Low-Point Chicken Patty with Black Beans

I never realized how many people simply hate to cook until one of my friends told me they don't want to make anything on my blog because there's too many ingredients. Until now I had always assumed three or four ingredients (like in some of my recipes) made cooking pretty darn easy. So this is for all of you who can associate with my friend. You don't need to make everything from scratch for it to be delicious! :)


Low-Point Chicken Patty with Black Beans
Ingredients:
- 1, Boca Original Chik'n Meatless Patty (in your grocery store's freezer section)
- 1 can of Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles)
- 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- Pinch of reduced-fat or fat-free mozzarella cheese (it doesn't even have to be low-fat if you're truly doing just a pinch!)
- Pam cooking spray with olive oil
Spray skillet with Pam cooking spray. Place chicken patty in skillet and cook on both sides for approximately 10 to 12 minutes total. Open can of Rotel and black beans. After you rinse the beans, mix the two together and heat up the mixture. Remove chicken patty and spoon black-bean mixture on top. Add a pinch of shredded cheese. Grill, saute', or heat some of your favorite fresh vegetables for your side dish. Supper's ready! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
Total servings = 1 (add more chicken patties to skillet if desired)
Serving size = 1
Points per serving = 3

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." 

- C. S. Lewis

Broccoli Quiche

This vegetarian quiche is not just for breakfast anymore. Easy to make and delicious to eat! Definitely a dish to add to your list of favorites.

Ingredients:

- 1 Tbs butter (Land O Lakes Lite)
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 tsp. minced garlic or 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
- 1, 9-inch unbaked pie crust
- 1 cup Reduced-Fat Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
- 4 eggs, well beaten
- 1 cup of milk (I used 1%)
- salt and pepper, and other seasonings to taste (my favorite seasonings are Goya Adobo and Cavenders Greek Seasoning)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9-inch pie plate with crust. Melt butter in a skillet. Add onions, garlic, and broccoli. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally until the broccoli is soft. Spoon broccoli into pie plate and sprinkle with the cheese. Combine eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper and other seasonings if desired. Pour egg mixture over broccoli and cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until center has set. If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here. *Note: In this recipe, I used summer squash and broccoli. Feel free to use any of your favorite vegetables.

"To dream of a person you would like to be is to waste the person you are." - Author Unknown

Low-Point Fresh Ham and Mozzarella Salad

Wonderful for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner -- this Ham and Mozzarella Salad with fresh herbs fits right into your day with only 2 points per serving. You will enjoy this delectable dish that will leave you guiltless when you go back for more.


Low-Point Fresh Ham and Mozzarella Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces, small fresh mozzarella (in water), halved
- 8 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 ounces of Ham (or 1/4 inch ham slice), diced
- 1 to 2 scallions, whites and greens, chopped small
- 3, large fresh basil leaves, chopped small
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine
- 1 1/2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients and stir. Wa-la! One amazing salad! Serve with Crostini crackers (the kind I purchased are 2.5 points for 7 crackers) or one toasted Italian bread roll. (I found Schmidt Italian Steak Sub Rolls that are wonderful! Opened up it becomes 2 halves. Cut each of those halves in half, giving you 4 pieces to enjoy with this salad. Each 1/4 piece is 1 point.) If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
NOTE: Using 2 Tbs Kraft Light Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing in place of the olive oil would bring the total points down to 1.5 points per serving!
Total servings = 10
Serving size = 1/4 cup
Points per serving = 2
(With 7 Crostini crackers - 4.5 points)
(With 1 Italian Sub Roll - 6 points)

"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day." - Unknown Author

Low-Point Steak with Pinot-Pomegranate Sauce

Step aside chicken and fish, we're having steak tonight! It's been quite awhile since we have enjoyed a nice juicy steak but with this low-point delicious recipe, we couldn't resist! A nice, 4-ounce steak with a pinot-pomegranate sauce for only 5.8 points? You don't even need to use your weekly, allotted, extra points for this. How awesome is that!


Low-Point Steak with Pinot-Pomegranate Sauce
Ingredients:
- 4, 4 oz. beef tenderloin steaks
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 green onion, chopped fine
- Pam cooking spray
- 1/3 cup Pinot Noir or Burgundy Wine
- 1/3 cup Diet Cran-Pomegranate Juice
- 1/3 cup 99% Fat-Free Beef Broth
- 1/2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 1/2 Tbs butter (Land O Lakes Lite with canola)
Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper. Coat pan with cooking spray and add steaks to pan. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove steaks from pan and keep warm. Add green onions to pan and saute' for 30 seconds. Add wine, pomegranate, beef broth, and worcestershire sauce. Bring to boil. Cook down until there's about 4 Tbs sauce remaining. Add butter and stir until melted. Serve sauce with steaks. Enjoy! For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
Total servings = 4
Serving size = 1
Points per serving = 5.8

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Low-Point Tuscan Chicken

A great combination of chicken, tomatoes, and beans, this tasty low-point dinner entre' is only 3.2 points per serving. When trying to come up with new things to make for dinner, it's always nice finding different ideas and recipes that the whole family can enjoy.


Low-Point Tuscan Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
- 1/8 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 3 slices of bacon
- 1/2 cup onions, chopped
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. rosemary
- 1, 15 oz. can white beans (Navy, Cannellini or other), drained and rinsed (I had Garbonzo beans on hand that I used)
- 1, 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
Cook bacon until crispy. Reserve bacon drippings in a skillet and set bacon aside. Add chicken to skillet with bacon drippings and cook for 2 minutes on each side until slightly browned. Remove chicken and set aside. Add onions, salt, pepper, and garlic to bacon drippings. Saute' until onions start to brown. Return chicken and add rosemary, beans, tomatoes and bacon (breaking up bacon into small pieces before adding). Simmer chicken mixture for 15 minutes or until done. Spoon into a serving dish and sprinkle a little fat-free feta cheese crumbles or mozzarella shredded cheese on top. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
Total servings = 8
Serving size = 1
Points per serving = 3.2

"Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more." - Anthony Robbins