The Easiest and Best Pizza Dough Recipe Ever

This is the easiest and best pizza dough I have ever had.  You could not get any more healthy than this dough.
I made the usual pizza for my kids, Hawaiian and pepperoni.  I know boring but that's what they love but of course the options are endless!

Ingredients

(MAKES TWO CRUSTS):
1 teaspoon Active Dry Or Instant Yeast
4 cups All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

Sprinkle yeast over 1 1/2 cups warm (not lukewarm) water.
In a mixer, combine flour and salt. With the mixer running on low speed (with paddle attachment), drizzle in olive oil until combined with flour. Next, pour in yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined.



If you don't have a mixer, use your hands.  Both work great!

Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form the dough into a ball. Toss to coat dough in olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you need it.

***It's best to make the dough at least 24 hours in advance, and 3 or 4 days is even better.

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman



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The Best Red Lentil Soup Ever

Its that time of year, that nothing tastes as good or as filling than a good bowl of soup.  I love this soup and I have made many lentil soups but I always go back to this recipe.  Yes, it is that good, so good that I have made so many variations.  I also have memorized the original recipe.  Most of the ingredients you should have on hand.  Every time I have company over for lunch, they get a bowl of this nutritional and yummy soup!

I cup Red Lentils
I tbsp Vegetable Oil

I Onion- chopped
2 Cloves garlic- finely chopped

3 carrots chopped

3 stalks celery
I tsp cumin or curry powder
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice (or to taste)
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Dash of hot pepper sauce - optional

Directions

1. Place lentils in a sieve and rinse.
2. Heat oil in large saucepan. Add onions and cook gently until tender and fragrant. Add garlic, cumin, celery and carrots and cook until fragrant- about a minute or two.
3. Add rinsed lentils to stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce head and simmer gently 30 to 35 minutes or until lentils are very tender and mixture is thick. Stir in lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.
4. If soup is too thick, add stock or water. Adjust seasoning. Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro.

Number of Servings: 6

Nutritional Info

• Servings Per Recipe: 6
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 82.8

• Total Fat: 2.6 g
• Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
• Sodium: 637.3 mg
• Total Carbs: 11.9 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3.3 g
• Protein: 3.4 g

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5 Unique Ways to use Sweet Potatoes

Now come on, who does not love sweet potatoes?  If you are a person that does not like sweet potatoes, you really do need to give them another try!  Here are 5 ideas for the sweet potatoes that you will knock your socks off!

Caramelized Sweet Potato and Onion Omelet with Melted Cheese

Comfort Mac and Cheese

 

5 Ingredient Sweet Potato Burgers

 

 

1 cans cannellini white beans, drained
1 small sweet potato, baked/peeled/mashed (about 2 cups)
1 Tbsp tahini or peanut butter

2 tsp maple or agave syrup
plentiful Panko crumbs

  

optional: additional seasoning (whatever you have on hand - I used a few dashes cayenne, black pepper)
salt to taste if needed

Blend in a food processor and shape into patties.  Add to greased grill or fry pan. And that is it!

 

 Sweet Potato and Carrot Latkes

 

 

Stuffed Mexican Sweet Potato

 

 

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Weight watchers Alfredo with shrimp

This dish is such a treat in our house.  It is so good and you really feel like you are totally cheating but you are not.  This dish is lightened right up.  You can substitute the shrimp for chicken.  Also I have switched up the vegetable to green beans, asparagus, peas, peppers.  Its all in the sauce baby!

Ingredients:

Serves 6

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 medium garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (as desired)
One 12-ounce can evaporated skim milk, warmed
1/2 cup nonfat milk, warmed
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chicken broth or additional milk, for thinning (as needed)
8 ounces whole wheat fettuccine noodles
2 cups cooked shrimp

3 cups frozen broccoli

Directions:

1. Prepare the sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until it is fragrant and lightly browned, about 1 minute. Whisk in the flour and red pepper flakes and stir until flour is lightly browned.  Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the directions adding the broccoli the last few minutes of cooking time.

2. Very gradually add the warmed evaporated milk, whisking it into the flour a little at a time. Add the other milk too. Heat the mixture until boiling, whisking constantly (as you whisk, the flour will begin to dissolve into the warmed liquid). Then turn down the heat to a simmer and whisk in the cheese, salt and pepper. Continue to simmer, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened a bit (it will thicken more upon standing too). If it happens to become too thick, just thin it out a little with some chicken broth or more milk.

3. Assemble your pasta dish: Place hot pasta and broccoli in a large serving dish. Pour sauce over and add shrimp. Toss together until everything is coated with the sauce. Add salt and pepper, as desired. 

I topped mine with a few real bacon crumbles and green onion.

Calories: 249 Fat 3.5 Carbs 31 Fibre 2 Protein 22 grams

Weight Watcher Point Plus 6+

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Sweet Mini Turkey Muffins with Caramelized Onions

Yum!  My kids adore these little bite size meat muffins.  I make a whole batch (12 muffins) and they are gone before we all go to bed.  They just call out, when you open the fridge.  These gems are 3 points + weight watchers each so if you are following weight watchers than best not open the fridge after dinner.

If you don't have the time to caramelize the onion, than just chop it up and add it raw.  Caramelizing it, just brings out a real yummy sweet flavor but both methods are good.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground turkey
• 3 egg whites
• 1 cup or so shredded zucchini
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp dry yellow mustard
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp chipotle pepper spice
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 diced celery stalks
• 1 sweet onion, caramelized with a little bit of EVOO or oil spray

Directions:

Pre heat oven to 375 and spray muffin pay with some cooking spray (or coat with a little olive oil) 

Mix all the ingredients in one large bowl until well combined.  Use your hands.   Roll the mixture into balls and place each one in the muffin pan.

Bake for 40 minutes or until cooked through.

Makes 12 muffins.

Nutrients per muffin: Calories: 121; Total Fat: 1.5g; Saturated Fat: 0.4g; Cholesterol: 37mg; Carbohydrate: 6.4g; Dietary Fiber: 1.2g; Sugars: 0.9g; Protein: 19.6g

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One Point Weight Watchers Crust-less Quiche

This recipe is a staple in the house when we are all trying to eat healthier and maybe shed a few pounds. It is super filling for only 1 ww points plus per slice. And it is loaded with FREE good for you vegetables. This is good hot, cold or even room temperature. Bring it for your next brown bag lunch or grab a slice for the morning commute I've made this dish so many times that now I just eye ball it. Add different vegetable and you could even add some cheese but than it would no longer be just one point.

Ingredients:

Natural cooking spray
2 cups (about 1 onion) thinly sliced yellow onion
1 pound button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 red pepper 

2 cups liquid eggs - like egg beaters

3/4 cup reduced-fat milk
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, optional
1 (16 ounce) bag frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove as much liquid as possible

Sliced tomato 

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch square pan with cooking spray; set aside. Heat spray in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Add mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until liquid is absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes; set aside to cool. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, nutmeg and remaining 1/4
teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add onion, mushrooms and spinach and mix well. Transfer to prepared pan, spread out evenly and bake until set in the middle and golden brown, about 45 minutes. Let cool 10 or 15 minutes; cut into 24 squares and serve.


Nutritional Info for 8 wedges: PER SERVING:60 calories, 2 g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 60mg cholesterol, 200mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g dietary fiber, 1g sugar), 4g protein

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Baked Spaghetti Squash with Cheese

This recipe completely  surprised me and the whole family.  It was just that good.  Ive had spaghetti squash in place of spaghetti before and it was just OK.  So I wasn't super excited to try it out again but boy, was I wrong.  You really must try this recipe out, it is just that good!

Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Vegetarian & Gluten Free (Serves 2)

1 medium spaghetti squash (total of about 4 cups)

1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/3 cup cottage cheese
1 egg white
1/2 cup tomato sauce or jarred spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella and Cheddar blend
Sprinkle  of Parmesan cheese for the top once it is baked

Optional toppings: Fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper, green onions 

Prick the squash with a fork several times.  Pop in the microwave for about 6 minutes depending on the size.  It should be soft.  Cut in half length wise.  Scoop out all of the seeds. 

With a fork, scrap the inside of both halves to make it look like spaghetti.   In a separate bowl, add the pulled squash and tomato sauce and basil.   Fill the inside with 1/2 of this mixture evenly between 2 halves. Mix cottage cheese and egg together with garlic powder. Add cottage cheese on top of sauce mixture and top the rest of sauce mixture. Finish with mozzarella/ cheddar cheese. Pop it back in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese starts to bubble and brown. Pull it out of the oven, let cool for a few minutes, sprinkle with basil, Parmesan, and/or crushed red pepper and serve! This is so much cheesy goodness, you’ll forget that you’re also getting in a few servings of vegetables. : ) 

You could use a casserole dish instead of baking it in the spaghetti squash but hey, why bother with the dirty dish!

Calories 99 Fat 5g  Fibre 1 Carbs 11 Protein 5 grams 
WW Points Plus 3+

Adapted from I heart Vegetables




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No Fry Chicken Tenders for Under 100 Calories 3 points +

Have you heard the news lately about chicken fingers/ tenders at fast food restaurants?  If not check out the article here.  They are made out of some very nasty stuff, including 50 percent skeletal muscle.  Eeek!  I'm sure you can find some decent frozen ones in the super market but at least you know now, to be sure to check out the label!  But, these ones are so easy, you really won't save too much time buying the frozen ones and these ones you know exactly what goes into them! 

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Weight Watchers Sweet Sticky Spicy Asian Lettuce Wraps

Love the lettuce wraps at PF Changs?  Well, these are even better!

This is my 15 year old son's favorite dish of all time.  He even helps me cook this one because he just cant wait to get his paws on one of these wraps.  I have this as a main course with a vegetable and a side of brown rice.  My husband adds the rice right in the wrap but I prefer it on the side.

This would make an excellent appetizer as well.

Sauce:
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
2 tsp. sesame oil
2 tbsp. rice vinegar

For the Pork:
2 tbsp. peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger or jarred ginger
2 tsp. finely chopped red jalapeno pepper (use more or less to your taste)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 lb. lean ground pork
2/3 cup chopped water chestnuts
2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds (optional)
2 heads Boston butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce

Directions:

Sauce:
In a medium bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.

Pork:
Spray and heat oil spray in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add ginger and jalapeno pepper. Sauté for 1 minute. Add garlic and sauté for additional 30 seconds. Add ground pork and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the pork is cooked through.  Transfer the pork mixture to a large bowl lined with paper towel. That will help to soak up some of that extra fat from the pork.
Return and stir the pork mixture back into the skillet and add the hoisin sauce. Turn the heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer the pork mixture to a serving platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Wash and dry the leaves of two heads of Boston butter lettuce. Serve with the wraps and allow everyone to scoop some of the pork mixture into the lettuce leaves to make individual wraps.

Eat with your hands!

Serves 4 as main course-we get about 3-4 each depending on how full you make your wraps

Calories without sauce 227  Fat 5 g Carbs 3 Protein 38 Fibre 1 
Weight watcher points + 5

You could sub the pork with chicken, turkey or even tofu.

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Not Your Grannys Meatloaf Recipe-Under 200 Calories

One of my favorite stick to your ribs recipes is good ol' fashion meatloaf. I loved this dish with buttery mashed potatoes and peas. So good. I have come up with a variation to make my Granny's meatloaf much more healthy but equally as good.

Sweet and Tangy Turkey Meatloaf Recipe:(Makes 6-8 servings)

 

Ingredients:
1 pound extra lean ground turkey
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup diced onion (optional)

Glaze:
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and milk (onion if using).  Place in a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Cook for 40-50 minutes. In a separate bowl combine ketchup and brown sugar. Remove meatloaf from oven after it has cooked, spread on glaze and cook for an additional 20 minutes.  Cook until 165 or until no pink and juices run clear.

Based on 8 servings
Calories 200

Points + ww 5


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Weight Watchers Sweet Roasted Kabocha Squash

I don't experiment too much with squash.  At least not the big variety.  Or course, I have baked and cooked with the little ones such as zucchini but the big ones stay at the grocery store.  Yes, I have made spaghetti squash before and I don't mind it when I am watching my carb intake.  So I thought this has to end!  I need to get into that kitchen of mine and try out some new squash. 

I picked the Kabocha one out because of the incredible calorie stats on this bad boy.  It only has 30 calories per cup.  That is a whole lot of eating for just 30 calories.  I made this incredibly the easy way I know how to roast vegetables but next time I think I will try to add some different seasonings.

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Roasted Vegetables with Reduced Balsamic Vinagar

There is no better way to get your vegetables in than by roasting them.  The flavor just pops!  I made this dish up for a dinner party I was going to.  The plate was emptied very quickly.  I was hoping some would come home with me for a very tasty sandwich the next day.

Ingredients:

 

3 assorted peppers, halved and de-seeded

button mushrooms (wiped down)

asparagus

green onion, roots removed

cherry or grape tomatoes

3 yellow zucchini - I sliced mine into coins

3 green zucchini - I sliced mine the long width

2 tablespoon of olive oil

Reduced balsamic Vinegar

 

salt and pepper

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Crockpot Spicy Asian Chicken

This Asian-inspired take on tasty, slow-simmered comfort food is so easy and absolutely delish and so much healthier than take-out! Plus, sometimes there’s no time for anything more than setting it and forgetting it. Forgetting it is a little tough when it smells this good, though. Try this scrumptious honey sesame chicken and keep dinner simple, folks. All you need are a bunch of basic ingredients and a patient sense of smell!

• 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or 4 chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
  Salt and pepper
  1/2 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup honey
  1/4 cup ketchup
• dash hot sauce, as spicy as you like
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
  1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  4 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/3 cup water
  2 cups minute rice, optional
  1 1/2 cup any color peppers
• 1/2 tablespoon (or more) sesame seeds
• 3 scallions, chopped

Directions

Place chicken in Crock Pot and lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.In a medium bowl, combine onion, garlic, honey, ketchup, soy sauce, oil, hot sauce and red pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or high for 2 hours. Remove chicken to a cutting board, leaving sauce. Shred chicken into bite-sized pieces; set aside. Prepare rice according to package instructions. In a small bowl, dissolve 4 teaspoons cornstarch in 1/3 cup water; add to crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Cover and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes, or until slightly thickened. Add chicken back with the peppers.   Add cooked rice to 4 plates, top with chicken/ sauce and spoon over top. Sprinkle evenly with sesame seeds and chopped scallions.

Enjoy!
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Super Quick Shrimp Stir Fry

A simple stir-fry that’s ready in thirty minutes! Stir-fry's are such a great way to get your veggie in for the day.  Fresh shrimp (could use chicken), crisp-yet-tender vegetables, a hint of soy and the zing of ginger. Stir-frying is quick, so it limits nutrient loss. This shrimp and vegetable stir-fry is fast food that’s healthy, too. Serve on brown rice.

1⁄3 cup reduced-salt soy sauce
1⁄4 cup white wine
2 tablespoons cornstarch
11⁄2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
500 g large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
250 g broccoli florets
1 large red pepper, cut into strips
1 large yellow pepper, cut into strips
120 g snow peas
100 g whole baby corn
1⁄2 cup sliced water chestnuts, optional
4 green onions, cut diagonally into 5 cm pieces

Directions

1. Blend 2⁄3 cup water, the soy sauce, wine, cornstarch and ginger in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a large wok or large deep frying pan over medium-high heat until hot. Stir-fry the garlic until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the shrimp and stir-fry until pink, about 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the broccoli florets to the wok and stir-fry until they are bright green, about 2 minutes. Add the red and yellow pepper strips and snow peas and stir-fry until they are just tender but still crisp, about 1 minute longer.
3. Return the shrimp to the wok. Add the baby corn, water chestnuts and green onions. Pour in the sauce mixture and stir-fry the shrimp and vegetables until the sauce thickens and boils, about 1 minute. Serve.

Nutritional information

PER SERVING

233 calories
24 g protein
7 g total fat

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