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Chicken Fajitas

8 Mar

This is a base recipe, for the meat and veggies used in Chicken Fajitas.  I’m going to give you the calorie counts for just this chicken and veggies, and you can decide how you’d like to serve/eat it.  It’s great in a variety of options including making fajitas with low carb tortillas, eating it over rice as a fajita bowl, or just adding lettuce, salsa, and a little sour cream to eat it “naked”.   Get creative, and you can turn this into several different meals.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 yellow, red or orange bell pepper
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon of cooking oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400
  2. Slice your chicken breasts into uniform slices, about 2 inches long  x half an inch wide.
  3. Wash and slice your onion and pepper into thin slices.
  4. Mix the chicken strips, onions, peppers, oil, and all spices together in a medium sized bowl.
  5. Cover a pan sheet with aluminum foil, and spray with non-stick spray.
  6. Pour the contents of your fajitas onto the tray, and spread it out into a single layer.
  7. Bake on 400 for about 25 minutes, or until chicken reaches a safe internal temp.

Makes 4 servings= 265 calories per serving

Editors note:  serve with lettuce, tomato, salsa and 1 tbsp. low fat sour cream for about 300 calories!

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Beef Eggroll Tacos

20 Mar

I love the idea of fusion cuisine:  Taking 2 cultures and smooshing them together to create something delicious.  I also, incidentally, love food trucks.  My favorite food truck is a little place called “traveling kitchen” in Louisville, Ky.  They serve korean street tacos.  A beautiful mix up of korean and mexican cultures, and they are delicious.  That’s where I drew inspiration for this one.  That, and a recipe for a low carb dish that people call “crack slaw”… These are yummy.  You can adjust the chili paste if you like things spicy!

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb of lean ground beef
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 TBSP sesame oil
  • 2 TBSP of minced garlic
  • 16 oz bag of coleslaw mix (cabbage, carrots, etc from the produce aisle)
  • 3 TBSP Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 tsp asian chili paste
  • 1 packet of splenda no-calorie sweetener
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 12 small (6 in) flour tortillas (mine were 110 calories each)
  • Pickled Onions
  • Sriracha to taste

Instructions:

1. Season ground beef with salt and pepper, and brown in a large skillet. Remove beef from the skillet and set aside.

2. Heat sesame oil in the same pan you used to cook the beef.  Add the garlic and slaw mix, and cook on low-medium heat, stirring frequently.  Cook until slaw mix is cooked through and cabbage becomes almost transparent.

3. Add beef back to the skillet, along with:  Soy sauce, chili paste, splenda, ginger, and vinegar.

4. Cook all together, stirring regularly, for about 3-5 minutes.  Taste before serving, and salt/pepper according to taste.

Garnish with pickled onion and sriracha if desired.  (Sriracha sparingly–it’s super spicy)

*picture below does not show pickled onions or sriracha- not reflected in calorie count (though the calories are minimal)

Makes 12 generously stuffed tacos (2 per serving)

1 serving= 390 Calories

  

 

 

 

White Chicken Chili (Crock Pot)

20 Oct

This recipe is nice and hearty, and a great winter staple in any house.  My version is a little on the spicy side (for example, my youngest won’t eat it, but my 2 older kids love it).  I suppose you could make it milder by using plain tomatoes instead of rotel, or a “mild” version of the green chiles and verde sauce. You could also reduce the Cayenne by half.  You can also mix in some reduced fat sour cream to cut the heat.  I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do.  Best part?  It’s another great crock pot recipe for those busy nights.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 3 Cans of Great Northern Beans
  • 1 Can Original Rotel
  • 1 can of green enchilada sauce (Enchlidada Verde)
  • 1 Can of reduced fat chicken broth
  • 1 small can of roasted green chiles (or regular diced green chilis if you can’t find roasted)
  • 1 Cup of Corn (frozen or canned)
  • 1/2 an onion, chopped
  • 1 TBSP water
  • 1/2 TSP cayenne pepper
  • 1 TBSP cumin
  • 1/2 TSP Pepper
  • 1 TSP Salt

Directions:

  1. Drain the liquid from your Rotel, and Corn if you’re using canned. Also drain 2 of the 3 cans of beans.
  2. Place Chicken in the crock pot, and pour contents of all the cans on top of it.
  3. Place Chopped onion and 1 TBSP water in a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds.  Then dump it into the crockpot.
  4. Add Cumin, Salt, Pepper, and Cayenne Pepper into the Crock Pot.
  5. Cook on low for 8 hours.
  6. Remove Chicken, shred it with a fork, and return it to the pot.
  7. Stir the soup, and enjoy.  Serve with low fat sour cream and shredded cheese. (not calculated in this calorie count)

Makes 10 (1 Cup) Servings= 188 Calories per serving

Appx 4 Weight Watchers Points Plus per cup

Enchilada Verde Chicken Casserole

25 May

This was pretty family friendly, and it’s derived from a recipe i found in cooking light.  They suggested making one of these in a glass pan for now, and one in an aluminum pan to freeze for later.  I’m always looking for something easy and handy on a busy night of piano, or girl scouts, or t-ball, so that’s exactly what I did. I haven’t reheated the frozen one yet to see how it turned out, but if you want to do this too, simply take the one you want to freeze out of the oven after 10 min, let it cool entirely, Cover tightly with foil and freeze for “upto 2 months.”  Bake it uncovered at 400 for 45 min.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tsp black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp minced garlic (separated into 2 1 tbsp portions)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 3/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, (divided into 2 even 3/4 cup portions)
  • 4 scallions, diced
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro (1 cup ish)
  • 7 medium sized fresh tomatillos, quartered
  • 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles
  • 1/4 cup 1% milk
  • 2 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 15 (6-inch) corn tortillas
Directions:

1. Bring 2 cups water, pepper, 1 tbsp garlic, and bay leaf to a boil in a large saucepan. Add chicken to pan and reduce heat and simmer, 15 minutes. Stir every 5 min or so.  Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks.  Place chicken, salt, 3/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese, and scallions in a bowl and mix well.

2. Place 1 tbsp minced garlic, cilantro, tomatillos, and chiles in the blender or food processor and “puree” until finely chopped. Add milk and cream cheese; process until smooth.

3. Coat 2 (8-inch) square glass or ceramic baking dishes with cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup tomatillo sauce in the bottom of each dish.  Cut each of 15 flour tortillas in half.

4. On top of the sauce, arrange 5 tortilla halves (place 4 around edges, flat side against each edge of the pan, and one in middle). Top each dish with one-fourth of chicken mixture. Top each layer with 1/4 cup tomatillo sauce again.

5. Repeat layers once more:  Tortillas, remaining Chicken, 1/4 cup tomatillo sauce.   Finally, top each pan with one last layer of  remaining Tortillas, and remaining tomatillo sauce.

6.  Spread remaining 3/4 cup of Monteray Jack Cheese evenly over the top of both pans.

7.  Cover pans in foil and Bake at 350° for 25 minutes.

Garnish with plain greek yogurt and diced tomatoes if desired (not captured in calorie count here)
Makes 8 Servings= 320 Calories per serving
appx 9 weight watchers points plus
 

Crockpot Taco Soup

1 Nov

This is prime soup weather, and it doesn’t get much easier than this delicious soup! Serve with a little 2% shredded cheese , Greek yogurt and tortilla strips if you’ve got calories to spare!

Ingredients:

– 1 lb lean ground beef
– 1 onion, chopped
– 1 envelope Taco Seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade taco seasoning
– 1 envelope ranch dressing seasoning
– 1 can black beans
– 1 can corn
– 1 can chili seasoned beans
– 1 can rotel original
– 1 can petite diced tomatoes
– 1 can diced green chiles
– 1 can beef broth
– 1 small can (6-8 oz) tomato sauce

directions:

1. In a skillet, cook ground beef and onions until done. Drain fat if there is any.

2. Throw all ingredients in a crockpot and mix.

3. Cook on low 6-8 hours.

Makes 10 (1 cup) servings.

215 calories per serving

Approximately 5 ww points plus per cup

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Pulled Pork and Black Bean Burrito Bowls

4 Jun

This recipe is cumbersome, and I apologize in advance for the overwhelming list of ingredients. But, this is a marriage of 2 of my other recipes, and one that I really enjoyed. I thought the best way to present this is to give seperate directions/ingredients for each element (pork, beans, other) individually. I’d start with the pork in the crockpot in morning, and then come home to make the beans and rice. Enjoy.

 

Black Beans Ingredients (makes 8 servings):

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 cup Rotel
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon Oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • Ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon red chile flakes (optional)

 

Pork Ingredients (makes 8 servings):

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs pork roast
  • 1 diced onion
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1 can of verde enchilada sauce (or 1 1/2 cups salsa verde)
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1/4 tsp dried basil
  • splash of hot sauce (optional)

Other Ingredients:

  • 2 cups uncooked white Rice
  • 1 chicken bullion cube
  • 1 cup reduced fat Sour Cream
  • 1 cup 2% shredded cheddar Cheese
  • 1 cup Mild, Medium, or Hot Salsa
  • 1 Tomato, fresh diced

 

Crockpot Pork Instructions:

1. Place the onion, pepper, salsa verde and lime juice into crockpot.

2. Add pork sirloin.

3. Top with all listed spices.

4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours (until meat shreds easily with a fork)
5. Shred pork with 2 forks.

6. Either use tongs to remove pork for tacos, or, I prefer to place the mixture in a skillet and cook on stovetop until extra juice evaporates. I think it gives better flavor.

Black Beans Instructions:

1. Add the olive oil to a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat.

2. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft.

3. Add the tomatoes, garlic, bay leaf, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and 1 teaspoon salt, and simmer for about 3 minutes. Carefully add the broth and beans.

4. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until the mixture is thickened and most of the broth has evaporated.

5. Remove from the heat and discard the bay leaf.

6. Stir in the vinegar and cilantro. Season to taste with salt, black pepper, and chili flakes, if desired. Keep the bean mixture warm.

Other Instructions:

1.Cook Rice according to package directions. Place bullion cube in the water used for rice. Portion out cooked rice into 8 bowls or containers once cooked.

2. Top each Bowl of rice with one portion black bean mixture, and one portion of pork (4 oz).

3. Top each bowl with 2 TBsp sour cream, 2 tbsp cheese, 2 tbsp Salsa, and diced tomatoes and cilantro to taste.

 

Makes 8 servings= 575 Calories Per Serving

Approximately 15 weight watchers points plus per serving

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Chicken Fajita Quesadilla

25 May

These were pretty darn tasty, and I can’t hardly believe how low the calories were. I have gone a whole year without making a quesadilla, because I thought there was no way I could get it to be calorie friendly, but these new low-carb tortillas I’ve found have really been a game changer. And they are really good. They’re not a weird texture or a weird taste. They’re just like a regular tortilla. Thank you low-carb Gods for sending me these puppies!

Ingredients:

  • 8 low carb tortillas (the ones I used, shown below, are 60 calories each)
  • 8 oz of boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper (i used orange, just for fun)
  • 2 cups shredded 2% mexican blend (or cheddar) cheese
  • 4 tbsp diced fresh jalapeno (optional, but highly recommended)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Slice onions and peppers and set aside for now. Chop jalapeños into little pieces and set aside in a separate container.

2. Heat your electric skillet or griddle to 375.

3. Thinly slice chicken breast, then cut the slices in half. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. Heat a skillet on the stove, and spray it with non-stick spray. Sauté onions and peppers until they begin to caramelize. Then remove them to another container.

5. Re spray the skillet with non-stick spray and sauté chicken until cooked through.

6. Now turn off the stove and move all of your food items to the griddle. You’ll want everything close. This part goes quickly.

7. Spray griddle liberally with spray and place one tortilla on the skillet. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese evenly over tortilla.

8. Layer 1/4 of onion, pepper, chicken and jalapeño over cheese. Cover this with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

9. Cover with a 2nd tortilla. Spray the top tortilla lightly with nonstick spray.

10. Carefully check the bottom tortilla by gently lifting the edge with the spatula. You want to use the widest spatula you have here. When it reaches the desired color, place the spatula under the bottom tortilla and carefully flip the whole thing.

11. Once each side has browned nicely, remove quesadilla to a large plate. Use pizza cutter to cut into 8 slices.

12. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Makes 4 quesadillas.

Serve with plain Greek yogurt and salsa. (not included in calories shown here)

4 servings=380 calories per serving

Approximately 10 weight watchers points plus per serving.
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Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Breakfast Quesadillas

19 May

This recipe was delicious, and will definitely be a repeat in my house! We ate them for dinner, because my family is fond of breakfast for dinner. You could use turkey bacon, or ham if you prefer, and add any veggies you might like. Just try not to over-stuff or your quesadilla won’t close!

Ingredients:

– 4 low carb tortillas (60 cal each)
– 3 whole eggs
– 3 egg whites
– Salt and pepper
– 1/4 cup diced onion
– 8 oz cooked turkey sausage
– 12 TBSP 2% shredded cheddar cheese
– Non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Coat a small-medium skillet in non-stick spray, and sautéed onions until translucent. Remove from pan.

2. Mix eggs, egg whites, salt and pepper. Re-spray same skillet with nonstick spray, and scramble eggs until cooked through.

3. On a pre-heated large skillet or griddle (heated to 375), spray a generous coating of nonstick spray. Place a tortilla on the hot surface.

4. Cover one half of tortilla with 1/4 of egg, onion, and sausage. Sprinkle 3 TBSP cheese over whole tortilla, slightly heavier on the side with no egg.

5. Fold cheese side of tortilla over egg side, and press with spatula to close tortilla.

6. Flip quesadilla and cook on each side until done.

7. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

 

Editors Note:  For that extra pop of flavor, serve with 2 tbsp of chunky salsa!

Makes 4 servings= 307 calories per serving

Appx 8 weight watcher points plus

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Homemade Taco Seasoning

18 May

So, the taco seasoning I usually use in an envelope, contains 120 calories per envelope!!! This taco seasoning, contains 40 calories in the same serving size. I don’t know what’s in that store bought stuff that makes it so caloric (spices are typically really low cal, right?) So, here’s my version, which is just as delicious, but lower in calories. I also like that i can control the ingredients to make it hotter, milder, or however I like it. This version is a little on the spicy side, but I wouldn’t call it quite “hot”.

 

This Recipe makes seasoning for 3 lbs of ground meat.

Ingredients:

 

  • 2 beef bullion cubes, crushed
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • 1/2 tsp salt

 

Mix all ingredients together. Use 2 Tbsp seasoning for 1 lb of beef. After cooking beef, add 1/2 cup of water and 2 tbsp seasoning, and cook down until liquid has evaporated.

1/2 tbsp (4 oz of beef)= 10 cal per serving
0 weight watchers points plus

 

If you like this recipe, try it out with some of our other recipes!

Weight watchers Mexican Chicken

Nachos!

 

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Southwest chicken salad

6 Apr

Ingredients:

– 2 1/2 cups romaine lettuce
– 4 oz grilled chicken
– 1 tbsp diced fresh jalapeño
– 1/8 of an avocado, diced
– 3 tbsp chopped red onion
– 1/4 cup black beans
– 1 ear of corn
– 2 tbsp shredded 2% cheddar
– 5 cherry tomatoes, halved
– 3 tbs tortilla strips

For dressing:

– 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– black pepper

Directions:

1. Season chicken breast as desired and grill it until done.

2. Shuck and clean corn on the cob. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and microwave 2 min. then wrap in foil and grill over high heat about 10 min, turning regularly. Once it’s got a nice charred/roasted look to it, remove and let cool.

3. Open a can of black beans and rinse thoroughly. Measure out 1/4 cup.

4. Cut corn off cob and mix 1/4 cup with beans.

5. Slice jalapeño, onion, tomato, and avocado.

6. Mix ingredients for dressing thoroughly together, and toss dressing with lettuce.

7. Arrange lettuce on a large plate. Top with onion, jalapeño, corn and black beans, cheese, and avocado.

8. Arrange chicken and tortilla strips on top of salad.

Makes 1 salad with dressing= 585 calories
Appx 14 weight watchers points plus

1 salad, no dressing= 490 calories
Appx 12 weight watchers points plus

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