Showing posts with label unsalted butter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unsalted butter. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Chocolate chocolate chip cookies

 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 large egg white(s)
  • 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
  • Cooking spray
Makes 40 Cookies (1 cookie per serving)

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
  3. Beat butter and brown sugar with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy; gradually add granulated sugar, beating well. Add cocoa and egg whites, beating well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.
  4. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 11⁄2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool completely on wire racks. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. Chocolate chocolate chip cookies are so decadent and delicious. These cookies literally melt in your mouth they are that good. I highly recommend that you indulge your sweet tooth by biting into one of these crisp cookies packed with melted pockets of chocolate chips, thanks to the dark brown sugar that gives them their delectable soft centers. As a bonus, the sugar also helps to deepen their flavor for even more richness. 

Sunday, October 31, 2021

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.

Monday, June 1, 2020

Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce

Ingredients:
Crust:
  • 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat graham cracker crumbs (about 10 graham crackers)
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ground nutmeg

Topping:
  • 2 cups fat-free sour cream
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Cake:
  • 4 (8 oz.) packages light cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1 tbsp. grated lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp. cornstarch
  • 2 cups fresh or thawed frozen blueberries
  • 1 tbsp. water
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
Makes 32 Servings (1/32 of cake per serving)
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a 10-inch springform pan with nonstick spray.
  2. To make the crust, stir together cracker crumbs, butter, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium bowl until moistened. Press crumb mixture firmly  onto bottom of prepared pan; refrigerate. 
  3. To make topping, stir together sour cream and sugar in a bowl; cover and refrigerate. 
  4. To make cake, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese in large bowl until very smooth. Gradually add sugar, beating  well after each addition. Beat in egg whites, lemon zest and juice, and vanilla until blended. Pour batter over crust. 
  5. Bake until center of cheesecake jiggles slightly, 55-60 minutes. Let cool in pan on wire rack 15 minutes. Spoon sour cream topping over cake; spread evenly with narrow metal spatula. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or up to 2 days. 
  6. To make sauce, stir together sugar and cornstarch in medium saucepan. Add blueberries and water; cook over medium heat, stirring, until berries soften and sauce bubbles and thickens, about 4 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in lemon juice. Transfer sauce to serving bowl and refrigerate until cool. 
  7. To serve, with thin knife dipped into hot water, cut cake into 32 wedges, dipping knife between cuts and shaking off excess water. Serve cake wedges topped with blueberry sauce.
WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. You can have your cheesecake and eat it too. The original recipe called for light corn syrup but I eliminated the corn syrup and added ground cinnamon and nutmeg to add more flavor to the crust and it was delicious. I also cut the granulated sugar in this cheesecake and added a little more lemon juice and limoncello for a more lemony flavor and the cheesecake was delicious. The blueberries add a nice, tart flavor to the cheesecake as well. 

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Dried Blueberry Breakfast Scones

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 3 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 3/4 cup dried blueberries
  • 3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
  • 1 egg white
Makes 12 Scones (1 scone per serving)
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
  2. Whisk together pastry flour, oats, flaxseed, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. With a pastry blender or 2 knives used scissor-fashion, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs with some small pieces of butter remaining. Gently stir in the blueberries. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the buttermilk. Whisk together buttermilk and the egg white in a small bowl. Add the flour mixture and stir just until the flour mixture is moistened (the dough will be soft).
  3. Gather the dough into a ball and place on a lightly floured surface; divide in half. knead each portion 2 times. Place the 2 pieces of dough on the baking sheet 5 inches apart. Pat each piece of dough into a 6-inch round. Spray a long thin knife with nonstick spray; cut each round into 6 wedges (do not separate the wedges).
  4. Brush the scones with the reserved buttermilk. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet on a rack 5 minutes. With a pancake spatula, slide each round onto a rack and let cool completely. Separate the wedges.
WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.
 
Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Scones are a wonderful treat for breakfast or as a snack. The original recipe called for 1 tablespoon of turbinado sugar to be topped on the scones but the scones are just as delicious without the sugar. You can also cut the light packed brown sugar in the scones because there are natural sugars in the dried blueberries to make these scones taste  sweet. If you don't have dried fruit on hand, use real berries and the scones will still be delicious.

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Basic Tart Crust

Ingredients:
  • 1 1 /2 cups cake flour
  • 1 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 4 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, diced
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tbsp. ice water
Makes 8 Servings (1/8 of tart crust per serving)
  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg yolk, then the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough begins to form. Briefly knead the dough with the heel of your hand on a smooth surface. Shape the dough into a disk and wrap it in plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour.
  2. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. Fit the dough into a 9-inch tart pan, pressing to fit, rolling the dough over to form a rim, and trimming off any excess. Freeze 20 minutes. Prick the bottom with a fork.
  3. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line the crust with aluminum foil; fill with dried beans. Bake until crust is set, about 15 minutes; remove the foil and beans. Bake until golden, 10-12 minutes longer. Cool on a rack.
WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.
 
Note: This recipe appears in the WW  New Complete Cookbook. This is a cheap and tasty alternative to a store-bought crust. This tart recipe can be used for sweet pies or tarts. You can omit the sugar in this recipe and the tart crust will still be good. 

Monday, April 2, 2018

Green Beans with Mushrooms & Crisp Onion Crumbs

Ingredients:
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tbsp. dried onion flakes
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 lbs. green beans, trimmed & halved crosswise
  • 1 lb. small white mushrooms, thinly sliced
Makes 8 Servings (1 cup per serving)
  1. To make crumb topping, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat; add panko, onion flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Increase heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until crumbs are lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer crumb mixture to plate and set aside. Wipe skillet clean.
  2. Heat oil and remaining 1 tablespoon butter in skillet over medium-high heat until butter is melted. Add green beans, mushrooms and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until mushrooms are lightly browned and green beans are crisp-tender; about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with reserved crumb topping.
WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.
 
Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. This is a quick and easy side that can be made in 20 minutes or less. If you don't have onion flakes on hand, any sliced onion will work just fine in this recipe. I also highly recommend adding minced garlic when cooking the beans and mushrooms because garlic always makes everything taste better. This side dish goes great with almost any protein and will quickly fill you up.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Tartlets

Ingredients:
  • 15 mini phyllo shells, thawed
  • 1/4 cup low-fat milk
  • 1 tsp. unsalted butter
  • 3 1/2 oz. bittersweet chocolate (about 3/4 cup)
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp. coarse sea salt
  • 5 tbsp. thawed frozen fat-free whipped topping
Makes 15 tartlets (1 tartlet per serving)
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Place phyllo shells on baking sheet and bake until lightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
  3. Meanwhile, combine milk and butter in small saucepan and set over high heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until milk bubbles around edge and butter is melted. Reduce heat to low; stir in chocolate and vanilla until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
  4. Let chocolate mixture cool 2-3 minutes. Spoon evenly into phyllo shells and sprinkle with salt. Refrigerate until filling is set, about 10 minutes. Top each tartlet with 1 teaspoon whipped topping just before serving.
WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.
 
Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. These sweet treats will quickly become your new favorite guilty pleasure. They are melt-in-your-mouth-delicious they're that good. The combination of vanilla, chocolate, milk and butter will literally melt in your mouth it is that good. Plus, it's in a small tartlet so it's the perfect portion size.

Monday, March 26, 2018

Streusel-Topped Apple-Spice Muffins

Ingredients:
Streusel Topping:
  • 3 tbsp. whole wheat flour
  • 3 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp. canola oil
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
 Muffins:
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tbsp. canola oil
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored & chopped


Makes 12 Servings (1 muffin per serving)
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
  2. To make the streusel, combine the streusel ingredients in a small bowl until moistened; set aside.
  3. To make the muffins, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and baking soda in a large bowl. Whisk together the brown sugar, applesauce, yogurt, oil, melted butter, and egg in a medium bowl. Add the applesauce mixture and apple to the flour mixture; stir just until the flour mixture is moistened.
  4. Fill the muffin cups evenly with the batter. Sprinkle evenly with the streusel, pressing lightly so it adheres. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a rack 5 minutes. Remove the muffins from the pan and let cool on a rack about 15 minutes longer. Serve warm.
WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.
 
Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Homemade muffins are absolutely delicious. These muffins are so tasty because they have the combination of apples and cinnamon. You can also use a pinch of nutmeg to these muffins for a pinch more flavor. The original recipe calls for 1/2 cup of light brown sugar but I reduced the light brown sugar to 2 tablespoons and the muffins tasted just as good. I reduce the amount of sugar because there is already natural sugars in the unsweetened applesauce and apples. Make these on the weekend and you can enjoy them on the weekend and through the week.
 

Monday, March 19, 2018

Key Lime Dessert Shots

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup lime juice, preferably key lime
  • 2 tsp. unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup aerosol whipped cream
  • 1 tbsp. grated lime zest
Makes 8 Servings
  1. Combine condensed milk and egg yolks in a small heavy saucepan; cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until mixture begins to boil. Stir in lime juice and 1 teaspoon of butter; pour into shallow bowl and refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.
  2. Fold yogurt into cooled lime mixture just until combined; set aside.
  3. Melt remaining  1 teaspoon butter in microwave in a small microwavable bowl. Add graham cracker crumbs and salt, stir until crumbs are evenly moistened.
  4. Line up 8 (2 oz.) shot glasses. Spoon 1 tablespoon crumb mixture into each glass, pressing to form crust. Top each crust with 2 heaping tablespoons lime filling and 1 tablespoon whipped cream; sprinkle evenly with lime zest.
WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.
 
Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. This is what I call a sweet ending. If you love key lime pie, you will love this dessert. It's a small portion but it's worth it. It's like eating a key lime pie out of a shot glass and it is flavorful and delicious.

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Baked Bittersweet Chocolate Souffle

Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp. + 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup fat-free egg substitute
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
  • pinch salt
  • 2 cups Dark Chocolate sauce (optional)
Makes 12 Servings (3/4 cup per serving)
  1. Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 F. Spray a 1 1/2-quart soufflé dish with nonstick spray and dust with 1 tablespoon of the sugar, shaking out the excess.
  2. Fill a medium saucepan with 1 1/2 inches of water and set over medium-low heat; bring almost to a simmer. Put the chocolate in a medium bowl and set over the water; whisk until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and whisk in the substitute and butter until blended; set aside.
  3. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the egg whites and salt in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
  4. Whisk one-fourth of the beaten whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. With a rubber spatula, gently fold in the remaining whites just until no streaks of whites remain. Gently pour the mixture into the soufflé dish and smooth the top. Put the soufflé dish in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Put in the oven and add enough boiling water to the pan to reach 1 inch up the side of the soufflé dish. Bake until the soufflé is set but the center still jiggles, about 40 minutes. Serve at once with the chocolate sauce.
WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.
 
Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Chocolate souffles are absolutely delicious when they are done right. Bittersweet chocolate or dark chocolate can be used in this elegant dessert because bittersweet and dark chocolate is much more flavorful and are the most seductive chocolate. The soufflé will literally melt in your mouth it's that good. If you don't have egg substitute on hand, you can use a cup of whole eggs and the soufflé will taste just as good.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Raspberry Squares

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/3 cup + 3 tbsp. confectioners' sugar
  • 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
  • 1 cup red raspberry preserves
  • 1 cup unsweetened frozen raspberries
  • 24 fresh raspberries (optional)
Makes 24 Servings (1 square per serving)
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Place flour, 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, butter, and almond extract in a food processor; pulse to combine, until the butter is in pea-size pieces.
  3. Spoon flour mixture into 9 x 13-inch ungreased baking dish; smooth into an even layer and tap with back of a spatula to for ma crust. Bake until just starts to turn golden, about 20 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine preserves and frozen raspberries; cook, stirring occasionally, until preserves liquefy and frozen raspberries thaw, 3-5 minutes.
  5. When crust is ready, pour raspberry mixture over top of hot crust and smooth into an even layer; bake until set, 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan until just warm. Cut into 24 even pieces, remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack. When raspberry bars are completely cool, dust with remaining 3 tablespoons confectioners'' sugar. Top each square with a fresh raspberry, if desired.
WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the Weight Watchers Magazine. This dessert will get you into any holiday spirit. The longer you set these squares, the easier they will be able to cut and enjoy. If you don't have almond extract on hand, use vanilla extract instead because the combination of fruit and vanilla is delicious. You don't even need the extra confectioners' sugar on top of these squares because they are that tasty. These squares are also tasty with topped with any kind of berry or even dried apricots.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Holiday Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 3-4 tbsp. low-fat milk, divided
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 28 tsp. colored sugar or  sugar pearls (9 tbsp. + 1 tsp.)
Makes 56 Servings (1 cookie per serving)
  1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream together butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, 1 tablespoon milk, and vanilla; beat well. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture to egg mixture, a little at a time, just until blended.
  3. Divide dough into 4 equal balls and shape each into a disk; wrap each with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
  4. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper (or use 4 baking sheets and cook all at once).
  5. Unwrap 1 disk of dough (keep remaining dough refrigerated). Between 2 sheets of lightly floured wax paper, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness; remove top wax paper. Cut into cookies with 2-inch round cookie cutter; freeze raw cookies on wax paper until firm. Place cookies on baking sheets and bake until edges of cookies turn light golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and let cool; repeat with remaining dough, rerolling scraps to yield 56 cookies.
  6. Meanwhile, make icing; in a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar and enough of the remaining 2-3 tablespoons milk to make icing smooth and of drizzling consistency. Decorate each cookie as desired with 1/2 teaspoon icing and 1/2 teaspoon colored sugar or sugar pearls. Let icing set before serving.
WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.
 
Note: This recipe appears in the Weight Watchers Magazine. You can have your cookies and eat them too during any holiday. It's hard to find a sugar cookie recipe because the end result doesn't turn out the way you had hoped. These sugar cookies are soft, moist and flavorful. They're even more delicious without the colored sugar or sugar pearls. Make these cookies for any holiday and they will be devoured. 

Monday, November 20, 2017

Cranberry-Ginger Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 3/4 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup shredded apple
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup rolled or quick-cooking oats
  • 3/4 dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup crystallized ginger, chopped
Makes 28 Servings (1 cookie per serving)
  1. Preheat oven to  375 F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder in a small bowl.
  3. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy; beat in egg, apple puree, and vanilla until mixed. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add flour mixture in two additions, beating just until combined. Stir in oats, cranberries and crystallized ginger.
  4. Drop dough by level tablespoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto prepared baking sheets, making total of 28 cookies. Bake until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool completely.
WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.
 
Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. These cookies are a take on your traditional oatmeal cookies. The secret ingredients are the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and shredded apple. The original recipe called for 1/4 cup prune puree but shredded apple will work just as well. I also added nutmeg because nutmeg goes well with cinnamon and ginger. If you don't have dried cranberries on hand, substitute raisins, dried blueberries or dried cherries and your cookie will still be flavorful and delicious.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Peppered Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce

Ingredients:
  • 1 tsp. whole black peppercorns
  • 1 tsp. fennel seeds
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 (1-lb.) lean beef tenderloin, trimmed
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2/3 cup ruby port wine
  • 2 tsp. whole-wheat flour
  • 1/2 low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp. unsalted butter
Makes 4 Servings (3 slices of beef & 2 tbsp. sauce per serving.)
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
  2. Combine peppercorns, fennel seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in small zip-close plastic bag; press out air and seal bag. With meat mallet or rolling pin, pound until crushed. Spread spice mixture on sheet of wax paper. Roll tenderloin in spice mixture until coated, pressing so it adheres.
  3. Heat oil in small heavy flameproof roasting pan over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes.
  4. Transfer pan to oven and roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of beef registers 145 F, about 30 minutes. Transfer to cutting board and let stand 10 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, to make sauce, spray roasting pan with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Whisk in broth, mustard, and remaining 1/ 4 teaspoon salt; bring to boil. Cook, stirring, until sauce bubbles and thickens, about 4 minutes longer. Remove pan from heat; swirl in butter until melted. Cut beef against grain into 12 slices and serve with sauce.
WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.
 
Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. This is what I like to call elegant entertaining during the winter solstice. Who doesn't love beef with red wine? If you don't have beef tenderloin on hand, use sirloin steak and broil or grill the steak instead. If you have a food processor or a spice grinder, put the spice mixture into the machine and grind it so it looks like a spice rub. I highly recommend mixing minced garlic with the spice mixture for a more aromatic flavor. The red wine sauce add a touch of zing to the beef. It goes great with potatoes and vegetables too.