Cilantro Thai Grilled Chicken

(serves 4)


INGREDIENTS:
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup cilantro
2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce (or 1 tablespoon of reduced sodium soy sauce)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts


DIRECTIONS:

1. Place first four ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.

2. Pour marinade over chicken breast and let flavors sink in for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
Prepare your grill or broiler.

3. Cook until temperature registers 165F on the meat thermometer. Let the chicken breasts rest for 5 minutes before serving, to prevent the meat from drying.

Cilantro Thai Grilled Chicken w/Quinoa and Tomato Salad and Sauteed Veggies

* See the original recipe in this cool food blog: http://www.artsy-foodie.com/2008/09/wonderful-tasting-chicken-breast-recipe.html

Summer Lime Chicken and Veggies

Summer Lime Chicken is a delicious recipe to liven up chicken breasts. The flavors of lime, cilantro, and garlic combine well to create a great citrus taste that's very light and fresh. This marinade is one of my favorites for grilling chicken breasts, and it also tastes great on lean pork chops.

Once you make the marinade, you should let the chicken marinate for 20-30 minutes. You want to give it enough time to combine the flavors and soak into the chicken, but you don't want to let the lime juice sit on the meat for too long (it will get tough!).



INGREDIENTS:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
2 tbsp olive oil
3 limes, juiced
4 cloves garlic, minced (or to taste)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 bunch cilantro, chopped fine

DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine all ingredients and pour over pounded chicken. Let marinate for 20-30 minutes. Grill until done; internal temperature should be about 160 F.

I usually serve this meal with some kind of mixed vegetables. One of my favorite combinations (pictured here), is broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, and garlic. I usually steam the veggies in a microwave steamer for about 7 minutes. I also cut the green beans into pieces, so they are easier to handle and eat. After steaming, I heat a small amount of olive oil in a large skillet and add minced garlic (having a jar of minced garlic in the refrigerator is very handy!) and steamed veggies. I cook them on medium to low heat until the veggies are a little softer. When ready, I turn off the fire and toss in my chopped tomatoes. This way, they get warm but not mushy.

Parmesan-Crusted Pork Chops

PointsPlus value per serving: 6
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 7 minutes

INGREDIENTS

4 (4-ounce) boneless center-cut loin pork chops (about 1/2 inch thick)
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 lemon wedges
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

DIRECTIONS

1. Place pork between 2 sheets of plastic wrap; pound to an even thickness (about 1/4 inch) using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet.

2. Place egg white in a shallow dish. Combine panko, cheese, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Dip pork in egg white; dredge in panko mixture, pressing gently with fingers to coat.

3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add pork; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Squeeze 1 lemon wedge over each pork chop; sprinkle evenly with thyme.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 pork chop).

Per Serving: Calories - 253, Fat - 12g, Protein - 27.4g, Fiber - 0.6g, Carbohydrates - 6.2g

*I used Italian Seasoning flavored panko crumbs.


Recipe is from the cookbook Weight Watchers: Our Best Quick & Easy Meals

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp crushed garlic
1/2 tsp garlic salt
olive oil (optional)

pizza sauce, shredded cheese and your choice of toppings


DIRECTIONS

To "Rice" the Cauliflower:
Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater). Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. There is no need to add water, as the natural moisture in the cauliflower is enough to cook itself.

One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

To Make the Pizza Crust:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir. Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, pat out into a 9" round. Optional: Brush olive oil over top of mixture to help with browning.

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven. To the crust, add sauce, toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes).

Enjoy!

*Note that toppings need to be precooked since you are only broiling for a few minutes.



We had tomato paste on two of our pizzas and Bolthouse Blue Cheese dressing on th other two. Three of them were topped with broccoli and tomatoes left from the previous night's dinner, chicken breast, and mozzarella cheese. One of the pizzas was like a Margherita pizza with tomato slices, cheese, and basil.

Check out the original recipe and blog here:
http://www.eat-drink-smile.com/2011/04/cauliflower-crust-pizza.html

Balsamic Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Balsamic Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

* 8 cups 1-inch-thick slices cauliflower florets, (about 1 large head)
* 2 tsp tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* Freshly ground pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
* 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.

2. Toss cauliflower, oil, marjoram, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast until starting to soften and brown on the bottom, 15 to 20 minutes. Toss the cauliflower with vinegar and sprinkle with cheese. Return to the oven and roast until the cheese is melted and any moisture has evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes more.


A slightly modified version of the recipe I found here: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/balsamic_parmesan_roasted_cauliflower.html

I used less olive oil than the recipe called for, and it did not yield as much cauliflower as it said it might. I roasted it on a cookie sheet covered with foil and nonstick spray.

Beef Tenderloin with Fresh Herb Sauce

PointsPlus® value | 5
Servings | 2
Preparation Time | 10 min
Cooking Time | 8 min
Level of Difficulty | Easy

Ingredients
* 1/2 cup(s) parsley, fresh, leaves
* 1/4 cup(s) cilantro, fresh, leaves
* 1 clove(s) garlic clove(s), smashed with side of a knife, peeled
* 2 Tbsp water
* 1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
* 1 tsp olive oil
* 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
* 1/2 tsp table salt, divided
* 1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
* 1 spray(s) cooking spray
* 8 oz uncooked lean and trimmed beef tenderloin, (use two 1-inch-thick steaks)

Instructions

* In a blender or food processor, place parsley, cilantro, garlic, water, vinegar, oil, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Blend on high, pulsing, until a smooth sauce is formed; set aside.

* Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Sprinkle beef with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; add beef to skillet and cook, flipping once, about 7 to 8 minutes for medium, or longer for desired degree of doneness. Serve with sauce. Yields 1 steak and about 1/3 cup sauce per serving.

Notes

You can grill the steak if desired (cooking time may vary from above).


*** I served this with broccoli and green beans that had been steamed in the microwave for 7 minutes and then sauteed in skillet with a little olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes (added at the last minute).

Tex-Mex Chicken with Zucchini

See the recipe online here:
http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=315891

Tex-Mex Chicken with Zucchini
PointsPlus® Value: 5
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 25 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
12 oz uncooked boneless, skinless chicken thigh(s), cut into 2-in chunks
1 1/2 tsp olive oil, divided
1 medium uncooked onion(s), chopped
1 large uncooked zucchini, halved lengthwise, sliced into 1/2-in thick slices
1 cup(s) frozen corn kernels
1 Tbsp minced garlic
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes, in sauce
1/3 cup(s) cilantro, fresh, chopped

Instructions
1. In a small cup, combine oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Place chicken in a
bowl and toss with 1 1/2 teaspoons spice mixture; reserve remaining spice mix.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add
chicken and sauté until browned, about 5 minutes; remove to a plate.
3. Heat remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil in same skillet over medium-high heat; add
onions and sauté until lightly browned but still crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
Add zucchini and corn to skillet; sauté until zucchini is lightly browned, about
4 minutes.
4. Add garlic and reserved spice mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook,
stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in diced tomatoes and their
sauce; bring to a simmer over medium heat.
5. Add chicken and 1/4 cup water (to prevent chicken from sticking to pan);
cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until chicken is cooked through about
5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro; serve. Yields about 1 1/2 cups
per serving.

** Can be served over rice or with couscous with a squeeze of lime juice. Would also be good with tortilla chips, tortillas, any kind of pasta, quinoa, etc.