Appetizer

Roasted Garlic Hummus

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I LOVE hummus.  I often eat it for lunch or a snack with homemade pita chips.  My favorite hummus flavor is roasted garlic.  For years, I bought the prepackaged kind but, in an effort to cut down on the grocery bill, I have started making many of the snacks I used to just buy.  Making it yourself is WAY cheaper and just as good (or better!).  You can store it in the fridge for up to 5 days so it makes a great snack throughout the week!  ~Erin

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Ingredients:
  • 1 (16 oz.) can garbanzo beans (a.k.a. chick peas)
  • 1-2 tsp. fresh lemon juice (I admit I don’t really measure the lemon juice, I just squirt some in.)
  • 3 tsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 head of garlic
  • ½ tsp. cumin
  • ¼ tsp. salt (or more, to taste)
  • 2-3 T. water, depending on how thick or thin you like it
  • Optional: more olive oil and/or dehydrated garlic for garnish

Instructions: 

  1. Cut off the pointy end of the head of garlic, to expose the cloves.
  2. Place it in the center of a double layer of foil & drizzle it with 1 tsp. olive oil.
  3. Wrap the head of garlic with the foil, enclosing it completely.
  4. Roast in the oven at 400°F for 30-40 minutes, or until it feels soft when squeezed. You can also roast it in the air fryer at 400° for 20 minutes, if you are lucky enough to have an air fryer. I love mine! (I’ll share more about it another time.) Set aside to cool.
  5. Drain and rinse the garbanzo beans. Remove the skins by pinching them between your fingers.*
  6. When the garlic is cool, squeeze it all into the bowl of a food processor. Make sure you don’t accidentally drop in the papery garlic skins.
  7. Add the garbanzo beans, lemon juice, remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil, cumin, salt.
  8. Blend until well combined, scraping the sides often, adding a Tablespoon of water at a time, until the hummus is smooth.
  9. Garnish each serving with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of dehydrated garlic, if desired.

WW Freestyle Info.: This makes about a cup of hummus. Each ¼ cup serving is 1 point.

*It helps loosen the garbanzo bean skins if you shake them around in the colander while rinsing them. Then pinch the beans between your fingers and the skin should slide right off. This is a bit time consuming but removing the skins will make your hummus so much smoother. It’s a great activity for the kids! I mean, why do we even have kids if not to do the jobs we don’t want to do?! That’s a joke… sort of. Pretty sure my dad didn’t have to get up and change the TV channel ever in his adult life. Clearly, I’m showing my age. We had no remote but we only had 4 channels so, luckily, the manual channel surfing didn’t take long. I digress.

Greek Chicken Nachos

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A few years ago, a new restaurant opened in my small town in Oklahoma. A Greek restaurant, to be more precise. I’m embarrassed to say, up until visiting this restaurant, I had never tried Greek food. Not even shopping mall gyros! I’m not sure why, but maybe because I was the pickiest kid in the universe and didn’t get brave enough to start trying new foods until adulthood. Now I eat pretty much everything. Anyway, I fell in love with Greek food immediately; unfortunately, the restaurant didn’t last long but my love for the cuisine persists. Since I don’t have a Greek restaurant nearby anymore, I make it myself at home! Mine would probably qualify as Americanized Greek food but either way, it’s delicious! ~Erin

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Ingredients:
  • 6 whole wheat pitas (I use Joseph’s Oat Bran & Whole Wheat Flour Pita bread.)
  • 4 medium chicken breasts
  • Greek seasoning, to taste (I prefer Cavender’s brand.)
  • olive oil spray
  • 1 c. low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella
  • 2 oz. (about 1/3 c.) crumbled feta
  • 1 T. finely chopped olives (I used black olives but Kalamata would be great too.)
  • ½ a medium red onion, finely diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
  • fresh chopped parsley, optional
Instructions for Pita Chips:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Spray both sides of the pitas lightly with olive oil spray.
  3. Cut into wedges like you would cut a pizza.
  4. Bake in a single layer on a cookie sheet for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through cook time, or until brown.
  5. OR if you have an air fryer, you can cook them on 370°F for 4 minutes.
  6. Set aside.
Instructions for Nachos:
  1. Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Season both sides of the chicken breast lightly with Greek seasoning and cook about 4 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked throughout.
  3. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes and then slice against the grain; set aside.
  4. In a large oven safe skillet or pan, layer pita chips, onion, bell pepper, mozzarella, feta, olives, & sliced chicken.
  5. Return the pan to the oven and bake about 5-8 minutes, or until cheeses are melted.
  6. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

WW Freestyle Info: This makes 4 servings at 6 points each.

Ham Salad

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As much as I am in love with Walmart’s new online grocery ordering and pickup system, I have to admit that it does seem a little impersonal.  I mean, how am I going to know what’s going on in the lives of the check-out folks without that grocery line banter?  I’ve talked before about my memories of our small-town grocery store, Bay’s Grocery.  I remember our mom chatting with the butcher as he wrapped up her selections, of which one of my favorites was the ham salad.  I wish I could remember exactly what was in that ham salad, but I’ve created my own version here that is the perfect use for that left-over Easter ham.   ~Tracy

Ingredients:
  • 2 c. finely chopped ham (trimmed of fat before chopping)
  • ¼ c. finely chopped celery
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
  • ¼ c. finely chopped kosher dill pickle
  • ¼ c. light miracle whip
  • 1/8 c. + 2 tsp. fat free plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • Dash salt
  • Dash pepper

Instructions: 

    1. The best method to finely chop your ham is to use your food processor (as shown in photos), but you can easily chop by hand, it’s just a little more time consuming.
    2. After chopping your ham, celery, egg, and dill pickles, combine all ingredients and gently stir together.
    3. Cover and refrigerate to chill all ingredients together.
    4. Serve on your favorite crackers or some of your favorite toasted bread.

WW Freestyle Info: This recipe makes about 3 cups of prepared ham salad. Each 1/4 cup serving is 2 points.

Crock Pot Chicken Verde – 3 Ways

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This recipe was born of necessity.  I needed lunch for the week and this is what I had in the pantry and freezer.  Well, let me tell you, it was a happy accident because, in just about 5 minutes of prep work, I had this going in the crockpot.  The result is 3 recipes in one! Throughout the week, I ate this as a dip (my favorite way), a soup with the addition of a little chicken broth, and a rice bowl…so versatile, so delicious!  ~Erin

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Ingredients:
  • 1 ½ lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I use the individually frozen kind)
  • 1 can (16 oz.) pinto beans, drained & rinsed
  • 1 can (16 oz.) fat free refried beans
  • 1 can (15 oz.) whole kernel corn
  • 1 c. fat free salsa verde
  • 1 can (4 oz.) diced green chiles
  • 2 – 3 T. ground cumin (I used 3 because I love cumin)
  • 1 ½ tsp. garlic salt
  • 2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tsp. onion powder
  • Corn chips, for dipping (I use Good Thins The Corn One – found in the cracker aisle), optional
  • Cooked rice, optional for serving
  • Fat free chicken broth, optional
  • Chopped cilantro, optional
  • Cheese, optional

Instructions: 

  1. Place frozen chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. (You can use thawed breasts too but keep in mind it may cook faster.)
  2. Pour in beans, refried bean, corn, green chiles, & spices.
  3. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
  4. Within the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove the chicken, shred, and add back to the slow cooker.
  5. Stir to combine the ingredients.
  6. Three ways to serve: 1. As a dip, serve with chips. 2. Add broth for a soup. Top with cheese, green onions, or chopped cilantro if desired. 3. Over rice; add cheese, green onions or cilantro if desired.

WW Freestyle Info: This is ZERO points. Be sure to calculate your added points if you serve with rice, cheese, or chips.

Chipotle Chicken Wontons

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I worked at El Chico the summer after college, and I have quite a few stories I could tell you about working there. The manager let me off work on short-notice the night my first nephew Hayden was born, so I’ll always appreciate that.

A less enjoyable day: when the walk-in floor was slick — and I bit it while holding a 5 gallon bucket of salsa when my feet slipped out from under me. The salsa vat went directly up into the air above my head and landed just next to me (not on my head or I would have officially felt like a Loony Tunes character). What didn’t land next to me was all the salsa. After it coated the ceiling and a good 5 meter radius in the kitchen, the biggest portion of it splashed directly on my head and all over my body. You will never know the speed with which you can undress until you’ve driven home before your evening shift (luckily I happened to be finishing my lunch shift) completely coated in salsa. I have a high tolerance for spicy food…when I’m eating it. Apparently it’s quite different when you’re wearing it, in case you were considering this as some strange form of bath-time aromatherapy. Don’t.

That’s all the wisdom I have to share today. 😉 Also maybe some more practical advice: make sure your shoes are grippier than mine were if you ever find yourself working in a restaurant!

Anywho, one thing I did love about working there was the free meal during my break on each shift. My favorite was a chipotle chicken breast – it was smothered in a chipotle pepper sauce, and I absolutely loved it. This was the first time I had tried anything chipotle flavored – this was ages before “chipotle” was being mispronounced by 60% of people in a zillion fast food restaurants. To this day, I crave that dish.

I tried out this chipotle chicken mixture at home as a quick dish on its own, and we really loved it all by itself with some sides. But when I decided to try it in wontons…that’s when it became a super fun and delicious recipe! And it makes these little beauties a handy appetizer too if you have a different entrée in mind. ~Robin

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Ingredients:

10 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed into bite sized pieces

2 oz. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (I use La Costena; there is a little heat to these, so you might cut back to 1 oz. if you’re not sure about the heat)

¾ c. canned black beans, rinsed

1 c. white onion, diced

½ tsp. garlic salt

5 oz. egg roll wraps (12 wraps, trimmed down as instructed below to about half of their original size by cutting across the corners; I use Twin Dragon)

4 cloves of garlic, minced

¼ c. green onions, chopped (optional, though I think something colorful on top is pretty essential)

¼ c. cilantro, minced (optional)

2 medium jalapeños, sliced (optional)

1 or 2 T. fresh squeezed lime juice (I just squeeze directly from the lime so amount is approximate), optional for serving

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Rinse black beans and set aside.

Measure 2 oz. of the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce; chop well and add to a medium mixing bowl, sauce included. Mince garlic (you can also use jarred minced garlic) and add to bowl. Chop white onion and add it to this bowl as well. Chop chicken breast into bite sized pieces and add to the mixing bowl. Add garlic salt. Stir all together; then set aside.

With a clean knife, chop green onion; set aside. Mince cilantro if desired; set aside. Slice jalapeños if desired; set aside.

Trim egg roll wrappers (what I’ll call wontons from here on) down to about half their size, cutting across the corners with kitchen shears as shown in the video below. (I’m working on my video editing skills so, yes, you can hear my husband say “go” as it starts–oops! I think he just needs to work on his videography skills — who says “go” after they start recording?!)

Very lightly spray a muffin tin (12 cups) with cooking spray, and place trimmed wontons in cups. You may need to press some folded portions against the wall of the muffin tin so that there will be room for filling later (do not adding filling yet or you’ll have soggy wontons). Cook wontons until crisp as shown in this below video (8 ½ -10 minutes). (Before testing wontons to see if cooked enough, make sure you’ve given them a few minutes so they are cool enough to touch.)

The bottoms of each wonton should make a clicking sound when you tap it with your fingernail, and there should be no flexibility in the wonton. If it will bend when the sides are squeezed, it isn’t quite done. Keep an eye on wontons and cover with foil if edges begin to brown too much.

While the wontons are cooking, on medium heat, cook chicken mixture in a nonstick skillet until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. You do not need additional oil; the chipotle peppers provide just enough to cook the mixture. When the chicken is nearly cooked, add the black beans and gently stir them into this mixture in your pan. Remove from heat when chicken is cooked through (165 degrees F in the middle of the largest pieces).

If you follow the recipe by prepping your parts of the recipe ahead of time as it’s noted here, the wontons and chicken should be done at about the same time, and your food won’t get cold.

Add the hot chicken mixture to the wontons in the muffin tins as soon as they’re ready (chicken will likely be ready a minute or two before the wontons but not long enough to get cold), topping with green onions, as well as the cilantro and jalapeños if desired.

I squeeze fresh lime juice onto mine when serving, though they’re great without this too if you’re not a big fan of lime – or just want to savor that awesome chipotle flavor.

Weight Watchers Info.: Each filled wonton is precisely 1 Freestyle SmartPoint each, so it’s easy to make a meal out of these tasty treats. And all the garnishes are free, so play with those — or not — to your heart’s desire! (Note: Be sure to trim wontons to about half the size — that’s not only for looks; it also really reduces the points.)

Thai Chicken Pizza

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My family loves pizza. What’s not to love?  But I get tired of the same, run-of-the-mill basics.  They are good, but come on.   I’ve got to have some variety, y’all!

When I was going to college, there was a little, local restaurant in Stillwater called the Thai Cafe, which I loved.  I miss it!  Now, I have to travel quite a ways to get Thai food.  So I came up with this jazzed up, easy to make, tasty pizza, combining some of my favorite flavors.

It is our new favorite!   ~Kathy

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Ingredients:

1 pizza crust (your favorite recipe or refrigerated — I used Pillsbury thin crust refrigerated dough; points figured with this dough selection)

3 to 4 T. Chili Garlic Sauce*

1 heaping c. chicken breast, cooked and sliced thin**

1 medium red bell pepper, sliced thin, seeds removed

1 small zucchini, sliced ¼ inch thick

Red onion, sliced thin (about 2 slices)

1 ½ c. shredded low moisture, part skim mozzarella cheese

½ c. shredded mild cheddar cheese (reduced fat, if following WW)

2 T. cilantro (for optional garnish)

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Instructions:

On a lightly greased baking sheet, roll pizza crust out into a rectangle, about 10 x 14 inches.

Spread sauce over crust, very thinly.

Spread remaining ingredients over pizza as desired, ending with cheeses.

Bake according to crust directions, until golden brown, cooked through and cheese is melted.

Garnish by sprinkling with cilantro once it’s cooled a little (optional).

Notes:

*Chili garlic sauce is found in the Asian food section (see photo).  It is full of flavor and some heat.  Use 3 Tablespoons if you like it mild/warm.   If you want it warmer, use up to 4 Tablespoons.  It doesn’t look like much on the crust, but it gives plenty of flavor!

**I used chicken breasts boiled with some onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Once drained and cooled, slice thin.   Rotisserie chicken breast would also be a good substitute.

Weight Watchers Info:  This makes 6 servings, 8 Freestyle SmartPoints per serving.

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10 Recipes for the Big Game that Won’t Keep You Sidelined

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It’s almost time for the big game! If you are anything like us, you most look forward to socializing with good friends and enjoying some delicious game-day food! Honestly, I usually don’t even know what teams are playing until the game starts. However, I have the menu planned days, or sometimes weeks, in advance.

This year, to make things easier for everyone, we’ve compiled some of our favorite football watch-party foods, categorized for your convenience! Some are on the healthy side (and include Weight Watchers points) and some are a bit more indulgent. Most of these can be made in advance and warmed in the crockpot or finished in the oven right before game time, so there’s no need to miss any of the game (or commercials) because you’re stuck in the kitchen. Hope you find a few good ones here and, as always, please share with us what you make! We love to hear from you on social media! ~Erin

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Kick Off :

Pizza Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Two Point Conversions:

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Chili (2 WW SmartPoints)

Hearty Beef Chili (2 WW SmartPoints)

Half Time Show:

Chili Dog Bake (9 WW SmartPoints)

Italian Beef Sandwiches (5 WW SmartPoints)

Bacon Burger Meatballs (4 WW SmartPoints each)

Make Ahead Meatballs (2 WW SmartPoints each)

End Zone:

Brookies

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (A.K.A. Homemade Reese’s)

Pizza Dip

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Any time I make this dish, I get numerous requests for the recipe.  It is a true crowd pleaser. What could be better? Pizza, but in a dip! Make this and please the folks at your next get together.  ~Kathy

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Ingredients: 

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

¼ tsp. onion powder

12 – 15 pepperonis, chopped

½ c. pizza sauce

1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

2 T. sliced black olives

1 green onion, sliced

Instructions:

Combine first four ingredients in a small bowl. Spread into a small baking dish. Top with chopped pepperonis, pizza sauce, cheese and black olives.

Bake at 350˚F for 15-20 minutes, until heated through and bubbly around the edges. Top with green onions.

Serve with garlic bagel crisps or garlic parmesan pretzel crisps.

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Spinach Artichoke Dip

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If you’ve been looking for the perfect spinach artichoke dip, look no further. This one is rich and creamy with the just right flavor ratios.  It’s the roasted garlic that really puts it over the top. Share with friends at your next gathering or just make a small batch to enjoy for dinner. If you have a crowd, just know that it will go quickly! ~Robin

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Ingredients:

  • 1 head of fresh garlic
  • 7 oz. frozen* or fresh** spinach (usually comes in a 10 oz. package but I just divide after I thaw it)
  • 1 14 oz. can of artichokes (in brine, not oil; my brand of choice is Reese) drained and chopped (I like bigger chunks but do what suits you)
  • 1 10 oz. container of alfredo sauce (I like Classico Roasted Garlic Alfredo)
  • 1 c. shredded mozzarella, plus a bit for topping
  • 1/3 c. grated parmesan, plus a bit for topping
  • 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened
  • Tortilla chips, pita chips, or mini-toasts for serving

Instructions:

For frozen spinach, once thawed, wrap the spinach in a dark colored tea towel (to prevent staining) and squeeze the excess water out into the sink.  If using fresh, cook and drain liquid.

For fresh spinach, julienne first and set aside before you roast the garlic so the edges aren’t overly moist. You do not want your dip to have a green hue.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Place garlic on a double layer of foil, drizzle with a little olive oil, and close tightly.

Bake about 20 minutes or until soft; remove from heat and open foil, being careful not to burn yourself on the hot oil or garlic.

Once it is cool enough to touch, peel garlic skin away and squeeze the garlic cloves directly into a medium sized bowl; then mash garlic with a fork.

In a medium glass bowl, soften cream cheese in the microwave, then combine with garlic using a fork.

To cream cheese mixture, add spinach, artichoke hearts, Alfredo sauce, and cheeses; then mix well.

Place in an 8” x 8” baking dish, then lightly sprinkle a bit more mozzarella and parmesan on top and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Broil for up to five minutes after baking if the top hasn’t yet caramelized.  Watch carefully during broiling to avoid burning.

Serve immediately with your favorite chip or mini-toast.

Make Ahead Meatballs

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If you’re a busy mom (or dad) like we all are, or someone who likes to do their food-prep ahead of time, then this is a great recipe for you. It seems like these days there are so many sporting events and meetings that if I waited until we all got home to start dinner….well, let’s just say we might as well eat in our pajamas. One of the things that I’ve found helps a lot is to pre-prep as many of our meals as I can over the weekend. This recipe is one of my favorites because it makes so many meatballs that can be used in a variety of ways. Our favorite way to eat them is with a special semi-homemade barbecue sauce (I’ll include that recipe), but I also leave some dry and freeze them to use for spaghetti or meatball subs — or any other way you’d like them!  ~Tracy

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Meatball Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ lbs. extra lean hamburger meat
  • 1 lb. breakfast sausage (Use turkey sausage for Weight Watchers.)
  • 2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 c. quick cook oatmeal
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 c. finely chopped onion
  • 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk

Meatball Instructions:

Mix all ingredients well and form into balls approximately the size of a golf ball (for recipe purposes I weighed meatballs in 1.5 oz. servings before cooking).  

Bake meatballs at 350 for approx. 50 min. or until cooked through.

Barbecue Sauce Ingredients:

  • 2 c. catsup
  • 2 tsp. liquid smoke
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ c. finely chopped onion
  • 1 c. brown sugar
  • ½ bottled barbecue sauce (I prefer Head Country Original)

BBQ Sauce Instructions:  

Mix all ingredients in sauce pan and simmer on low for approx. 15 minutes to melt the sugar and blend flavors. Spoon sauce over meatballs during last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking to caramelize sauce onto meat.  

WW Freestyle Info.: Recipe makes approximately 70 meatballs (1.5 oz. each before cooking).  Using extra lean (95/5) ground beef and turkey sausage, these meatballs are 2 points each (not including sauce).