Thursday, June 21, 2012

Weight Watchers Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies



Don't let the name fool you, this recipe is amazing.
 If you have ever had Harmon's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, it tastes just like it.

Ingredients:
1 box of spice cake mix
1 small can of pumpkin
1/2 bag of mini chocolate chips (recipe calls for a whole bag, but I do not prefer that many)

Mix all ingredients together and place on greased cookie sheet.  If you are wanting to keep to Weight Watchers*, spoon tablespoon sized cookies on sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees at 18-20 minutes.

*Should yield 45-50 cookies if following Weight Watchers tablespoon method.  They are 2 Points Plus each. (This includes the whole bag of chocolate chips and a large can of pumpkin.  So if you use less chips and pumpkin, like I did, I would assume it would be less points, but I don't know how many.  I would just stick with 2 points each to be safe.)

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Spicy Avocado Chicken Enchiladas

 

Yield: serves 4
Recipe Note: To make these as Spicy as their name, leave in the seeds in the Serrano Pepper and use a "medium" Salsa Verde. For those without the love of heat, seed the Serrano Pepper and use a "mild" Salsa Verde.

Ingredients:

for the sauce:
1 tablespoon butter
1 Serrano pepper, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp flour
1 cup chicken stock
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 cup medium salsa verde
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
for the enchiladas:
3 cups chopped cooked chicken breasts (about 4 breasts)
8 oz Cabot Monterrey Jack Cheese, shredded & divided
1 small yellow onion, chopped
3 avocados, peeled and chopped
8-10 flour tortillas

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a medium sauce pan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Saute serrano pepper and garlic, for 1 minute. Stir in flour, constantly stirring, and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in the chicken broth, cumin, salt and pepper and bring to a low boil. Once boiling, whisk in the sour cream, salsa verde and cilantro. Remove from heat.
Spray/grease a 9×13 baking dish. Add 3/4 cup sauce to the bottom of the pan. Add chicken, Cabot Monterrey Jack Cheese, onion and avocado to the center of each tortilla and roll, placing seam-side down in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Top with leftover cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbling. Serve immediately.


*photo courtesy of ww.thenovicechefblog.com

Monday, June 18, 2012

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (2 pts.) half-and-half or light cream
  • 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • COMBINE all ingredients in container of ice cream maker; mix well.
  • FREEZE according to manufacturer’s instructions. Freeze leftovers.
  • REFRIGERATOR-FREEZER METHOD
  • OMIT half and half. Combine sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in large bowl. Fold in 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream, whipped (DO NOT use non-dairy whipped topping). Pour into 9 x 5-inch loaf pan or other 2 quart container. Cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm.
  • VARIATIONS
  • PEACH ICE CREAM: REDUCE vanilla to 1 tablespoon; add 1 teaspoon almond extract and 4 drops yellow and 2 drops red food coloring, if desired. Add 2 cups mashed fresh or frozen peaches, thawed or 1 (16 oz.) can peaches, drained and mashed. Proceed as above.
  • BANANA ICE CREAM: REDUCE vanilla to 1 tablespoon; add 2 cups mashed bananas (4 medium). Proceed as above.

    Amazing Chicken Pot Pie

    This is Jeff's favorite recipe and has been a hit with the family for sure!!

    Ingredients
    • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
    • 1 cup sliced carrots
    • 1 cup frozen green peas
    • 1/2 cup sliced celery
    • 1/3 cup butter
    • 1/3 cup chopped onion
    • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
    • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
    • 2/3 cup milk
    • 2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts

    Directions

    1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)
    2. In a saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.
    3. In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.
    4. Place the chicken mixture in bottom pie crust. Pour hot liquid mixture over. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
    5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.