Been a while, but i'm back...

I kind of took a break from trying new recipes, i needed it. I was starting to just go insane, and we needed to clean out our freezer!
but tonight was something new and delish!

Sirloin Steak with Dijon-Port Sauce

Ingredients
3 cups uncooked medium egg noodles
1 pound trimmed sirloin (about 1 inch thick)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
1/2 cup port or other sweet red wine
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1/2 cup less-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves


Preparation:
Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain; keep warm.

While noodles cook, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle both sides of steak with salt and pepper. Lightly coat steak with cooking spray. Add steak to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Transfer meat to a platter; keep warm.

Add port to pan, scraping to loosen browned bits. Stir in shallots and garlic; cook 45 seconds, stirring frequently. Add beef broth; bring to a boil. Cook 20 seconds; remove from heat. Add mustard and thyme, stirring with a whisk.

Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. Serve steak and sauce with the pasta.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 344; Fat: 11g; Protein: 28.5g; Carbohydrate: 23.6g; Fiber: 1g; Cholesterol: 4.3mg; 97mg; Iron: Sodium: 501mg; Calcium: 36mg

Weight Watcher Points-8

Ok top favorite ingredient of all time is.....

Balsamic Vinegar. I declared it tonight. it just makes everything so good!
This is super easy to make, super delicious, and only 229 calories per chicken breast! i mean really. AMAZING!

Chicken Bruschetta

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 4 (4-ounce) skinned, boned chicken breast halves
• Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
• 1 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced (about 5 ounces)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup chopped plum tomato
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Preheat broiler.

Combine garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl; sprinkle chicken with garlic powder mixture. Place the chicken on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray, and broil for 6 minutes on each side or until chicken is done. Remove the chicken from pan, and keep warm.

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, mushrooms, zucchini, and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, tomato, onion, basil, and vinegar; sauté 3 minutes. Serve the vegetable mixture over chicken; sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 229; Fat: 7.3g; Protein: 31.4g; Carbohydrate: 9.7g; Fiber: 2.1g; Cholesterol: 71mg; Iron: 2.3mg; Sodium: 489mg; Calcium: 126mg

Weight Watcher Points-5

Chillin' and Grillin'

So what if it snowed here today? I will never stop grilling!

Roadhouse Steaks with Ancho Chile Rub

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons ancho chile powder
• 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 (4-ounce) beef tenderloin steaks, trimmed
• Cooking spray

Preparation

Prepare grill.

Combine first 8 ingredients in a small bowl. Rub spice mixture evenly over steaks; let stand 10 minutes.

Place steaks on a grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 177; Fat: 7.1g; Protein: 22.3g; Carbohydrate: 3.9g; Fiber: 1g; Cholesterol: 59mg; Iron: 2.1mg; Sodium: 441mg; Calcium: 34mg;

Weight Watcher Points-4

Pizza! Pizza!

My favorite food of all time is pizza, and on a diet, it's the one thing i always miss the most
so when i saw this recipe i had to try it!
and it was pretty good! Of course my husband asks "where the meat?" but hello, it's LIGHT for a reason buddy!

Phyllo Pizza with Feta, Basil, and Tomatoes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) finely crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pkg frozen phyllo dough, thawed
• Cooking spray
• 2 cups thinly sliced plum tomato
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°.

2. Combine first 6 ingredients in a bowl.

3. Place phyllo sheet on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Coat phyllo sheet with cooking spray. Repeat with 2 more layers of phyllo. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese mixture. Repeat layers 5 times, ending with 2 phyllo sheets. Coat top phyllo sheet with cooking spray; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese mixture. Pat tomato slices with a paper towel. Arrange tomato slices on top of cheese, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with onions and the remaining 6 tablespoons cheese mixture. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until golden. Sprinkle with basil leaves.

Nutrition Facts-2 slices

Calories: 195; Fat: 6.7g; Protein: 9.3g; Carbohydrate: 24.6g; Fiber: 1.9g; Cholesterol: 11.4mg; Iron: 1.7mg; Sodium: 526mg; Calcium: 158mg

Weight Watchers Points-4

Bacon? OF COURSE I WILL TRY IT!

Mac and Cheese is amazing. Mac and Cheese with bacon is more amazing. Mac and Cheese with bacon and its in the Cooking Light magazine the most amazing!!

This def was a much lighter version of thick mac and cheese. Husband and Brother In Law both approve, and mind you, they are not "light" type of people. Paul's request "more bacon". my response "it wouldn't be light you dope!" So to accommodate my dear husband, i think i will make with turkey bacon and add a little more for him.

Weight watcher folks, plan ahead for this meal. it's pretty high in points, but if you have a smaller breakfast and lunch, it's totally doable!

Bacon Mac
Ingredients

• 3 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
• 12 ounces strozzapreti or penne pasta
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups skim milk, divided
• 2 cups finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 slices center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Cooking spray

Directions

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Bring 6 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil. Add pasta; cook 8 minutes or until al dente; drain.

3. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Gradually add 1 cup milk; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; let stand 4 minutes or until it cools to 155°. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, onions, hot sauce, pepper, and bacon; stir. Add pasta; toss. Spoon into a 2-quart broiler-safe dish coated with cooking spray; top with 1/2 cup cheese. Broil 7 minutes.

Nutritional Facts

Calories 399; Fat: 13.8g; Protein: 20g; Carbohydrate: 48.7g; Fiber: 2g; Cholesterol: 44mg; Iron: 2.1mg; Sodium: 544mg; Calcium: 358mg

Weight Watcher Points-9

Is there anything better than tomato sauce & cheese?

Another recipe straight out of the Cooking Light magazine! i had to try this one.
You can serve this over egg noodles and it will still be light. The Nutrition facts are for the chicken alone.


Herbed Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients

• 1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• 1 pound chicken breast tenders
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/2 cups bottled fat-free tomato-basil pasta sauce (such as Muir Glen Organic)
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) shredded provolone cheese

Directions

Preheat broiler.

Combine 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, basil, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish. Place egg white in a shallow dish. Dip each chicken tender in egg white; dredge in the breadcrumb mixture. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Set aside.

Combine 1/8 teaspoon salt, pasta sauce, vinegar, and pepper in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; vent. Microwave sauce mixture at HIGH 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Pour the sauce over chicken in pan. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining Parmesan and provolone cheese. Wrap handle of pan with foil, and broil 2 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 308; Fat: 10.4g; Protein: 35.9g; Carbohydrate: 16.2g; Cholesterol: 88mg; Fiber: 1.8g; Iron: 2.3mg; Sodium: 808mg; Calcium: 249mg

Weight Watcher Points-7

Balsamic Vinegar, how i love thee...

I got our lasted copy of Cooking Light magazine, and while i thumbed through, this JUMPED out at me, and i'm so glad it did. this was AMAZING. How can this be good for you!? i simply can't even understand it. i made it with the exact side dish that they told me too as well, Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

Roast Chicken with Balsamic Bell Peppers

Ingredients

• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• Cooking spray
• 2 cups thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1 cup thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots (about 1 large)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450°.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Combine 1/2 teaspoon salt, fennel seeds, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. Brush chicken with 1 1/2 teaspoons oil; sprinkle spice rub over chicken. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes or until browned. Turn chicken over; cook 1 minute. Arrange chicken in an 11 x 7–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes or until done.

3. Heat remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, shallots, and rosemary; sauté 3 minutes. Stir in broth, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Stir in vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Serve bell pepper mixture over chicken.

Nutritional Facts

Calories: 28; Fat: 11g; Protein: 35.9g; Carbohydrate: 8.8g; Fiber: 1.9g; Cholesterol: 2mg; Sodium: 644mg; Calcium: 38mg 94mg; Iron:

Weight Watcher Points-6


Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs yukon gold potatoes
• 1/3 cup 2% low-fat milk
• 3 tablespoons mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon garlic poweder

Directions

1. Place cubed and peeled potatoed in a large saucepan cover with water and Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until tender.
3. Drain and return to pan.
4. Add milk, mascarpone cheese, and salt.
   
5. Mash to desired consistency. (make 4 servings)
   

Nutrition Facts
Calories 184.4; Total Fat 5.2 g; Cholesterol 16.6 mg; Sodium 313.4 mg; Potassium 796.7 mg; Total Carbohydrate 29.5 g; Dietary Fiber 3.1 g; Sugars 3.2 g; Protein 4.2 g

Weight Watcher Points-4