Tomatoes and Feta with Chickpeas Over Pearled Couscous

Tomatoes and Feta with Chickpeas Over Pearled Couscous

adapted from Bon Appetit

I was listening to Bon Appetit's© podcast Dinner SOS while I was delivering Meal on Wheels today. They were discussing this recipe and it sounded intriguing to me so I had to try it, of course with some tweaks to reduce the amount of leftovers I could have and to use things that I had in the house. You can reduce the number of points by using cooking spray instead of the olive and using less feta. You could also eliminate the couscous and serve it with a low carb tortilla for scooping.

I used a combination of Roma tomatoes and grape tomatoes because that is what I had in the house. The arugula provides a freshness while the vinegar adds a little tang.

Makes 2 servings                                                              7 WW pts / serving                                                          
1/2 lb. tomatoes, cored, cut into 1½"-thick wedges if large
1 1/2 tsp olive oil, divided
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt, divided
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 15.5-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed, patted dry
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. smoked paprika
3 oz. reduced fat feta, cut into ½"-thick slabs
1 small handful arugula
3 pitted green olives, chopped
Sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar (for drizzling)
1/4 cup pearled couscous

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. 
2. Place the tomatoes on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tsp. olive oil and season with 1/4 tsp. salt and freshly ground pepper; toss to coat. 
3. Roast in the preheated oven until collapsed and slightly jammy, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven and heat broiler
4. While the tomatoes are cooking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
5. In a small bowl, combine the chickpeas, cumin, smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp. salt; Drizzle lightly with oil and toss to coat.
6. Cook the couscous until al dente, about 8 minutes; Drain, reserving some of the pasta liquid. and set aside.
7. After the tomatoes have been cooking for 25 minutes, removed them from the oven and preheat the broiler.
8. Spoon the chickpea mixture over and around tomatoes; Top with feta slices.
9. Broil on top rack until tomatoes and feta are blistered, about 5-8 minutes. 
10. Let tomato-chickpea mixture cool 5 minutes.
11. Scatter arugula and olives over tomato-chickpea mixture; Adjust the sauciness of the mixture with reserved pasta water as needed.
12. Drizzle with some vinegar; Season to taste with salt and pepper. 
13. Serve over the couscous.

Enjoy!

Tangy Chicken Steak Sub

Tangy Chicken Steak Sub

adapted from Food Network

Growing up in Boston, sandwiches on long roll were call subs. When I moved to Western Mass, I had to adjust to referring to them as grinders. Now is  South Central PA, we are back to subs again. Other  regional terms include hoagies and heroes. What are they called in your area ?

Makes 2 servings                                                              10 WW pts / serving *

1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lb. shaved chicken

Cooking spray
1/2 onion, sliced
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic

1 Tbsp. chopped scallion. green part only
1/2 oz. turkey pepperoni slices
2 oz. reduced fat provolone, slices
2 steak rolls, split and toasted

2 Tbsp. reduced fat mayo

2 Tbsp. hot pepper spread or your favorite spicy peppers

1. In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, mustard, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. 
2. Add the shaved chicken and toss to coat; Marinade in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. In a frying pan coated with cooking spray, cook the onions until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. 
4. Add the garlic and chicken meat; Sauté  until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. 
5. Stir in the chives. 
6. Divide the chicken into 2 piles in the pan, spread out about the length of the rolls.
7. Place the pepperoni on top of the chicken and repeat with the cheese. 
8. Turn off the heat and allow the heat from the meat to melt the provolone.
9. Meanwhile spread the mayonnaise and hot pepper spread on the rolls.
10. With a large spatula scoop up the chicken with the cheese and put it n the rolls. 
11. Cut in half prior to serving if desired.

Enjoy!

* I calculated the points minus the marinade that was not absorbed into the chicken by straining the chicken before cooking and measuring the oil that was not used. Approximately half of the oil

Tiny Pasta with Peas and Carrots

Tiny Pasta with Peas and Carrots

adapted from Weeknights with Giada© by Giada De Laurentiis

This is a  great side dish that is also kid friendly.

Makes 1 serving                                                                   4 WW pts / serving

1 oz. small soup shells or other small-shaped pasta, such as pastina or farfallini
Cooking spray
1/8 small onion, finely diced
8 tsp. diced, peeled carrots
2 Tbsp. Homemade chicken stock or canned broth
8 tsp. frozen petite peas, thawed
1 oz, cream cheese, at room temperature
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. chopped fresh basil leaves

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. 
2. Add the pasta and cook until al dente about 7 to 9 minutes. 
3. Drain, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
4. In a small skillet coated with cooking spray, cook the onion, stirring occasionally until soft, about 7 minutes. 
5. Add the carrots and stock and bring to a boil; Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. 
6. Add the peas to the pan and cook for 2 minutes until the peas are warmed through and the carrots are tender. 
7. Stir in the cooked pasta. 
8. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cheese. 
9. Stir until the mixture is incorporated and forms a sauce, adjusting the consistency with the reserved pasta liquid 1 Tbsp. at a time.
10. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 
11. Garnish with chopped basil prior to serving.

Enjoy!

Modern Waldorf Salad

Modern Waldorf Salad

adapted from Crowded Kitchen

Waldorf salad is named for the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City, where it was first created for a charity ball given in honor of the St. Mary's Hospital for Children on March 13, 1896. The original recipe was just apples, celery, and mayonnaise. Over the years nuts, chicken, turkey and dried fruit have been added.1

Best apples to use are sweet and tart such as Granny Smith of Honeycrisp.

For the dressing I used a Dill Vinaigrette but you can use what ever is your favorite.

Makes 2 servings                                                                 3 WW pts / serving

1/3 large head of romaine lettuce, chopped
1/3 cup seedless red grapes, halved
1/3 cup sliced cucumber
1/3 large apple, diced
2 Tbsp. dried cranberries
Walnut pumpkin seed brittle (recipe below)

Walnut Pumpkin Seed Brittle                                                 2 WW pts / Tbsp.    1/2 cup raw, unsalted walnut pieces

1/4 cup pepitas
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
1 tsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Your favorite low fat salad dressing with 1 WW pt / Tbsp.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 275˚F.
2. Add walnuts and pumpkin seeds to a mixing bowl. 
3. In a separate bowl, stir together maple syrup, olive oil, salt and pepper. 
4. Pour the maple syrup mixture over nuts and toss well to coat. 
5. Spread out on a small parchment lined baking sheet. 
6. Bake on the lowest rack of the oven for about 35 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. 
7. While the brittle is cooling, whisk together dressing ingredients; Set aside.
8. Divide the lettuce, grapes, cucumbers, apple and cranberries between 2 bowls.
9. Toss the salad ingredients with 1 Tbsp. salad dressing. 
10. Crumble the brittle and sprinkle 1 Tbsp. on top of the salad.

Enjoy!

Notes:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldorf_salad

Dill Vinaigrette

Dill Vinaigrette

Adapted from Food52

Using a soft boiled egg to make a salad dressing results in a creamy, fully emulsified dressing without the use of any dairy or mayonnaise.

Makes 1/2 cup                                                                      1 WW pts / Tbsp.                                                                   
1 large egg

1/2 cup picked dill fronds

2 tsp. Dijon mustard 

2 Tbsp. Champagne or white wine vinegar

1 Tbsp. grapeseed or other neutral oil

1 3/4 Tbsp. olive oil 

2 Tbsp. water

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 

1. Cook the egg in boiling water for 7 minutes and 15 seconds, which results in barely set yolks and fully set whites. 
2. Transfer to a water bath to stop the cooking process.
3. When the egg is cool enough to handle, peel the egg and cut in half.
4. Place half of the egg in in a bowl of a mini food processor; Reserve the other half for another use. 
5. Add the dill, Dijon, and Champagne vinegar to the food processor; Process until smooth. 
6. Mix canola oil, olive oil and water in a small bowl; Slowly, add the mixture to the running food processor until emulsified. 
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

Pork, Pepper and Rice Noodle Soup

Pork, Pepper and Rice Noodle Soup

adapted from Food Network

This is a versatile recipe that can be made with beef, chicken or turkey and you can use any colored bell pepper just not the green as they tend to be more bitter.

Makes 2 servings                                                                5 WW pts / serving

2 tsp. olive oil
1.5 oz. mushrooms, stems removed, thinly sliced1 medium carrots (about 1.33 ounces), chopped
2/3 red bell pepper (about 2.33 ounces), finely chopped

2/3 tsp. Kosher salt, divided
Freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. freshly grated ginger
1 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
1/3 pound ground pork
2 2/3 cups Homemade chicken stock or canned broth

1 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage
2 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. rice vinegar

2 ounces flat rice noodles, cooked
Toasted sesame seeds, sriracha, and additional soy sauce for serving, optional

1. Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. 
2. Add the mushrooms, carrots, bell pepper, 1/3 tsp. salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 4 to 5 minutes. 
3. Add the garlic, ginger and scallion whites and cook, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. 
4. Add the pork, 1/3 tsp. salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, breaking up the pork until no longer pink, about 5 - 6 minutes.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. 
6. Add the cabbage and cook until it is tender but still holds a bit of crunch, about 6 minutes. 
7. Stir in the soy sauce and vinegar; Stir to combine. 
8. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
9. Dice the cooked noodles between 2 bowls; Ladle the soup into bowls.
10. Sprinkle with the scallion greens and top with some sesame seeds and sriracha if desired prior to serving.

Enjoy!

Vegetable Sushi Roll with Sesame Miso Sauce

Vegetable Sushi Roll with Sesame Miso Sauce

adapted from Bon Appetit August 1991

Somen are thin, white, Japanese noodles made from wheat flour. They can be found on Amazon or local Asian markets. Feel free to substitute angel hair pasta or soba noodles.

The original recipe cut the rolls into 1- inch pieces. I was not convinced that they were going to hold together so I left them whole.

Makes 2 servings                                                                2 WW pts / serving

2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. Homemade chicken stock, or canned broth
1 Tbsp miso

1 1/2 tsp. sugar substitute
4 large Napa cabbage leaves
2 1/2 oz. somen noodles
2 cups cold water
8 matchstick size strips red bell pepper
8 matchstick size strips hothouse cucumber
8 matchstick size strips scallions
8 matchstick size strips carrot

1. Prepare the sauce by whisking together the vinegar, stock, miso and sugar substitute in a small bowl; Set aside.
2. Fill a skillet 2/3 full with water; Bring to a boil. 
3. Add 2 cabbage leaves and simmer until leaves are just pliable, about 1 1/2 minute. 
4. Remove from water with a slotted spoon to colander. 
5. Repeat with remaining cabbage leaves; Dry thoroughly.
6. Return water in skillet to boil.
7. Add noodles and bring to boil. 
8. Stir in 1 cup cold water and return to boil. 
9. Stir in other cup of cold water and return to boil. 
10. Drain noodles; Rinse under cold water to cool and drain well.
11. Pat the cabbage dry with a paper towel; Place cabbage on work surface. 
12. Place ¼ of the noodles across width of leaf, 1 inch from stem. 
13. Top the noodles with 2 strips each of pepper, cucumber, scallion and carrots. 
14. Fold stem end in over filling, then continue to roll up tightly. 
15. Repeat with remaining leaves. 
16. Cover and chill 1-4 hours.
17. Serve passing sauce separately.

Enjoy!