Recipe Round-Up (March 2012)

March was a loss.  And I don't mean the weight kind.  My weight is exactly the same this month as it was last month.  I had a week of celebration where I hit a milestone, but I gained two pounds the next week and have been toying with the same 0.6 pounds for the last two weeks.  There are plenty of factors that contributed to the problem, not the least of which is a lack of planning and self-control on my part.  I talked to Aaron this morning and we have agreed to make April a "do or die month".  Either we crack down and do this right, or we don't spend the money to continue my Weight Watchers subscription.  I'm voting for the "do" rather than the "die".  Who's with me?

Despite the lack of self-control and haphazard meal planning I did manage to find a few new recipes that we really enjoyed.

General Tso's Chicken
by Rebecca (from Tasty Kitchen)

This really tasted like take-out from our local Chinese joint, and I'm sure it was less points.  It's 8 Points+ per serving (without rice), and both my husband and I loved it.  As a matter of fact, he's STILL talking about it two days later.  Word to the wise, trust the recipe.  I love spicy food, and I just couldn't see how 1 teaspoon of chili-garlic sauce could possibly be enough.  Particularly when combined with the 3 tablespoons of raw sugar.  I like things hot.  Really hot.  So I tripled it.  Um.  Don't do that.  The End.

Man Pleasing Chicken
by Witty In The City


The title of this recipe does not lie.  Aaron lurved it.  And it's only 6 Points+ per serving.  Here are my recommendations:  1) Use real maple syrup.  The good stuff.  Aunt Jemima is a nice old lady, but this ain't the place for her.  2) Cut the sauce in half.  You don't need the chicken to swim in it.  3)  Use fresh rosemary.  Use fresh rosemary.  Use fresh rosemary.  4) Coat your pan with foil.  The sauce will burn onto the side of your pan and become a previously undiscovered substance that is scientifically impossible to remove from bakeware.  

Chicken Rollatini with Prosciutto and Cheese
by Skinny Taste

4 Points+ per serving.  I didn't change a thing.  They were perfect.  I ate one with oven-roasted asparagus and sauteed mushrooms, and I was full to the brim.  

Crockpot Italian Turkey Meatballs
by Skinny Taste

These are still on my "iffy" list.  I will make them again, but I will make sure that I'm more careful about densely packed they are.  The flavor was wonderful, and they sure were easy, but they were a little bit dense and dry.  I'm sure it was user-error, and these will be back on our meal plan for Slow-Cooker Night very soon.  A dollop of ricotta on the side was a nice touch.  5 Points+ per serving.  

Cilantro Lime Tilapia Tacos
by Skinny Taste

I don't like fresh tomatoes, so I used a can of petite diced tomatoes.  I forgot to drain them.  My fish thought they never left the sea.  Oops.  Other than my stupid mistake these were fantastic.  I left out the avocado because I don't like it and instead gave the tacos a sprinkling of feta cheese and a drizzle of hot pepper sauce.  They tasted quite a bit like the fish tacos from Fuzzy's.  Hubby was happy.  8 Points+ for two tacos.  

Good Ol' Basic Mexican Rice
by Pioneer Woman

What?!?!  A recipe by PW is Weight Watchers friendly?  It's true.  Okay, 6 Points+ per serving is a little high for a side dish, but this is the best recipe for Mexican Rice I've found, and when paired when a low point main dish it all evens out.  Or splurge a little and pair it with Skinny Taste's Cilantro Lime Tilapia Tacos.  It's worth it.  

Skinny Garlic Mashed Potatoes
by Skinny Taste


These were amazing.  I pan-roasted the garlic and pressed it instead of boiling it with the potatoes.  These plus some green beans were the perfect compliment to Man-Pleasing Chicken.  4 Points+ per serving.

Cinnamon French Toast Bake
by Oh My Sugar High! (and Pillsbury)


And the Sinful Recipe of the Month Award goes to...Cinnamon French Toast Bake.  Oh my word.  Oh my word.  Oh.  My.  Word.  My husband devoured this like it was his last meal.  I slowly ate my little square, and I was surprisingly full.  Thank goodness I was because it works out to 11 Points+ per serving.  And it's  worth every single one.  

Happy Spring!

Recipe Round-Up (February 2012)

This was a sparse blogging month.  It wasn't that I didn't cook - I just didn't create much and I didn't try many new things.  It was sort of a "survival" month.  Nothing horribly tragic happened.  It was just life.  Teething, congested baby.  Grandfather with Alzheimer's.  New projects at church.  Life.

I also spent some time redesigning things around here a little bit.  What do you think about the new look?  Every time I try to work on improving things I become very aware of just limited I am regarding knowledge of HTML, CSS, and all that internet mumbo jumbo.  And also, I have decided that I really need photo editing software.

My weight loss was slower this month.  I only lost 3.8 pounds all month, but I think I'm okay with that.  My total weight loss over two months is 10.8 pounds.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Here's what we tried this month that was added to the "keeper" list.  And, yes, most of them are from Skinny Taste.  As my college roommate would say, her blog "rocks my face off".

Meatballs with Peppers and Pineapple
by Pioneer Woman

10 Points+ per serving (without rice).  This is one of those meals where you can really make adjustments to the points depending on what kind of meatballs you use and how many you eat.  I used 36 frozen Market Pantry Turkey Meatballs.  The points here assume you make this four servings.  If you split it up into six servings it's only 7 Points+.  Shortcut Tip:  If you use frozen meatballs, change the way you make it.  Bring the sauce to a boil, add the meatballs and let them simmer while the rice cooks.  During the last ten minutes add the peppers and pineapple.  Then add the cornstarch at the last minute to thicken it up.

Bruschetta Chicken Bake
by Kraft Recipes

7 Points+ per serving.  I did not make one single change to this recipe.  Both my husband and I devoured it and went looking for  seconds.  Then I decided not to use the points for that and saved them for popcorn during movie night.  My husband had seconds AND popcorn.  And drank a soda.  And didn't gain an ounce.  He now sleeps on the couch.  The End.

Meatball & Spaghetti Soup
by Skinny Taste

5 Points+ per serving.  I used frozen Market Pantry Turkey Meatballs.  Again.  It's become a habit.  If you use larger meatballs you might want to add a little more broth and/or tomato sauce.  

Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
by Skinny Taste

I doubled the sauce on this one, and I added some sriracha because I like things spicy.  At 9 Points+ per serving this felt a little like a splurge because the serving size wasn't huge.  Still, it was delicious and it gave me an opportunity to eat from a pineapple.  Which I didn't actually do.  But it would've been cool if I had.

Pork Chops with Mushrooms and Shallots
by Skinny Taste

5 Points+ per serving.  Another recipe that I didn't change up.  I was feeling uncreative this month.  I didn't even eat from a pineapple when I had the chance.  Anyway, this one got rave reviews from my husband.  We used boneless pork loin chops, and they were delicious!  Serve this with some mashed potatoes (use Yukon Gold and you won't need butter) and the green beans I posted below.  Yum!

Slow-Cooked Puerto Rican Pork
by Skinny Taste

4 Points+ per serving.  Okay, this one I jacked with.  I didn't make any changes to the marinade (it didn't need any!), but I forgot to marinate it the night before.  Actually, I forgot to put it in the crockpot until 2:30 in the afternoon.  I was wrestling a 7 month old teething hellbeast.  I ended up seasoning it per the recipe, but I cooked it on high for 1 hour and low for 5 hours.  I used a pork sirloin roast which is leaner (I think) than the shoulder roast it calls for, so it cooked faster.  Then we served it Chipotle style in a bowl with rice, beans, lettuce, cilantro, salsa, and some feta cheese.  Delicious!

Chipotle's Cilantro Lime Rice
by Skinny Taste

5 Points+ per serving adds up in a hurry, but this one is worth it.  It really does taste like the rice at Chipotle, and a little goes a long way.  Next time you're doing Mexican give this one a try!

Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
by Skinny Taste

These go with everything and are a cinch to throw together.  And for just 2 Points+ per serving there's really no reason not to make this on a regular basis.

Rocky Road Brownie Dessert
by Pampered Chef

I will not post Points+ for this recipe.  This one falls under my "don't-ask-don't-tell" rule.  If you don't have a Deep Covered Baker you need one.  (www.pamperedchef.biz/saraht)  But this is not intended to be a commercial.  I made this for a Pampered Chef show in February, and it most definitely lived up to the hype.  It's good.  It's really really good.  And it all happens in the microwave.   In about 15 minutes.  You heard me.  Please make this next time you're feeling a little feisty and your pants are a little loose.  It'll take care of both problems.  I promise.

Recipe Round-Up (January 2012)

This month has been an adventure in the eating department.  I had forgotten so much about eating healthy.  Plus, Weight Watchers redesigned their points system, so some of the things I used to eat are now much higher in points.  I've spent several hours this month scouring my cookbooks and many websites looking for inspiration.  I've rediscovered Skinny Taste, and made new "friends" with Emily Bites and Can You Stay For Dinner.  (Sidenote:  If you have not read Andie's story at Can You Stay For Dinner you really need to stop by.  Her writing is beautiful and her story is inspirational.)  

I have been to the grocery store three times and have not bought butter.  Or candy.  Or Dr Pepper.  I have officially lost seven pounds.

Sometimes I whined.  And griped.  And glared at my skinny husband when he ate Jack In The Box tacos in front of me.  (Yes he did!!)

But when I didn't have to suck it in to zip my jeans on Sunday I was reminded that this is worth it.

Here's a quick glimpse at the new recipes we discovered this month.  All of these have been tested, devoured, and added to our rotation.  Any changes I make have been noted below the link.  Happy Eating!

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit Cups
by Emily Bites
4 Points+ per cup.  My husband devoured these.  And they reheat well for a grab-and-go breakfast throughout the week

Whole Wheat Pancakes
by Skinny Taste
4 Points+ for two pancakes.  These were delicious, easy, and filling.  Serve with Blueberry Compote (see below).

Blueberry Compote
by Skinny Taste
2 points+ for 2 Tbsp.  The recipe calls for pureeing fresh blueberries, but I just cooked down some whole frozen berries, and it was great.  Perfect over pancakes.  

Buffalo Chicken Dip
by Skinny Taste
Oh. My. Word.  I have a serious problem with chicken wings.  My problem is that I love them.  I crave them.  It ain't pretty.  This hit the spot.  And at 3 Points+ for 1/2 cup plus 0 Points+ for celery it's filling and guilt-free.  Thank you, Cranky Toddler, for bringing this into my life.  

Cheesy Taco Pasta
by Emily Bites
At 9 Points+ this one is a little high, but considering how simple and yummy it is I say it's worth it.  I was skeptical, but I was very pleasantly surprised.  And Aaron gave it two major thumbs up.

Stuffed Pepper Soup
by Skinny Taste
7 points+ for a big bowl of soup (including rice)?  Yes, please!  I loved the rich flavor in this soup, and it  was very simple to throw together on a weeknight.  I didn't have marjoram, so I substituted oregano. Delicious!

Chicken Thighs with Artichokes
by Skinny Taste
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, artichokes, garlic, and feta.  7 Points+ for a huge plate full.  The best part?  The  chicken marinates in the juice from the artichokes, so there's very little prep.

Brown Sugar-Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin
by Let's Dish (photo by C + C Marriage Factory)
The glaze on this was amazing.  I used a very lean cut of pork, and six hours was too long in my crockpot.  I think next time I'll use a regular pork loin (not tenderloin) and keep an eye on the temperature.  I might also try this in the oven, so the glaze will really caramelize.  8 Points+.

Four Cheese-Sausage Stuffed Shells
by Emily Bites
7 Points+ for three shells.  Combine with a Caesar salad made with lite dressing (no croutons), and you've got a meal that feels like eating at an Italian hole-in-the-wall.  I put the filling in a gallon size plastic ziploc bag, snipped off the corner, and piped it into the shells.  Also, I cooked the shells for half their cooking time, so they were still firm when I stuffed them.  They'll finish cooking in the oven.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Then uncover and bake 15 more minutes.  Delicious!

Crockpot Asian Pork with Mushrooms
by Skinny Taste
This is my new favorite meal.  I cannot put into words how mouthwateringly delicious this is!  I added two handfuls of baby spinach during the last 15 minutes.  Don't skip the sriracha sauce.  Just a little drizzle is all you need, and it makes a huge impact on the flavor.  Served over brown rice this is a filling 10 Points+ dinner.  And leftovers are fantastic!

100 Calorie Cupcakes
by Can You Stay For Dinner?
Chocolate cupcake.  1 Point+ (without frosting).  Need I say more? 

Recipe Round-Up

I've been doing well with my goal of trying new recipes each week.  I just haven't had time to blog about it.  So here's a quick round-up of our favorites over the last couple of weeks.

Beef with Peppers by Pioneer Woman



Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Sausage by Picky Palate



The Absolute Best Crockpot Beef Stroganoff by The Crockstar
I cooked this for six hours instead of eight hours.
I also added one pound of quartered mushrooms for the last
two hours of cooking time.



Crockpot Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic by Crepes of Wrath



Green Chili Chicken and Lime Soup by Picky Palate

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars by Two Peas and Their Pod

Butterfinger Blondies by Six Sisters' Stuff



Father's Day Feast

Today is the day my husband has eagerly awaited for years.  It's his first Father's Day.  It's unofficial, of course, since Sam isn't due to make his appearance for another 4-5 weeks.  But still...he got to stand up at church this morning and was handed a Hershey bar the size of a Volkswagon in honor of Father's Day. 

It should be pointed out that my husband has talked about wanting children since the moment we started dating.  He's basically a big kid himself, and I think he feels the need to surround himself with similar people.  We had been married a little less than a year when I mentioned refilling my birth control prescription and he said "Maybe we should talk about not doing that".  My response was something along the lines of "Maybe we should sleep in separate bedrooms until menopause".  Then, of course, there's the story that most of you are familiar with:  the surprise pregnancy followed closely by a miscarriage followed closely by two more pregnancies and two more miscarriages followed closely by five years of infertility.  I'll freely admit that during those years I seriously contemplated whether or not I wanted children.  It sounded kind of appealing to be "Crazy Aunt Sarah" who wasn't tied down by the need for babysitters, diaper bags, or strollers.  My husband never waivered.  Not for a moment.  He just quietly let me deal with the emotions of the situation in his patient, passive manner.  When it comes to emotions he's the steady one.  I wallow.  I overthink.  I rationalize.  He rolls with the punches.  He hurts; he deals; he moves on.  He also cries at cheesy commercials, but that's another issue entirely.

Anyway, the point of this post is the Father's Day Feast that is currently starting to take shape in my kitchen.  He picked several recipes and we are currently in the process of destroying the kitchen.  It's one of our favorite pastimes.  Today's feast includes grilled chicken, pineapple, BBQ sauce, beans, bacon, cookie dough, brownie mix, and marshmallow creme.  Links to the recipes he chose are below.  But before I get to the food I'd just like to say Happy Unofficial First Father's Day to the guy that contributed his genetic material to the little rugrat currently pulverizing my innards.  I like you!  35 days and counting...

Bacon-Wrapped Jalepeno Thingies - by Pioneer Woman

Grilled Malibu Chicken - by Patio Daddio BBQ

The Best Baked Beans Ever - by Pam Anderson (via Pioneer Woman)

Baked Mojo Fries - by Patio Daddio BBQ

Cookie Brownie Cupcakes with Chocolate Marshmallow Frosting - by Confessions of a Cookbook Queen
I feel it necessary to point out that this recipe does not use the entire roll of cookie dough nor the entire batch of brownie mix.  Therefore, I had to tell my husband he was most definitely NOT allowed to use the remaining roll of cookie dough to scoop out the brownie batter and gnaw on the whole thing like a giant sausage.  Remember that genetic material I referred to earlier?  I'm afraid.  I'm very very afraid.

Patio Daddio!

I made ribs this weekend.  Somehow I have made it through almost eight years of marriage to my BBQ loving husband and I have never made ribs.  I think I was afeared.  Plus, since I'm not a huge fan of ribs I could never justify spending the money to buy a gigantic slab of meat that was going to have at least half end up as leftovers rotting in the back corner of my fridge.  But this weekend the weather was gorgeous, and I was feeling feisty, AND my mom found a gorgeous rack of ribs at Costco for a great price.  So I made ribs.  Which required research.  Seeing how I've never made ribs and all. 

I found several different cooking methods, and let Aaron choose what he wanted.  He chose the dry rub method, and then we basted with BBQ sauce at the end.  I used Pam Anderson's recipe that I found on Pioneer Woman's website.  I'll post a separate recipe about the ribs because they deserve their own post.  The point here is that, while searching for rib recipes, I found a new website called Patio Daddio BBQ. 

Let me just say - Oh. My. Word!

John Dawson is Patio Daddio, and just browsing the recipe section of his blog caused my hips to increase by 4.2 inches.  I just had to try his Spatchcock BBQ Chicken (to go along with the ribs).  His seasonings and marinades make my mouth water.  And don't EVEN get me started on things like this...

Grilled Malibu Chicken

Or this....

 Baked Mojo Fries

Or this...

Patio Daddio Queso Dip

But nothing - and I mean nothing - could have prepared me for the site of this...

Pig Candy!

Yep.  I just said Pig Candy.  Thick cut bacon coated in brown sugar and maple syrup and spiced with a tiny bit of cayenne pepper.  I made eight slices of Pig Candy on Friday night.  I ate half a slice.  Aaron ate 3.5 slices.  And I used the other four slices to do this...

Pigamon Rolls

I think our lives are forever changed.  My husband thinks I am the greatest kitchen goddess of all time.  My unborn child is doing cartwheels of joy in my belly.  Thank you, Patio Daddio!  You are the King of BBQ!

*All photos and recipes are the sole property of Patio Daddio BBQ.