Imitation Maple Syrup - 2 points

This is what you serve my nephew to make him a happy breakfast eater:

Since I make my own syrup, I like to experiment with different recipes. This one, because of the Karo syrup, was extra thick. I think I would be even more delicious with Golden Syrup.

Imitation Maple Syrup from The Newcomer's Guide to Cooking in Africa
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 cup karo syrup
3/4 tsp maple flavoring

1. Mix sugar and water and bring to a boil. Boil 3 minutes; making sure sugar is completely disolved.
2. Remove from heat; stir in Karo syrup and maple flavoring.
3. 2 points per 2 tbsp

It is time for me to get back in the kitchen. I need to make some banana cookies to take to an ailing friend. Nothing says, "I love you" and "Get well" like baked goods.

Farmer's Market, Cheese Scones, and U2 in Nashville

Yesterday started out with a successful trip to the Farmer's Market on the square...

Had some lovely bread in the middle...

Cheese Scones from In the Kitchen with the AWA
1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dried mustard
1 cup grated cheese, 2% or less fat
1 cup lowfat milk
6 tsp oil

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and mustard.
2. Add cheese and milk to the flour mixture.
3. Pour 1/2 tsp of oil into each cup of a 12 count muffin tin or stone. Evenly divide batter between cups.
4. Bake at 500F for 10 minutes, until golden brown.
5. Yields 12, 2 point servings - serve hot

And ended with an amazing concert: U2 performing at Vanderbilt University...

Before U2 emerged, we were treated to some interesting numbers...

The band arrived and began to rock our faces off....

The show was similar enough to the Atlanta show two years ago to feel familiar, but there were some amazing additions - like the cool James Bondish CGI during "Mysterious Ways"...

And being outside made the lights that much more impressive...

It was completely amazing - including the humanitarian aspect Bono always brings to the show. (Click here for more.)

They saved my favorite song for the encore, with made me a happy girl. Since it was the end of the concert, it will also be the end of my post. 

Lemon Chicken- 2 points, Menu Plan

It doesn't feel anything like spring in Tennessee, but that doesn't mean it can't taste like it. If you are lucky enough to have grilling weather, use the sauce as a marinade and throw your chicken strips on the grill. Either way, you can't help but savor the delicious lemon and herb sauce that coats these low point chicken treats.

Lemon Chicken

22 oz chicken breast strips

2 tsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp dried rosemary

1 tsp fresh basil, chopped

6 tbsp lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

1. Whisk lemon juice with garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil, thyme, and rosemary. Taste and adjust seasoning.

2. Place chicken in the bottom of an oven safe dish; pour sauce over chicken. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes or until meat is cooked through and springy to touch.

3. Yields 11, 2 point servings

Menu Plan

Saturday

tamale pie

green rice casserole

egg yolk cookies

Sunday

prairie bean tortillas

Monday

ratatouille

Tuesday

yogurt soup with spinach and barley

Wednesday

gingery butternut squash and tofu curry

Thursday

out

Friday

slower cooker lasagna

banana cookies

Mushroom and Swiss Frittata - 2 points

I love frittata because it is delicious. I also love it because it reminds me of my favorite bed and breakfast, the Monteagle Inn.  I have stayed at the Inn twice, and both times were bliss. In addition to luxuriating in the opportunity to lie around and read all day, I loved the food. There are always fresh baked cookies in the snack room and the breakfasts are a gourmet treat. When I eat this frittata, I remember sitting in the sunlit dining room, sipping a fresh cup of coffee, reading the local paper, and eating an amazing, indulgent breakfast of frittata, fried potatoes, and fresh fruit.

If you can't make it to Monteagle this weekend, you can at least fix yourself a tasty, low point breakfast and dream about your perfect bed and breakfast getaway.

Frittata

12 egg whites

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 cup 2% shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

2 tbsp chopped onions

2 tbsp chopped green pepper

1 tbsp chipotle mole

1 tsp olive oil

1. Beat egg whites with salt, pepper, and chipotle mole for 1 minute.  Fold in remaining ingredients, except oil.  

2. Heat oil in a 10" oven proof skillet over medium heat. Pour egg mixture into skillet; reduce heat to medium low. Cook for 10 minutes until bottom is nicely brown when edge is lifted.

3. Heat broiler. Place skillet under the broiler for 30 seconds or until top is nicely browned. Cut into wedges to serve.

4. Yields 4, 2 point servings

Gingerbread Modeling Dough for Random Recipe Challenge

I love Dom's Random Recipe Challenge. It truly forces me to be brave and creative. This time, the challenge was to pick a random recipe from your very first cookbook. Well, I am so lucky to have a wonderful mother who bought me a fabulous cookbook for my first forays into independent cooking. Without further ado, I present Loaves and Fishes: A Love Your Neighbor Cookbook.

 
That this was my first cookbook is in complete keeping with my parents who, despite their conservative outside appearance, are truly hippies on the inside. The authors of this cookbook for children were hoping to educate young people about the realities of world hunger and the need for sustainable agriculture. In the educational preface, some facts are given concerning American over-consumption and world hunger. THe authors also state three goals for young people (rephrased for space).

1. Become educated about world hunger.
2. Become advocates for healthy eating in schools.
3. Make healthy, careful food choices at home.

The book has great pictures and a cute little, hand-drawn ladybug who follows you throughout the book.

I made a big deal of opening the book after dinner one night to choose my random recipe. When the pages fell open to an old favorite, "Gingerbread Modeling Dough", I was simultaneously excited and terrified.  I will tell you more about that later.

First, the recipe. It is a fun recipe that encourages kids to work with their hands and to craft their own, original gingerbread men. I thought it was great fun to make all kinds of gingerbread shapes when I was younger. The texture of the cookie is very chewy, almost doughy. The flavor starts with the spicy ginger and then begins to hint at the sweet molasses until you are engulfed in the very taste of Christmas.


Gingerbread Modeling Dough
1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
3 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup water

1. In a large bowl mix well the margarine and sugar.
2. Beat in the molasses.
3. Add the flour, soda, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
4. Add the water and mix well, using your hands to mix the flour in when the dough becomes stiff.
5. Now the dough is ready to model into gingerbread boys or girls or anything you wish.
6. Place modeled dough on greased cookie sheet. Bake the dough at 350F for 8-10 minutes or longer depending on its thickness.
7. Yields 20, 2 point servings (#7 is not from the cookbook.)

Here is the gingerbread boy I made for Simon (with raisin face and bellybutton,  and sesame seed hair).

Now, obviously I was excited to make this recipe because it is one that is familiar - one that I even love. But terrified? Well, that is another story. I try to keep my blog a happy place, but part of this bit is sad. Trust me, however, that the end is - I think - affirming.

In another life (aka for almost ten years, until three years ago) I was married to another man. Let us call him The Dark. During the first year of our marriage, I made these cookies to share with him. I wanted to share part of my childhood with him - part of myself. He hated them. He not only hated them, but he said degrading things about them. Things I won't put on a blog.

These are not, perhaps, the world's best cookie, but they don't deserve to be defamed. The Dark was defaming them because insulting what someone loves is a way of undermining their self esteem and keeping them in your control. The cookies were something sort of small, but there were bigger things as well. There was Africa. We went there, for him to see my roots, and he hated it. He hated all of it, every place and sight and sound and taste that was the fabric of my heart. He told me that we would never, ever go back.

Fast forward to now. I have a new life, and now a new husband. He wants to go to Africa. I won't take him. I will not take him because I can't risk him hating it. He keeps telling me that he is not The Dark. I know that. But, still...

I set this glass of milk and these star shaped gingerbread modeling dough cookies in front of my husband, who had no idea the emotion behind them. He took a bite. He smiled. He mmmmmed. "Oh. Oh, wow. These are spectacular. I mean, these are amazing. They are so moist! They are so chewy! Can I really only have three?"

He loved them. And, he didn't just love them because they were good. He loved them because I made them. He loved them because he loves me.

So, maybe someday I will take him to Africa. But not yet....

Cinnamon Cream Syrup - 2 points

Since I am working on become the world's foremost pancake blogger (sarcasm, I assure you - I feel positive that there must be an actual foremost pancake blogger out there), I must also share some of my lovely syrups with you. This one is a real dream - it has a hint of the center of a cinnamon bun.

Cinnamon Cream Syrup

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1/4 cup water

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup light soy milk

1. Combine first four ingredients in a medium pot. Bring to boil over medium heat.

2. Boil 2 minutes; stirring constantly.

3. Cool 5 minutes. Stir in milk

4. Yields 18, 2 point servings

In the above picture, I was trying to give you a view of the syrup and of my grandma's beautiful depression glass cream pitcher. It was very difficult to get the glass to show, even in natural light. I hope this gives you a hint of its loveliness.

Pineapple Angel Food Cake - 2 Points

My poor house has been afflicted with a stomach virus for the last few days, so I have felt completely left out of the blogging world! Tonight, I am planning to take most of my time to catch up on your wonderful blogs. So, here is a very fast, easy recipe for you. Don't be deceived by the simplicity of this recipe; it is delicious. The sweetness of the pineapple is offset by that little bit of zip in the angel food. To be fair, I also have to warn you, this is one of those cakes you should share. If you leave it in your fridge, it will call to you in the middle of the night. 

Pineapple Angel Food Cake

1 large can crushed pineapple in juice

1 box angel food cake mix

1. Pour pineapple with juice and cake mix into a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat ingredients on high heat for 2 minutes. 

2. Pour batter into a greased 9x11" cake pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. 

3. Yields 20, 2 point servings (it is also very low in carbs, if you are diabetic)

It was my intention to take a pretty picture of one of the leftover pieces of cake, since I made it for a friend's birthday and didn't want to cut it before the party. However, there were no leftovers! (I swear, one guy ate four pieces. Don't get me wrong - I was quite flattered). Here is the undecorated cake on my desk at work, waiting for a layer of fat free whipped topping. 

And here it is with the topping. 

Do you have foods that are connected with random memories? Whenever I eat angel food cake, I always remember the TV show Highway to Heaven. When I was about seven, I saw an episode of that 80's gem with my parents and some of their friends. In the episode, the bearded sidekick bought his angelic comapanion an angel food cake - thinking it was what angels ate. All of the adults in the room laughed. I, having no idea that there was an actual cake called angel food, had to have the joke explained to me. I still didn't think it was funny, but at least I discovered a new kind of delicious indulgence.

Wendy's Welsh Scones - 2 Points

Dom over at Belleau Kitchen has a new challenge involving your first cookbook. Mine is a hippie-inspired volume called Loaves and Fishes (which I will tell you more about when my life slows down enough for me to actually take on the challenge). I took it down in order to begin the challenge; while flipping through it's pages I found an old favorite that would be perfect to make with a little helper. 

Here are all of the ingredients set out on the table for Simon to dump into the mixing bowl. 

He was a fabulous chef and greatly enjoyed the pouring, mixing, and spooning out. He also greatly enjoyed the fruits of his labor. In fact, after he ate an aunt sanctioned cookie, he pulled a chair up to the cabinet and had a second, unapproved cookie in his mouth faster than I could grab him. I couldn't really blame him. They are slightly sweet, dense, packed with nature's candy - delicious, plump raisins. 

Wendy's Welsh Scones

1 cup white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar Splenda

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp butter

3/4 cup raisins

1 egg

1/2 cup light soy milk

1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients save raisins.

2. Add raisins and mix.  

3. Drop dough by tablespoons full on a stone or greased cookie sheet.

4. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. 
5. Yields 24, 2 point servings

Here are the lovely scones themselves...

And here is the cutie assistant on a trip to the park. 

Eggless Pancakes - 2 points

1. I have to work overtime every day this week.
2. A disk slipped in my back (teaching children to read is dangerous business).
3. My computer has completely crashed, so I have to share the laptop with Stone - the grad student husband.

These are the reasons why, even though it is a few days, I have not get had time to get to my resolution round up. It will come, I promise. After all, these things shall pass.

Here is another pancake recipe. Simon wanted pancakes and I was all out of eggs. Luckily, I found a recipe from cooks.com and was able to adapt it for my needs. I was quite pleased with how they turned out. I served them with homemade berry syrup.

Eggless Pancakes
1 cup flour
1 tsp Splenda or other non-calorie sweetener
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup soy milk, light regular
1 vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp water

1. Sift dry ingredients int a medium bowl. Add wet ingredients; whisk until combined.
2. Let the mixture rest while you heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray. 
3. Cook pancakes, 1/4 cup batter each, flipping when bubbles form and edges are dry.
4. Yields 8, 2 point servings

Enjoy!  I read many books over the break and have so many to share with you. I loved Atonement by Ian McEwan. This was my second attempt at reading it. The first part is painfully dull, and I could not overcome it during my first reading. I am glad that I plowed through it this time, because the second half of the book is truly stunning. The descriptions of the French and English experience during the early years of World War II were riveting. I was also intrigued by the brave work of wartime nurses. Well worth reading, in my humble opinion.

Mixed Berry Syrup - 2 Points

My last post before I am away on holiday! (I am told there is Internet access where we are staying - Stone needs it to upload homework assignments.)

I was fresh out of homemade maple syrup the other day when Simon asked for - of course - pancakes. So, I grabbed a bag of mixed berries out of the freezer and whipped up a batch of mixed berry syrup! Simon was very pleased with the results, although he did look rather startling covered in bright red syrup. 

Mixed Berry Syrup

2 cups mixed berries (I used raspberry, blackberry and blueberry)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1. Stir ingredients together in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; lower heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

2. Place a sieve over a bowl. Pour the syrup, in small batches, into the sieve and use a spoon to gently press until all of the juice is released into the bowl.

3. Discard seeds and skin from the sieve. Transfer the syrup from the bowl to a serving dish.

4. Yields 5, 2 point servings.



The recipe for the eggless pancakes will come later:) I am linking to Frugal Friday, since making your own syrup is a great money saver.

Just a reminder that you will not be hearing from me tomorrow. I hope that you will take some time to consider helping the people of Japan. I read today that some of the major credit card companies are allowing card holders to contribute bonus points as cash to the Red Cross.

I also got a reminder from my favorite recording artist, Amy Grant, reading "Just a reminder from Team Amy -- today the devastation in Japan continues to unfold in epic numbers. Please play a part in the recovery by considering texting REDCROSS to 90999. A $10.00 donation will be charged to your cell phone bill."

Roasted Spaghetti Squash Seeds - 2 points

I made this yummy treat when I cooked spaghetti squash for Valentine's Day. I have never braved seed roasting before and was almost afraid to try a bite when they came out of the oven. I should have had no fear! They are a lovely, nutty treat - great to add crunch to a salad or wrap. I also loved the feeling I got from using almost every part of my squash; I felt like Laura Ingalls Wilder!

Roasted Spaghetti Squash Seeds
seeds from 1 spaghetti squash
salt to taste

1. Wash and dry seeds. Place on a cookie sheet. Spray very lightly using a kitchen spritzer full of olive oil.
2. Roast at 250F for 30-45 minutes. Salt to taste.
3. 2 points per two tablespoons

I have two spaghetti squash in the oven as I type; spaghetti squash kugel is on the menu for this week. It is one of my favorite healthy dishes!

I am linking to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. Lots of yummy treats to be found there!

I am also linking to Real Food Deals, since this is definitly a way to stretch your dollar (or pound or rand or Kwacha) by making the most of your purchase.

Finally, I am linking to Real Food Wednesdays, since this is a very natural treat:)

Garlic Mushrooms in Creamy Sauce - 2 points, Belated Music Friday

I found mushrooms on sale and felt that a creamy, peppery sauce was called for.

Garlic Mushrooms in Creamy Sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb mushrooms, stemmed and quartered
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/8 cup white wine
1/4 cup low fat sour cream

1. Heat a medium pan over medium heat; spray with non-stick cooking spray or kitchen spritzer.
2. Saute garlic in pan for 1 min. Add mushrooms, continue cooking for 5 minutes.
3. Add spices and wine. Reduce heat to simmer; cook 5 minutes or until mushrooms are done.
4. Stir in sour cream; rewarm.
5. Yields 4, 2 point servings

I served this over rice. The delicious, cheesy bread on the side was a store bought treat.

I finished the book A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne. It was an excellent book exploring the cultural differences between those in poverty, the middle class, and the wealthy. While I think it would be useful to anyone, it is especially outstanding for teachers. I feel that I understand my students much better than I did before.

I didn't get my Friday Music for you last night because I was out late at one of those girly parties where one eats snacks and buys things. So, even though it is Saturday, here is the song my Zen DJ has chosen for your Friday Music. We haven't had any English music for a few weeks, so the DJ must have decided to get back to Britain. This is one of my favorites (obviously, or it wouldn't be on my Zen) "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay.

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes - 2 points

You may think, if you look back through the breakfast section of my blog, that I am obsessed with pancakes. I am not. It is Simon. Simon is obsessed with pancakes. Every time that kid is over here at mealtime, he wants pancakes. The problem is that I do not always have the same ingredients on hand, so I have to figure out new pancake recipes depending on what is in the cabinet.

Even though I blog Weight Watchers friendly fare, I almost never, ever give you recipes that come from Weight Watchers. Here is an exception. These delicious pancakes come straight from the Weight Watchers website! Well, sort of. I messed with them a little. I can't help myself.

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 pkt Splenda
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tbsp oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup peeled, chopped apples
1 cup regular, light soy milk
1 tbsp vinegar
2 egg whites

1. In a medium bowl, mix dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients save apples.
2. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients, pour in wet mixture. Stir to combine. Stir in apples.
3. Cook 1/4 cup at time in skillet over medium heat.
4. Yields 10, 2 point servings

As you can see, I am also a creature of habit. Apricot All Fruit and powdered sugar - my pancake topping of choice.

Layered Hearts - 2 points

I typed this one up last night since I assumed that I would be quite knackered after my root canal today. Thanks for the good wishes; it went quite well. I am just rather tired and have already taken a nice nap!

I am obviously very far behind with this one, since this is what I sent to school with Simon on Valentine's Day. I know that is is not seasonally appropriate anymore, but it was delicious. The combination of the strawberry flavor and the sweetened condensed milk was creamy and refreshing. I think that this could be the perfect St. Patrick's Day recipe if one used lime jello instead of strawberry. I imagine it would taste something like key lime pie!


Layered Hearts from FamilyFun.com
1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk
3 (3 ounce) packages strawberry jello
2 (1/4 ounce) envelopes unflavored gelatin

1. Dissolve one pkg strawberry Jello in 3/4 cup boiling water. Add 3/4 cup cold water; pour into a 9x13 inch glass pan and refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. Stir together 1/2 cup boiling water and the condensed milk. In a separate bowl, dissolve all the unflavored gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water for 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in 3/4 cup boiling water; then combine with milk mixture and cool. Add half the mixture to the pan of red gelatin, pouring over a spoon to slow the stream. Refrigerate at least 40 minutes (the directions say 20, but I found that was not long enough - it let to a slightly pink tint between layers).
3. Continue alternating layers - strawberry Jello, milk, and strawberry jello - chilling for at least 40 minutes between each layer.
4. Once layers are all completely chilled, dip the bottom of the pan in warm water for 60 seconds. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to create individual servings.
5. Yields 13, 2 point servings

Here is a serving along with some of Simon's Valentine's Day artwork.

 Here is a view from the side...

I finished rereading the book Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. It is a bit odd if you are reading it for pleasure, but quite good if you are looking to brush up on your philosophy.

Broiled Tofu - 2 points

One quick, delicious menu while I work on my menu plan Monday post!

Broiled Tofu
14 oz firm tofu
salt and pepper

1. Cut tofu into sticks.
2. Place the tofu sticks onto a pizza stone or baking tray. Spray with kitchen spritzer.
3. Place the tofu under your oven broiler until golden brown.
4. Turn the tofu and spray again with a kitchen spritzer.
5. Return tofu to oven. Broil until golden brown.
6. After removing tofu from the oven, add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Yields 4, 2 point servings

Homemade Chunky Marinara Sauce - 2 Points

Last night I started telling you about the Valentine's Day meal I made for Stone. I started on the bottom with the spaghetti squash. The next level is, of course, the homemade marinara. I like my sauce chunky - I want to see the vegetables. Also, you will notice that I do not peel my tomatoes. I happen to like the peel. Plus, the peel is good for you (lots of carotenoids in there).

Homemade Chunky Marinara Sauce
2 lbs tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp olive oil
1 large onion, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkt Splenda or other non-calorie sweetener
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried marjoram
salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat olive oil in medium saucepan over medium heat Add onions and garlic; saute until onions are transparent.
2. Add herbs and sweetener, stir until warmed.
3. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for at least one hour.
4. Yeilds 6, 2 point servings

I hope you are not tired of my literary ramblings as I did finish another book today: A Reliable Wife, by Robert Goolrick. I am trying to come to terms with the fact that I do not like books without sympathetic characters. I feel that I am supposed to like this book because it is chock full of terribly flawed characters doing horrible things to each other (which seems to be considered very sophisticated in the literary world). Yet, I find myself searching for a character with whom I can identify. The closest I could come in this novel was the minor character of the housekeeper. I am going to have to accept the fact that I need to like at least one main character to actually enjoy reading a book.

Quick Mushrooms - 2 points

Here is another great recipe from 1000 Vegetarian Recipes. It was super fast, but very tasty. Instead of serving it on toast, I made some whole wheat sourdough muffins to accompany it.

Quick Mushrooms
1 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 lb white mushrooms, quartered
1/4 tsp salt

1. In a medium skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add the onions and saute until brown, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring, 4 minutes or until soft.
3. Sprinkle with salt.
4. Yields 4, 2 point servings

I just finished re-reading a favorite book: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, but Sherman Alexie. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Alexie speak at the Southern Festival of Books. He is every bit as funny and charming in person as he is in his wonderful books. This particular book is one of the most contentious in the academic world at the moment; it is being banned all over the country because of its - in my opinion - unflinching honesty.

What is a book that you have re-read?

Beer Bread - 2 points

A couple of years ago, I heard a sermon about bread. The pastor was explaining, as a illustration, how he had to work dates with his fiance around what bread she was in the mood for. I completely identified with that wise woman. I too fantasize about bread...cheddar biscuits from Red Lobster, yeast rolls from Logan's Road House, garlic bread from Ahart's Pizza Garden, onion kulcha from the Clay Pit. I could go on, but this blog is supposed to be helping me stay healthy and thinking about all of those carby treats is not helping my resolve.

I wanted a nice, hot, crusty bread to accompany my Lebanese beef stew. Lean and Luscious came to my rescue. Why on earth I had a light beer (a Turkish Eefes of all things) in my pantry is a mystery. I don't drink beer. I will buy it again, though, because it makes darn good bread!

Beer Bread
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1, 12 oz bottle light beer
1/8 tsp onion powder
1 tsp caraway seeds

1. Combine dry ingredients; mix well. Add beer. Stir until foam subsides and all ingredients are moistened.
2. Pour into a 4x8 inch loaf pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Bake 45 minutes at 375F.
4. Cool 5 minutes in pan before turning out onto wire rack.
5. Yields 12, 2 point servings

Instant Oatmeal Pancakes - 2 points

My fab friend Lisa sent me a recipe for pancakes using instant oatmeal. I thought it was a terrific idea! Unfortunatly, I couldn't find the recipe that Lisa sent, but I was able to find another one on the internet at cooks.com. I used the basics of that recipe to put these pancakes together. They were tasty, filling, and are a quick, hot breakfast for a busy morning.

Instant Oatmeal Pancakes
2 packets instant oatmeal (I used cinnamon roll flavor)
1 banana, mashed
1 egg white
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder

1. Mix all indredients together in a medium bowl.
2. Place a medium skillet over medium heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Fry as for regular pancakes.
3. Yields 8, 2 point servings

I had mine with powdered sugar and all fruit spread. Thanks again, fab friend Lisa:)

Roasted Cauliflower - 2 points

Adapted from Superfoods for Women.


Roasted Cauliflower
1 large head cauliflower, separated into florets
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste

1. In a small bowl, mix garlic and sesame oil.
2. Place cauliflower in a cake pan or stone. Pour oil over cauliflower and toss to coat.
3. Roast for 15 minutes in a 375F oven, turning every 5 minutes to ensure all sides are browned. Before serving, salt and pepper to taste.
4. Yields 4, 2 point servings