Peach Salsa with turkey burgers

Sometimes I amaze myself with creations and this time I definitely was pleased. The sweetness of the peach and the strong flavor of the cilantro did a wonderful job adding texture and taste to the turkey burgers.

I challange everyone to spice up their normal grilled burger with a little fresh fruit this summer! You won't be disappointed.

Source: Adapted from Weight Watchers weekly reader
Serves: 2

Salsa:
2 large peaches, diced
1 small jalapeno pepper, cored, seeded and finely chopped
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp sugar
2 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro

Mix all ingredients and set aside.
Cook burgers and top with salsa! Recipe was orginally written for salmon burgers...so feel free to make adjustments to what you're having for dinner.

Enjoy

Grilled Peaches with Almonds and Honey

What a beautiful, easy and healthy dessert that can be thrown together in no time.

Source: Weight Watchers weekly reader
Serves: 4- 2 points plus

Ingredients:
4 firm but ripe large peaches, cut in half, pits removed
2 Tbls sliced almonds, chopped
2 tsp honey

Coat a grill or a grill pan with cooking spray. Preheat to medium heat. Spray cut side of peaches with a little bit of cooking spray.

Place peach halves on grill, skin sides down, and cook until skin starts to split, about 2 minutes. Using tongs, carefully flip peaches and cook, until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes more.

Remove peaches from grill and place on a serving plate; top each peach with 3/4 tsp of almonds and drizzle each with 1/4 tsp of honey.

*I just sprinkled a palm full of almonds and drizzled honey over the peaches instead of trying to measure...just be careful and don't over compensate! Enjoy

4th of July revamped

Before you pack the cooler and head off to the lake or the family picnic….really think about how you can have a wonderful holiday weekend with delicious healthy foods and not the normal fat and calorie ridden repeats.

Here are some ideas to get those brain juices flowing!

*Fresh fruit bowl- cut up a bunch of your favorite fruits and put them in a bowl all together. I know I am much more likely to enjoy fruit if it’s already cut up and ready to go. My favorites to put together are: grapes, cantaloupe, strawberries and pineapple. If you want to put a dip out try this greek yogurt fruit dip.

*We all like something salty and crunchy, so instead of a bag of potato chips, try veggie straws. A serving size is 38 straws!! For a total of 3 points plus. A pretty good alternative if you ask me.

*Black bean salsa: this is very easy to put together and you can feel comfortable knowing it doesn’t have any dairy that will spoil if left in the heat. To save on even more calories, don’t serve it with chips! It’s just as good right off the fork.

*Start up the grill!! Rather than sauce laden barbeque brisket or a bucket of fried chicken try turkey bratwursts, 97% fat free Hebrew National hot dogs, or even some grilled turkey burgers! Lots of alternatives to make this holiday different than a week night meal.

*Crystal light lemonade- Instead of the regular Country Time Lemonade that is full of sugar, make a big batch of Crystal Light. Very refreshing in this heat and very low in calories.

Most importantly: have a wonderful holiday weekend, enjoy the people that you’re with and stay safe!

SUNDAY SLOWCOOKER: Banana-Lemon Pudding Cake

It's always fun to find a quick and easy recipe to put together for dessert! I prepared this one while dinner was cooking and was able to enjoy it after dinner was gone and my stomach rested. Enjoy!

Ingredients: serves 6
3 eggs, separated
One 6 oz container plain fat-free yogurt
Grated peel and juice of 1 large lemon
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
4 ripe bananas, sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick
Whipped cream (optional)

1. Grease the inside of a 3-4 qt slower cooker (I used cooking spray). In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with a handheld mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. In another large bowl, beat together the egg yolks, yogurt, lemon peel and lemon juice on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sugar, flour and salt and beat on med. speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Working in 2-3 batches, gently fold in the beaten egg whites.

2. Scatter three-quarters of the banana slices on the bottom of the slow cooker, then pour in the batter. Cover and cook on high until the cake is puffed, the top is set and the edges are browned, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Remove the slow cooker insert, still covered, and cool for about 20 minutes.

3. Spoon the pudding into bowls and top with the whipped cream, if using, and the remaining banana slices.

This was a really interesting dessert. The lemon added a nice bite of freshness! I didn't use the whipped cream...wanted to save on calories.

Blueberries with Whipped Ricotta and Balsamic Syrup

Source: Weight Watchers Momentum Cookbook

Ingredients: serves 4

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese

4 tsp sugar

2 tsp grated orange zest

2 pints blueberries

Orange zest stripes

1. Bring the vinegar to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; boil until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool about five minutes.

2. Meanwhile, puree the ricotta in a mini or regular food processor. Scrape the cheese into a small bowl and stir in the sugar and orange zest.

3. Divide the blueberries evenly among 4 dessert dishes; top evenly with the ricotta mixture. Drizzle evenly with the vinegar and sprinkle with the zest strips.

Note- It is absolutely necessary to puree the ricotta cheese. If not….it’s a little grainy.

Roasted Pears with Balsamic Glaze

There is only one word to describe this dessert. WOW!! I mmm mmm’d out loud when I took my first bite! If you like pears, please wow your spouse, significant other, yourself, a dinner party or guests with this easy to do dessert. You won’t regret it and they will think you are absolutely amazing in the kitchen.

Source: Weight Watchers Momentum Cookbook
Ingredients: serves 4

2 tsp unsalted butter, melted
2 tsp lemon juice
4 ripe pears, halved and cored
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 Tbl balsamic vinegar
4 (1/2 ounce slices soft goat cheese)

1. Preheat the oven to 425
2. Stir together the butter and lemon juice in a small bowl.
3. Place the pears, cut side up, on a large baking sheet. Brush the cut side of the pear halves with the butter mixture. Roast until softened when pierced with a fork, about 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, combine the brown sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan and cook over low heat, whisking until dissolved. Increase the heat to high and boil until thickened, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a cup.
5. Arrange 2 pear halves on each of 4 plates and place a slice of goat cheese next to each pear. With a teaspoon, drizzle the balsamic glaze over the pears. Serve warm.

Note: Because the pears are ripe, I didn’t think they needed 30 minutes to roast, I only roasted them for about 15-20 minutes. Serve with warm goat cheese. It melts in your mouth with the warm pear. If you’re only serving two, this is can be easily halved. Delicious!

Fruit Dip

There are tons and tons of different fruit dip recipes out there using ingredients such as: jello, yogurt, cottage cheese (yes, I found one), cool whip and the list continues. My favorite...and the favorite of a few of my friends happens to use:

1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow creme

1 pkg of reduced fat cream cheese, softened

2-3 Tbl orange juice

Using an electric mixer, whip the marshmallow creme with the cream cheese. Once those are nicely incorporated, stir in the orange juice. If you drink orange juice on a regular basis and keep it in the fridge...use that. If you're like me and never have the stuff around, feel free to buy ONE orange and juice it yourself! For an extra flare, stir in some orange zest.

Use with fruits of your liking!

*If you're using apples, sprinkle them with some lemon juice to help them from going brown. Using bananas....soak in pineapple juice! Enjoy