LaaLoosh

Weight Watchers Snack Size Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwiches – 3 Points +

LaaLoosh — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:52:36 +0000

I was at Walmart earlier this week, when I came across these tasty looking Weight Watchers Snack Size Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwiches that were just 3 Points + each. I LOOOOOOOOVE me some red velvet, so I snatched up a box and tore into them as soon as I got into my car. They were very rich and tasted much more cake like than I anticipated, which is a good thing. While it’s certainly no big slice of red velvet cake from my favorite bakery, it’s definitely a great, low calorie alternative to help take the edge off of my red velvet craving, while still keeping me on track to reach my Weight Watchers goals. With temperatures heating up, they are the perfect summer treat! Even my picky, food snob husband, who despises diet brand ice creams, like these. So far, I’ve only seen them at Walmart, but hopefully they’ll start popping up in other grocery stores soon.

Weight Watchers Snack Size Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwiches

These decadent little snack sized ice cream sandwiches are have two red velvet chocolate flavored soft cookie-wafers holding a low fat cheesecake flavored ice cream that contains swirls of red velvet chocolate. I’m glad Weight Watchers finally got on board with the Red Velvet craze, because, even though they are small, these tasty little ice cream sandwiches are the perfect little sweet tooth satisfy-er.

Serving size is 1 sandwich
Each serving = 3 Points +

PER SERVING: 100 calories; 1.5g fat; 20g carbohydrates; 2g protein; 2g fiber

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Crunchy Thai Quinoa Recipe – 4 Points +

LaaLoosh — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:38:53 +0000

My, how I love a good quinoa recipe. Not only is it healthy and a much better alternative to rice or pasta, I think it’s absolutely delicious. And when combined with fresh, crunchy vegetables then dressed in a sweet and tangy ginger peanut dressing for just 4 Points + per serving, well, it’s downright FABULOUS. I came across the original version of this recipe at Ambitious Kitchen, and knew I had to try it. But I made some alterations in order to make it more Weight Watchers friendly and to enhance the flavor a bit. My version uses a fantastic, low calorie peanut butter substitute called Better’n Peanut Butter. If you haven’t tried it yet, so yourself a favor and get some! It’s a LOT lower in fat than regular peanut better and the taste is pretty close. If you don’t have the Better’n Peanut Butter, or don’t want to use it, you can absolutely use regular peanut butter, though it will probably tack on an extra Point or two. Regardless, this Crunchy Thai Quinoa Salad is a must try.

Crunchy Thai Quinoa Salad

This delicious Thai flavored quinoa salad is full of savory tastes and textures. The ginger peanut dressing is absolutely decadent and adds the perfect amount of zest to the quinoa and vegetables. Serve as a side or a main course.

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa, prepared according to package directions
1 red bell pepper
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, shredded
1 cup shelled edamame
1 cup green onions, diced
1/2 cup cilantro
1/4 cup Better’n Peanut Butter
1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp fresh grated ginger
1 tbsp honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice from 1 lime
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Place cooked quinoa in a large bowl and set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together Better’n Peanut Butter, sesame oil, lime juice, honey, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and salt and pepper.
Once quinoa has come to room temperature, add all the vegetables. Pour dressing over top and toss to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Preparation time: 20 minute(s)

Cooking time: 15 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegan

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat

Number of servings (yield): 8

Culinary tradition: Thai

Entire recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size is ¾ cup
Each serving = 4 Points+

PER SERVING: 177 calories; 4.5g fat; 24g carbohydrates; 8g protein; 4g protein

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Crock Pot Chicken Philly Cheese Steak Recipe – 7 Points +

LaaLoosh — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:49:47 +0000

I can honestly say, I have NEVER met a single soul who doesn’t love Philly Cheese steak sandwiches. And with good reason – these meaty sandwiches are beyond delicious. Traditionally made with steak, and topped with green peppers, onions and melted cheese, a cheese steak can be waaaaaaay too many Weight Watchers Points to enjoy on a regular basis. But by using chicken breast and a reduced fat provolone cheese instead, I was able to bring the Points down to a reasonable 7 Points + per sandwich, including the roll. I used Trader Joe’s Artisan rolls because they are low in Points and taste amazing, but the square shape make them not as fancy as the traditional hoagie roll used in cheese steak recipes. Also, I used a whole slice of provolone on each sandwich, so it ended up covering most of the chicken and veggies which makes it harder for you to see the insides of the sandwich based on my photo. But, you guys, this sandwich is SO good! Oh, and did I mention it’s all prepared in a crock pot? That’s righ…quick, easy, and delicious, this Crock Pot Chicken Philly Cheese Steak Recipe is a must make.

Crock Pot Chicken Philly Cheese Steak

A low calorie Philly Cheese Steak Recipe that’s made with well-seasoned chicken instead delivers one amazing meal! The vegetables along with the tender and juicy chicken, are in prepared in the slow cooker making the meal prep a snap while keeping the meat moist and full of delicious flavor.

Ingredients

1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 tbsp light butter
1 large onion, sliced
2 green peppers, thinly sliced
6 slices reduced fat provolone cheese
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tbsp steak seasoning
6 small rolls (I used Trader Joe’s Artisan Rolls)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Slice chicken into thin strips. Toss in a bowl with salt, pepper, and steak seasoning.
Place butter in crock pot. Place onions and green peppers on top, then add in the chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
Divide chicken, onions and peppers evenly amongst rolls. Top with a slice of provolone cheese and place in toaster oven for about 2 minutes on toast setting to melt cheese.
Serve immediately.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 4 hour(s)

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 6

Culinary tradition: USA (Traditional)

Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is 1 sandwich
Each serving = 7 Points +

PER SERVING: 313 calories; 6.5g fat; 28g carbohydrates; 29g protein; 2.5g fiber

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Chicken Francese Recipe – 5 Points +

LaaLoosh — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:55:03 +0000

A popular Italian chicken recipe, traditional chicken Francese is a lightly breaded chicken that is cooked in a wine/lemon/butter sauce. Sound delicious? It is! In order to make it healthier and lower in Weight Watchers Points, I skipped the breading and added some capers for extra flavor. I also used a light butter (Brummel & Brown), which gives all that buttery flavor without the artery clogging fat and cholesterol. This light chicken recipe works very well over some whole wheat pasta with some roasted vegetables added to it (I like mushrooms and zucchini the best). Each serving is just 5 Points + for 2 chicken cutlets, which makes this an excellent Weight Watchers dinner recipe! It also can be prepared quickly and easily with little prep work — I love this recipe for hectic weekdays. My lightened up Chicken Francese was a crowd pleaser…the whole family loved it, and I loved how low calorie it was.

Chicken Francese

This easy and light chicken recipe is so fresh and bright. Delicately seasoned chicken breasts are baked in a lemon/wine/butter sauce and garnished with parsley and capers. It’s low calorie, low carb, and an absolutely delicious Weight Watchers family dinner recipe.

Ingredients

1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 8 thin fillets
3/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup fat free chicken broth
2 tbsp light butter
2 tbsp capers
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Juice from 2 lemons
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lay chicken breasts side by side on a large cutting board, and cover with plastic wrap. Use a mallet to flatten and thin chicken until they are about ¼” thick.
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper and place into a baking dish that has been sprayed with non-fat cooking spray or an olive oil mister.
Spread butter evenly over all the chicken cutlets.
Pour wine, broth, and lemon juice all over the chicken, and then top with the capers.
Cover with foil and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes to brown the chicken.
Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 30 minute(s)

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 4

Culinary tradition: Italian

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is 2 chicken cutlets
Each serving = 5 Points +

PER SERVING: 236 calories; 5g fat; 3g carbohydrates; 35g protein; 0g fiber

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Trader Joe’s Reduced Guilt Chunky Guacamole – 1 Points +

LaaLoosh — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:16:52 +0000

How in the WORLD have I not seen/tried this before?! On a whim, I was browsing the dip/hummus section in Trader Joe’s and came across this Reduced Guilt Chunky Guacamole. Made with Greek yogurt, it boasted just 1 Point for a 2 tbsp serving. Now, I don’t know anyone who can eat just 2 tablespoons of guacamole, but I figured that at just 1 Point per serving, this could definitely offer some major damage control. So I bought a container, and ran home to give it a try. I immediately whipped out my Reduced Fat Tortilla Chips and dug in…it was DELICIOUS! I seriously couldn’t believe how good it was. This ready-made guacamole has less fat and fewer calories than traditional guacamole recipes. Yet it still has that rich and creamy taste that we all want our guacamole to have. Thick, low fat Greek yogurt is combined with chunky avocados, and then tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, a bit of jalapeño, garlic and fresh lime juice round out the flavor without adding unwanted calories and fat.

Serving size is 2 tbsp
Each serving = 1 Points +

PER SERVING: 30 calories; 2g fat; 2g carbohydrates; 1g protein; 1g fiber

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Skirt Steak with Romesco Sauce – 5 Points +

LaaLoosh — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:30:23 +0000

Here’s one for all you carnivores out there….a Skirt Steak with Romesco Sauce that is absolutely to die for. Moist, juicy grilled skirt steak served with a rich and creamy Romesco sauce that is mouth watering-ly delicious. This steak recipe is actually very easy to make and requires minimal prep. You can can get it on the table in about 25 minutes, which is key for busy weeknights. Try serving this over some fresh greens or roasted vegetables to help add some extra volume to the dish and give you more bang for your buck. If you don’t mind adding some more Points, serve it over some roasted potato wedges…OMG….it’s so good! And don’t forget to sop up that extra sauce on your plate with a low calorie roll or breadstick! Just 5 Points + for a piece of steak with the Romesco sauce is quite a deal…enjoy!

Skirt Steak with Romesco Sauce

Treat yourself to this decadent dish without feeling any guilt. Juicy skirt steak smothered in a bold and flavorful Romesco sauce makes a wonderful dinner. Each bite is luscious and succulent…so good it’s hard to believe each serving is just 5 Points +.

Ingredients

1 ½ lbs skirt steak, thinly sliced into 8 fillets
1 12oz jar roasted red peppers, drained
1/4 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 garlic cloves
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high.
Season steak with additional salt and pepper.Grill until cooked to desired doneness, 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Prepare Romesco sauce by combining red peppers, almonds, parmesan cheese, garlic, vinegar and salt & pepper in a food processor. Pulse until smooth.
Pour Romesco sauce over steak and serve immediately.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 10 minute(s)

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 8

Culinary tradition: Spanish

Entire recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size is 1 steak fillet with sauce
Each serving = 5 Points +

PER SERVING: 198 calories; 10.5g fat; 2g carbohydrates; 21g protein; 1g fiber

The post Skirt Steak with Romesco Sauce – 5 Points + appeared first on LaaLoosh.

Spring Minestrone Recipe – 5 Points +

LaaLoosh — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:30:40 +0000

Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite vegan soup recipes that is not only insanely delicious, but it’s full of healthy ingredients, and each large serving is incredibly satisfying. It’s loaded with beautiful greens like peas, asparagus, basil and spinach, and it asserts that deliciously fresh, spring-like flavor. At 5 Points + per serving, it makes a healthy and hearty Weight Watchers lunch idea, served with fresh bread or a baked potato. If you prefer your soup a little more thin, just add more of the vegetable broth, as desired. Also, feel free to play around with the strength of the seasonings, using more or less as your tastes prefer. But this Spring Minestrone Recipe is definitely a dish that will have you feeling good. Enjoy!

Spring Minestrone

An amazing Weight Watchers Vegan Recipe that lets you really put those farmer’s market vegetables to work. This delicious Spring Minestrone is so fresh, flavorful, and filling, you’ll be more than satisfied for just 5 Points +.

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 lb asparagus, cut into chunks
6oz uncooked whole wheat pasta (I used bowtie)
1 15 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup peas
3 carrots, diced
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup basil, roughly chopped
4 cups fat free vegetable broth
Juice from 1 lemon
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Place oil in a large pot or dutch oven, and set over medium high heat.
Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
Add in onions and garlic, and sauté until slightly tender, about 2 minutes.
Add the diced tomatoes, broth, salt, pepper, thyme, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, and oregano. Bring to a simmer, then turn heat to low, cover and cook for about 15 minutes.
Add in peas, carrots, asparagus, and beans. Cover and cook for another 15 minutes.
Now stir in spinach, pasta, basil and lemon juice. Cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until spinach is wilted.
Ladle soup into bowls and serve with optional grated Parmesan cheese.

Preparation time: 20 minute(s)

Cooking time: 50 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegan

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 8

Culinary tradition: Italian

Entire recipe makes 8 servings
Serving size is 1 1/2 cups
Each serving = 5 Points +

PER SERVING: 209 calories; 2.5g fat; 37g carbohydrates; 10g protein; 9g fiber

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Mexican Meatballs Recipe – 5 Points +

LaaLoosh — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:00:58 +0000

If you adore the flavors of Mexican food, then you are going to want to give this Mexican Meatballs Recipe a try, asap. Made with lean ground turkey and a bit of ground pork, these moist and juicy meatballs are served in a spicy roasted tomatillo and chipotle pepper sauce that is sure to give your taste buds a serious kick. If you would prefer a less spicy version, just use 2 of the canned chipotle peppers, and use more if you want it crazy spicy. These Weight Watchers Mexican meatballs can be served as a main course over rice or rolled into a flour tortilla. Or, serve them with toothpicks as an appetizer. They are absolutely delicious, much lighter and healthier than what you’d get at a restaurant, and each 6 meatball serving is just 5 Points +, making this an ideal Weight Watchers Mexican Food Recipe to try. My husband and I LOVED them. I made them very spicy though, so couldn’t serve them to the kids, but I imagine a milder version would be a hit with the little ones as well. Enjoy!

Mexican Meatballs

Heat things up with these incredible Mexican meatballs served in a roasted tomatillo sauce that is to die for. Spicy, flavorful and still just 5 Points + per serving, this is one meal that will have everyone asking for more.

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey
¼ lb ground pork
1 ½ lb tomatillos, husks removed
3-4 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
6 garlic cloves (4 whole, 2 minced)
1 medium white onion, peeled and quartered
1 cup fat free beef broth
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup liquid egg substitute (like Eggbeaters)
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425. Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray with a non-fat cooking spray or olive oil mister. Place all tomatillos, onions and whole garlic cloves on baking sheet, mist with cooking spray or olive oil mister and place in oven. Roast for about 40-45 minutes.
While tomatillos are roasting, combine ground turkey, ground pork, Panko, egg substitute, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, 2 tbsp of the cilantro, and salt & pepper in a large bowl.
Once tomatillos are finished roasting, place them, along with the roasted onions and garlic cloves, the beef broth, canned chipotles and remaining cilantro in a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
Using wet hands, form about 36, 1” meatballs.
Spray a large skillet with non-fat cooking spray and set over medium high heat. Place meatballs in pan, and brown on all sides, about 3 minutes each side. You may need to do this in batches.
Once all meatballs are browned, pour the tomatillo sauce over them, cover and let them simmer in the pan on low, until meatballs are cooked through, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately.

Preparation time: 20 minute(s)

Cooking time: 45 minute(s)

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 6

Culinary tradition: Mexican

Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is 6 meatballs with sauce
Each serving = 5 Points +

PER SERVING: 203 calories; 6g fat; 12g carbohydrates; 23g protein; 3g fiber

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Parmesan White Fish Recipe – 6 Points +

LaaLoosh — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:30:45 +0000

This Parmesan White Fish Recipe is one of my go to Weight Watchers Fish Recipes when I need to make a quick dinner that doesn’t require a lot of work or prep, and is still low in Points Plus. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays. And did I mention it is delicious?! Just 6 Points + per serving makes this a light and tasty dish that goes great paired with a salad, soup, or roasted vegetables side dish. The Parmesan coating adds such a nice flavor to the delicate fish without being overbearing. And I love that you can use just about any kind of fish in this recipe. I have used sole, catfish, tilapia and roughey…they all turned out fantastic. So if you want to get a healthy fish dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes, try this Parmesan White Fish Recipe. It is SO easy and so savory! Enjoy.

Parmesan White Fish

A simple yet delicious way to prepare your favorite white fish. Smothered in a buttery Parmesan sauce, the moist flaky fish makes an excellent Weight Watchers dinner recipe idea. Serve with roasted vegetables or salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients

2 lbs white fish, cut into 6 fillets (I used sole)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp light butter, at room temp
2 tbsp light mayonnaise
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried parsley
Juice from 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly mist a 9” x 13” baking dish with non-fat cooking spray or an olive oil mister.
Season fish filets with salt, pepper and paprika and place into baking dish, without stacking them. Brush them with lemon juice. Place in oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until fish starts to flake.
In a small bowl, combine butter, mayonnaise, parsley, onion powder, and Parmesan together and blend well.
Take fish out of oven, spread cheese mixture over top and cook until golden brown, about 5 more minutes. Serve immediately.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 15 minute(s)

Diet type: Pescatarian

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat, Reduced carbohydrate, High protein

Number of servings (yield): 6

Culinary tradition: USA (General)

Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is 1 fillet
Each serving = 6 Points +

PER SERVING: 243 calories; 8g fat; 0g carbohydrates; 40g protein; 0g fiber

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Red Cabbage and Goat Cheese Salad – 3 Points +

LaaLoosh — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:34:00 +0000

Need to throw together a healthy, delicious, beautiful and low Points salad in just a few minutes? Then this Red Cabbage and Goat Cheese Salad will make your day! A handful of ingredients come together to deliver a gorgeous salad that is loaded with flavor and texture. The toasted almonds add a perfect nutty balance to the sweet cabbage and tart goat cheese. Each 1 cup serving is just 3 Points +, making this an ideal Weight Watchers Salad Recipe to serve with your favorite meal. This dish came about when I had some extra cabbage and goat cheese on hand and my whole family loved it. Even my 4 year old son munched a few pieces (He was enticed by the color and had to try it). This cabbage salad was so quick and easy, and I will definitely be using it as a staple salad recipe more often. Enjoy!

Red Cabbage and Goat Cheese Salad

A quick and easy cabbage salad that is full of delicious flavors and textures. Not to mention, it’s loaded with fiber and nutrients, so you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck and each serving is just 3 Points +.

Ingredients

1 half large head red cabbage, chopped (about 6 cups)
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
3 oz crumbled goat cheese
1/4 cup sliced almonds
6 tbsp fat free balsamic vinaigrette (I used Trader Joe’s brand)

Instructions

Heat a small, non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add almonds, and toast, tossing frequently, until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve immediately.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 5 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegetarian

Diet tags: Low calorie, Reduced fat

Number of servings (yield): 6

Culinary tradition: USA (General)

Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is about 1 cup
Each serving = 3 Points +

PER SERVING: 96 calories; 4.5g fat; 11g carbohydrates; 5g protein; 2.5g fiber

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