Chicken Stir-Fry with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Chicken Stir-Fry with Spicy Peanut Sauce

adapted from Food Network

Need a way to make chicken more exciting? Try adding a spicy peanut sauce. Don't like spice? Just omit the hot sauce and the red pepper flakes. You can also substitute thinly sliced lean beef for the chicken or just make it a stir-fry with all vegetables.

Makes 2 serving                                                                    3 WW pts / serving

2 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
3/4 tsp. sugar substitute
3/4 tsp. Pacific Rim Teriyaki hot sauce™ or your favorite hot sauce*

3/4 tsp. sesame oil
3/4 tsp. grated fresh ginger 
1 large cloves garlic, grated

1 Tbsp, warm water
5 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips
Kosher salt
pinch of red pepper flakes
Cooking spray
4 small red radishes, quartered, plus 1/4 loose cup radish greens, coarsely chopped
2 red baby bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips
Zest and juice from 1/4 small lime

Dark green scallion tops, chopped for garnish (optional)

1. In a bowl, whisk the peanut butter with the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, hot sauce, sesame oil, ginger, 2/3  of the garlic and water until smooth. (If the sauce is too thick, thin with a little more warm water.); Set aside.
2. Arrange the pieces of chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer. 
3. Sprinkle on one side with salt and the red pepper flakes; Turn the pieces on their other side and sprinkle again with salt.
4. Cook, the chicken in a skillet coated with cooking spray, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked, 3 to 5 minutes; Remove chicken from the pan.
5. In the same skillet, stir in the remaining garlic, radishes, radish greens and peppers and season with salt. Mix so the radish greens wilt. 
6. Stir in the peanut sauce and simmer for an additional minute Adjust seasoning to taste. 
7. Mix in the chicken. Turn off the heat and let rest a couple of minutes on the stove. If the sauce becomes to thick, thin out with a little additional water.
8. Top with the lime zest and the juice.
9. Garnish with scallions, if using, prior to serving.

Enjoy!

* I tried to find a link to the Pacific Rim Hot Sauce that came as one of the hot sauces in a variety pack of hot sauces. It does not seem to be on the marfket any longer.

BBQ Shrimp with Avocado Salad

BBQ Shrimp with Avocado Salad

adapted from Food & Wine

This recipe has a surprising amount of worcestershire sauce but it works.

When cooking for 2 I like to get the mini avocados. They are large enough for 2 without any leftovers that are going to oxidize.

Makes 2 servings                                                            9 WW pts / serving

Cooking spray
1/2 shallot, finely chopped
1/2 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. dry white wine
1/4 tsp. chopped thyme
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup Homemade chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
12 large shrimp, shelled and deveined
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. butter
Sliced scallions, for garnish
1 Tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. water
1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 small avocado, pitted, peeled and cut into wedges
1/2 romaine hearts (5 ounces), chopped
1/2 small fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 large radishes, thinly sliced

Flaky sea salt & Aleppo pepper (optional)

1. In a small saucepan coated with cooking spray, cook the shallot and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. 
2. Stir in the wine and thyme and cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. 
3. Add the Worcestershire sauce and broth and cook until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 15 minutes.
4. In a large skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of grapeseed oil. 
5. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; Cook over moderately high heat, turning once, for 2 minutes total.
6. Stir in the sauce and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. 
7. Add the butter, stirring until incorporated and season with salt. Transfer the shrimp to a platter and garnish with scallions.
8. Meanwhile, make the salad by whisking the olive oil with the water and lemon juice in a large bowl. 
9. Add the romaine, fennel and radishes, season with salt and toss to coat; Top with the avocado seasoned with flaky sea salt an Aleppo pepper, if using.
10. Serve the salad beside the shrimp.

Enjoy!

Black Bean & Chorizo Soup

Black Bean & Chorizo Soup

adapted from Food & Wine December 2016

This is a hearty, satisfying soup that freezes well.

Makes 2 servings                                                            4 WW points / serving

8 oz. dried black beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
1 small bay leaf
1/3 tsp. dried thyme
1 small parsley sprig

1 1/2 onions—1/2 quartered and 1 finely chopped

1 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt 

2 tsp. olive oil  

1 link Aidell™ Chorizo Smoked Chicken Sausage, chopped 

1 garlic cloves, minced 

1/2 tsp. ground cumin 

2 cups homemade chicken stock or canned broth

1 cup water

Kosher salt  & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Thinly sliced radishes, cilantro sprigs for garnish, optional

Lime wedges and tortilla chips, for serving

1. Drain the black beans.
2. In a pot, combine them with enough water to cover by 3 inches. 
3. Place the bay leaf, parsley and thyme in a piece of cheesecloth and secure with a string to make a satchel
4. Add the herb satchel, quartered onion and salt tp the beans; Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. 
5. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the beans are just tender, about 1 hour. 
6. Drain the beans and discard the herb satchel and onion; Wipe out the pot.
7. In the same pot, heat the olive oil; Add the chorizo and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until starting to crisp, about 4 minutes. 
8. Add the chopped onions, the garlic and cumin; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
9. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender, about 10 minutes. 
10. Add the stock and 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. 
11. Return the beans to the pot, cover, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking until the beans are very tender and the soup has thickened, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. You may need to add up to another cup of broth or water towards the end of cooking it it thickens faster than the beans cook.
12. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve garnished with radishes and cilantro, if using. 
13. Pass lime wedges and tortilla chips at the table.

Enjoy !

Tarragon Radishes

Tarragon Watermelon Radishes

adapted from Food Network Magazine April 2020

My husband loves pickled vegetables on his salads but they are expensive to by so I started making my own and it is surprisingly ease. I used watermelon radishes because they are bigger and easier to slice on the mandoline.

                                                                                         0 WW points

1/3 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 tsp. Kosher salt
1 Tbsp. sugar substitute
1 tsp. mustard seeds
1/4 lb. radishes, thinly sliced
1 tarragon sprig

1. Combine the vinegar, water, kosher salt, sugar substitute, and mustard seeds in a small saucepan; Bring to a boil.
2. Continue boiling until sugar substitute and salt dissolves.
3. Pack the radishes and tarragon into a heatproof container.
4. Pour in the hot brine to cover completely (you might not use all the brine). Let cool completely.
5. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 2 weeks.

Enjoy!

Asparagus, Peas, and Radishes with Tarragon

Asparagus, Peas, and Radishes with Tarragon

adapted from Epicurious

Spring is finally here Time to celebrate with a combination of springtime vegetables.

Makes 2 servings                                                            0 WW points / serving

1 cup asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces

1/4 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 radish, thinly sliced and cut in half
1 1/2 tsp Parkay cooking oil spray

Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil; add the asparagus and cook until tender crisp, about 3 minutes.
2. Strain the asparagus and return it to the pot; add the peas and Parkay
3. Cook until the peas are warmed thru, about 1-2 minutes
4. Remove rom the heat; Add the radishes and tarragon; toss to combine.
5. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Enjoy!

Skinnier Vegetable Ramen

Skinnier Vegetable Ramen

adapted from Taste of Home

I love ramen but with trying to follow the WW lifestyle I needed to lighten it up a little. By adding a bunch of vegetables it fills you up without needing all of the noodles. If I was not trying to lighten up the recipe I would not add the extra steps of draining and cooking the noodles. I would have just kept throwing things into the pot. But..... we are trying to be good. 

Fresh ramen has less fat than the dried packages because part of the drying process involves frying. If you use the dried version the point count goes up to 5.

Makes 2 servings with extra noodles                                    3 WW point / serving

1 package (3 ounces) fresh ramen noodles 
2 cups Homemade chicken stock or canned broth

2 Tbsp. shredded carrots
2 Tbsp. shredded cabbage
1 Tbsp  slivered radishes, 
1/2 large fresh mushroom, chopped
1 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp. sambal oelek
1 tsp. sliced scallion

1. Divide the carrot, cabbage, radish and mushroom between 2 soup bowls; set aside
2. Cook the ramen in the chicken stock according to package directions.
3. Strain the noodles reserving the broth; Rinse the noodles to stop cooking.
4. Place 1 1/2 oz of noodles in each bowl; reserve the remaining noodles for another use.
5. Add the soy sauce and sambal to the broth; Adjust seasoning to taste.
6. Bring the stock back to a boil so it can soften the vegetables in the bowls; Divide the hot stock between the bowls
7. Top with scallions before serving.

Enjoy!

Grilled Lemon Thyme Chicken Salad

 Grilled Lemon Thyme Chicken Salad

adapted from Bon Appetit July 1992

The lemon thyme dressing does double duty as the marinade. It is a light crisp dish.

Makes 3 servings                                                     2 WW Blue points / serving

2 1/2 Tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil

2 1/2 Tbsp. water

3 Tbsp. Fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp. hot sauce

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

6 tsp. reduced  fat feta

Your favorite green salad ingredients; We used

    Lettuce

    Onions

    Bell peppers

    Celery

    Radish

1. Heat a grill or grill pan to very hot (about 500F).
2. Put the oil, water, lemon juice, hot sauce, and thyme in a small bowl; whisk to combine.
3. Place the chicken breasts in a zip top bag with 2 1/2 Tbsp. of the dressing; Marinate for at least 5 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
4. Grill the chicken until cooked through about 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
5. Transfer the chicken to a plate, cover and let rest for about 5 minutes.
6. Toss the salad ingredients together in individual bowls.
7. Cut the chicken into strips and  place on top of the salad.
8. Serve with the dressing on the side.

Enjoy!

Spicy Quick Pickled Radishes

Spicy Quick Pickled Radishes

adapted from Food & Wine

My husband and I found a love of pickled vegetables when we were visiting family in Savannah, GA - especially green beans, okra and asparagus.  We used to get pickled garlic from an Amish canning company which is now out of business. And I found pickled brussels sprouts at a lots closeout store.

Compared to traditional pickles, these tend to be pricey so I have set out to make my own.

Makes about 1 pint                                                  0 WW Blue points / serving

1/2 lb. radishes, sliced thin

6 fresh dill sprigs

3 garlic cloves, crushed

2 1/2 chiles de arbol, stemmed and halved

1 1/2 Tbsp. kosher salt

1 1/2 tsp. sugar substitute

1/4 cup water

1. Pack the radishes and dill into a 1 pint heat proof container.
2. Combine the vinegar, garlic, chiles, salt, sugar substitute and water in a small saucepan.
3. Bring to a boil and cook stirring until the salt and sugar substitute has dissolved.
4. Pour the hot brine over the radishes and let come to room temperature.
5. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Enjoy!

Roasted Radishes with Radish Greens

Roasted Radishes with Radish Greens

adapted from Food & Wine April 2009

Makes 2 servings                                        0 WW Blue points / serving

1 bunch radishes with greens attached

Cooking spray

Kosher salt & Freshly ground pepper 

1. Preheat the oven to 500F.
2. Trim the radishes and thoroughly wash the greens. Place the greens in a colander to drain.
3. In an ovenproof skillet coated with cooking spray, cook with radishes seasoned with salt and pepper until they are starting to brown, about 2 minutes.
4. Put the skillet in the oven and roast for about 15 minutes, until they are tender crisp.
5. Return the skillet to the stove, add more cooking spray and the radish greens and cook until they are wilted, about another 2 minutes.
6. Adjust seasoning to taste, cut the radishes in half for serving if desired.

Enjoy!

Edamame Egg Drop Soup

Edamame Egg Drop Soup

adapted from ww.com

Makes 2 servings                        1 WW Blue point / serving

2 cups chicken stock

2/3 cup frozen shelled edamame, cooked

1 Tbsp cornstarch

2 Tbsp cold water

2 eggs, beaten

scallion, thinly chopped for garnish

radish, thinly sliced for garnish

soy sauce

1. Bring the stock to a boil in a saucepan and add the edamame.
2. Whish the cornstarch and cold water together until smooth.
3. Add to the stock and simmer until thickened, about 1 minute.
4. Slowly drizzle the egg into the stock while stirring in a circular motion. Cook 1 minute.
5. Ladle into bowls and garnish with scallion, radish and serve with soy sauce.
6. Enjoy!

Roasted Radishes ???? - My Interest was peaked.

I was flipping thru a Food & Wine magazine this morning and saw a recipe for Roasted Radishes. Since I was making roasted cauliflower for dinner anyways, I had to try it. The original recipe was more complicated and had them served on a bed of sauteed radish greens. I had some in a bag in the fridge so I significantly simplified the recipe.

Preheat the oven to 500F.
Gently toss radishes with a little olive oil, salt and pepper.
Place in a roasting pan that allows ample room or they will steam.
Roast for about 20 minutes or until they can be pierced with a fork.

They were amazingly good. I only made a few so we could try them. I got one. Warren ate the rest.