North Carolina Barbecue Sauce

This sauce is one that I have been searching for a good vinegar based barbecue sauce for a long time. I found one on About.com that was outstanding and I have used ever since. I use this on everything from meatloaf to burgers to ribs. And at only 1 point for 1/8 of a cup it is low in points for the amount of flavor that it provides. Also, this uses mostly things that you would already find in your kitchen so there is generally very little if any shopping needed for this recipe.

This is a thinner sauce so beware it may not create a thick coat on whatever you are cooking but it will still provide a great flavor. I am posting this because there are a few recipes coming up that use this sauce and this way you have this ahead of time.

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 1 weight watchers points plus. 46 calories, 9g carbs, 1g fat, 0g protein

Ingredients

• 2 c Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 c Ketchup
• 4 T Dark Brown Sugar
• 4 T Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 T Light Butter
• 4 t Salt
• 1 T Hot Pepper Sauce (I use Franks Red Hot)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pot and bring to a simmer.
2. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Enjoy!

Taco Seasoning

Are you at home and have a taste for tacos but you don't have the packet? Here is a way to make the taco flavors without the packet. I found this on Allrecipes.com and it has been my go to mix ever since. If you like it a little spicier you can add more red pepper flakes but be careful you can go overboard really quickly.

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 0 weight watchers points plus. 8 calories, 1g carbs, 0g fat, 0g protein, 208mg sodium*.

Ingredients

1 T Chili Powder

1/4 t Garlic Powder

1/4 t Onion Powder

1/4 t Red Pepper Flakes

1/4 t Dried Oregano

1/2 t Paprika

1-1/2 t Ground Cumin

1/2 t Sea Salt

1/2 t Ground Black Pepper

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and use as you would a standard taco seasoning packet.

*Note: Most Taco Seasoning Packets range between 265-480mg sodium.

Peas and Onions

When I was making the Chicken Picatta I was looking for a quick and easy side dish to go along with it. I had some frozen peas in the freezers so that is where I started. I found a dish on AllRecipes.com that was super easy and was done before the chicken.

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 3 weight watchers points plus. 110 calories, 13g carbs, 5g fat, 4g protein.

Ingredients

• 2 T Olive Oil
• 1 Large Onion, Diced
• 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 16 oz Frozen Peas
• 1 T Chicken Stock, Fat Free, Reduced Sodium
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat Olive Oil in a skillet

Chicken Piccata

I always asked my parents to make this dish when I was younger. There is just something about the combination of the tartness of the lemon juice and the saltiness of the capers that makes me love this dish. Now that I have found a recipe that makes it lighter without losing ANY of the flavor I feel like I should send a thank you to Emily Bites. She has not only made this dish flavorful and healthy but fairly simple and unintimidating to cook.

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 5 weight watchers points plus. 188 calories, 6g carbs, 6g fat, 27g protein.

Ingredients

• 3 T Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 t Salt
• 1/4 t Black Pepper
• 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves (1 lb total)
• 1 T Olive Oil
• 1 T Light Butter
• 1/2 c Low Sodium Fat Free Chicken Broth
• 3 T Lemon Juice (fresh is better)
• 1 Garlic Clove, Minced
• 1/4 c Capers, Drained and Rinsed

Directions

1. Mix Flour, Salt and Pepper in a resealable bag. Add Chicken and shake to coat.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Peppers

My mom's 29th* birthday was last week and I went over to make dinner for her. When I was brainstorming with Tammy what to make we came up with this idea. I have always found stuffed peppers to be so bland and wanted to find a way to spice them up a bit. The amount of flavor in these was perfect. If you want a little more spice top with a little Tabasco. I originally calculated this recipe for a whole pepper (both sides) was a serving but after eating I found that 1 stuffed pepper with a side was more than enough.

(*actual age redacted for the safety of the author) :-)

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 5 weight watchers points plus. 154 calories, 13g carbs, 7g fat, 11g protein.

Ingredients

• 15 oz can Enchilada Sauce
• 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 Flour Tortilla, Chopped
• 1 Large Spanish Onion, Chopped
• 1 c Frozen Corn, (I used Roundys, Steam n' Serve Fire Roasted Super Sweet Corn from Mariano's)
• 1/4 c Cilantro, Chopped Finely
• 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 4 Large Poblano Peppers
• 1/2 c Shredded Reduced-Fat Mexican Cheese
• 1/2 avocado, sliced thin

Directions

1. Place the frozen Chicken and Enchilada Sauce in the Slow Cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.

Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins

With Football, Hockey and Basketball back in full swing it is the perfect time for some game day food. I found a recipe on SkinnyTaste that has all the flavor of buffalo chicken and packages it in an easy to eat potato skin! When I saw this I had to try them right away because I love potato skins and buffalo chicken and the thought of combining the two makes them even better.

Servings 12 (1 Skin per serving)

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 2 weight watchers points plus. 82 calories, 7g carbs, 2g fat, 8g protein.

Ingredients

• 6 medium Idaho Potatoes
• Cooking Spray (I use an olive oil mister)
• 12 oz Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 Celery Stalk
• 1/2 Onion, cut into 4 chunks
• 1 Clove Garlic
• 16 oz Fat Free Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1/3 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce (or other hot pepper sauce)