Pork Meatball Chili

Pork Meatball Chili

adapted from Food Network Magazine March 2019

This recipe is essentially using a vegetable chili as a sauce for pork meatballs that use tortilla chips as a binder. The cream in the meatballs keep them very tender and moist.

Mexican oregano has a strong, citrusy, and slightly licorice-like flavor, while Italian oregano (also known as regular or Mediterranean oregano) is more earthy, floral, and minty with a milder taste.

Makes 2 servings                                        3 WW pts / serving without garnishes

1/2 lbs. lean ground pork
2 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. light cream
2 Tbsp. crushed tortilla chips
1 Tbsp. grated Cojita or Parmesan cheese
1/2 beaten egg
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt

Cooking spray
1/4 large onion, chopped
1/4 red, orange or yellow bell pepper, chopped

1 small clove of garlic, chopped  
1 1/2 tsp. tomato paste
1 Tbsp.chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. dried Mexican oregano

1/4 tsp. Penzeys Southwest Seasoning™

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 15-ounce cans kidney beans (do not drain)
3/4 14-ounce cans diced tomatoes

1/4 cup water + more for thinning if needed

1/2 tsp. dried cilantro

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Jalapeno peppers, reduced fat sour cream, reduced fat cheddar cheese, cilantro & /or scallions (optional)

1. Make the meatballs by mixing the pork, cream, tortilla chips, parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder and kosher salt. 
2. Form into 1-inch balls; If time refrigerate for an hour.
3. Meanwhile, heat a pot coated with cooking spray over medium heat and cook the onion and pepper cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes; Add the garlic and cook  a couple more minutes.
4. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, coriander and oregano; Cook, stirring, until brick red, about 2 minutes.
5. Add the beans, tomatoes, 1/4 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, adjusting the heat as needed and stirring occasionally, until thickened, and the flavors meld, about 60 minutes, adding additional water if it is getting too thick.
6. Preheat the broiler.
7. Remove the meatballs from the refrigerator; Broil the meatballs on a baking sheet until browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
8. Add the meatballs to the finished chili and simmer 10 more minutes; Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper
9. Garnish as desired prior to serving, if using.

Enjoy!

Creole Cauliflower Fried Rice

Creole Cauliflower Rice

adapted from Veganosity.com

Fried rice is not usually associated with Cajun-creole cooking but this recipe has all the flavors of the south and a healthy alternative to red beans and rice or grits.

Makes 3 servings                                                        0 WW pp / serving

Cooking spray
1 cup riced cauliflower
1 stalk celery, diced
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced 1 1/2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup red kidney beans, drained and rinsed well
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt

1. In a pan coated with cooking spray, cook the onions and celery until the onion are translucent.
2. Add the bell pepper, beans, and spices and cook for 15 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cauliflower rice and stir well to coat the rice with the spices. Cook a few more minutes until the cauliflower is warmed and cooked to your desired consistency.

Zero Point Vegetarian Chili

 Zero Point Vegetarian Chili

adapted from DIY Candy

Use any canned beans you have on hand such has black beans, cannellini beans, pink beans etc.

This is a mildly spicy chili. If you want it hotter use a canned diced tomatoes with habaneros.

Alternatively, this can be cooked in a slow cooker. Sauté the zucchini, onion, carrots, celery and pepper in a pan coated with cooking spray, about 5 minutes or until tender. Add the veggies and the remaining ingredients to a slow cooker coated with cooking spray and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours.

Makes 3 servings                                                     0 WW Blue points / serving

1  15-oz can pinto beans, drained & rinsed

1  15-oz can kidney beans, drained & rinsed

1 10 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles

5 oz. tomato sauce

1 small zucchini, diced

1 carrot, peeled & diced

2 small yellow bell peppers, seeded & diced

2/3 celery stalk, diced

1/2 cup canned or frozen corn, drained

1/2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. chili powder

1 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 onion, diced

1. Put all ingredients in a small electric pressure cooker, stir to combine.
2. Select the Beans / Chili or Meat / Stew button depending on your cooker. 
3. Make sure the pressure valve is closed. Start the machine. It will cook for 20-30 minutes depending on your machine. (min is 30 minutes).
4. Release the pressure and serve.

Enjoy!

Extra Lean Turkey Chili

I think I am beginning to redeem myself. I adapted this recipe from Joy Bauer's Extra Lean Turkey Chili which I got from the Today Show many moons ago. Since her recipe served 8, I cut it down to 4 servings and altered the tomatoes since my boys do not like chunks of tomatoes in anything.

 Even Nick's mystery friend liked it !!

Extra Lean Turkey Chili
1 lbs. "Extra Lean" Ground Turkey Breast

1/2  Tsp. Paprika
1 Tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 Tsp. Salt
1/2 Tsp. Black Pepper
1/2 Tsp. Cumin
1/2 Tsp. Oregano
3 Tsp. Chili Powder
1/4  Onion, minced
1/4 Tsp. Ground Red Pepper 
1 Tsp. Flour
6 oz. whole tomato, pureed in a food processor
1/2 – 15oz. Can of red kidney beans

Brown ground turkey in a skillet. Drain fat. Add the tomatoes and 6 oz of water to the pan. Stir to combine.
Add garlic powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, black pepper, onion and mix well. Cover skillet and simmer for 25-30 minutes. Stirring every 10 minutes
Uncover skillet, add flour and mix thoroughly.Add red kidney beans, mix and let simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
Serve with your favorite chili toppings including shredded low fat cheddar cheese, minced onion, and sour cream to name a few.