Cheesy Yogurt Dip

Cheesy Yogurt Dip

Low fat and easy to make

Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Cheesy Yogurt Dip
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • 5.3 oz Plain Non-fat Greek Yogurt 1 small container
  • 1 tbsp Low-fat Mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp Spicy Mustard
  • 2 tsp Minced Onion Dehydrated
  • 1 tsp Dried Parsley Flakes
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/4 cup Fat-free Mozzarella Cheese Kraft Shredded

Instructions

  1. In a small mixing bowl, add each of the ingredients. Stir to incorporate well.

    Store in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

This tasty dip pairs well with celery or carrot sticks. I estimate 2 tbsp. of dip to be only 1 WW point.

Sweet and Spicy Sesame Shrimp

Sweet and Spicy Sesame Shrimp

A quick and easy appetizer

Course Appetizer
Cuisine Oriental
Keyword Sesame Shrimp
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Shrimp Defrosted
  • 1/2 cup Sweet and Sour Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds Optional
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Defrost the shrimp overnight in the refrigerator or by running cold water over them. Remove the shells and tails.

  2. Place the shrimp in a non-stick saute pan and add the sweet and sour sauce and pepper. Cook over medium heat, turning the shrimp in the sauce, for about 5 minutes.

  3. Remove the cooked shrimp to a platter, add a toothpick for serving, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve warm or cold. Store in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

Make sure to remove shells and tails before cooking. These are sticky and easier to eat by just picking up with the toothpick. I used frozen, de-veined, pre-cooked shrimp. Since they were already cooked, I sauteed only long enough for the sauce to coat the shrimp. If you use raw shrimp, cook in the sauce until the shrimp turn pink. I used 1/2 jar of LaChoy brand of sweet and sour sauce, but any type is fine for this simple and quick appetizer. I estimate that 5 shrimp is 1 WW point because of the brand of sauce I used.

Never Satisfied

Give upIsn’t it interesting how we’re never satisfied? I should speak for myself, yet I think it’s how many of us are wired.

For example, when I was in grade school, I was very tall for my age. I’m not sure why, but my 5th grade teacher liked us to line up by height. I was always last. That might be why I wanted to be petite.

My hair has always been poker straight. I wanted curls. In ballet class, I wanted to be as graceful as a ballerina. I was clumsy. In piano lessons, I wanted to be a concert pianist, but I couldn’t coordinate my left hand with my right. It was never going to happen.

Dad wanted us kids to strive for the best we could give to something. When I’d bring home a test paper, proudly displaying my 96%, he’d say, “Why didn’t you get 100?” I hated that. Nonetheless, I wasn’t singled out. He said the same thing to my brothers and sister. They didn’t like it either.

Dad’s words still echo in my mind. It frustrates me to no end if I find a pesky typo in my published manuscript. How did I miss that? When I go back to read something I’ve written, I’m never satisfied. Could I have done that better?

I’m actually proud that I’m never satisfied, at least with the things that matter. I can let go of the trivial stuff. Who cares that my hair’s not curly or I can’t do an Arabesque? But I can strive for the best in my writing, even if it means lots of revising. I’m not giving up.

Dad didn’t like a quitter.

 

 

Savory Twice-Baked Potatoes

Savory Twice-Baked Potatoes

Garlic and non-fat Greek yogurt add tang.

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Savory Twice-Baked Potatoes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 1 Russet Potato Baked
  • 5 oz Non-fat Greek Yogurt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Minced Garlic
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Parsley

Instructions

  1. Bake the potato about 50 minutes at 350 degrees F. When cool enough to handle, slice the potato in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the inside into a mixing bowl, leaving about 1/4″ of potato along the peel.

  2. With an electric mixer, beat the inside of the potato with the minced garlic, salt and pepper, and yogurt. Do not overbeat, but it should be the consistency of mashed potatoes.

  3. Spoon the mashed potatoes back into the skin. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley, and return to the oven to bake for 10 more minutes. Serve warm.

Recipe Notes

If the potato mash is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it. I estimate each potato half to be 2 WW points.

Rotini and Shrimp

Rotini and Shrimp

A colorful side-dish or salad to accompany any meal

Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Rotini and Shrimp
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • 1 box Tri-color Rotini
  • 1 Onion Chopped
  • 2 stalks Celery Diced
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper
  • 8 oz Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Lite
  • 1 lb Miniature Shrimp

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions.  Drain and allow to cool while chopping the onion and celery.

  2. Add the chopped onion and celery and the pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate.

  3. When the pasta has cooled, add the Zesty Italian dressing and the shrimp. Mix to incorporate all of the ingredients. Cover and store in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

I use about a half bottle of the Lite or non-fat Zesty Italian dressing. I buy the frozen cocktail shrimp and defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Check for seasonings after the salad dressing is added. I don’t usually need to add salt since the pasta was cooked in salted water.  I estimate 5 WW points for a 3/4 cup serving.

Cinnamon Oat Clusters

Cinnamon Oat Clusters

A healthy snack or dessert, packed with fiber.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Cinnamon Oat Clusters
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 48

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Strawberries Crushed
  • 2 Egg Whites
  • 1/3 cup Splenda
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Apple Chopped
  • 2-1/2 cups Old-Fashioned Oats
  • 3 tsp Cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Beat the egg whites with Splenda and vanilla flavoring. Add the crushed strawberries. (Basically, you’ve got the Strawberry Mousse.)

  2. Core the apple, then chop finely with the peel. Add it to the strawberry mousse. Add the cinnamon and oats and mix well. Let sit for at least 5 minutes so the oats absorb the flavors.

  3. Prepare miniature cupcake baking trays with paper baking cups. Using a small scooper or a teaspoon, fill each cupcake slot to the top. Make sure to get bits of apple in each one.

  4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Serve warm with a dollop of Cool Whip for dessert or cold for a snack. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

This recipe yielded 36 miniature clusters plus 6 regular cupcake-sized clusters. They’re my new “go-to” snack with only 1 WW point for 6 clusters.

Strawberry Mousse

Strawberry Mousse

Light and fruity. Yum!

Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Keyword Strawberry Mousse
Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 Egg Whites Pasteurized
  • 2 cups Strawberries Crushed
  • 1/3 cup Splenda
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions

  1. Beat the egg whites and Splenda until stiff. At least 5 minutes with the electric mixer. Stir in the vanilla flavoring.

  2. Crush the strawberries, then fold into the egg whites until fully incorporated.

Recipe Notes

Use pasteurized egg whites since raw egg whites could result in Salmonella. I used an immersion blender to crush the strawberries. This tasty fruit mouse can be also be used as a topping on shortcake.  0 WW points

Poached Cod

Poached Cod

Savory poaching liquid brings life to fish. Yum!

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Poached Cod
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 8 oz Cod Filet Thawed
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1/4 cup Lemon Juice
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 4 Peppercorns
  • 4 Whole Cloves
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 small Onion Sliced
  • 1/4 tsp Parsley Flakes

Instructions

  1. In a 2-quart pot, combine water, lemon juice, sliced onion, bay leaf, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Simmer 20 minutes.

  2. Cut cod into 4 serving size pieces. Add to simmering liquid and cover with lid. Cook for 10 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork. 

  3. Remove cod and onions to serving platter. (Toss poaching liquid.) Garnish with parsley flakes. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

This recipe is 0 WW points. You’ll want to eat all 4 servings yourself, with no guilt attached.

Cinnamon Apple Cake

Cinnamon Apple Cake

Delicious snack cake using only 1 apple

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Cinnamon Apple Cake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 9

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup Butter Softened
  • 2/3 cup Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 cup Non-fat Milk
  • 1.5 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1.75 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 Apple Peeled and chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.   Grease and flour 9 x 9 cake pan.

  2. In a small glass, mix cinnamon and brown sugar together. Set aside.

    Peal and chop apple. Set aside.

  3. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and creamy. About 5 minutes.

  4. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until thoroughly incorporated. Add vanilla extract and milk. Mix well. 

  5. Combine flour and baking powder in another bowl, then add to the liquid ingredients. Mix until smooth. Stir in the chopped apples.

  6. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture on top, and swirl with a knife. Add the remaining batter, and swirl the remaining sugar/cinnamon mixture.

  7. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Recipe Notes

Adjust cooking time if you use a different size pan.

Easy Homestyle Baked Beans

Easy Homestyle Baked Beans

Make your own baked beans from a can of any other beans. So easy!

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Easy Homestyle Baked Beans
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 14 oz Navy Beans 1 Can
  • 1/2 cup Onion Chopped
  • 6 Tbsp Ketchup
  • 1.5 Tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Spicy Mustard
  • 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to  350 degrees F.   Chop onion.

  2. In a non-stick saucepan, add chopped onion, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper. Simmer these on stovetop for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. Add 1 can of beans, including the liquid. Sir to incorporate. Bring to a low simmer, then transfer to a small baking dish. 

  4. Bake uncovered until thick and bubbly, about 40 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Any type of canned beans can be used. Cooked and crumbled bacon can be added. Since my version is low-fat and relatively low sugar, I omitted those. Because I used granulated brown sugar and “No sugar Added” ketchup, I estimate a serving to be only 2 WW points.