Pineapple Angel Food Cake

I finally made the famous WeightWatcher's Angel Food Cake. Well, famous on the WW boards... I would make it again. I may even mix in low-fat coconut milk to make it a Pina-Colada cake. The cake is one million times better than the infamous Diet Coke cake.

Angel Food Cake

Simply mix together a box of Angel Food cake mix with a can of crushed pineapple. Bake in a 9 X 13 baking dish as directed on the package.

Serves 12 at 3 points a serving. Or make 1-point cupcakes.

Wasabi Coleslaw

Wasabi coleslaw is my new favorite summertime salad. I have made this coleslaw using extra wasabi and I loved the heat. I have also used less wasabi and more brown sugar; creating a sweeter taste. I prefer it the "wasabi way"; whereas my partner prefers the sweeter version. Either way it tastes light and refreshing.

Wasabi Coleslaw

Mix together 2 TBSP of wasabi paste with 3 TBSP rice vinegar, 1 TBSP vegetable oil, 2 TBSP (or less) brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir in 1 package of broccoli slaw. Yum!

Makes 3 - One cup servings.

The wasabi dressing would also taste great mixed with cucumbers as an alternative to the broccoli slaw. 

Polenta Pizza with Caramelized Onions, Mushrooms, Spinach & Gorgonzola

I have a new food love and it is polenta. One of the many polenta dishes that I have recently made include polenta pizza. 

All you need to do is make the crust and add whatever toppings you fancy. I happen to fancy caramelized onions and cheese. 

Polenta Pizza

1/2 cup skim milk

1 cup coarse cornmeal

2 onions, chopped

1-2 packages sliced white mushrooms (I don't know what size)

1 bunch of washed spinach

1 cup Gorgonzola cheese

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray.  

3. Cook the polenta until thick and then spread onto the cookie sheet to form the crust. 

4. You don't know how to cook the polenta? In a sauce pan, combine 1/2 cup skim milk with 2 1/2 cups water (you may want to season with salt). When it begins to boil, reduce heat (to simmer), and add 1 cup cornmeal in a steady stream. Whisk until the mixture is thick. 

5. Sprinkle "crust" (remember you spread it onto the cooking sheet?) with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (at least one hour).

6. Caramelize the onions and saute mushrooms & spinach until desired texture is achieved. 

7. Bake "crust" until it begins to brown (25 minutes). 

8. Take "crust" out of oven, sprinkle with Gorgonzola cheese and add toppings (vegetables). 

9. Bake until cheese melts.

The spinach was very crispy and next time I will make this pizza only using onions, mushrooms, and cheese. 

Per reader request, here is the NI for the crust based on 1/4 of the pizza:

The NI with the toppings (note it was calculated using raw onion and I believe the sugars in caramelized onions would increase the calories):

Recipe was taken (slightly modified) from the New York Times and I have also seen similar polenta pizza recipes in cookbooks (I think Vegetarian Times). 

Banana Beverage

This drink is perfect for a light snack or  a pre/post work-out refresher. 

Diet Porn's Favorite Banana Beverage

Blend one banana, with 1 cup milk (I used skim), and a splash of vanilla extract. Garnish with ground cinnamon. I will occasionally throw in protein powder depending on my food intake for the day. 

I chugged half the glass before I realized that I should take a picture.

Butternut Squash Tacos

I had this recipe bookmarked from Digginfood for awhile now and wish that I have made it earlier. It is one of the best new recipes that I have tried in a long time. It takes a little time and effort. I will use pre-cut squash from Trader Joe's to cut down on time in the future (and I don't think it will increase my expense either).  

Butternut Squash Tacos with Spicy Black Beans


1 butternut squash, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes
½ cup white onion, chopped

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 ½ teaspoons cumin

1 ½ teaspoons coriander

2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped (or 1 15-ounce can fire roasted, diced tomatoes)

2 15-ounce cans black beans

2 jalapenos
12 small corn tortillas
½ cup crumbled cojita cheese (or feta)
Lime wedges

Cook jalapenos until the skins are charred. (Either broil or on a hot skillet.) Set aside.
In a large bowl, toss squash and onions together with 2 Tablespoons olive oil. Add cumin, coriander, 2 teaspoons of the chili powder, and a teaspoon salt. Toss until well coated. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges of the squash and onions begin to brown. Rotate the pan(s) and stir halfway through cooking.

Meanwhile, peel, stem and seed the chilies before chopping them finely. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the garlic and cook for a minute before adding the tomatoes. Allow the tomatoes and garlic to simmer for five to ten minutes, or until the tomatoes reduce. Mix in 1 Tablespoon of the chili powder, chilies, and (undrained) beans. 

Cook the beans over medium heat for 15 minutes. 

To assemble the tacos, add a few spoonfuls of strained beans onto a warm tortilla. Add a layer of the squash mixture. Top with crumbled cheese and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. (I actually added the lime juice to the beans.)

I Love The Breakfast Cookie

The breakfast cookie is my new favorite week day breakfast. I discovered this cookie on  The Fitnessista and made it with ingredients that I had in my home. 

The Breakfast Cookie

1/3 cup oats

1 TBSP almond butter

1 mini-box of raisins 

1 TBSP or so of skim milk* (enough to moisten the oats)

1 mashed banana

Mix everything together. Spread the mixture on a plate in the shape of a cookie. Refrigerate overnight. Eat with a spoon in the morning.

This cookie tasted like a new variation of my favorite muesli recipe that I found in Vegetarian Times over ten years ago. It was delicious, filling and simply felt healthy. I look forward to other variations as well as throwing protein powder into the mix. 

The calories are shown above. WWP = 6.

*I ordered a latte with skim milk and the Barista sighed, "You must be from the midwest." 

Me: "How did you know? That is amazing!" 

Barista: "Only people out there call fat-free milk: skim."

Kielbasa, Cabbage, and Potato Stew

What's with WeightWatchers writing a recipe that only calls for a cup of wine? Pretty cruel if you ask me.

If you like Kielbasa, you will like this stew.

3/4 lb (lite) turkey kielbasa, cut into small pieces
1 lb shredded cabbage
3/4 lb new potatoes, cut into chunks
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 3/4 c fat free chicken broth
1 c dry white wine
1 tsp caraway seeds
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Cook the kielbasa in a large pot over medium high heat until it begins to brown, about three minutes. Add onion, cook another few minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, cover and cook. Stir occasionally until the potatoes & cabbage are tender, 15-18 min. Discard bay leaf before serving.

Yield: 4 servings (6 cups total)
WWP: 5

Drink up.

Recipe Review: Zucchini Pancakes

I made Hungry Girl's Zucchini Pancakes last night. The first one was pretty good. When I started eating the other two pancakes, the texture was getting to me. (They are mostly made with zucchini, those tofu faker noodles, and pancake mix.) I dipped them into ff sour cream. I think they would be better with some seasoning/herbs and maybe something crunchy in the batter. I also would cut the recipe in half.

It is a lot of food for very little points, which is a plus. A decent sized pancake is only 1 point. I made them on our electric griddle. I was really full and didn't even finish the suggested serving size of three pancakes. (Recipe makes 15).  My other tip is do not smell the Tofu Noodles before you rinse them.

From HG's website (link above):
Noodlicious Zucchini Pancakes

2 x 8 oz. pkgs. House Tofu Shirataki Noodles (Spaghetti shaped)
4 egg whites or 1/2 cup eggbeaters
1 cup pancake mix
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup green onions (scallions), chopped
4.5 cups zucchini, shredded
1 cup finely sliced fresh mushrooms

Rinse noodles well and cut into 2-3 inch pieces. Combine egg whites, pancake mix and salt in a bowl. Stir in noodles, green onions, mushrooms and zucchini. Place skillet over medium heat, and coat with non-stick cooking spray. When hot, scoop 1/3 cup of the mixture (per pancake) onto the skillet. Cook until underside is golden, then flip and cook the other side. Continue until all the batter is gone. Makes 15 4-inch pancakes.

PER SERVING (1 pancake): 50 Calories, <0.5g Fat, 8 Carbs, 1.2g Fiber, 4g protein - 1 pt

Mushroom Gravy

Mushroom Gravy 

1. Mix 1/4 cup flour with 2 cups vegetable broth. Set aside.
2. Sautee one thinly sliced onion in a little olive oil until translucent.
3. Add three cloves garlic and 4 cups Cremini Mushrooms and sautee for 5 minutes.
4. Add spices (1 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp sage, 1/4 tsp salt, & pepper to taste). Sautee one minute.
5. Add 1/4 cup non-sweet white wine. Bring to a simmer.
6. Reduce heat. Add the flour/broth mix and stir until thick (about 5 minutes).

Makes 4 cups.
1 cup = 2pts
1/2 cup = 1pt

Points based on using 2 TBSP oil. I used olive oil spray.

Beef & Noodles

Beef & Noodles

1. Brown 1/2 lb of the leanest ground beef that you can find in a dutch oven. (Trader Joe's has ground beef that has only 4.5 grams of fat per serving.)
2. Remove the beef and wipe out the pot. Sautee 1 cup diced onions and 2 cloves of garlic until translucent.
3. Add the ground beef, 3 cups of broth (Beef or chicken broth is suggested. I used 1/2 chicken and 1/2 vegetable broth, because I am a use-what-I-got rock star.), 14.5 ounces of stewed tomatoes, and 2 TBSP worchester sauce. Bring to a boil.
4. Add 8 oz. whole wheat pasta (recipe called for egg noodles) cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until noodles are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Add 1 cup frozen (but thawed) peas, salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered for an additional 3 minutes.

*The recipe states that it makes 5 servings. I divided this into 6 servings, with each serving being slightly more than one cup.

**Using the Nutritional Information from the recipe, 1/5 of the recipe is 5 points. When I use the recipe builder on WW, each 1/5 serving is 6 points. Therefore, I am counting my slightly larger than one cup serving (1/6 of the dish) as 5 points.

Pizza Cupcakes

1 Can Reduced-Fat Refrigerated Biscuits 

(10 biscuits)

1 Teaspoon Olive Oil

1.5 Cups Assorted Diced Fresh Vegetables (red bell pepper, zucchini, mushroom, etc.)

1 Cup Pizza Sauce

1/2 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Saute the vegetables and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally until vegetables are tender.

3. Stir in pizza sauce and simmer for 2 minutes over low heat to reduce the sauce.

4. Press each biscuit evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a muffin pan.

5. Evenly spoon the vegetable mixture into the muffin cups on top of the pressed biscuit.

6. Sprinkle with cheese.

7. Bake 15 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Then serve.

4 pts per Pizza Cupcake

Southwestern Breakfast Bowl

I have been struggling with a healthy & filling breakfast that I can bring to work. I have been fearful about microwaving eggs in the past, but this recipe has been working well for me. 

1.  Microwave 1/2 cup eggbeaters for a minute at a time until cooked.

2.  Add 1/2 cup black beans and microwave for 30 seconds longer or until warm.

3.  Garnish with 2 Tablespoons salsa, 2 Tablespoons fat free sour cream, and green onions.

This is 4 points for WW.

The original Cooking Light recipe adds shredded cheddar cheese to the black beans. Additionally, CL suggests serving this on top of a corn tortilla. I prefer flour tortillas and the tortilla will add extra points/calories.

I bring the egg substitute to work in a small tupperware container. In a second container I will bring the 1/2 cup of black beans. I use these silicone hearts to hold the sour cream and salsa. I place the condiments in the hearts and package them with the black beans. 

Spinach Orzo Pasta Salad

1-16 ounce package uncooked orzo pasta

1-10 ounce package baby spinach, finely chopped

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp ground pepper

Cook orzo as directed; drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients.

Toss with 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar.

Sprinkle with feta cheese before serving.

***Thanks for sharing this recipe Kari!***

Pineapple with Coconut Curls

All it takes is one pineapple and one coconut to make a healthy and impressive dessert. The fresh pineapple with coconut curls looks more impressive if it is served on the same day that the pineapple is sliced (this photo was taken on the 2nd day).

• Bake the coconut at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

• Cut the pineapple in half, lengthwise. Cut each half into 4 wedges. Leaves should remain intact.
• Cut the core from the center of each wedge.
• Cut the pineapple from the skin, lengthwise, then crosswise. Leave the pieces on the wedge.
• Arrange the pineapple wedges on a serving platter.
  
  
• Crack open the coconut. Remove and reserve the coconut milk.
• Using a sharp vegetable peeler, make ribbons of coconut.
• Arrange the coconut ribbons on top of the pineapple wedges.
• Sprinkle each wedge with a tablespoon of the coconut milk.

Each pineapple used makes 4 servings.

Taken from The Martha Stewart Cookbook

Mushroom Barley Soup

I made this soup several times this winter and it is still a favorite. I substituted chicken broth for the turkey stock. Vegetable broth would also work.

Mushroom Barley Soup

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup thinly sliced carrot
1 (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley
4 3/4 cups Rich Turkey Stock
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and mushrooms; sauté 7 minutes or until golden brown. Stir in barley, and sauté 2 minutes. Add stock, celery, and salt, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Add thyme, and cook 5 minutes.

4 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 217(19% from fat); FAT 4.7g (sat 1g,mono 2.1g,poly 1g); PROTEIN 13.9g; CHOLESTEROL 20mg; CALCIUM 42mg; SODIUM 624mg; FIBER 6.8g; IRON 2mg; CARBOHYDRATE 31.1g

Cynthia De Persio, Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2003

Phyllo Triangles With Onion Jam.....and lots of wine...

Normally, working with phyllo dough sucks. I work fast, careful not to tear the paper-thin dough, while worrying if the remaining dough is properly covered.

Tonight my phyllo precautions are lost in my ineberation. I cut the first sheet of phyllo dough in haste, neglecting to cut lengthwise. Sheet after sheet, I cut incorrectly. Yet, the dough folds up into neat triangles. I amaze myself. The final result: sweet jam mixed with tangy blue cheese, encased in a light and flakey phyllo pocket.

All I know about wine is the color and my preference for bubbly. After much contemplation at the local Bev-Mo, I selected Fontana Candida Frascati '05. Their description of its distinct taste of almonds and sweet apples was the deciding factor. I felt that this wine went well with the dish and tasted good.

The recipe is from my stand-by: Cooking Light. The Nutrional Information is in the 2007 Annual Recipes cookbook. (NI for 2 triangles: 98 calories, 3.7g fat, 1 fiber)

Phyllo Triangles with Onion Jam

Jam:
2 teaspoons butter
4 cups vertically sliced onion
1 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 tablespoon sugar
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) blue cheese (such as Maytag)
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
Dash of salt

Remaining ingredients:
6 (18 x 14-inch) sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
Cooking spray
4 teaspoons butter, melted

Preparation:
To prepare jam, heat 2 teaspoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, shallots, and sugar; sauté 8 minutes or until onion is lightly browned. Add garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Stir in wine and broth; cook for 5 minutes or until liquid evaporates. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese, chives, thyme, and salt.
Preheat oven to 400°.

Place 1 phyllo sheet on a large cutting board or work surface (cover remaining phyllo to prevent drying). Cut sheet in quarters lengthwise; lightly coat with cooking spray. Spoon 1 level tablespoon onion mixture onto 1 short end of each strip, leaving a 1-inch border. Fold 1 corner of edge with 1-inch border over mixture, forming a triangle; continue folding back and forth into a triangle to end of strip. Repeat procedure with remaining phyllo, cooking spray, and onion mixture. Place triangles, seam side down, on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush tops of triangles evenly with 4 teaspoons melted butter. Lightly coat tops with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 11 minutes or until golden.

Aimee's Meatloaf Muffins

This week I revisited one of my favorite recipes! These "muffins" are great tasting and a good portion size. I usually serve these with steamed veggies. They are also good with mashed cauliflower (prepare frozen cauliflower, then mash with laughing cow cheese).

New Snack: Jicama

My new favorite snack: Jicama! Specifically, I am eating Jicama with freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and chili powder.

One 1/2 cup serving has only 23 calories and 3 grams of fiber.

And if my heart desires, a whole jicama is 0-points. Can't beat that!

Pickled Green Beans

Surprisingly, green beans can taste just like pickles!

We now have four 12-ounce jars of pickled green beans sitting in our fridge. My first attempt at canning went well. The recipe was easy to follow and went fairly quickly. (I adjusted the salt to 3/4 a teaspoon per 12-ounce jar.)

Thanks for sharing the recipe Kari!

Chicken Lime Soup

Chicken Lime Soup

Olive Oil Cooking Spray
3 half chicken breasts, boneless & skinless
4 limes
1.5 quarts chicken broth
1 cup diced red bell pepper
2 garlic cloves
.5 cup diced celery
1 cup diced zucchini
1 cup diced skinned and seeded tomato

Spray Olive Oil over the chicken breasts. Then squeeze the juice of a lime over the chicken. Grill the chicken over medium heat for 5 minutes per side. Cool and then dice. (Next time I am going to shred the chicken.)

Bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Add bell pepper, garlic, celery and carrot. cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Stir in the zucchini and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chicken, the juice from the remaining limes and tomato. Simmer until heated. Optional Garnish: Cilantro and salsa.

*Recipe from The San Francisco Chronicle Cookbook

This soup is low-fat and super delicious. The limes give the soup an interesting tang without over-powering the other flavors of the soup.