Grated Egg Curry - 1 point

In May, I bookmarked a recipe from Sobha at Good Food. One of my favorite dishes is egg curry; I grew up eating a version made with whole, boiled eggs. Sobha's version, using grated eggs, greatly intrigued me.  I made it for dinner today, and was pleased to find that it is every bit as delicious as I anticipated. Egg is a beautiful texture for curry, and Sobha's blend of spices is spot-on perfect.

The only change I made to the dish was to use 6 egg whites instead of 3 eggs - this was simply to cut down on fat content and, thus, lower the WW points of the dish. This recipe with the egg white substitution (click here for the original) yields 3, 1 point servings.

A bit of news about a change to my blog. You know that I am a teacher and my husband is a librarian. You also know that teachers and librarians are not paid exorbitant salaries and that we are attempting to pay off some debt (car loan) while also paying Stone's grad school tuition (ouch). The university announced that they are extorting us raising that tuition quite a bit. In order to stay afloat in Angela/Stone household (Stanglea or Anone - we have not decided), we have to tighten our belts. Therefor, I am going to stop using Weight Watchers and start using the free tools on Livestrong.com. I have a few recipes left for which I have already calculated points (and almost 150 already posted here). However, soon I will not be posting point values anymore. I will try to give as much nutritional information as possible so that those on Weight Watchers can calculate their own points. 

Now, I am off to visit my friend the tread mill as I succumbed to a truly irresistible temptation - chocolate hazelnut cookies.  I know you don't blame me, but my thighs do.

Creamy Cabbage Soup - 1 Point

Yes, this soup is one point. I know, I know, you are thinking, "That must mean it tastes bland and boring." Not so, not so? First of all - cabbage and onions are always a good combo. Add in some broth, some sausage, and black pepper - ah, perfection. One point of oh-so-good!

Creamy Cabbage Soup - 1 point

1 small head of cabbage, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

6 oz low fat chicken sausage, sliced

4 cups fat free chicken broth

3/4 cup sugar free almond milk (fat free milk could be substituted)

1 tsp ground black pepper

1. Combine cabbage, onion, sausage, and broth in a large pot. Simmer until vegetables are tender.

2. Stir milk and pepper into soup. Heat until bubbly.

3. Yields 8, 1 point servings

I have missed a few Fridays of music Friday, but I do have a song for you tonight. This one is not chosen randomly by my MP3 player as per usual. Last night at Maundy Thursday services and this morning at Good Friday service, there were beautiful performances of the African American spiritual "Were you There?" Listening to the sounds of this sad song with its African harmonies took me back to childhood; I grew up listening to "Where you There" on an old Mahalia Jackson LP. Now, if you do not know the voice of Mahalia Jackson, you are missing out on one of the most beautiful and powerful voices of all time. The emotion she can convey in a single note is unprecedented. Whatever your spiritual beliefs, I don't think you can resist being touched when you hear her sing.

Since I have missed a few Fridays, I hope you will indulge me with one more song from Mahalia Jackson. This is my favorite of her songs, another African American spiritual entitled "Sweet Little Jesus Boy". Now, there is one person in the world who I think outdoes her on this song, but since my dad's ethereal tenor cannot be found on You Tube, here is Mahalia's stirring rendition.

Chilled Cucumber Soup - 1 point

Would you hire this pianist? He knows all the words to "Bob the Builder" and "Scooby Doo".

I am still on liquids today, as my mouth is very sore from all of my dental work. Honestly, the crown was worse than the root canal! You would think that something called a crown would be pleasant. After all, I am a big fan of pretty jewelry. One of my friends told me to ask them to give me a gold tooth with my initials in diamonds. Do you think insurance would cover that? ;)

I don't mind surviving on a liquid diet when the liquids are thick, chocolate smoothies and refreshing chilled soups. Here is a cucumber soup that elevates that humble vegetable to a whole new level.

Chilled Cucumber Soup from 1000 Vegetarian Recipes
2 medium cucumbers, peeled and seeded
1 small onion, quartered
1 cup water
1 cube chicken bouillon
1/2 tsp dried dill weed
1 cup fat free milk
1 tsp vinegar
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

1. Place cucumbers, onion, water, bouillon, and dill in a food processor or blender. Cover and blend until smooth.
2. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and blend until combined. Chill.
3. Yields 4, 1 point servings

I followed some advice from Rebecca and read this interesting article on food blogging. It was eye opening for me. Here is what I feel concretely, which was reinforced after reading this article: the two best things about blogging are the creativity it allows me and the truly amazing people I "meet". I appreciate each and every one of my followers, I love your comments, and I am blessed to read your posts. If I had the technical skills, I would create a BEST FOLLOWERS IN THE WORLD award for you!

David Lebovitz mentions photography and gives some tips. One of my favorite "uncles" happens to be a fabulous, globe trotting photographer. A recent article compiled some of his tips. I highly recommend it.

Discover the Photographer Within

If you are interested in seeing more of his photographs, he has an excellent display from a recent trip to Australia. Just click here. (Truly, I am so proud of him! Can you tell?)

David Lebovitz says I shouldn't give you so much text without a picture and that I should showcase the culture in which I live. So, here is a picture of some lovely Tennessee horses.  Ya'll come back now, ya hear?  

Stir Fried Broccoli - 1 point

I promised you this recipe a few days ago, when I did my resolution round up! Here it is....

Stone and I went out to eat at our favorite Chinese restaurant, Bo Bo Chinese, for Valentine's Day. This was thanks to his parents who slipped us some cash after finding out we had used our Valentine's money to take Simon out for reward pizza. (It is nice to be in love with someone who has lovely parents.)

While we were enjoying our meal, a couple walked in and asked the hostess, "Do ya'll have a buffet?"

"No," she replied, "We have a menu. Would you like to see it?"

"No thanks," said the man, "We really want a buffet." The couple turned and walked out. Stone and I looked at each other with eyebrows cocked.

I am not disparaging the buffet, but it was a bit of an eye opening moment. Stone and I used to go to buffets - whether it be pizza or Chinese or southern style food. We would load up plate after plate of food and leave feeling miserable. Now, I look back and wonder at the fat that I would consume in that one sitting. I have no problem with indulgence now and then, but this was a frequent occurrence.

My eating has changed so much - my whole lifestyle has changed. There is a part of me that misses the buffet - the multitude of dishes laid out for me so that I didn't have to make a choice about what I wanted. I could have it all. The bigger part of me is thankful that I am not doing that to myself anymore; I am healthier and happier.

Here is a lovely bowl of hot and sour soup that I enjoyed that day...

Here is a recipe for stir fried broccoli that will taste much better than the wilted stuff you would get off a buffet.

Stir Fry Broccoli
1 lb broccoli florets
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 cubes chicken bouillon
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup onion, chopped

1. Combine soy sauce, water, and bouillon cubes. Set aside.
2. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray. Add onions, saute until transparent.
3. Add broccoli and stir fry for three minutes.
4. Add sauce and reheat.
5. Yields 4, 1 point servings

Meanwhile, I am still enjoying smoothies.... Temporary crown goes on tomorrow!

Pork Meatballs - 1 Point Each

Time for the final piece of Valentine's Day dinner - the meatballs. I love to make huge batches of homemade meatballs and keep a bag in the freezer. I can pull out a few at a time for sandwiches, sweet and sour, Swedish, Italian - whatever my heart desires. This is my go-to meatball recipe. I don't always use pork, but ground pork was the cheapest meat for sale in the grocery store this past week.

Pork Meatballs
2 lb ground pork
1 cup steel cut oats
1/2 cup fat free milk
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
2 egg whites
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp pepper

1. In a large bowl, mixed all ingredients until well combined (I use my hands). Shape mixture into 50 meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches each).
2. Place meatballs on in an ungreased cast iron skillet or baking dish.
3. Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes
4. Yields 50, 1 point meatballs

Second on my list tonight, I wish you a very happy Pink Saturday. Here is my pink pictures for the week; embroidery detail from a quilt my grandmother made many moons before I was born. Because the quilt includes several pieces of fabric taken from dresses my mother wore in high school, my grandmother gave the quilt to me a few years ago. I cherish it. (For good measure I decided to show you another piece of the quilt - a sunbonnet girl made from some of my mother's high school clothes.)

For the Pink Saturday challenge, I have chosen one of my favorite posts from last week. Check out this decadent recipe for pumpkin soup!

Finally, I always leave you with a Friday Song, randomly selected by the DJ on my Zen. I do have very eclectic tastes so we are going from British folk alternative to Christian hip hop to this week's offering - country. Raul Malo, lead singer of The Mavericks and talented solo artist, has one of the sexiest voices in the world. Here is "I Should Know" by The Mavericks.

Easy Valentine Hearts - 1 Point

It has been a very long time since I made Jello jigglers, and I wanted to practice before I try to make the treat I am planning to send to school with Simon. I had some canned whipped cream in the fridge, so I made myself a cute little treat.

Jello Jiggler Hearts
2 1/2 cups boiling water
2 pkg (3 oz) sugar free red Jello (I used cherry)
canned whipped topping, lite

1. Stir Jello into boiling water for about 3 minutes, until thoroughly combined. Pour into a 9x11 inch glass pan. Refrigerate 3 hours, until very firm.
2. Dip bottom of the pan into warm water for 10 seconds to loosen Jello. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes in the jello.
3. Create heart sandwiches by spraying a layer of whipped cream over one heart and topping with another. Spray an outline, x, o, or other shape around the top heart.
4. Each sandwich is 1 point

These were very cute, super easy, and yummy!

Steamed Corn on the Cob - 1 point

I know that this recipe is ridiculously easy - but some of the best recipes are. I love corn on the cob. I'm not going to lie and say that I don't like it dripping in butter - I do. Butter will cover up a multitude of sins from overcooking to bland corn. Now that I only use a few spritzes of spray butter, I need my corn to taste really, really good - perfectly cooked. I want those kernels to pop when I bite down on them, and I want the flavor to be left in the corn, not cooked out into the water.

Here is my favorite method for perfect corn on the cob.

Steamed Corn on the Cob
4 large cobs of corn, cleaned and cut into 3rds

1. Place the cobs into an 11x9 inch glass pan.
2. Pour water into the pan until depth reaches 1/2 inch. Cover the pan with foil.
3. Place the pan into a 400F oven for 30 minutes. Drain immediately upon removing from oven.
4. Yields 12, 1 point servings

Someday, I think I might add another blog or some posts focusing on literature. After all, I am a reading teacher and book nerd. I finished three books this week. Mr. Peanut, by Adam Ross. I read this because Mr. Ross is a friend of a friend. It was about men who want to kill their wives. It was well written, and I can see why it received so much praise. It was also quite depressing. There was not a single truly sympathetic character in the whole book.

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, by Paula Danzinger. I have read this one many times. If you are woman who has struggled with your weight, you should read this book. It is adolescent lit, and reading about how Marcy's friends and family influence her body image is very enlightening.

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, by Bette Bao Lord. This was another re-read. It is a semi-autobiographical book about a little girl who immigrates to New York from China. I love the stories about Shirley, the main character, attempting to embrace her new home without losing her cultural traditions. Jackie Robinson becomes her hero, in part because he is embarking on a frightening but exciting journey - playing on the newly integrated Dodgers - just as she is on her own journey of self discovery.  

I would love to know what you are reading:)

Sauted Mushrooms - 1 point

Sauted Mushrooms
1 lb fresh mushrooms, washed, halved
1 oz red wine
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste

1. In a small bowl, mix all ingredients except mushrooms.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray. Add mushrooms to skillet, pour sauce mix over mushrooms.
3. Once the sauce has heated through, cover the pan and reduce heat to low. Simmer 5-8 minutes, until parsley has wilted and mushrooms have darkened.
4. Yields 4, 1 point servings

Fried Zucchini - 1 point

This is probably one of the easiest recipes in the world, but one should never underestimate the power of simplicity! My mom started making zucchini this way when I was in high school, and it is now one of my only non-carb comfort foods.

Fried Zucchini with Onions

1 large onion, sliced

1 1/5 lb zucchini, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray or kitchen spritzer. Add onions and garlic and sauté 3 minutes.
2. Add zucchini. Cook, stirring frequently, for 20 minutes or until zucchini is soft.
3. Yields 4, 1 point servings. 

Creamed Spinach - 1 point

This is one of my favorite ways to eat spinach. I was happy to find that I didn't even have to change anything to make it just 1 point per serving!

Creamed Spinach
1 lb spinach, rinsed and chopped
2 tbsp onion, diced
2 tbsp light cream cheese
1/8 tsp salt
pinch ground nutmeg

1.Spray a large skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Saute onions in skillet over medium heat until softened.
2. Add spinach; cook until wilted (about 2 minutes). Drain any liquid from skillet.
3. Add the cream cheese, salt, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring, until cheese has melted and there is no excess liquid in the skillet.
4. Yields 6, 1 point servings

Cream Cheese and Fruit French Toast - 5 points, 1 point

This morning, before I started feeling a nasty winter cold coming on, my nephew joined me for breakfast Auntie Antics. He likes French toast, so I tried this recipe from my Lean and Luscious cookbook (with a few tweaks, of course). It turned out very well and tasted quite decadent for five points.

Cream Cheese and Fruit French Toast
4 slices of high fiber bread such as WhiteWheat
2 tbsp nuefchatel cheese
2 tbsp all fruit spread
1 egg white
1/4 cup vanilla almond mild
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Create two sandwhich using 2 pieces of bread, 1 tbsp cream cheese, and 1 tbsp fruit spread for each.
2. In a shallow bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Place sandwiches in the bowl. Let sit for five minutes. Turn, and leave for another five minutes.
3. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat; spray with kitchen spritzer or non stick cooking spray such as Pam. Fry sandwiches one at a time, turning when browned.
4. Yields 2, 5 point sandwiches

Below are our two sandwiches. I made Simon's with whole wheat bread, which he prefers, so it is slightly higher in points than if using a high fiber white bread as called for in the recipe. Simon also wanted syrup, which would add an additional point.  I sprinkled mine with a dusting of powdered sugar and served each with a side of sliced bananas.

I also make my own syrup. I was out of maple syrup one day and didn't feel like going to the store. Now, my family just likes it better (and it is much cheaper to make your own).

"Maple" Syrup

4 cups sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 cups water

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp maple flavoring

1. In a medium saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a boil; stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved.

2. Cover; cook over medium low heat for 10 minutes.

3. Remove from stove and allow 10 minutes of cooling time before gently stirring in vanilla and maple.

4. 1 point per tbsp

By mid afternoon, my throat hurt and my nose was running and I was very whiny. So, no cooking supper. Stone, the best friend, came over and cooked for me while I lay on the couch watching Cinderella. He even cleaned up the kitchen when we were done with dinner. What a guy.

Curried Cabbage - 1 point

This is one of my comfort foods. Enjoy!

Curried Cabbage
1 medium green cabbage, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
3 cloves garlic
3 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp dried cilantro
salt to taste

1. In a large skillet, add all ingredients except cabbage. Simmer for five minutes to blend flavors.
2. Add cabbage. Cook, covered, over medium low heat until cabbage is tender.
3. Yields 5, 1 point servings

Vegetarian Oat Burgers with Rosemary Yogurt Sauce - 3 points, 1 point

This is a recipe that I got from a friend years ago. I am pretty sure she got it from Simply Heavely: The Monestary Vegetarian Cookbook by Abbot George Burke. Two notes on this recipe. First, if you are a vegetarian, please check your Worcestershire sauce before using. One of the main ingredients is anchovies. You can get it without, but you will need to read the label. Second, I recommend that you never think of vegetarian food as a substitute for meat. This burger doesn't taste like a hamburger. If you expect it to, you will be disappointed. Look at it as something completely different, as a whole new culinary adventure, and you will enjoy it much more.


Vegetarian Oat Burgers

4 1/3 cups water
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
¼ tsp Italian seasoning
1 ½ cups soy sauce
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 ½ cups rolled oats


1. Combine everything except the oats and bring to a boil in the saucepan.

2. Reduce the heat and add oats. Stir well. Cook about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.

3. Form or cut into patties and brown in oil or put them on a baking sheet and bake at 400 for 45 minutes, turning every 15 minutes. (I used a baking stone, so I cooked mine for 20 minutes, then turned for the last 10.)

4. Yields 15, 3 point servings

I served mine topped with fresh tomato slices and a rosemary yogurt sauce.

Rosemary Yogurt Sauce

1 cup fat free, plain yogurt

1 tbsp chopped, fresh rosemary

1/2 tsp chili powder

salt to taste.

1. Mix all ingredients. Place sauce in refrigerator for at least 20 minute to allow flavors to blend.

2. Yields 7, 1 point servings

Caraway Slaw - 1 point

Caraway Slaw

1/2 medium head of cabbage, shredded
1/2 medium red onion, chopped
3 medium carrots, shredded
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
2 tsp caraway seeds
salt and pepper to taste

1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Makes 5, 1 point servings