Crunchy Oven-Fried Drumsticks with Thyme & Parmesan

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fat-free buttermilk
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. salt
• 6 (1/4-lb.) skinless chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup whole what panko bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme or 3/4 tsp. dried
• pinch cayenne

Makes 6 Servings (1 drumstick per serving)

1. Combine buttermilk, garlic and salt in a large zip-close plastic bag; add chicken. Squeeze out air and seal bag; turn to coat chicken. Refrigerate, turning bag occasionally, at least 20 minutes or up to 1 day.
2. Place rack on lower third of oven and preheat oven to 400 F. Line baking sheet with foil; spray with nonstick spray.
3. Mix together panko, Parmesan, thyme, and cayenne on sheet of wax paper. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Coat  drumsticks, one at a time, in panko mixture, pressing gently so it adheres. Lightly spray drumsticks with nonstick spray and place on prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake until browned and instant-read thermometer inserted into drumstick (not touching bone) registers 165 F, about 35 minutes.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. If you love fried chicken, this recipe is for you. This version of fried chicken is not actually fried, it's oven-fried or baked in the oven. Oven-fried chicken should be moist and flavorful. Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and adds flavor to it when marinating it. The longer you marinate the chicken in buttermilk, the more flavorful it will be. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts in this recipe and your chicken will still be melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You can also use rosemary, parsley, oregano, or chives in this recipe to. I highly recommend seasoning the chicken with equal portions of salt and freshly ground black pepper for taste. This chicken is perfect for a picnic or as elegant comfort food for company or movie night.

Crunchy Parmesan Kale Chips

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches curly kale, tough stems removed & leaves torn into 2-inch pieces
• 4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Makes 8 Servings ( 1 1/4 cups per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray 2 large baking sheets with nonstick spray.
2. Toss together kale and oil in very large bowl until coated evenly, using your fingers to massage in the oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder and salt; toss to coat evenly.
3. Divide kale evenly between prepared baking sheets, spread to form single layer. Bake until crisp, 20-25 minutes. Let cool slightly; sprinkle evenly with Parmesan.

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. If you enjoyed potato chips or tortilla chips, you will love these crunchy chips. Who knew that baked leafy greens would taste so delicious? Don't be afraid of kale. It actually tastes good when it is seasoned with olive oil, salt, garlic and Parmesan cheese. The kale chips may not look good when they come out of the oven but they taste delicious. These chips are better on your waistline and your wallet than regular chips. These chips can be enjoyed as a snack, as a side dish, or crumbled over soups, salads, casseroles or even macaroni and cheese. These chips will stay crisp in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Arugula & Basil Pesto Linguine

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. spelt linguine
• 4 cups arugula leaves
•  1 cup tightly packed basil leaves
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Makes 4 Servings

1. Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain and place in a large serving bowl.
2. Meanwhile, in a food processor or blender, combine the arugula, basil, garlic, pine nuts, salt, and pepper to taste. Process coarsely to chop.
3. With the food processor running, slowly add the oil in a steady stream until the mixture is smooth.
4. Toss the pasta with the pesto. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 14 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. This is what I call a Taste of Italy. I recently visited the Amalfi Coast and there is no such thing as bad food. I had a pasta dish that was cooked in butter and served with pesto on the side and it was delicious. This recipe almost comes close. I like to think of it as South Beach visits Naples. You can use spinach, arugula, Swiss chard, or kale in this recipe blended with the pesto and the meal is absolutely delicious. The blended pasta and pesto is heavenly delicious topped with the Parmesan cheese and served with a glass of wine. This dish melts in your mouth and will take you back to Italy.

Broiled Tomatoes with Pesto

Ingredients:

• 3 fresh tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, mined
• 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp. pine nuts

Makes 6 Servings

 

Cut the tomatoes in half. Combine the garlic, basil, olive oil, Parmesan and pine nuts in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. Spoon the mixture onto the top of each tomato half. place the tomatoes on a broiler pan and broil about 3 inches from the heat until lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.

 

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Book. These tomatoes are certainly a taste of Italy. They are also quick and easy to make. These side dishes represent Italy with the colors and flavors. You won't need salt in this recipe because the Parmesan cheese has a salty flavor to it but I highly recommend freshly ground black pepper for an extra kick. They go great with chicken, turkey, veal, pork, steak, fish and even go great by themselves for a light lunch. 

Salsa Steak

Ingredients:

• 1-1 1/2 lbs. boneless round steak cut 1/2-inch thick
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
•  1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into bite-sized strips
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1 (2 1/4 oz.) can sliced pitted riped olives, drained
• 2-3 tsp. chili powder or Italian seasoning

Makes 4-6 Servings

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Trim fat from meat. Season both sides of meat with salt and pepper. Cut meat into 4-6 serving-size pieces. In a large skillet, brown the meat in hot oil, turning once. Transfer meat to a 2-quart square baking dish.
2. In the same skillet cook the mushrooms, bell pepper, onion over medium heat for 5-8 minutes or until tender (add more oil if necessary). Stir in tomato sauce, olives (if desired), and seasoning. Cook and stir until bubbly.
3. Pour mushroom mixture over meat in baking dish. Cover and bake about 45 minutes or until meat is tender.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the Sonoma Diet Cookbook. This colorful dinner is flavorful and delicious. This salsa-smothered steak calls for colorful vegetables to be served alongside the steak. This salsa also goes great with pork, chicken, turkey, and even certain kinds of fish. This salsa even tastes great with eggs too. I highly recommend using Italian seasoning in this recipe for a more authentic Italian flare. I highly recommend using minced garlic in this recipe because garlic always makes everything taste better. Sparkling Semisweet is the recommended wine to pair with this dish.

Harvest Apple Squares

Ingredients:

• 1 cup + 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 5 apples cored, peeled, & diced
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Makes 24 (1 square per serving) Servings

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a 9 X 13-inch baking pan with nonstick foil, allowing foil to overhang rim by 2 inches on short opposite sides.
2. Combine 1 cup of whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, oats, 1/4 cup of sugar, and the salt in food processor; pulse until combined. Add butter and pulse until blended. Add apple juice and pulse just until dough begins to pull away from side of bowl.
3. Scrape dough into prepared pan. Using your hands or rubber spatula, press dough to form even layer. Bake until dough is set but not colored, 10-12 minutes. Let cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Maintain oven temperature.
4.  Meanwhile, toss together apples, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg in large bowl. Spoon over crust and spread evenly. Bake until apples are tender, about 45 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on rack; cut into 24 squares.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. You knw the saying 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away?' These treats will do that. These treats are perfect for fall baking when apples are in season. You can use Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, McIntosh or a combination of these and these treats will be a hit. You can also substitute Coconut flour in place of the all-purpose flour and your treats will still be good. You can even use honey or agave nectar in place of the sugar. The apples are so succulent and juicy they will melt in your mouth.

 

 

Pumpkin-Spice Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 cup raisins or currants
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tbsp. unsalted pumpkin or sunflower seeds

Makes 12 Servings (1 muffin per serving)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick spray.
2. Whisk together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cloves in a large bowl; stir in raisins. Stir together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil and water in a medium bowl until well combined. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until flour mixture is just moistened
3. Spoon batter into muffin cups, using about 1/3 cup batter for each muffin; sprinkle evenly with seeds. Bake until toothpick inserted into muffin comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and serve warm or let cool completely on rack.

WW POINTS VALUE: 9 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. Make these treats on a Sunday ant they can be enjoyed for Sunday brunch and even throughout the week. Pumpkin is in season and these treats are perfect for fall baking and entertaining. They're flavorful and moist and they are perfect for breakfast or as a snack.