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Pork, Veal & Ricotta Meatballs with Cavolo Nero August 2, 2015

Filed under: Healthy Eating,Italian,Meat,Pasta,Weight Watchers Recipes — delishuss @ 9:22 am
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This is another Weight Watchers recipe. If I were to make it again, I would make a few tweaks. It would probably increase the propoints value of the recipe but I would switch out the ricotta for feta cheese. I found the meatballs to be a little lacking in flavour. I used breadcrumbs instead of rolled oats just because I had some leftover bread. I couldn’t find Cavolo Nero in the supermarket so I use kale instead, probably a bad idea as it didn’t really wilt down very well and was a bit hard. Next time I would just add some spinach instead close to the end of the cook until wilted. I did taste pretty good in the end but it would be even better with the suggested tweaks.

12 propoints value

Serves: 4

Prep time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1/4 cup (20g) trraditional rolled oats

400g pork, veal mince

4 green shallots, thinly sliced

1 small zucchini, finely grated

1/3 cup (80g) reduced fat fresh ricotta cheese, crumbled

1 tsp olive oil

1 red onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tbs baby salted capers, rinsed, finely chopped

2 cups (500ml) tomato pasta sauce (I used passata instead)

100g trimmed cavolo nero (Tuscan cabbage), coarsely chopped

250g spelt spaghetti

Salt and pepper to season

Method

1. Blitz the oats in a food processor until finely chopped. Combine oats, mince, shallots, zucchini and ricotta in a bowl. Season well with salt and pepper.

2. Roll the mince mixture into balls. To prevent the balls sticking to your hand, you can spray them with some olive oil spray.

3. I cooked these in two batches to prevent them becoming soggy. Heat a frying pan and add some olive oil. Fry half of the mince balls until brown, turning frequently to coat all sides. Transfer to a plate. Do the same with the remainder of the balls. Re-add all the meatballs to the pan and reduce the heat. Add a lid and let the meatballs cook for 10 minutes. This is to ensure that the meatballs are cooked through on the inside. Remove from the heat.

4. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.

5. While the pasta is cooking add the onion to the same pan as the meatballs and saute for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minutes. Add the capers and the pasta sauce and bring to the boil. Add the meatballs and the cavolo nero and cook for another 3 minutes until the cabbage is wilted.

6. Serve the meatballs with the pasta and enjoy.

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Piri Piri Stir Fry Pork June 10, 2015

Filed under: Healthy Eating,Meat,Weight Watchers Recipes — delishuss @ 11:38 am
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I got this recipe from the Weight Watchers Spicy and Speedy cookbook. The recipe uses beef but I had pork which I thought would be nice instead. It’s so easy, it’s hard to call it cooking. The recipes states that you should use 2 chillies, I chickened out and only added one, I should have added 2. As a result of not adding 2 chillies, I didn’t really get an intense flavour so I ended up adding some hot sauce just to give it a kick. Probably, if I was making it again I would do the same, i.e. one chilli and some hot sauce but that’s entirely up to you.

Serves 2

Takes 15 minutes

4 1/2 points (if using beef)

Ingredients

Low fat cooking spray

200g lean rump steak or pork

2 garlic cloves, sliced

2 large red chillies, deseeded and chopped finely

1 teaspoon paprika

1 x 300g pack fresh mixed stir fry vegetables

100g passata with onion and garlic

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 x teaspoon hot sauce (if you like it hot ;-))

Method

1. Heat a non stick wok until very hot and spray with low fat cooking spray.

2. Add the beef and stir fry for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the garlic and chillies and cook for a further minute, stirring.

3. Add the paprika and stir fry vegetables and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the hot sauce if you are using it at this point. Pour in the passata and 100 ml cold water. Bubble for 1-2 minutes until sauce has thickened.

4. Squeeze over the lemon juice and serve immediately.

 

South American Style Brunch February 2, 2015

Filed under: Brunch,Favourites,Healthy Eating,Rice and Grains — delishuss @ 12:42 pm
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I recently started following Jamie Oliver on Instagram. Okay, I’ll admit it, I have a crush on him. I just love his food. It’s just rustic, with lovely accessible ingredients. I often buy cookbooks because the recipes look fantastic but I never end up making them because the ingredients are too hard to find or the recipes are too complex and I couldn’t be bothered. I’m all about hassle free cooking and I think Jamie is the master. Anyway, Jamie posted this recipe on Instagram recently and I loved the sound of it, so decided to give it a shot during the week. The original recipe uses Quinoa but I didn’t have any in stock, I substituted it for long grain rice and it worked out quite well. I will be saving this to my favourites for sure. I went a bit light on the chilli and chilli sauce, I will be a bit braver next time around.

Serves 6

Ingredients

200g quinoa

Sea salt

Olive oil

Pinch of cumin seeds

1 x 400g black beans or black eyed beans, drained and rinsed

1 long fresh red chilli, finely sliced

1 fresh jalapeno chilli, freshly sliced

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

A pinch of golden caster sugar

Extra virgin olive oil

Juice of half a lime

Freshly ground black pepper

6 large free range eggs

1 ripe avocado

200g of ripe cherry tomatoes, quartered

2 spring onions, finely sliced

A small bunch of fresh mint

A small bunch of fresh coriander

Hot chilli sauce, to serve

Method

1. Cook the quinoa according to packet instructions, with a good pinch of salt. Meanwhile, add a good glug of olive oil to a frying pan and place over a high heat. Once hot, add the cumin seeds and then fry for 30 seconds, then add the beans and a pinch of salt and continue cooking for 5-8 minutes, or until crisp all over.

2. While the beans are cooking, place the sliced chillies into a bowl with the vinegar, sugar and a pinch of salt and set aside.

3. Drain the quinoa well, then drizzle over a little extra virgin olive oil and lime juice and season lightly. Spread on a tray and leave aside to cool slightly.

4. Transfer the cooked beans to a bowl. Wipe the pan clean and return to a medium heat with a splash of olive oil. Once hot crack in your eggs and fry to your liking.

5. Transfer the quinoa to a large serving plate, layer the eggs on top and spoon over the crispy beans. Halve and de-stone the avocado, then scoop out and dot over the flesh. Scatter the tomatoes, spring onions and chillies on top, then drizzle of some of the pickling juice. Pick and roughly chop the mint and coriander leaves and sprinkle on top, then add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and serve with plenty of hot chilli sauce.

Note: I used a mixture of Jalapenos in a jar and fresh. The version in a jar comes in a pickled sauce, so I just re-cycled this with a little sugar.

P.s. If you are a Jamie Oliver fan, I would highly recommend following him on Instagram, he posts a new recipe each day.

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Chilli and Lemongrass Chicken November 14, 2014

Filed under: Chicken,Healthy Eating,Rice and Grains — delishuss @ 9:08 am
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I was looking for a quick and healthy chicken dish to cook mid-week. I had a look on the Google and came across this recipe. It’s from taste.com.au. The chicken is really tasty but I think the rice is lacking something. I added some soy sauce which made it a little less bland. That said, it’s a lovely meal.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1-2 long red chillies, chopped

1 lemongrass stem (inner core only), finely chopped

3cm piece ginger, chopped

3 garlic cloves

3 tablespoons honey

1 1/2 tablespoons mirin

3 teaspoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons sunflower oil

700g chicken breast fillets, sliced

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 cup (200g) jasmine fragrant rice

2 spring onions, thinly sliced

1/2 cup Thai basil leaves, roughly chopped

1/2 up coriander leaves, roughly chopped

200g snow peas, blanched, refreshed, thinly sliced

Method

1. Whiz chilli, lemongrass, ginger and garlic into a paste. Add honey, mirin, fish sauce and 1 tablespoon oil and blitz until combined.

2. Toss chicken in a bowl with half the marinade. Chill for 15 minutes. Combine soy with remaining marinade. Set aside.

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3. Meanwhile, cook the rice according to packet instructions. Keep warm.

4. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a wok or large pan over medium-heat. Add half the chicken and cook, turning, for 5-8 minutes until browned and sticky. Repeat with remaining 1 teaspoon oil and chicken. Keep warm.

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5. Meanwhile, toss spring onion, basil, coriander and snow peas with the rice.

6. Spoon rice into serving bowls and serve topped with chicken and reserved saue.

 

Spiced Carrot & Coconut Soup June 12, 2014

Filed under: Healthy Eating,Soups and Stews — delishuss @ 12:27 pm
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The weather is starting to cool down here in Brisbane. I can start making soups, stews and curries now and not spontaneously combust with the heat . Soups are great, so easy to make and they are full of tasty goodness. Some people struggle to make soup, I don’t get it, it’s probably one of the easiest things to make. I got this recipe from the current Weight Watchers magazine. It’s a lovely new take on a simple carrot soup. I used a lot more of the coconut than the recipe required, I just thought the consistency was a bit thick without it. I also added a stock cube. Both of which would add to the calorie content so if you want to point it, stick to the original recipe.

Serves 4

10 mins prep

35 mins cooking

5 ProPoints per serve

 

Ingredients

1 tbs olive oil

1 brown onion, finely chopped

2 tbs Indian curry paste

1kg carrots, sliced

1/2 cup (80ml) light coconut milk (I used about 150ml)

8x10g mini pappadums

1 stock cube, dissolved in litre of water if not counting points

 

Method

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion, stirring for 5 minutes or until softened. Add the curry paste and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

2. Add the carrots and 4 cups (1L) of water or stock depending on whether or not you are pointing the recipe and bring to the boil.

3. Reduce the heat and simmer partially covered for 25 minutes or until the carrot is tender.

4. Blend in batches until smooth.

5. Return the soup to a clean saucepan and stir in 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the coconut milk.

6. Place over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Meanwhile, microwave pappadums following packet instructions.

7. Drizzle the soup with the remaining coconut milk and serve with pappadums.

 

http://www.pinterest.com/grainiac/recipes/

 

Spaghetti with Rocket and Smoked Salmon May 14, 2012

Filed under: Fast Food,Fish,Healthy Eating — delishuss @ 9:20 pm
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This is really quick and easy to make. I couldn’t resist messing with the recipe, but I think my additions work 🙂 I took the recipe from Easy Health magazine from Jan/Feb. I’ll definitely give this one a go again.

Serves 4

Ingredients

250g wholewheat spaghetti

1 large onion

1 clove of garlic, minced

120g smoked salmon, cut into fine strips

300g mixed wild rocket and flat-leaved parsley

A little olive oil

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper

Parmesan

40g frozen peas

Handful toasted pine nuts

 

Method

1. Cook the spaghetti until al dente. While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a pan. Fry off the onion for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and fry for another 2 minutes.

2. Add the peas and heat through.

3. On a separate pan (dry), add the pine nuts and toast them.

4. Drain the spaghetti, combine with the salmon, rocket & parsley, add a dash of olive oil and lemon juice to the onions, garlic and peas and return to the heat for a minute or two stirring

5. Sprinkle with sea salt and lots of black pepper and serve, garnish with parmesan and toasted pine nuts.

 

Indian Stuffed Peppers April 23, 2012

Filed under: Healthy Eating,Potatoes,Vegetarian,Weight Watchers Recipes — delishuss @ 9:20 pm
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I made these for lunch but the night before. They were good but I don’t think they really reheat well, so probably best to eat them straight away. They would make a great starter. These are from the Weight Watchers Oriental Express cookbook.

Propoints value per serving- 4

Propoints value per recipe- 18

Serves 4

 

Ingredients

400g potatoes, peeled and halved or quartered, if large

4 red peppers

Low fat cooking spray

1 large onion, diced

2 courgettes, diced

3 large garlic cloves, chopped

2 tablespoons balti spice paste

 

For the ginger tomato suace

300ml passata

1/2 teaspoon sugar

2.5cm fresh root ginger, grated

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

Method

1. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook the potatoes for about 10 minutes or until tender. Drain, set aside to cool slightly, then dice.

2. Meanwhile, put the peppers in a large saucepan of water and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 4 minutes until softened. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the peppers from the water and set aside until cool enough to handle. Slice the top off each pepper to make a lid, scoop out the seeds then turn upside down to drain.

3. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 5/ 190 degrees celsius/ fan oven 170 degrees celsius. Heat a wok or non stick frying pan until hot. Spray with the cooking spray and stir fry the onion, courgettes and garlic for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat then stir in the balti spice paste, 4 tablespoons of water and the potatoes. Spoon the mixture into the peppers and top with their lids.

4. Arrange the peppers close together in an ovenproof dish, spray with cooking spray and pour 3 tablespoons of water into the dish. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 4-0 minutes.

5. To make the ginger tomato sauce, spray a saucepan with the cooking spray, add the passatta and sugar and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until reduced and thickened. Squeeze the juice from the ginger into the pan. Discard the fibrous bits of ginger. Season, stir and heat though. Serve with the sauce on the side.

 

Summer White Bean and Vegetable Stew

Filed under: Healthy Eating,Vegetarian,Weight Watchers Recipes — delishuss @ 8:52 pm
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I munched away on this, this evening. I was surprised at how flavoursome it was. I was going to leave the zest of lemon out of it, but I’m glad I didn’t it worked really well with the hummus. This is great. It’s quite filling too. I had a wholemeal pitta with it also. Oh I almost forgot to mention that it’s from a Weight Watchers supplement in the RTE guide.

Propoints per serving- 9

Propoints per recipe- 19

Serves 2

Takes 40 minutes in total to prepare

 

Ingredients

Calorie-controlled cooking spray

1 red onion, sliced

2 garlic cloves, sliced

1 small red pepper, de-seeded and sliced

1 corn on the cob, kernels removed

150ml dry white wine

1 tablespoon cornflour

100g fine green beans, halved

2 large sprigs of fresh thyme

200g canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

300ml vegetable stock

100g baby leaf spinach

2 tablespoons reduced fat hummus

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

Salt and freshly ground pepper

A handful of fresh basil leaves, to garnish (optional)

 

Method

1. Heat a large, lidded, heavy based saucepan and spray with the cooking spray.

2. Add the onion, then cover and cook for 6 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, red pepper and corn and cook for another minute before pouring in the wine.

3. Bring up to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes or until the wwine has reduced by half.

4. Mix the cornflour with a little water to make a plate. Add to the pan and cook, stirring, for a minute until thickened then add the green beans, thyme, cannellini beans and stock and return to the boil.

5.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 8 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the spinach and cook, partially covered, until wilted.

6. Divide between two large, shallow bowls. Season to taste and top each portion with 1 tablespoon of hummus.

7. Sprinkle with black pepper and lemon zest before serving. If using, garnish with basil leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mediterranean Style Cous Cous April 15, 2012

Filed under: Healthy Eating,Vegetarian,Weight Watchers Recipes — delishuss @ 7:20 pm
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I find cous cous a little boring but I decided to spruce it up a little. I made this to go with a BBQ that we had a month or so ago. The quantities are guestimates but you’ll get the idea.

Serves 2

Ingredients

150 g cous cous

300ml boiling water

2 scallions, chopped

75g feta cheese, crumbled

40g sundried tomatoes (I used roma, with oregano and garlic), diced

2 tbsp liquid stock

20g fresh coriander, chopped

2 tablespoons of pine nuts

Salt and pepper

Tbsp olive oil

Method

1. Add the liquid stock to the boiling water. Pour the cous cous into a deep bowl. Pour the liquid over the cous cous and cover with cling film for about 8 minutes.

2. Toast the pine nuts on a dry pan.

3. After the 8 minutes, use a fork to seperate the cous cous. Add the olive oil and stir through with the fork.

4. Stir in the remainder of the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

 

Creamy Prawn Tagliatelle March 27, 2012

Filed under: Fast Food,Favourites,Fish,Healthy Eating,Weight Watchers Recipes — delishuss @ 9:36 pm
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I tripped across a recipe somewhere that had tagliatelle and prawns that I thought looked nice but couldn’t find it, so I came up with the following concoction. It’s really good, if I do say so myself 🙂 It took about 15 minutes in total to make. Can’t complain about that really.

Serves 1

Ingredients

1/2- 1 red chilli, finely chopped

1/4 courgette, coarsely grated

1 clove garlic, crushed

30g frozen peas

75g cooked prawns

3 shallots, chopped

3 tablespoon creme fraiche (I used the Weight Watchers one)

75g tagliatelle

2 tablespoon liquid stock

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons sunflower oil

2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped

Method

1. Boil the pasta as per the packet instructions. This should take about 10-12 minutes.

2. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Fry off the onion, garlic and chilli for 3-4 minutes or until the onions have started to soften.

3.  Add in the peas and the prawns and cook for another 4 minutes. Add the liquid stock and spoon in the creme fraiche and stir.

4. The pasta should be cooked by this stage so add it and stir everything through making sure everything is piping hot.

5. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve.