iHungry Spaghetti Tacos

Hey guys!

Tonight's meal may freak you out (and no your blog mistress didn't pick it out, ha.). Wow not the best sentence to start this out with, eh? No worries though, I've tried this recipe before and it's pretty damn tasty. From our fave foodie Hungry Girl we bring you a recipe she adapted from her hubby's tv show iCarly. If you have any kiddos, nieces, nephews, know any kiddos, or you're a big kid like me you've seen the show on Nickelodeon. On said show Carly makes these things called spaghetti tacos. While the name is odd at best this dish is quite unique and great tasting. So let go and try it out.



Here's what you'll need:



iHungry Spaghetti Tacos



Prep:
10 minutes / Cook: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
4 oz. uncooked whole-wheat spaghetti
2 cups frozen ground-beef-style soy crumbles (like the kind by Boca or Morningstar Farms)
2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1/2 tbsp. taco seasoning mix
12 corn taco shells (flat-bottomed shells, if available)
1 1/2 cups shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
2/3 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded lettuce


Directions:

*Break pasta in half and prepare per package instructions.

*Bring a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat on the stove. Add soy crumbles, crushed tomatoes, and taco seasoning, and mix well. Cook and stir until hot, 2 - 4 minutes.

*Drain pasta and add to the skillet. Mix well. Evenly distribute pasta mixture among the taco shells, about 1/3 cup per shell. Evenly top each taco with cheese, onion, and lettuce. Tada!

MAKES 6 SERVINGS

WW Points: *8 for 2 tacos




Weird right? But SOOOOOO good! You guys should definitely try these.



Tid Bits:
*None tonight guys

Ma's Spot: I have to say when Dinah told me she made these I thought my goodness what has she done now? She has gone overboard. I have to say she hit it out of the park again. I'm glad I picked this to do for the blog. I said it before and I will say it again. All hail to the queen Hungry Girl! I love the fact it has Morningstar Crumbles and whole wheat pasta. It really has a taste that is out of this world. So if you're looking for a budget friendly and healthy dinner that doesn't take a lot of time this is the one for you. So freak your family out and make them some spaghetti taco's.



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: *9 for 1/2 cup


Dinah: Finally after searching for half a year we found the Ben & Jerry's Cannoli ice cream! So let me be the first to tell you how epic the taste is. The ice cream itself is smooth and tastes just like mascarpone and having the bits of chocolate covered cannoli shells made it stellar. I was in love....until I looked at the nutrition facts. Don't hold me to this but I think my mouth dropped to the floor. For 1/2 cup it's 9 points. REALLY?? Thanks Ben and Jerry for ruining my buzz. How can something so delicious be so many points? Oh that's right cause they wanna be mean lol. Although it's a fab ice cream it just wasn't meant to be. I felt the connection but my waste line didn't. *sigh* breaking up is hard to do. :/


Ma: I love Ben and Jerry's ice cream. This I found was very rich, creamy, and delicious but here's a shocker for you guys who know I am an ice cream freak. I will not buy this again. Why you ask? Although it was one of the best ice creams I have ever tried it was way too much calories, fat, and sugar. If you do wanna try it I say go for it but be advised to look at the nutrition label.


And that's all for tonight folks. We'll be back here in 7 days to share another pick with you. Have a great week guys!



Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma

Classic Shepherd's Pie

Evening all,


Tonight I decided we should make a traditional dish. Something that is a crowd pleaser and has a nice simplicity with it. What's more traditional than sheppard's pie? If you're not familiar with this dish let's have a little history rememberance shall we? We aim to please here at Tuesday's with Dinah & Ma.

So sheppard's pie was actually called cottage pie back in 1791. Women made it for their miner fellas to take with them and eat on their lunch breaks. It consisted of a potato lining, meat center, and mashed potato topping. The term "shepherd's pie" did not appear until 1877. That's when lamb was introduced as the meat of choice for this dish. They felt lamb and sheppards went together so the name was thus changed. The dish itself came from the UK but it was made popular throughout time in the USA and other countries. The dish also made it'sway into pop culture (See Johnny Depp's Sweeney Todd for reference).

And that concludes our lesson today folks.

Boring eh? Only 3 layers. No spice, no sauce, or herbs? No worries, over time people have tweaked this recipe into their own versions. So it's no doubt different for everyone. Me being on Weight Watchers I searched for a healthier variation of this oldie but goodie and that's exactly what I stumbled apon.


Here's what you'll need:

Classic Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients:
*2 large uncooked potato(es), peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces   
*1/4 cup(s) fat-free sour cream   
*1 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine   
*1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste   
*2 tsp olive oil   
*1 cup(s) uncooked onion(s), chopped   
*2 medium uncooked carrot(s), diced   
*2 rib(s) (medium) uncooked celery, diced   
*1 pound(s) uncooked ground turkey breast   
*3 Tbsp all purpose flour   
*1 Tbsp rosemary, fresh, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)   
*1 tsp dried thyme   
*1/2 tsp table salt   
*1/4 tsp black pepper   
*2 cup(s) canned chicken broth, or beef broth   

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 400ºF.

*Place potatoes in a large saucepan and pour in enough water to cover potatoes. Set pan over high heat and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain potatoes, transfer to a large bowl and add sour cream and margarine; mash until smooth, season to taste with salt and set aside.

*Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots and celery; cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add turkey and cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Add flour, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper; stir to coat. Add broth and bring to a simmer; simmer until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.

*Transfer turkey mixture to a 9-inch, deep-dish pie plate. Spread mashed potatoes over top and using the back of a spoon, make decorative swirls over the top. Bake until potatoes are golden, about 30 minutes. Slice into 6 pieces and serve.




WW Points: *7 per serving


This was decent. The flavor was there but honestly it didn't make enough.



Tid Bits: *none tonight guys




Ma's Spot: First of all I want to thank my sister Jane for taking over tonight's blog for me due to my elbow injury. What didn't I like about tonight's meal is that there wasn't enough of it. It was scrumdiddlyumptious! It was one of the best sheppard's pie I have ever eaten. I cannot tell you if it was easy or hard to make (since I wasn't in the kitchen this week) but I can tell you that it doesn't matter. I'll be making this dish again very soon.



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:

***DUE TO THIS WEEK'S SNACK HAVING HOT SAUCE IN IT AUNT JANE WILL BE FILLING IN FOR MA***

WW Points: *4 for 1/3 cup

Dinah: For tonight's snack we bring you Snyder's of Hanover Flavor Double Hot Buffalo Win & Buttermilk Ranch pretzels. First let's throw this out there. Your blog mistress loved anything (well almost lol) with ranch or buffalo sauce (mainly Franks red hot sauce). I'm quite obsessed actually. So these are right up my alley. I liked the broken pieces mostly because it's easier to snack that way instead of having this big pretzel rod to chew on. The flavor is on par with a basket of wings and a cup of ranch dressing. Gives you that taste and feel without all the additional calories and fat. Always a plus in my book. Oh and it's only 4 points for a 1/3 cup. Nice! I'd hunt these down if I were you.


Aunt Jane: I liked it but it needed more heat in my opinion.





That's it for tonight guys. We'll be back next Tuesday with another recipe. Have a great week guys!


Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma

Skinny Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting

Hey guys!
First let me apologize for not posting an entry for last week. Ma loaned out the book that the recipe was in to a co-worker/friend and I still haven't recieved it back and I hunted for that recipe online and no luck in finding it. For now it's in the land of lost recipes. So we're moving onto this week's pick.

On Pinterest I came across this Weight Watchers recipe and it looked like something your blog mistress would make and lets be real cupcakes are too cute! Wait...cupcakes? Yes, blog readers I said cupcakes. They even have frosting. Now before you guys run for the hills these are no desert. Don't be afraid.


Here's what you'll need:


Skinny Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 2 cupcakes • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 240.7 • Fat: 8.5 g • Protein: 18.1 g • Carb: 24.5 g • Fiber: 2.5 g • Sugar: 4.2 g Sodium: 560.1 mg (without salt)

Ingredients:
For the Meatloaf Cupcakes:
1.3 lb 93% lean ground turkey
1 cup grated zucchini, all moisture squeezed dry with paper towel
2 tbsp onion, minced
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 cup ketchup
1 egg
1 tsp kosher salt

For the Skinny Mashed Potato "Frosting":
1 lb (about 2 medium) Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 large garlic cloves, peeled and halved
2 tbsp fat free sour cream
2 tbsp fat free chicken broth
1 tbsp skim milk
1/2 tbsp light butter
kosher salt to taste
dash of fresh ground pepper
2 tbsp fresh thyme

Directions:
1. Put the potatoes and garlic in a large pot with salt and enough water to cover; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat; simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain and return potatoes and garlic to pan. Add sour cream and remaining ingredients. Using a masher or blender, mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Bake uncovered for 18-20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from tins and place onto a baking dish.

3. Pipe the "frosting" onto the meatloaf cupcakes and serve.

Makes 12.

These are amazing! I love the perfect portion sizes and the "frosting" was extremely yummy.

Tid Bits:
*None tonight guys



Ma's Spot: Tonight's recipe was very good. It wasn't heavy or greasy. I have to say the mashed potato "frosting" was delicious! Good job Dinah, for finding this recipe. Lets face it, anything that looks like a cupcake in any way, shape, or form I'm for. I love the idea of putting the garlic into the boiling potatoes. Never done that before but it definitely enhances the flavor. I think it's a very cute dish to serve to children. Especially for a party. Easy to pick up and eat. The ingredients are items you already have in your house. So for a nice cute dinnerthat your kids can help you make I suggest you make this recipe and soon.





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: *2 per package


Dinah: Tonight we bring you the latest from Dole. Banana Dippers are slices of frozen banana's dippped in dark chocolate. The thought of them alone is pretty great but the taste of these takes it to a whole new level. These are great in the morning for a quick breakfast or an afternoon delight. 2 points for 4 delish slices? Epic. Oh but be sure to keep them in your freezer. Mushy banana's and melty chocolate do not equal good times.



Ma: I love frozen fruit to begin with. Although I have never had frozen banana before. So if you're looking for a nice and nutrious treat that all ages will love these treats can't be beat. I'm not a big dark chocolate fan but I have to say poured ocer frozen banana's it is delicious. So try to find them it's worth the trip.




That's it folks, we'll see you here next Tuesday for more foodie goodness. Have a great week guys!

 

Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma

Skinny Dorito Taco Bake

Hey hey folks!

So while on the prowl for a new lighter recipe I came across tonights dish. It combines comfort food, easy casserole, and healthier ingredients. Can't be done? Oh ho faithful blog readers it can be!

Here's what you'll need:

Skinny Doritos Taco Bake


I originally got this recipe from Plain Chicken.
Confession: I get A LOT of recipes from there, and then make them "skinny".

Here's how I made this recipe Skinny:

Skinny Dorito Taco Bake

INGREDIENTS:
*1 can reduced fat crescent rolls
*1/2 lb. extra lean ground beef (I use 97% lean)
*1 can Original Rotel, drained
*1 package Taco Seasoning
*1 6 oz. container Fage 0% plain greek yogurt 
*1 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
*1/2 bag Baked Doritos Nacho Cheese chips, crushed

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef and drain off fat.
Add in taco seasoning and Rotel. Simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Press crescent rolls in the bottom of a 9x13 greased pan.
Press seams to seal. Top crescent rolls with meat mixture, then spread 
greek yogurt over meat. Top with shredded cheese and crushed Doritos.

4. Bake for 30 minutes.

320 Calories per 1/8 of the recipe!
That's a big piece, y'all!!

WWPoints: *8 per serving

Sooooo good!! My only complaint (and it's a small one) is there seemed to be 
too much taco seasoning for my taste.



Tid Bits:
*None tonight guys


Ma's Spot: I quite enjoyed this recipe. It looks heavy but it really wasn't which is a plus. 
I liked the fact that it didn't use that much meat and the yogurt was a nice touch. 
I love any meals that are quick and easy. Also any recipes that don't have a ton of fat and calories I'm all for.
I found that the using the whole pouch of taco seasoning for this recipe was too much. 
I would definitely use less of the baked Doritos as well. So if you're looking for a dish that is 
light and packs quite a punch than this dish is 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: *4 for 17 chips

Dinah: On tonight's agenda we've
Got the new flavor from Lays. Chicken & Waffles is apart of the 3 finalists for the next Lays flavor. 
Your blog mistress actually submitted 2 flavors (feta and spinach and sugar and spice) sadly they 
weren't chosen but the flavors that were chosen are pretty damn good. You'd think by the 
chicken and waffle flavors it would be a weird combo and it is but it works! These two should just get married. 
Try these and the other flavors and vote for your fave. Don't let us influence you ;).

Ma: When we saw these chips on the shelf I thought "Wow, this sounds like a strange flavor but interesting". 
I love chicken and waffles so I said what the hell lets get these chips! So I took them home and opened them up. 
The smell of them was amazing! One bite of these and I knew I was hooked. And so the saying goes you can't 
have just one chip. I have to say in all the years I've been eating potato chips these have become my favorite. 
I could truly eat a whole bag. As I sit there eating these I thought is it weird that I like this odd combination of chips? 
I said hell no, and continued  eating them. So out of the new flavors this is the winner for me. So don't let the title 
fool you, go grab the bag and enjoy!


That's it for tonight. We'll be back next Tuesday with more recipe goodness. Have a great week guys!


Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma

TURKEY OR CHICKEN A LA KING

Evening all!

Tonight's recipe caused quite a frenzy here at Tuesday's with Dinah and Ma. Ma picked a recipe that had no serving size so I was unable to figure out the WW points and I also ended up not eating the dish because it included an ingredient or two that would bother my GERD. So ma's rating this one solo.

Wanna know what's in this "controversal" dish?

Here's what you'll need:


TURKEY OR CHICKEN A LA KING

Ingredients:
2/3 chicken breast or
leftover turkey (about 2 cups)
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup celery, diced
1 small jar pimientos
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 cans mixed vegetables (or frozen)
1 can cream mushrooms soup
1 can cream celery soup
1 can cream chicken soup
1 small can mushrooms
3 or 4 cups milk (per thickness of sauce)
1 teaspoons Old Bay
salt / pepper to taste

Directions:
Brown chicken in skillet with oil; in same skillet, cook chopped celery until tender, then sauté onions and garlic. In a big pot with a lid, add small jar pimientos, Worcestershire sauce, creamed soups, milk, and vegetables. Add the seasoning. Simmer at low heat for 30 minutes or until hot. Add every thing from skillet to the pot and stir together. Serve over toast, rice or noodles.

Submitted by: Barbara Boggs

WW Points: Because of no servings for this recipe I have no clue on points. Sorry!

Tid Bits:
*You can always substitute regular Cream of soups for fat-free or heart healthy versions.

*Not a fan of cream of celery or mushroom soup then just use cream of chicken soup instead.


Ma's Spot: as a child my mom made homemade chicken a la king all the time. I also remember it took all day with a lot of ingredients and took up a lot of time. So this for me is a lot easier, quicker, and less work. Lets face it working women/men we're always looking for a good shortcut meal. So if you're looking for some comfort food without all the fuss then this is the recipe for you. I loved it!




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 for one packet

Dinah: So tonight we bring you the latest from Skinny Cow. Divine Filled Chocolates come in a package of three. These little treats are only 4 points and they pack a great chocolate/caramel punch. I found these while shopping at Kmart and figured why not give them a try? Glad I did. I'm a fan of the grab them and go feel of these. Also they make a great snack to take to the movies instead of spending $20 on candy there. Hey! don't act like you don't sneak in candy too. ;D.



Ma: Skinny Cow is one of my fave brands for snacks. I have to say this one is my fave of all the treats they have out and that's saying alot. I cannot believe how creamy the chocolate and caramel are together. I believe this was the creamiest chocolate I have ever tasted. When it melts in your mouth and the two combine fireworks will happen. So if you want a little Decadent treat that don't cost you a lot of calories or fat then try these. You won't regret it!



That's it for tonight folks. We'll see you here next Tuesday for hopefully a much more mellow dish. Have a great week guys!

Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma

Pepperoni and Cheese Roll Ups

Hey guys!

Tonight we've got an easy dinner that is light on the waistline.
I was looking up recipes for pizza stuffers since Pizza Hut makes them
but I can't endulge due to their outrageous point value.
So these seemed like a great alternative.

Here's what you'll need:

Pepperoni and Cheese Roll Ups

Ingredients:
*1 16oz package whole wheat pizza dough
*1 6oz package Hormel turkey pepperoni
*8 sticks light string cheese, cut in half
*2 tbsp light butter
*1 tsp garlic powder
*1 tsp Italian seasonings

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper,
and lightly mist with non-fat cooking spray.

2. Lightly dust a flat surface with flour, and roll out pizza dough into a
rectangle, about ¼” thick.
Cut out 16 triangles, about 3” wide and 6” long.

3. Place 3 slices of pepperoni on the bottom, wide end of each triangle.
Place a cheese stick half on top of the pepperoni. Roll up, and place 2 in.
apart on baking sheet, seam side down.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, melt butter and stir in garlic powder and Italian seasoning.

6. Brush each pepperoni cheese stick roll-up with the melted butter.
Serve with marinara sauce or ranch dressing to dip.

Preparation time: 20 minute(s)
Cooking time: 12 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 8




WW points: *5 for 2 roll ups




These are soooo good! You hardly taste the
difference with using the wheat dough instead of regular dough.
You guys gotta try this one.




Tid Bits:
*None tonight guys




Ma's Spot: Any way that you can take any form of pizza
and make it more healthier gets an A+ from me. I love pizza.
I don't trust anyone who doesn't like pizza. I loved the whole
wheat dough. I loved the way it calls for the cheese sticks to be used.
So if you're looking for a quick and easy meal this is the one for you.
It's also a great dish to get your kids involved in. Two thumbs up!
Try this any day of the week.





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: *7 for a small



Dinah: I loathe pop. Always have always will but Baja Blast Mountain Dew is amazing!
I could drink it every day and it would be okie with me. I was so jazzed when they turned
it into a slushie drink. All I have to say is: EPIC.



Ma: Unlike my daughter I won't try this again. First of all I'm not a fan of Mountain Dew.
If you take the fact that it's a Mountain Dew product out of the equation it's not too bad.
I love it frozen rather than the regular pop. So if you love Mountain Dew and like a little
twist on it this drink is for you.





That's all for tonight folks. See you back here next Tuesday. Have a great week guys!




Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma

Breakfast Burrito's

Hey guys!

Cannot even contain my excitement for tonight's dish. Your blog mistress is a huge fan of the not the usual breakfast meals. 

While I greatly do enjoy pancakes and sure I'll eat cereal I am all about things like grits, strawberries in sugar, mexican omelete, 

or my absolute fave breakfast burrito's. 

Ah the delish dish of tortilla and scrambled eggs mixed with salsa and cheese is the best! Mouth watering yet? Thought so :)

So let's get this going shall we? 

Here's what you'll need: 

Breakfast Burrito's

Prep/Total Time: 30 min. Yield: 12 

Ingredients:

*1 pound bulk pork sausage

*1-1/2 cups frozen cubed hash brown potatoes

*1/4 cup diced onion

*1/4 cup diced green or red pepper

*4 eggs, lightly beaten

*12 flour tortillas (8 inches), warmed

*1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

*Picante sauce and sour cream, optional

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. 

Add the potatoes, onion and pepper; cook and stir for 6-8 minutes or until tender. 

Add eggs; cook and stir until set.

2. Spoon filling off center on each tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese. Fold sides and ends over 

filling and roll up. Serve with picante sauce and sour cream if desired.

3. To freeze and reheat burritos: Wrap each burrito in waxed paper and foil. 

Freeze for up to 1 month. To use, remove foil and waxed paper. 

Place one burrito on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 2 to 2-1/4 minutes 

or until a meat thermometer reads 165°, turning burrito over once. Let stand for 20 seconds. 

Yield: 12 burritos.

WW points: *3 points per serving

These were pretty good. I felt it was lacking in the spice department and tasted bland but other than that these were okie in my book.

Tid Bits:

*Not a fan of beef or pork? Try meat Substitutes such as Morning Star crumbles

*For a shortcut use a frozen bag of three pepper and onion blend.

*Instead of using real eggs try egg beaters.

*Also feel free to use any kind of cheese you'd like.

Ma's Spot: I do not like McDonalds Breakfast Burittos. First off they're loaded with pure junk.  

These I loved, they were quick and easy. The one thing I love about this the most is that they're 

perfect for freezing. So I plan on making more of these and that way you have a good and 

healthy breakfast to go to in a pinch. If you're like me and you're scrambling around the house 

in the morning trying to head out the door to work these are a great option to have for breakfast. 

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:

WWPoints: *4 points for 6 pieces

Dinah: So love is in the air cause of that little fella in the diaper by the name of cupid. 

So we're showcasing the latest limited edition Tootsie Rolls. The Valentine's Day vanilla 

and cherry Tootsie Rolls are a nice blend of fruit and vanilla. The cherry ones are on the 

tart side but when is that ever a bad thing? The vanilla ones are smooth and delish. 

I'd say they're worth trying out. So grab some and feel the love!

Ma: First of all lets get this straight I am a Tootsie Roll-aholic. The fact that they have come 

out with different flavors, somebody has read my mind. Which isn't easy cause it's scary 

in there lol. My favorite is the vanilla. There isn't a better tasting Tootsie Roll than the vanilla. 

Don't believe me? just try them!

I found the cherry one to be a bit too sour. So if I get this again I'll keep the vanilla ones for 

myself and give the cherry ones away.

Alrighty guys that's all for tonight. We'll see you here next Tuesday for more food goodness. Have a great week guys!

Spoons & Spatula's

~Dinah & Ma