Orange-Pecan Scones

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup pecan pieces
• 1/4 cup 1 % or fat-free buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp finely grated orange zest
• 1/8 tsp orange extract
• 1/2 cup whole-grain pastry flour
• 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp granular sugar substitute
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup chilled trans-fat-free margarine, cut into bits

Makes 8 Servings

1. Position rack in the middle of the oven and heat oven to 400 F. Place pecans on a baking sheet and toast until fragrant and lightly golden, 3-4 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Whisk together buttermilk, egg, vanilla, zest and orange extract in a small bowl.
3. In a large bowl, sift together whole-grain and all-purpose flours, sugar substitute, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Add margarine and, using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut margarine into the dry ingredients until the mixtures resembles coarse meal. Add pecans and buttermilk mixture, stirring until mixture forms a slightly sticky dough. Using wet hands, knead dough 4 or 5 times in the bowl.
4. Place the dough on the baking sheet and form into 3/4-inch-thick disk. Cut disk all the way through into 8 wedges (do not separate). Bake until lightly golden, 15-18 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Parties & Holidays Cookbook. Scones are nice treats from time to time, when they're done right. These scones were moist and packed with flavor. The key to making these scones nice and moist is the buttermilk and the margarine. These treats are perfect for afternoon tea or a weekend brunch. 

Microwave Deviled Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp hot pepper sauce
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp honey
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Makes 4 Servings

1.  Spray a microwavable 2-quart shallow baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Combine the bread crumbs, thyme, salt and pepper on a sheet of wax paper. Combine the mustard, pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and honey in a medium bowl; add the chicken  and toss to coat evenly. Coat the chicken breasts, one at a time, with the bread crumbs, pressing lightly  to they adhere. Place the chicken in the baking dish in a single layer and lightly spray with nonstick spray.
3. Cover the chicken with wax paper and microwave on High for 8 minutes. Uncover and microwave on High until the chicken is cooked though, about 2 minutes longer. Let stand for 3 minutes before serving.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW in 20 Minutes Cookbook. This is a great dinner that is packed with heat and bold flavors. I don't like to microwave my dinner unnecessarily so I sautéed my chicken at medium-high heat, 4-5 minutes on each side and served hot. this was another winner, winner chicken dinner that is quick, easy and delicious. Serve this chicken with potatoes and a side of vegetables, you've got a satisfying dinner. 

Jicama & Orange Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs. jicama, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 3 navel oranges, sectioned
• 2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1 medium jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp red wine vinegar
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Makes 8 (1-cup) Servings

 

Toss together jicama, orange sections, cucumbers, cilantro, onion, jalapeno, oil and vinegar in a serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

 

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Parties & Holidays Cookbook. I had this salad for Cinco de Mayo and it was so nice. It was so clean and refreshing in my mouth, I felt like I was on a Mexican beach. Jicama is a Mexican root vegetable that has the texture of a potato and the flavor of an apple. Jicama is perfect in salads because of its sweet and nutty flavor and crunchy taste. The combination of jicama, oranges, cucumber and jalapeno make this salad a hot yet refreshing treat. As for what kind of olive oil to use, I recommend using Chipotle Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Lime Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Imperial Olive in Williamsburg, VA. For more info, visit www.TheImperialOlive.com. 

Grilled Filet Mignon & Chipotle Butter

Ingredients:

• 4 tsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 small chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped, about 1/2-3/4 teaspoon
• 1 tsp grated lime zest
• 1/2 +1/8 tsp salt
• 4 (3-ounce) filet mignons (1/2-inch thick), trimmed of all visible fat
• 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Makes 4 Servings

1.  Combine the butter, chipotle, lime zest, and 1/8 teaspoon of the salt in a small bowl; mix well. Wrap in plastic wrap, rolling to form a small cylinder. Freeze 10 minutes.
2. Set up a grill for medium-hot indirect heat, and spray  a nonstick skillet with nonstick spray; or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the filets with the remaining salt and pepper. Grill the steaks, 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Transfer to serving plates.
3. Slice the butter into disks and top each filet with a disk; serve immediately.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. Who doesn't love a good steak dinner once in a while? Sometimes, the simple things in life are what make you happy. A quick and easy steak dinner is one of those simple things. This is a quick and easy dinner you can enjoy at home and it tastes just as delicious asit would at a restaurant. Chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce are dried/smoked jalapeno chiles in a tomato sauce base. They are hot and smoky so a little bit of them can go a long way. The lime zest adds a touch of zing while the butter cools everything off. Serve this steak with some potatoes and veggies and you have a deliciously filling dinner.

 

 

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 Basic Pie crust, unbaked

Filling:

• 1 1/2 lbs. rhubarb, trimmed, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 3 cups)
• 1 (16-ounce) container strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 3 cups)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup instant tapioca (optional)
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt

Crumb Topping:

• 2/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp water

Makes 12 Servings

1.  On a floured surface, roll out the pie crust dough to a 12-13-inch circle. Fit the dough into a 9-inch pie pan, pressing to fit and crimping the edges to form a rim. Freeze for 20 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 F. In a large bowl, combine the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, tapioca, lemon juice, nutmeg, and salt. Toss gently to blend and let stand for 15 minutes. Transfer to  the pie shell.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the butter, orange juice, and water; stir to combine. Press the crumb mixture together to form clumps and break them into smaller piece over the rhubarb mixture.
4. Bake 40 minutes; cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep topping from over browning. Bake 40-45 minutes longer until the filling is thick and bubbly.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts (1/12 of the pie)

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. Spring time is here and the weather is perfect for baking. I love strawberries and I have really come to love rhubarb. In savory cooking, onions and garlic always make everything taste better. In sweet cooking, rhubarb makes everything taste better. My dad used to make strawberry rhubarb pie when I was very little. He used to get rhubarb from the next door neighbors and he used it to make his version of strawberry rhubarb pie before we moved. He never made strawberry rhubarb pie again. Rhubarb is a tart red stalk that's a member of the buckwheat family and goes elegantly well with strawberries and every other fruit. This fruity pie was absolutely delicious. don't be intimidated when mixing the rhubarb with the strawberries; the rhubarb will cook with the fruit and make it taste so delicious. You can cut the amount of sugar in this recipe as well as add a little more lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg and your pie will still taste good. 

Basic Pie Crust

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp granulated sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter, diced
• 2 tbsp cold vegetable shortening
• 1 tsp cider vinegar
• 3-3 1/2 tbsp ice water

Makes 8 Servings

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut the butter or shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles course crumbs. Stir in the vinegar and then the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough begins to form. Press the dough together and shape into a disk. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
2. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a 12-13-inch circle; fit into a 9-inch pie pan, pressing to fit and crimping the edges to form a rim. Freeze 20 minutes. Prick the bottom with a fork.
3. For a prebaked crust: Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line crust with aluminum foil; fill with dried beans. Bake until the crust is set, 10 minutes; remove the foil and beans. Bake until golden, 10-12 minutes longer. Cool on a rack.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts (1/8 of pie crust)

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. Who doesn't love pie from time to time? This was my first time making a pie crust from scratch and it was not bad. The secret to making a good pastry crust is to keep it cold, work quickly and to let it rest to relax the gluten before rolling it out. If you don't have time to make a pie crust from scratch, go to your grocer's freezer and get one of the brand name pie crusts instead.

Tamale Casserole

Ingredients:

• 4 tsp canola oil
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 red onions, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, seeded deveined and minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 lb. ground turkey breast
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2-1 tsp hot Mexican chili powder
• 2 cups water
• 2/3 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal
• 1/3 cup shredded fat-free Monterey Jack Cheese

Makes 4 Servings

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Saute the bell pepper, onions, jalapeno and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the turkey and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned, 5-8 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce, corn, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the chili powder; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, stirring once or twice, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 15 minutes. Transfer to an 8-inch-square baking dish.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of the water and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil. In a medium bowl, whisk the cornmeal into the remaining 1 cup water. Slowly pour the moist cornmeal into the boiling water in a thin steady stream, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes back to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to form large bubbles, about 5 minutes. Spread over the turkey so that it is completely covered. Bake 25 minutes,  then sprinkle with the cheese and bake until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts (1/4 of casserole per serving)

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made of different fillings such as chopped meat and vegetables. They are coated with masa, a traditional Hispanic cornmeal dough, and wrapped in a cork husk that is tied and steamed until the dough is cooked through. This version eliminates the corn husks and is made into a casserole. This comfort foos may look like a hot mess but it is absolutely delicious. This casserole is filled with lean protein and veggies and will quickly fill you up. You can use ground chicken or ground turkey in this recipe and the casserole will still be delicious. If you don't have any canola oil on hand, I highly recommend using Chipotle Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Imperial Olive in Williamsburg, VA because it will give the casserole an extra kick of heat. For more info, visit www.TheImperialOlive.com.