French Bread

I'm dedicating this post to my Royal Crest girls. Had such a fun lunch today and the bread recipe was requested. It's way quick (as far as bread goes) and can be mixed in a mixer -- even the kitchenaid if you don't have a bigger one. Just finish kneading by hand when it starts to climb the arm of the attatchment. you can do it Stacey!!! ;)

3 c. warm water
2 T. Yeast
1/2 t. sugar
let sit for a few minutes 'til foamy, then add:
1/4 c. shortning
1/8 c. sugar
1 T. salt
7-8 c. flour (I use 3 (or so) c. whole wheat flour)
Knead 10 min. Let raise 10 min. covered.
Roll out in a rectangle ***and roll up (like cinnamon rolls) to get all the air bubbles out. Place on greased baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg white and slash the top with a sharp knife. Can sprinkle with sesame/poppy seeds.
Let loaves rise 20 min, bake at 350 for 35 min. - makes 2 large loaves (or 3 small)

***For cinnamon french bread just sprinkle a little cinnamon and sugar here. This also makes yummy french toast with day-old bread.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This recipe was given to me by my friend Karen -- after she served us girls lunch one day. It's way flavorful and very filling. (And I love having the chicken recipe around for salads etc)

2 T. oil (or less)
1 small onion, diced
1 jalepeno, seeded and diced (I just used bottled ones I had)
5 cloves garlic, minced
6 c chicken broth
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (4oz) can chopped green chilies
1 c cilantro, chopped (I don't like cilantro, so I used some fresh parsley)
"Lisa's Cafe Rio" Chicken Recipe (found below) (I only used like half of the chicken)
Sour Cream
Avocado
shredded cheese
Tortilla chips, crushed

Saute onion in oil. When translucent add chopped jalapeno and garlic. Cook for couple of min. then add chicken broth, tomatoes, black beans, green chilies, chicken and cilantro.
Serve with the remaining toppings.

Lisa's Cafe Rio Chicken

3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken
1 1/2 c. Italian dressing (I used fat-free)
1 T minced garlic
1 T chili powder
juice of 1 lime
1/4 c. cilantro

Chicken in crock pot, with Italian dressing and garlic. Cover and cook for 7-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Remove chicken, shred with forks and back in crock. Cover and cook additional 30 min. Add lime juice and cilantro. Serve in tacos, burritos, quesadillas or taco salad.

Minestrone

I didn't take a picture but I made this minestrone the other rainy day and the flavor was so right in my book. (and way easy to throw in the crock pot in the morning)

The only variation was that I didn't have sage so I left it out -- it was still yummy but I wonder if it would be deeper with sage in. I also think adding some grilled chicken would be good.

I used a cup more broth and 3 servings of pasta and it calculated to 3 points plus pts per 1 cup serving.

Green protein smoothie

after a hard work out in the morning this is my new favorite breakfast. made with:

1 c. skim milk

2 scoops vanilla protein shake powder (Noni Fit)

plenty of fresh strawberries (1 c. or more)

1/2 banana

1-2 c. spinach

few ice cubes

1 t. canola oil

it makes almost more than I can drink but is only 6 WW points plus

and it's not just tolerable, it's GOOD. and the best part about it is that I get to check off 3 fruit/veg boxes, one oil, a milk and a lean protein. At least my day is STARTED right.

black bean and corn salsa

There are a few different variations of this but this is how I like it -- or, LOVE it:

1-2 cans beans (black or black and pinto)
1 can sweet corn
chopped tomatoes
diced avacado
splash of fat free Italian dressing to taste

it's good with tortilla chips, pita chips, over taco salad, on pizza, over fish, navajo tacos etc etc etc.
Truman likes it in a bowl and my other kids would eat it all day.

hot bread and pear spinach salad

this is what I had for lunch: (well, not in this form...)

THIS form, but I didn't eat it ALL.
and this: spinach, fresh pears, slivered almonds and a tiny bit of some divine dressing.

(the day before I had the same salad with strawberries instead and it was delish too)
the picture must be foggy for romantic effect?

Salad Dressing:
1 c sugar
1 t dry mustard
1/4 c red onion, finely chopped
1/2 c red wine vinegar
1 t salt
blend in blender, adding 7/8 c vegetable oil slowly until thick. Then add:
1 t poppy seeds

(I didn't say it was a healthy dressing -- that's why you only need a bit and it does wonders for the greens.)

Shrimp Cocktail

is good. If served icy cold, and with a good cocktail sauce. I found a recipe on line, last minute. It served the purpose and didn't call for horseradish -- because I didn't have any. But I think I went crazy with the chili powder, 'cause it was a little spicier than I like. Anyone have a favorite recipe for a good sauce?