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.

Goat Cheese Tartlets with Spiced Apple-Fig Compote

 Ingredients:

  • 30 Mini phyllo shell(s)
  • 1/3 cup reduced-fat whipped cream cheese spread
  • 1/3 cup soft-type goat cheese
  • 1 Egg white
  • 2 tbsp.honey
  • 1 tbsp. whole wheat flour
  • 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled & coarsely grated
  • 1/2 cup fig Jam
  • 1/8 tsp. Ground allspice
  • 1/4 cup Mint leaves, for garnish
Makes 30 Servings (1 tartlet per serving)

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange phyllo shells on a cookie sheet.
  2. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, goat cheese, egg white, honey and flour until thick and creamy, about 5 to 6 minutes; spoon 1 teaspoon of filling in each shell. Bake until set, about 15 minutes; remove from oven and let cool.
  3. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine apple, jam and allspice; set over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until jam melts and mixture thickens slightly (juice from apples will evaporate); remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Just before serving, spoon 1 teaspoon apple compote onto each tart; garnish with mint. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. You can bring the taste of fall to your table with these delicious tarts filled with cream cheese, goat cheese, fig jam, honey, Granny Smith apples, and allspice. Fresh mint makes an excellent garnish for this dessert. These fancy looking tarts are actually a snap to make with store-bought phyllo shells. They're mini in size – perfect for portion-control. They make a beautiful presentation and are great as an appetizer or dessert. The tartlets and compote can both be made one day ahead. Just bring to room temperature before serving.
Photo of Goat cheese tartlets with spiced apple-fig compote by WW

Spiked Peach Lemonade

 Ingredients:

  • 3 medium peaches, divided
  • 3/4 cup vodka
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • 12 oz. lemon-flavored seltzer water
Makes 6 Servings ( 2/3 cup with out ice per serving)

Chop 2 ½ peaches; cut the remaining peach half into 6 slices. In a blender, combine the vodka, lemon juice, sugar, and chopped peaches; blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour the pureed mixture into a pitcher; stir in seltzer. Pour the cocktail into ice-filled glasses; garnish each with 1 peach slice.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

Peak-season peaches are beautifully fragrant, juicy, and sweet—and make for a gorgeous lower-sugar batch cocktail for a small gathering. We blend the peaches to form the flavor base of the drink, leaving the skins on for more color and peach richness. You can blend the peach mixture a couple of hours ahead of time if you’d like, but be sure to stir in the seltzer just before serving so the drink keeps its irresistible effervescence.

Photo of Spiked Peach Lemonade by WW

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Zucchini Noodles with Tomato and Basil Cream Sauce

 Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3  tbsp. reduced-fat whipped cream cheese spread
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp. water
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 18 oz. uncooked zucchini spiralized into 6 pieces, cut into 5-inch lengths
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 4 tsp. freshly grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese
Makes 4 Servings (1 cup per serving)

  1. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden and tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds.
  2. Stir in tomatoes and water; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 minutes.
  3. Stir in salt and crushed red pepper; gently stir in zucchini. Increase heat to medium high; cook, tossing frequently, until zucchini is tender, 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in cream cheese until melted; remove from heat. Stir in basil; sprinkle with grated cheese.
WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts. 


Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. If you've never tried zucchini noodles, or zoodles, it's time to go for it. And even if it's already in your recipe rotation, this is a must-try! This easy recipe dials down the carbs and SmartPoints and is reminiscent of pasta with vodka sauce, but it’s made much lighter and fresher tasting by skipping the pasta and heavy cream. The flavorful mix of zucchini, tomato and basil lends a garden fresh taste to this delicious dish, while grated cheese and WW Whipped Cream Cheese will trick your taste buds into thinking you've got real vodka sauce on your plate. Mangia!

Photo of Zucchini noodles with tomato and basil cream sauce by WW


Strawberry Kiwi Dream Smoothie

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 packet South Beach Simply Fit Shake, Vanilla
  • 1 tsp. natural vanilla extract
  • ½ cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 kiwi (1/4 cup)
  • ½ cup ice
  • 1 tsp. agave
Makes 1 Serving

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

WW POINTS VALUE: ?

Note: This recipe appears on palm.southbeachdiet.com. This is a delicious treat you can enjoy for breakfast, a light lunch or as a snack. The strawberries and kiwi make a juicy combination in this shake. There is no added sugar in this shake which makes it even better. 
Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie Recipe

Glazed strawberry hand pies

 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup chopped Strawberries
  • 1 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 1½ tsp. cornstarch
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1½ cups plain fat free Greek yogurt
  • 1 1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Low-fat milk
  • pinch of ground cardamom
Makes 8 Servings (1 pastry per serving)
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, toss berries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Microwave on High until bubbly and thickened, about 2 minutes. Cool until ready to use.
  2. In a medium bowl, place flour, yogurt, and 1 tsp vanilla; stir well with a wooden spoon until just combined and then keep mixing dough in bowl with your hands until smooth (about 1 minute of kneading).
  3. Place a large piece of parchment or wax paper on a work surface and sprinkle lightly with a little flour. Divide dough in half. Roll 1 piece of dough into a 12 x 8–inch rectangle; cut into 8 (4 x 3–inch) rectangles. Arrange rectangles about 1 inch apart on prepared sheet pan. Roll other piece of dough into a 12 x 8–inch rectangle; cut into 8 (4 x 3–inch) rectangles. Spoon about 1 tablespoon strawberry filling down the center of each dough rectangle on sheet pan. Top each with 1 dough rectangle. Press edges with tines of a fork to seal; pierce top of each pastry with fork to allow steam to escape. Bake until lightly browned and crisp, about 20 minutes.
  4. Cool pastries on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir powdered sugar, milk, remaining ⅛ tsp vanilla, and cardamom. Drizzle glaze evenly over warm pastries.
WW POINTS VALUE: 4 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. When strawberries are at their seasonal peak—supremely fragrant, sweet, and juicy—they don’t need much adornment to taste great. Here, we barely sweeten them for a lightning-fast microwave jam that fills these pastries. The dough is a firm version of our two-ingredient filling.  A pinch of ground cardamom in the glaze pairs perfectly with the berries. These are best enjoyed warm; if you have leftovers, reheat at 350°F for about 5 minutes.
Photo of Glazed strawberry hand pies by WW


White & Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

 Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt (optional)
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp. packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 oz. white chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
Makes 24 Cookies (1 cookie per serving)

  1. Place the oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven to 350 F. Spray 2 large baking sheets with nonstick spray. 
  2. Put the oats in a blender and process until finely ground. Combine the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl; set aside. With an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl until well blended. Add the flour mixture and beat until blended. Combine 1 tablespoon each of the white and bittersweet chocolates in a small bowl; set aside. Stir in the remaining white and bittersweet chocolates into the dough. 
  3. Drop the dough by level tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheets 2 inches apart, making a total of 24 cookies. With a glass dipped in flour or with your fingers, press each mound to make 2-inch rounds. Sprinkle the cookies evenly with the reserved chocolate, pressing lightly so it adheres. Bake until lightly browned along the edges, 9-11 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through the baking. Let cool on the baking sheets on rack about on racks about 1 minute. With a spatula, transfer the cookies to racks and let cool completely. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. These cookies are a new take on the traditional chocolate chip cookies and they are delicious. The combination of both bittersweet and white chocolate is quite divine and these cookies literally melt in your mouth they are that delicious.