Healthy, Delicious Shrimp Ceviche

Shrimp Ceviche

When life hands you shrimp, pull out the Peruvian side of you and make Ceviche!  At least, that's what I did.

After hosting a girl's weekend with mom a couple weeks ago, we were left with tons of leftover Low Boil which included about two pounds of shrimp that I had to find something to do with.  I'm back on Weight Watchers post-baby, and because shrimp is so low in points, I wanted to make something with the shrimp that wouldn't tip the scales.

Then I remembered coming across a recipe for Ceviche, and I thought, "I can wing that!"  So here's my version of Ceviche.  Not only was it to-die-for good, but it barely has any points at all.  On

days when I needed something low in points, I just stuck my fork in a bowl of this Ceviche or put it on a bed of lettuce.  No tortilla required.

Tip: I also make awesome salsa...for that recipe, just subtract the cucumber, lime, and shrimp from this recipe.  Tah Dah!

This whole meal was 5 WW Points!!!

Healthy Shrimp Ceviche

Effort Meter (1 to 5): 1

Delicious Meter (1 to 5): 5

Serving Suggestion: Serve in a whole wheat pita or tortilla with lettuce.  You can also top ontop of a bed of lettuce for a salad, or serve in a martini glass with a sprig of lettuce or piece of celery.

Weight Watcher POINTS - About 2 points for four large shrimp in the Ceviche sauce. Shrimp are only .5 points for four shrimp, and the veggies hardly count for anything as well.  Just be careful not to eat too many tortillas (or tortilla chips) with your Ceviche. 

Ingredients:

1Pound cooked, peeled, devained shrimp
1 cucumber, quartered
2-3 tomatoes, diced
1/4C sliced red onion
1/4C chopped fresh cilantro
2TBSP minced pickled jalapeño chiles
1/4C fresh lime juice (and zest from two small limes)
2TBSP olive oil
1/2TBSP+ garlic salt
1/4TSP salt
1/4TSP cracked pepper

Instructions:

Combine vegetables, then liquids, and finally seasonings into a large bowl.  Mix well.  Let marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes.  Stir before eating.

Related articles

• Healthy Chicken Salad Is Not an Oxymoron!
• One Hour and 30 Dollar Craftsman Garage Door Makeover

The Suprisingly Sophisticated Chicken Curry Casserole Bake with Broccoli

Chicken Curry Casserole Bake

Growing up, my mother swore off things like hot dogs, sloppy Joe's, and...casseroles.  Something about the fact that those were the things she ate and made for the family as a kid.  I guess she figured that once she was the head of household, she had the right to select from a richer variety of foods.

So there was no meatloaf growing up.  No chili cheese dogs, and definately no tuna casserole.  In fact, the first time I ever at a casserole, I was married to my husband.

The casserole is actually a fairly modern invention.  Originally showing up in the 19th Century, the original casseroles were made of pounded rice that was mixed with meat and/or sweet breads.  The modern day, one-dish wonder made it's way into society around the 1940's and 50's. 

Casseroles, in my limited experience, have generally been associated with fatty, low-grade ingredients and generally lack sophistication.  Needless to say, I'm not a fan.  But I have a casserole recipe that has changed my mind, and may change yours, too.

I first started making this casserole when my son was three months old and I had to return to work.  I would make it on Sunday, and heat it up and serve it during the week.  Thirty minutes and one pan later, it's the perfect dish for busy work nights.

So, go ahead.  Throw you preconceived notions of casseroles out the window.  This one is low in fat and calories (therefore, Weight Watcher Points), and is surprising and delicious.

Chicken Curry Casserole Bake with Broccoli

Effort Meter (1 to 5): 2.5

Delicious Meter (1 to 5): 4
 
Serving Suggestion: Make ahead of time and place in a casserole pan covered in tin foil.  Cook later in the week for 30 minutes on 350. For a crispy top, uncover and cook another 15 minutes.  

Weight Watcher Points -The entire casserole is about 42 points and makes 8 servings, so we figured that each 1-1/4C serving is about 5.25 Weight Watcher Points. 

Ingredients:

3 C of cooked brown rice (cooked in a rice cooker, preferable.  You can also opt to mix 1/2 white rice with 1/2 brown rice if you are not a brown rice fan...you will never notice the difference!)
1 - 2 Heads of broccoli, cut into small pieces
3 C of cooked boneless, skinless chicken (cook with cooking spray, (garlic) salt, and pepper)
1 Can of cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup (lowfat if you can find it)
1/2 C Lowfat mayo
1 C Nonfat milk
1 Clove of garlic, minced
1 TBSP Lemon juice
2 TSP Yellow curry powder

Instructions: 
 
1. Spoon cooked rice into a casserole dish.  Scatter broccoli on top.
2. Chop the chicken and layer over the rice and broccoli.
3. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix until well-blended.  Pour mixture over rice, broccoli, and chicken mix.  
4. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook. 
5. When ready to cook, heat oven to 350 and cook covered for 30 minutes.  For a crispy top, remove cover and cook an additional 15 minutes, but I don't like crunchy rice.
 

Related articles

• Chicken Cordon Brie with Fresh Thyme
• 100th Post - Red and Green Blue Cheese Cabbage Salad
• De-Seeding a Pomegranate

A Kind of White Trash Weight Watchers Recipe

As mentioned in an earlier post, as a kid there were certain things we were never allowed to eat: hot dogs, meatloaf, and sloppy Joe's...to name a few.

So in my college days, I sort of fell in love with some of this unsophisticated "white trash" food.  As it turns out, my mom was probably right not serving these foods, which are often high in fat and have all sorts of mystery ingredients.

But three years ago, on my first go with Weight Watchers, I discovered Turkey Sloppy Joe's, which made me feel like I was "cheating" on my diet, while actually being really low in points.

So, here's a white trash, low-in-points version of the turkey sloppy Joe, inspired by a Pillsbury commercial for the "Unsloppy Joe."  With a three-year old in the house, this recipe was a hit.  Plus, placing the Joe in a roll really helps control portions, and makes for a great work lunch the next day.

Lower Fat, Unsloppy Turkey Joes

Effort Meter (1 to 5): 2

Delicious Meter (1 to 5): 3.5
 
Serving Suggestion: Make with a large salad to complete the meal.

Weight Watcher Points - About 5 Weight Watcher Points per Joe (1/4C of Turkey - 2.5pts plus Crescent - 2.2pts plus cheese/tomatoes).

Ingredients:

1Lb Lean Ground Turkey
1Tube Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls
1Packet of Sloppy Joe Mix
1Can of Tomato Paste
Chopped Onion and Garlic (Optional)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 

Instructions:

1. Cook turkey until browned in a skillet.  Drain.
2. Add Sloppy Joe Mix, Tomato Paste and follow instructions on sloppy Joe packet.  Finish off by adding chopped onion and garlic, if desired.
3.  On a baking sheet, stretch out individual crescent rolls.
4. In each crescent, add about 1/4C of turkey Joe mix, top with a light sprinkle of cheese, and then wrap up crescent until sealed like a burrito. 
5. Cook according to crescent roll instructions.

Related articles

• "Book-Casing the Joint"
• Christmas Gift Idea: Homemade Irish Creme
• 100th Post - Red and Green Blue Cheese Cabbage Salad
• Playing Hostess: Christmas Holiday Luncheon

Millions of Peaches, Peaches for Me...

Who knows this song? "Going to the country...gonna eat me a lot of peaches...Going to the country, gonna peaches. Peaches come from a can, they were put there by a man..."

Or how about, "Really like your peaches want to shake your tree."

Ever notice there are a lot of songs about peaches?  Probably because they are freaking delicious! Or because they are such a sign of late summer.  Or because every loves them...I mean, does anyone not love them?

But enough reminiscing over slightly inappropriate peach songs with female body part innuendos.  How about I just share a peach recipe with you?

Chicken, Peaches, Green Beans, and Orzo

Effort Meter (1 to 5): 3.5

Delicious Meter (1 to 5): 3.5
Serving Suggestion: I serve this alone, as a one-dish recipe, but a nice spinach salad and bread would work too.  Makes four servings.
Weight Watcher Points - 11 points for 1/4 of the recipe.
Ingredients:


1-1/3 C of dry Orzo
Fresh Green Beans, trimmed
1 lb of Chicken Breasts, thawed or fresh
2 Peaches, cut into wedges
2 TBSP Olive Oil
4 oz herb-flavored cheese (you can use feta, or I used some herb-flavored cheese curds from the discount counter in the cheese aisle
Dried Thyme
Garlic Salt

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, cook orzo until tender in water.  Add green beans to water/orzo mix for last five minutes.  Drain (but do not rinse).  This will be tricky because orzo will slide through most colanders, so you may have to use a slotted spoon.

2. Coat chicken and peaches with olive oil (I use a spritzer) and lightly coat with a rub of thyme spice, salt, pepper, and garlic salt.

3. Grill chicken and peaches on the BBQ until no longer pink and the chicken and peaches have grill marks.

4. Add all ingredients including chicken, peaches, orzo, green beans, and cheese to saucepan and add remaining olive oil.  Toss over high heat for 1-2 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper, and thyme if needed. 

Related articles

• Jamaican Me Crazy Jerk Chicken
• In With Orangekabobs; Out With Pineapple Chicken Skewers
• Goldie Locks and the Three Desserts

Seven Days of Weight Watchers - Part III

I have been very bad.  No, not because I've gone off the Weight Watchers.  Actually, as of yesterday, I was down almost seven pounds.  But I've been bad because I said I would give you seven days of Weight Watchers, and I got too busy and stopped at four.  With our patio project, a new teaching gig I'm doing, and just general mom stuff, my blogging slipped to the bottom of my list.

But have no fear, but here are days 5, 6, and 7 so you can finish up!

Friday - Daily Total Points Around 24

Breakfast:
1 Cup of Multigrain Cheerios plus 1/2C Nonfat Milk (3 Pts)
1TBSP Cream plus Coffee (1 Pt)

Snack:
String Cheese (2 Pts)

Lunch:
1Cup Bear Creak Tortilla Soup (2 Pts)
24 Tostitos Bite Size Chips (3 pts)

Dinner:

Salad with Pepperoncini Vinaigrette: Romaine Lettuce plus 2 TBSP of Dressing and Light Dusting of Parmesan Cheese (3-1/2 Pts)
For Dressing:
- 4 TBSP EVOO
- 3 TBSP Minced Pepperoncini
- 1 TBSP Fresh Dill
- 1 TSP Lemon Zest
- Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Salt to Taste

Pepperoncini Stuffed Chicken Breasts (5-1/2 Pts)
- Slice open small chicken breast and stuff each breast with:
- 1 TBSP of Whipped Cream Cheese
- 1 TBSP Chopped Pepperoncini
- 1 TSP of Thyme
- Salt and Pepper
- Coat chicken with a spritz of EVOO and pat with thyme, salt and pepper. Bake at 325.

Weight Watcher Mac – ½C (4 Pts)
- Ronzoni Smart Taste High Fiber Macaroni
- 1 TBSP I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Light
- 1 TBSP Olive Oil
- Fresh Basil (for topping)
- 2 TBSP Parmesan Cheese
- 2 TBSP Mozzarella Cheese
- Red Pepper Flakes

Saturday - Daily Total Points Around 39 (23 Regular, Plus 16 Weekend Points)

I made this my "splurge" day.  You get an extra 35 weekend points every week to "spluge."  I choose one special meal out where I can use these points.  Since I already used 5.5 of my weekend points on Thursday, and one of my weekend points on Friday, that left about 28.5 weekend points to spare.

Breakfast:

3 Chicken Sausages (2 Pts), 2 Egg Whites with Tomatoes and Basil (1 Pt), and One Slice of High Fiber Whole Grain Toast with Spritz of Can't Believe It's Not Butter (1.5 Pts)

Snack:

2 Cups of Popcorn (2 Pts)

Lunch:

1 Greek Yogurt (2 - 3Pts, depending on the brand and flavor)

1 Banana (1 Pt)

Happy Hour:

Two Glasses of Red Wine (6 Pts)

1 Slice of Restaurant Flat Bread (4 Pts)

2 TBSP Hummus (3 Pts)

Dinner:

1 Restaurant Cheeseburger minus the top bun (9 Pts)

9 Tatar Tots or Fries (4 pts)

Dessert:

1/2 C Non-Fat Frozen Yogurt (3 Pts)

Sunday - Daily Points Total Around 23.5

Breakfast:

One Tall Non-Fat Latte from Starbucks (2 Pts)

Two Petite Vanilla Scones from Starbucks (6 Pts)

Lunch:

1/2 of a Easy Thin Crust Margarita Pizza Peasy Pizza (4 Pts)

Coke Zero (0 Pts)

Dinner:

Lemony Turkey Burgers with 100 Calorie Flatbread Bun and Mustard (5 Pts)

 - Combine Ground Turkey with chopped cilantro, juice and rhine from one lemon or lime, 1/4 C breadcrumbs, 1/4C of Soy Sauce, and One Egg White.

Baked Fries (2 Pts)

 - Cut a potato into wedges, coat with spritz of baking spray and bake at 425 until crispy.  Salt.

1 Michelob Ultra Beer (2 Pts)

Dessert:

1 Cup of Swiss Miss Sensible Sweets No Sugar Added Hot Cocoa with 2TBSP Non Fat Whipping Cream (2.5 Pts)

By the end of the week, I still 12.5 points to spare.  I used them drinking margaritas while overlooking my new patio on Cinco de Mayo, but the point is, this is very doable and customizable to your taste buds.

Happy Weight Watchers!

Related articles

• Weight Watcher 7 Day Challenge Part II
• Seven Days of Weight Watcher's - Join Me

Chilean-Style Sea Bass with Artichoke Salsa

Some people come back from their in-law's houses with a headache.  Not me, I come back with a handful of Sea Bass and a pound of Roasted Garlic.

Yes, my Father-in-Law is a major foodie; which is alright with me, because I get to reap the benefits.

So here I am on Monday night with nothing in the fridge, but three filets of Sea Bass.  What to do?  I mean, I've never actually made Sea Bass before.  Luckily, I found a great recipe online (which of course, I modified), and it turned out wonderful.

Here's a great recipe that's low in points (about 6 Weight Watcher Points total).  I really like this recipe, but since I don't have Sea Bass around very often, I would like to try it with some other types of fish also.  Maybe cod or even Tilapia?

Note: Make a little extra Artichoke Salsa and water it down with Oil and Balsamic for a delicious, no-effort salad dressing.

Chilean-Style Sea Bass with Artichoke Salsa

 

Effort Meter (1 to 5): 2 - The only hard part is cooking the fish thoroughly without overcooking

Delicious Meter (1 to 5): 4Serving Suggestion: Serve with 1/4C of brown rice, and Romaine salad topped with thinned out version of the Artichoke Salsa 
Weight Watcher Points - About 6 if you use the Salsa sparingly


Ingredients:

Rub:
Olive Oil (spritz)
3-4 Sea Bass Fillets, about 6 ounces each
Salt and Pepper
Cajun or Creole Seasoning

For a delicious dressing, add oil, water, and balsamic to the salsa

Artichoke Salsa:

1 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, chopped (reserve 1TBSP of the juice)
1 Tbs. dehydrated minced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
2 Tbs. chopped green olives with pimento
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs. water
1/2 packet of sugar substitute (like Splenda)
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste
1/4 tsp. celery salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Instructions:

Coat the Sea Bass filets with a spritz of olive oil.  Rub onto the filets, a light coating of salt, pepper and Cajun/Creole seasoning.  Refrigerate for a couple hours.

Meanwhile, prepare the Artichoke Salsa by combining all the ingredients into a mason jar, and shake to mix.  Refridgerate.

When ready to cook, place the Sea Bass on a shallow baking pan and cook at 425 for 15 minutes or so.  Top with Artichoke Salsa.
 

Seven Days of Weight Watcher's - Join Me

I've been wining and dining a little to much lately.  With bikini season coming up, it's time to get back on the Weight Watcher's diet which helped me lose 45 pounds post-baby (leaving me 20 pounds lighter than before I got pregnant.

It works, but finessing a meal plan that works for you is the hardest part.  I've spent years perfecting Weight-Watcher's friendly recipes, and I've got a whole grocery list worked out for when I get "back on the wagon."  So why not share it, right.

Now first, let me say that I use the old system, because hopping on the "Points-Plus" system at this point--after I've already calculated the points of everything I buy and cook--is just too much work.  So, I'm allotted about 23 points/day plus 35 "weekend points".  But calculating the points is a pain in the ass, so here's what I'm suggesting.

Join me in the 10 pound Weight Watcher Challenge.  Post to me your progress.  And I will do the same.  All you have to do is eat what I eat, following my recipes and we will do this together.  Ready for the challenge?  Here's what I've ate so far.

Monday - Daily Total About 23 Points

Breakfast:
Two cups of coffee with 2TBSP Fat Free Creamer (1 Pt)
1C of Multi-Grain Cheerios with 1/2C Fat Free Milk (3 Pts)

Snack:
2TBSP Hummus with 1/2C Snap Peas (3 Pts)

Lunch:
Meatloaf Sandwich: 3oz of Leftover Turkey Meatloaf on a 100 Calorie Whole Wheat Thinwhich Bread, with 1 TSP of Fat-Free Mayo and a sprinkle of Low Fat Mozzarella (5.5 Pts)
18 Veggie Chips (2 Pts)

Dinner:
Chilean Sea Bass with Artichoke Salsa (7 Pts)
1/4C of Brown Rice (1 Pt)

Dessert:
Pineapple Fruit Popsicle (1 Pt)

Tuesday - Daily Total About 23 Points

Breakfast:
Two cups of coffee with 2TBSP Fat Free Creamer (1 Pt)
Apple (1Pt)

Snack:
Snack-size microwave popcorn (2pts)

Lunch (Repeat - Sorry, so yummy and satisfying though):
Meatloaf Sandwich: 3oz of Leftover Turkey Meatloaf on a 100 Calorie Whole Wheat Thinwhich Bread, with 1 TSP of Fat-Free Mayo and a sprinkle of Low Fat Mozzarella (5.5 Pts)
18 Veggie Chips (2 Pts)
Dinner:
Sweet Pepper Chicken Burger: Amylu Sweet Caramelized Onion Chicken Burgers with Red Bell Pepper and Gouda Cheese (SO GOOD and 150 Calories from Costco) with diced peppers, fresh-chopped cilantro, pineapple ring, and 1TSP of FF Mayo on a Whole Wheat Sandwich Thin. (6 Pts)
Potato Wedges (Cut and Baked at 425 with salt) - (2.5 Pts for one potato)

Dessert:
3 Newton Blueberry Thin Crisp Cookies (3 Pts)

*I also had one Deschutes Chainbreaker IPA Beer (4pts) but rode my bike to/from work which earned me an extra 3 points which I frivolously spent on alcohol--and then some.

Wednesday - Daily Total About 23 Points

Breakfast:
Two cups of coffee with 2TBSP Fat Free Creamer (1 Pt)
1 Whole Wheat English Muffin with 1TBSP Whipped Cream Cheese (4 Pts)
Banana (1 Pt)

Snack:
2TBSP Hummus with 1/2C Snap Peas (3 Pts)

Lunch:
Yogurt Parfait with Oikos Vanilla Greek Yogurt, Two Cut Strawberries, and a sprinkle of Nutmeg and Cinnamon (2.5 Pts)
Low Fat String Cheese (1.5 Pts)

Dinner:
Turkey Brats: 1 Foster Farms Turkey Italian Sausage, 1/2 of a Whole Wheat Hoagie Bun, Dijon Mustard (6 Pts)
Fresh Veggies: Snap Peas, Green Beans, Carrots (1.5 Pts)

Dessert:

Strawberry Shortcake: 1 Shortcake mini, cut strawberries, FF Cool Whip, Nutmeg, and Cinnamon (3.5 Pts)

Stay tuned for Thurs - Sun Recipes!

--

Related articles

• Eazy-Peazy Pizza in Eight Minutes
• Roasting Chicken is Easy (and delicious)
• Weight Watcher 7 Day Challenge Part II

Related articles

Eazy-Peazy Pizza in Eight Minutes

I love finding new low-cal things that are delish!  And I've got a new one!  

My sister and I were at World Market when we ran across Pastorelli Ultra Thin Whole Wheat Pizza Crusts.  They were $3.99 for three, so we thought we'd try them.

Tuesday is always pizza night at our house, so yesterday, we gave them a try and they ARE awesome!  Not to mention, only about 150 calories for half a pizza.

So, here's what you do to make your own eight minute, low cal, no guilt pizza.

Eight Minute Pizza

Effort Meter (1 to 5): 1 (easy peazy)

Delicious Meter (1 to 5): 3 (as good as an effort of 1 gets)


Ingredients:

Pastorelli Whole Wheat Pizza Crusts
Marinara Sauce
Mozzarella
Olive Oil
Basil
Salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425. Place pizza stone in the oven and let warm up to temp.
2. Remove crust from bag. 
3. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
4. Using a spatula, add some pre-made marinara.  I like the Wolfgang Puck Tomato Basil (or you can use left over homemade spag sauce). Coat crust lightly.
5.  Cut chunks of mozzarella cheese--not shredded--and lightly cover the pizza.
6. Add thinly chopped fresh basil. 
7. Salt the pizza.
8. Place on stone and cook for about 8 minutes.
9. Enjoy!

Related articles

• When It's Good to Be Cheap and Easy (newlydomesticblog.com)
• Roasting Chicken is Easy (and delicious) (newlydomesticblog.com)