Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Chicken Salsa Soup- 3 PointsPlus Value

12 oz raw chicken cut into pieces
2 bullion cubes
3 1/2 cups water
1 or 2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 cups corn
3/4 cups black beans
1 cup thick and chunky salsa

Bring water, bullion cubes, and chili powder to a boil.  Add chicken and cook for 8 minutes.  Add corn and cook for 5 minutes more.  Add beans and salsa and heat through.  Makes 7 1cup servings.  You can add fat free sour cream, lean cheese, avocado, and/or tortilla chips.  Adjust the PointsPlus values.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Creamy Potato Soup- 3 Points Plus Values

6 bullion cubes
6 cups water
1 pound hash brown potatoes
1/2 large onion chopped
1 pack of Pioneer Brand Country Sausage Flavor Gravy Mix

Combine bullion cubes and water and heat in the microwave and stir until dissolved.  Spray a pot with pam.  Saute potatoes and onions over medium/high heat until onions are translucent and potatoes are mushy.  Add some bullion mixture to prevent sticking as needed.  Add remaining bullion mixture and gravy mix and bring to a boil.  Simmer for 20 minutes.

Makes 8 one cup servings.  You can also add corn, diced ham or bacon (reduce the bullion if you do),  and/or grated cheese.  Adjust the PointsPlus value if you do.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Swiss Mushroom Onion Burgers- 7 PointsPlus

The PointsPlus value on these burgers can vary widely depending on the kind of bun and ground beef you use.  This is how I do it.

Saute sliced onions and mushrooms in a hot pan sprayed with pam and set aside.  You can use olive oil if you are trying to get in your healthy oils, but this will increase the PointsPlus Value.

Form one 1/4 pound of very lean ground beef into a patty and sprinkle with garlic salt.  Grill in George Forman Grill or on the BBQ.

Toast a hamburger bun in the toaster.  I use the little store brand kind.  Then I smear one wedge of Laughing Cow light creamy swiss on the bun.  Add the hamburger patty and the onions and mushrooms.  Yummmy!