Hungry Girl's Italian-Style Bacon Alfredo Bowl

We're back lovelies!
That bronchitis is no joke. That has to be the sickest I have ever been in my life and I've had bronchitis many moons ago during my teen years. I took my harsh meds and got plenty of rest and a week later I am back! So enough about the awful cold I had lets get back into the groove of what we do here.

So tonight we're bringing you another recipe from the lovely Lisa Lillian (better known as Hungry Girl). Ma came across it while looking in her cookbook and a friend of hers at work made the dish which Ma and Aunt Jane tried and they loved. So we thought why not try this out for the blog?

*SIGH* I really wanted to leave this to be found in the list of ingredients but I have a duty to report what goes into each dish. Now, keep an open mind folks. The star of this recipe is Tofu Shirataki noodles. No running away, it's good to try out new things. Interested? Here's what you'll need:

Italian-Style Bacon Alfredo Bowl

INGREDIENTS
*1 (8 oz.) package House Foods Tofu Shirataki Spaghetti Shaped
*3 oz. cooked boneless skinless chicken breast, roughly chopped
*1 wedge Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese Original (or 1 Tbsp light cream cheese)
*1 Tbsp. fat-free sour cream
*2 tsp. reduced-fat grated Parmesan cheese
*1/4 cup roasted red peppers packed in water, drained and roughly chopped
*1/4 cup artichoke hearts packed in water, drained and roughly chopped
*1/4 cup button mushrooms packed in water, drained and roughly chopped
*1 Tbsp. real crumbled bacon bits
*Salt and black pepper, to taste


DIRECTIONS
1. Rinse and drain Shirataki noodles well. Pat dry using paper towels. Put in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in microwave for 1 minute. Drain excess liquid and pat dry. Cut noodles into 3-4 inch lengths.
2. Add cheese wedge, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese. Microwave for one minute and mix thoroughly.
3. Add all other ingredients except bacon to the bowl, and mix well. Microwave for 1 - 2 minutes, until heated.
4. Sprinkle with bacon bits and serve hot. Enjoy!

SERVINGS: Serves 1




WW Points: *7 points per serving


Okie, let me start off by saying that the sauce of the dish was amazing but...I couldn't get past the texture of the noodles. While everyone loved them I was on the ladder of these. They tasted rubbery and slimey but like we always say you should give these a try. You may just love them.



Tid Bits:
*If you find yourself not loving these noodles (like I didn't) then use an extra point and make some multi-grain pasta.



Ma's Spot: I never thought that I would say that I actually like tofu but I have to correct myself and say I love these noodles. I loved this whole recipe from the beginning to the end. The fact that it's only 7 points on the WW's system makes this amazing. Also for people who don't usually like tofu noodles this dish is great with regular pasta. It's a combination of the ingredients together that makes this dish incredibly delicious. When I first was going to fix it I had to say I was going into this with a skeptical mind. Not only do I not like tofu I can't stand swiss cheese but the laughing cow cheese in this dish is yummy. Will this make me switch to loving swiss cheese? No.
So I encourage you to make this dish with or without the tofu noodles.




*SNACK CORNER:*

It's time for snack corner! Where we take new snacks in the grocery store and break it down for you. We tell you which are hot and which are not. Let's get to this week's pick:




WW Points: *3 for 2 cookies


Dinah: Tonight we bring you the Birthday cake Oreo's. These are in celebration of the 100th year of Oreo. I have such a dilemma with these cookies. The fluffy girl in me loooovveeesss the taste of these and the WW girl in me cringes at these. 2 cookies for 3 points? YIKES! Again, like I've said before I can find something more useful to use my points on. Hello, wine anyone? Damnit, it would make it easier if these cookies sucked so much but sadly they are delish. Eat at your own risk.


Ma: Oh my gosh I will make this sweet and simple for you. Incredible.GO.BUY.THESE.



That's it guys, we'll see you here next Tuesday with my pick and we're going Canadian eh! It's going to be good. Have a great week guys!


PS. Just a little heads up for our readers. Ma is having surgery on her knee this Friday. So whatever you believe in could you send out a prayer, good vibe, thought, etc... her way for a smooth no complications surgery and swift recovery? Thanks so much in advance! Remember without Ma it would be quite a lonely blog, ha!


Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma

Dearest Blog Readers...

Your lovely blog mistress has come down with a bad case of bronchitis with the infection mainly in my ribs. Which means my doctor has put me on rest with harsh meds that knock me out. So, sadly there will be no blog entry tonight. I feel awful about it but I can barely keep my eyes open as I write this to you. I hope everyone understands and we'll see you guys here next Tuesday with another recipe and hopefully your blog mistress will be in tip top shape!

Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma

Garbanzo Bean Stew

Evening readers, tonight we bring you something easy to prepare and what seems to be simply delish!

It was my turn to pick a recipe and while doing some research I stumbled upon this little ditty that includes one of my favorite foods on this planet. Yes, it's true. Your blog mistress L-O-V-E-S (Dashes and capitals...it's serious) chick peas or garbanzo beans (whatever you feel the most jazzed about calling them). These little buttery delights are amazing. I could honestly eat a whole can by myself. What, there are worse things to be addicted to. Sheesh! So when I see that tonight's dish includes these guys are the main star it was an automatic reaction to make this for the blog. Huzzah!

Oh, and for those of you who aren't just a fan of the chick peas themselves (Dunno why, I would rethink your choice. Indeed) the recipe has tomatoes, potatoes, etc...
Let's get this started! Here's what you need:

Garbanzo Bean Stew

Yield: 4 servings + reserves
Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 9 hrs to 10 hrs(low) or 4.5-5 hours (high)

Ingredients
*3 15 ounce cans garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained
*1 pound red-skin potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
*1 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes
*3/4 cup chopped red sweet pepper (1 medium)
*1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
*3 cloves garlic, minced
*2 teaspoons cumin seed, toasted
*1/2 teaspoon paprika
*1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
*2 14 ounce cans vegetable broth

Directions
1. In a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker, stir together garbanzo beans, potatoes, undrained tomatoes, sweet pepper, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon of the cumin seed, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Pour broth over bean mixture in cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 9 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4-1/2 to 5 hours. Reserve 4 cups of the stew; store as directed below. Sprinkle servings of remaining stew with remaining cumin seed. Makes 4 servings and reserves.
from the test kitchen
*Storage To store reserves: Place stew in an airtight container. Seal and chill for up to 3 days.

**A COOKIE TO ANYONE WHO CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE RESERVES ARE FOR???**









WW Points: *6 per serving



I quite liked this recipe. Of course le'chick peas made the dish for me. I'm thinking it's a keeper ;].




Tid Bits: None tonight folks.


Ma's Spot: Tonight's dinner was good. Would I make it again? Maybe, but next time I wouldn't put that quanity of chick peas in the dish. I love chick peas but for me that was too much. I really did love the red potatoes, tomatoes, and seasoning together. I loved the fact that it was made in the slow cooker. Pretty nice to put it on low all day and come home to have dinner done. So give this a try if you love chick peas (like my daughter does). It's a dish for you.




*SNACK CORNER:*

It's time for snack corner! Where we take new snacks in the grocery store and break it down for you. We tell you which are hot and which are not. Let's get to this week's pick:




WW points: *3 per bar



Dinah: Tonight we have Krafts new snack Milk Bite Bars. Now I could go into this whole review about how they are and how much they cost but there is no need. THESE ARE THE BEST BARS I HAVE EVER EATEN. NO JOKE. Creamy and cold and just fantastic. You honestly should get to the store now and get these. Btw if you do, can you share one with your blog mistress??....Okie, yeah. I have a problem with these already.


Ma: When I first saw the coupon I had for these I was searching for a week to try and find these. Silly me, I thought they would be located next to the cereal and breakfast bars in the grocery store. I saw an ad for them in my local grocery store's paper that said they were in the refridgeration section next to the yogurt. How dumb did I feel? They're made with fresh milk which you can definitely tell because they are kept in the fridge to be cold. The coldness really brings out the flavor of the milk in the bar. So with or without a coupon I would definitely buy these again. Anyone who knows me knows when I make that kind of statement they must be good!


Another Tuesday over with guys. Aw, we'll be back next week with another recipe for your box. Have a great week guys!


Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma

Hungry Girl Queen Of The Castle Sliders and Lord Of The Onion Rings

How gorgeous is the weather getting blog readers? Warmer days are ahead which means expanding outdoors and dusting off that good ol grill to bring you some yumtastic spring dishes but...that's still a little bit away. Isn't it insane how when some great weather is thrown our way we go off the deep end because of the excitement towards it?

Anywho, this is not a blog about the weather so onward with tonight's dish! Continuing with Ma's blog bestie (as Wendy Williams would say) in her head Hungry Girl Lisa Lillian we have TWO (yes, as in one more than one) recipes to dish out. One thing I miss before starting on Weight Watchers is onion rings. While raw onions repluse me I do enjoy the deep fried coat said onion wears. Sadly, one side of onion rings from the local Burger King and guess who's wasted her points for the whole day? So, yeah I don't even pass by there anymore. Fret no more though because Hungry Girl has made a heatlhier interpretation (<--big word for the day :D.) of the fatty treat and to go along with it comes her mock White Castle sandwiches. These two just sound amazing together.

Let's get these dishes showcased shall we? Here's what you'll need:



HG's Queen-of-the-Castle Sliders

Ingredients:
*4 oz. raw extra-lean ground beef
*2 slices light bread (40 - 45 calories each with at least 2g fiber per slice)
*1/3 cup chopped onion
*4 hamburger dill pickle chips
*1/8 tsp. salt
*1/8 tsp. onion powder
*1/8 tsp. garlic powder
*1/8 tsp. black pepper
*Optional condiments: ketchup and mustard

Directions:
Combine beef and seasonings in a small bowl, and knead mixture by hand until integrated. Divide seasoned beef evenly into four balls. Flatten and form each ball into a square patty on a plate. Using a knife, make four small slits on the top of each patty. Place in the freezer for 5 minutes.

Bring a pan sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat on the stove. Spread onion out on the pan. Place the patties on top of the onion, slit-side down, and cover the pan. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes (no flipping necessary), or until cooked through.

Meanwhile, cut each slice of bread into four squares, for a total of eight pieces. (If you like, slightly toast bread first.) Feel free to spread ketchup and/or mustard onto four pieces. Set aside.

Once patties are cooked through, scoop each one along with the onion beneath it onto one piece of bread. Top each with a pickle chip and then another bread piece (or the other way around, if you want to be fancy!). Let cool slightly, and then slide 'em into your mouth!

MAKES 1 SERVING

Serving Size: 4 sliders (entire recipe)
Calories: 254
Fat: 5.5g
Sodium: 924mg
Carbs: 26g
Fiber: 6g
Sugars: 5.5g
Protein: 29g

PointsPlus® value 6*




Lord of the Onion Rings
PER SERVING (entire recipe): 155 calories, 1g fat, 515mg sodium, 41g carbs, 16g fiber, 7g sugars, 9g protein

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes

Ingrediants:
*1 large onion
*1/2 cup Fiber One Original bran cereal
*1/4 tsp. garlic powder, or more to taste
*1/8 tsp. onion powder, or more to taste
*1/8 tsp. salt, or more to taste
*Black pepper, to taste
*1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)
*Optional dip: Vivi's Original Sauce Classic Carnival Mustard

PointsPlus® value 4*






Both were really good except the onion rings needed a tad more flavoring and spice in my opinion. All in all I'd make them both again.




Tid Bits:
*If you feel (like me) that the onion rings sound a tad bland you can always adjust the seasoning to your liking



Ma's Spot: I think Hungry Girl hit another home run. The little castle sliders are fantastic! Who knew you could eat this good and be on a diet? There is not one thing I would change about the sliders because they are perfect the way they are. I absolutely loved the onion rings but I would spritz them with cooking spray or butter before they go into the oven so they come out crispier and I would add a tad more seasoning. So if you're on a diet or not I encourage you to try out her cookbooks along with tonight's recipe. I bought them and I barely put them down.





*SNACK CORNER:*

It's time for snack corner! Where we take new snacks in the grocery store and break it down for you. We tell you which are hot and which are not. Let's get to this week's pick:



WW points: 4 per stick


Dinah: Tonight we have something I have been wanting to try for a while and let's face it snack corner is a good excuse to buy it. The Kebler® JUMBO Mint Sticks, man these have my full attention. I absolutely love love love anything chocolate and mint and when you throw them together into a (what tastes like) Kit-Kat styled cookie stick and then make that jumbo um, yeah I would have to classify this situation as love at first bite. Do I really need to say more? I think you get my point so pick these up. ;].

Ma: Anytime you put mint and chocolate together you can add my name to it. Inside each delicious layer of wafer is this minty smooth cream that just wakes your taste buds up by saying "Wow, I love this!". The only problem is I could eat the whole box but my will power prevailed and I only ate one. So no matter what store you shop at pick up these minty delights.



That's it guys and gals. Tuesday's go by so fast don't they? We'll see you here next week with a new dish that includes one of my favorite ingredients of all time. Super geek about this one. Don't miss it! Have a great week guys!


Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma