My Bright Idea

My goal for this blog was at first to chronicle my weigh loss journey. But, I found that I was using the blog features on my Weight Watcher's account for that. So, I have dedicated this blog to sharing the recipes I find, alter or design along my travels instead. I still share anecdotes before many of the recipes about my epic travel down the road to permanent weight loss. Even if the recipes are not something you are looking for, you may like the list of Free Online Tools I have compiling on the right.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Mashed Cauliflower "Taters"

These are pretty tasty but fair warning: Eat them while they are hot and don't sniff the leftovers if you decided to store them (on that note, don't sniff leftover broccoli either--both smell pretty rancid after they have been refrigerated.)

4 C. Steamed Cauliflower Florets (Fresh or from Steamers Bag)
1/4 C. Fat Free Sour Cream
1 Tbs. Chives
1/4 C. Fat Free low sodium chicken broth (adds a little flavor)
Salt to taste

  1. Steam the Cauliflower until tender/soft.
  2. Place steamed Cauliflower and sour cream into food processor and lowly add the chicken broth while pulsing until the mixture reaches mashed potato like consistency. (be careful not to add too much broth or they will become soupy)
  3. Remove to a serving bowl
  4. salt to taste
  5. sprinkle chives on top and serve hot

1/2 cup is 0 points, 1 cup is 0.5 points on Weight Watchers.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Mini Pizzas

One of the things I love most, and crave most for that matter, is Pizza. I found that Pizza is not only delicious, but deliciously evil. Just one slice of my favorite restaurant's pizza is 10 points on my Weight Watcher's plan. This is not acceptable to me in any form. However, I have found that making mini pizza's at home is delicious and just as satisfying.

Melinda's Mini Pizza's

Ingredients

  • Earth Grains Thin Buns or Thomas' Multi Grain Thin Buns 8 count package
  • 2 Cups Ragu Traditional Spaghetti Sauce
  • 1 cups Weight Watcher's Reduced Fat Mozzarella Cheese or Fat Free Mozzarella Cheese
  • 1/2 Cup Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Cheese

Cheese Pizza points 6 points for 4 mini Pizzas

Bacon Tomato & Onion Pizzas
Add:
  • 1/4 Cup Hormel Real Crumbled Bacon Reduced Fat 30% (also available in 50% fewer calories but that is not available on the WW site for points)
  • 1/2 Cup Red onions sliced or diced as desired for topping
  • 1-2 Roma Tomatoes Sliced


Bacon Tomato & Onion Pizza points 7 points for 4 mini Pizzas

Directions:


  • Preheat oven to 425 F.
  • Split Mini Buns and place open face side up on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (this only keeps the cheese or toppings from baking onto the sheet and making a mess so it is optional--you may also use a lite spray of cooking spray to do the same job)
  • Place about 1-2 table spoons of sauce on each mini bun and spread to desired sauciness.
  • Mix the two cheeses in a bowl and sprinkle evenly over the mini buns.
  • place desired toppings onto mini pizza's (Note: Adding Meat Toppings such as Bacon, Sausage, or Pepperoni will increase points value so you should add those into the recipe builder for an accurate points value. However, adding vegetable toppings does not usually significantly impact the points value.)
  • Place in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and edges appear crisp.

Hints or Variations

  • I like to have toasted cheese on top of my pizza toppings so I save 1/3 of the cheese to sprinkle over the pizza toppings and turn the oven to Broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time (keeping an eye on them) until the cheese is browned.
  • These are good for lunch but can also make a nice dinner when pared with a light offering of salad.