Summer Slaw

Looking for a light summer salad to serve along-side something that has enough flavor to hold it’s own? Then this salad is the perfect pairing.

Source: Weight Watchers weekly reader
Serves: 6- 1 points plus

Ingredients:
4 cups shredded Napa cabbage
1 ½ cups peeled and shredded jicama
1 cup shredded radishes
2 Tbs fresh lime juice
2 Tbs rice vinegar
1 tsp dark sesame oil
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp salt

Toss the cabbage, jicama and radishes in a salad bowl.

Add other ingredients and toss to coat.

*To slice the jicama and radishes, pass them through the large holes of a box grater. If making this in advance, store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days omitting the salt; add just before serving.

I thought the cumin was a bit strong so next time I’ll probably only use ¼ tsp.

Couscous Salad

Need a different side item to go with your normal chicken breast dinner? Tired of a mixed green salad? Try this fancied up couscous salad. It is better when it’s fresh…so don’t wait too long before you dig in!

Source: Weight Watchers- weekly reader Ingredients: serves 4, 5 points plus

1/2 tsp salt, divided

1/2 cup quick cooking whole-wheat couscous

15 oz canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 med. Scallions, trimmed and chopped

1 cup cooked, chopped broccoli

¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional

¼ tsp cumin seeds

1/3 cup canned tomato juice

1 Tbs white wine vinegar

1 tsp olive oil

Combine ¾ cup water and ¼ tsp salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Stir in couscous and reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set couscous aside, covered, for 10 minutes. Uncover pan, fluff couscous with fork and spoon into a serving bowl. Let cool to room temp.

When cool: add beans, scallions and broccoli; toss gently but well.

In a small bowl, combine red pepper, cumin, remaining ¼ tsp salt and tomato juice; stir well. Stir in vinegar and oil and pour over salad; toss gently but well.

Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Notes: I didn’t have cumin seeds so I just used ground cumin; I thought it was just as good. I also added some shredded carrots and shredded cabbage. Yummy

Asparagus and Mushrooms

Anytime I find something with a few simple no cal ingredients I jump on the chance to make it. Asparagus and mushrooms…with a little ethnic flare….delicious!

Source: Taste of Home, Diet Comfort Food Cookbook
Ingredients: Serves 4

1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
2 tsp ground ginger
2 Tbl canola oil
3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp pepper

In a large skillet, sauté asparagus and ginger in oil for 2-3 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Add the mushrooms, salt, sugar and pepper. Cook and stir 2-3 minutes longer or until mushrooms are tender.

*I used: fresh ginger, a “bunch” of asparagus that you buy in the store, one container of sliced mushrooms and only 2 tsp canola oil.
*Next time: I might try sesame oil to bump the ethnic flavor.

Great!!!

Cocunut Shrimp with Black Bean and Mango Salad

What a wonderful melody of flavors! This one didn't let us down and I'm sure it won't for you either.

Source: Weight Watchers

Note: The shrimp part of the recipe is designed to be used for two meals (serves 4). Feel free to save some for left overs or adjust for just two servings.

Ingredients for shrimp:
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/3 cup flour
3/4 t salt
1/ t crushed red pepper
1 large egg
1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled (tails left on), deveined, butterflied and patted dry
1/4 cup apricot all-fruit spread
1 T prepared horseradish
1 t teriyaki or soy sauce

1. Preheat oven to 450. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
2. Combine the coconut, flour, salt and red pepper on a plate.
3. Beat the egg in a med. bowl. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Lift each shrimp from the egg, letting the excess egg drip off the shrimp, then coat in the coconut mixture, pressing to adhere. Place shrimp on the baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly spray with nonstick spray. Bake until the shrimp are golden on the outside and opaque in the center, about 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, combine the apricot spread, horseradish and teriyaki sauce in a small bowl.
5. Transfer half of the cooked shrimp to a plate to cool. Then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days for later use. Serve the remaining shrimp with the apricot sauce and the following black bean salad.

Ingredients for Black Bean and Mango Salsa for 2:
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1 T chopped fresh cilantro
2 t fresh lime juice
1 t extra virgin olive oil
1/8 t salt
1/8 t cumin
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn
1/2 cup fresh mango chunks

Combine the onion, cilantro, lime juice, oil, salt and cumin in a med. bowl. Gently stir in the black beans, corn and mango and serve with half of the shrimp recipe above.

Notes: If you would like, go ahead and take the tails off. Just a pain when you go to eat them. Egg substitute can be used in place of the egg. 425 is plenty of heat and I would suggest to turn the shrimp mid-way through. I used canned corn and didn't add the oil.

Grilled Veggies

Have you ever gotten into a slump with dinner? Ever cooked a chicken breast or grilled a pork chop and didn't know what to do with it? My motto....add vegetables! Every once in a while I get tired of green beans, spinach or even asparagus (notice I did not list corn or potatoes....very starchy) and I want to enjoy the summer vegetables. So while the grill is heated up, toss your favorite vegetables on there!

Squash

Onions

Zucchini

Bell peppers

Mushrooms

Tomato

Chunk all vegetables. Pour just a little olive oil on them to help from sticking to the grill, sprinkle 1-2 t dried parsley, 1-2 t dried oregano and drizzle some balsamic vinegar and toss to coat. Put in a grill basket and cook along side your favorite meat. Stir them up when you turn your meat and viola! A wonderful side that is sure to impress the mother-in-law.