Croque Monsieur Egg Rolls

 Ingredients:

• 5 oz. lean cooked ham, finely diced (about 1 1/4 cups)
• 2 oz. low-fat Swiss cheese, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 tbsp. uncooked scallions, minced
• 8 egg roll wrappers
• cooking spray
• 1/4 cup honey mustard

Makes 8 Servings (1 egg roll  & 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 
2. Combine ham, cheese, and scallion in a small bowl; mix well. 
3. Place an egg roll wrapper on a flat work surface with the corners set vertically (pointing up and down-like a diamond shape). Arrange 3 slightly rounded tablespoons of filling down the center of the wrapper, leaving 1/2 inch of space at the bottom and top. 
4. Fold the bottom of the wrapper to the center, over the filling. Gently, but firmly, fold the left side of the wrapper to the center and then fold in the right side. Fold the top of the wrapper down to cover filling and seal any loose ends with water; repeat with remaining ingredients. 
5. Place filled wrappers on prepared baking sheet; lightly coat surface of wrappers with cooking spray. Bake until wrappers are golden brown, flipping once, about 16 minutes. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. These are a tasty and different take on a traditional French dish. These treats use egg roll wrappers and the wrappers work really well. I highly recommend adding a touch of minced garlic and diced red bell pepper for more flavor and a little more crunch to these treats. These treats can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner or even a light snack. 

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.

Warm Mexican Chili Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 oz.) package fat-free cream cheese, softened
• 1 (15 oz.) can low-fat or fat-free vegetarian chili
• 1 cup reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
• 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
• 3 scallions, chopped

Makes 6 Servings (1 1/4 cups per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Spread cream cheese in the bottom of casserole dish measuring about 6 X 10 inches; spoon chili on top and sprinkle with cheddar. Bake until heated through and cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with bell pepper and scallions. Serve hot or warm.

WW POINTS VALULE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. This dip makes a wonderful dish for lunch, as a snack and it's even great to serve at any party. It's flavorful and goes great with any protein, or vegetable. I highly recommend using the Vegetarian Chili from the South Beach Diet because you know what is in the chili and it's packed with flavor and vegetables. This dip even goes great on top of backed potatoes or with homemade French fries. 

Asian Cabbage Slaw

Ingredients:

• 6 cups Napa cabbage, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 cup red bell peppers, julienned
• 2 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp. ginger, chopped
• 1/4 cup scallion, chopped
• 1 cup Asian pear or green apple, peeled, cored & julienned
• 1 tsp chile paste, sambal oelek, or Korean chile paste
• 1/2 cup Soy Sesame Vinaigrette
• 1 tbsp. sesame seeds, toasted
• 1/4 cup almonds, toasted & slivered
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Makes 6 cups, serves 12

1. Combine all ingredients except almonds in a large bowl.
2. Garnish with toasted, slivered almonds.

 

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Sonoma Cookbook. This vegetarian side dish puts a new spin on the typical slaw. Thus cabbage slaw has a lot of bright colors and has a nice, crunchy texture to it. You can use green cabbage or Napa Cabbage in this recipe. There's a lot of crunch and flavor in this dish and it goes perfect with any Asian protein to make your meal filling and satisfying. PLus, you won't find this side dish on any Asian takeout menu. 







Turkey Antipasto Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp. minced red onion
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 1 (1lb.) head romaine lettuce, chopped (8 cups)
• 3/4 lb. roasted turkey breast
• 2 large roasted red bell peppers, cut into thin strips
• 6 oz. marinated artichoke hearts (about 8 pieces)
• 4 oz. reduced-fat provolone, mozzarella, or muenster cheese, sliced or cubed

Makes 4 (2 1/2-cup) Servings

1. Place oil, vinegar, onion, salt, and pepper in a small glass jar. Close tightly and shake vigorously.
2. Arrange lettuce, turkey, bell peppers, artichokes, and cheese on 4 plates, antipasto style (separated into piles). Spoon dressing over top and serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 10 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook. Antipasto means before the meal and is usually the first course of an Italian meal. Traditional antipasto meals can include cured meats, olives, pepperoncini, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, various cheeses, pickled meats and vegetables in oil or vinegar. The people at South Beach have made a classic Italian appetizer into a colorful salad that is deliciously filling. You can enjoy this salad for lunch or dinner. If you don't have marinated bell peppers or artichoke hearts and/or raw turkey or chicken, grill the meat and vegetables and your salad will taste just as delicious. If you're using turkey or chicken, season with salt, pepper and garlic and grill both sides alongside the vegetables 8-10 minutes and your salad will be just as delicious. You can also substitute arugula or spinach in place of the romaine and your salad will be even healthier.

Skirt Steak Fajitas with Sweet Onions

Ingredients:

• 1 large Vidalia onion, cut into 3/4-inch slices
• 2 red bell peppers, stems and seeds discarded, peppers quartered
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb. skirt steak, trimmed
• 4 (10-inch) whole wheat flour tortillas, warmed
• 1 1/2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 3 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
• lime wedges

Makes 4 Servings (1 filled tortilla per serving)

1.  Spray grill rack with nonstick spray; preheat grill to medium-high or prepare medium hot fire. Generously coat onion slices and bell peppers with olive oil nonstick spray. Place on grill rack and grill, turning once or twice, until softened and browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board.
2. Meanwhile, combine chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle mixture over both sides of steak. Place steak on grill rack or grill until instant-read thermometer inserted into side of steak registers 145 F for medium, 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer steak to cutting board and loosely cover with foil; let stand 3 minutes. Cut steak across grain into 12 slices. Cut onion and bell peppers into strips.
3. Layer each tortilla with 3 slices steak and top evenly with onion, bell peppers, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

WW POINTS VALUE: 9 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Tastier than Takeout Cookbook. If you're thinking about ordering Mexican food, PUT DOWN THE PHONE! You can make this Mexican classic in 30 minutes or less for a fraction of the cost and twice the flavor. All the meat and vegetables will quickly fill you up and leave you satisfied. You can eat these treats for lunch or dinner any day or night of the week and people will enjoy them. They're perfect when you're watching the game or in for a movie night.