medium-high heat and add flour. gradually aCarefully fold over the circle with contents into a semicircle. Add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium; simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.
4. Remove skillet from heat; stir in chicken mixture, jalapenos, cumin, cheese and tomatoes.
5. Place the empanada dough on a floured counter top. Roll the dough out into a 1/8 inch thick layer.Cut the dough into circles with round cookie cutters or biscuit cutters.  Remove the excess dough from the cut out circle. Place your filling of choice in the center of the circle.
6. Crimp down the edges with a fork. If the edges won't stick together, wet your finger and rub it along the inside edge of the dough and try again.
7. Place the empanadas in a large baking dish. Brush empanadas with olive oil. Put dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Serve hot.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts (I hope!)

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com, sort of. The orginal recipe appears as Turkey Enchilada Pie but after studying the recipe I decided to go the route of empanadas. Ground chicken was on sale this week at the grocery store and I was in the mood for Latin food. Empanadas are either a  stuffed bread or pastry baked or fried in many countries of Latin America and the south of Europe.  Empanada is made by folding a dough or bread patty around the stuffing. The stuffing can consist of a variety of meats, cheese,  vegetables or fruits among others. I like to think of empanadas as pies and comfort fodd that will help you sleep at night. I learned how to make empanadas last year in aculinary class and I loved them. This was my forst attempt at making empanadas and my mom and I loved them. They were so filling and delicious it  was like having your own little version of a Mexican Chicken Pot Pie. I highly recommend making empanadas on the weekend because they are somewhat time consuming and they are perfect for this time of year for football season and the weather is nice enough to have the oven going on and to open the house up to air out the aromas. 

Blue Cheese Chicken Burger

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce, or to taste
• 1 lbs. uncooked extra lean ground chicken breast
• 1/2 cup scallion, sliced
• 1/4 cup celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup dried bread crumbs,
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 4  mixed-grain hamburger rolls
• 2 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
• 1 large tomato, cut into 8 slices
• 1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled

 Makes 4 Servings

1. Coat a grill or grill pan with cooking spray; preheat to medium-high.
2. In a small bowl, combine barbecue sauce and hot pepper sauce. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, barbecue sauce mixture, scallion, celery, bread crumbs, garlic, salt and blue cheese. Using wet hands (to prevent mixture from sticking), form chicken mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties; brush top of burgers with some remaining barbecue sauce mixture (if you have any leftover).
3. Place burgers on grill. Grill, turning once, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Lightly toast open-faced buns on grill during last minute of cooking.
4. To serve, place 4 bun bottoms on each of 4 plates. Top each with 1/2 cup of shredded lettuce, 2 tomato slices and burger.
   

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts (1 burger per serving)

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. I already made barbecue sauce and I was in the mood for a good burger. Turkey and chicken burgers are just as delicious as beef burgers. If you're a fan of buffalo wings, this burger is definitely for you. It has the combination of what you normally order in a restaurant if you order buffalo wings: blue cheese, hot sauce, celery, etc. But there's some added ingredients to make this burger more flavorful: Barbecue sauce mixed with the hot sauce, scallions, garlic and bread crumbs. This juicy burger melts in your mouth with all the savory flavors combined. You can add more hot sauce if you want. I highly recommend serving this burger at a tailgate party because you'll be the only one serving gourmet burgers.

Mediterranean Chicken Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 (13 1/2 oz.) can quartered artichoke hearts in water, drained
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (about 6), cut into thin strips
• 1 lb. ground chicken breast
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil,plus 12 whole basil leaves
• 4 whole-wheat or whole-grain hamburger buns, lightly toasted

Makes 4 Servings

1. In a small bowl, combine the artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes.
2. In a large bowl, stir together chicken, egg yolk, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and chopped basil. Form mixture into 4 patties, about 1/2-inch thick.
3. Lightly coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray nd heat over medium-high heat. Add burgers and cook until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
4. Place basil leaves on the buns, if using, and top with the burgers. top each burger with artichoke mixture and serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts with the bun or 4 pts without the bun

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. It's the summertime, the heatwave has passed and I was in the mood for grilling. I have always wanted to try this recipe because I loved Mediterranean flavors and I love burgers. Once again, Dr. Agatson and the South Beach Co. have done it again with their gourmet burgers. There is nothing like a gourmet burger. I have never had artichokes before and I have to say they are nice mixed in with the sun-dried tomatoes with a little basil and garlic. I also recommend serving lettuce (chiffonaded) sliced tomato and a side of condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and even homemade pesto sauce with this burger for full flavor. Eat your hearts out, Chefs Emril Lagasse, Mario Batali, Michael Symon and David 'Big Papi' Ortiz!