Cranberry, turkey and brie cheese toasties

Summer Spiced Chicken Salad & my summer body confidence

Cold spiced creamy chicken with spring onions and chopped tomato.  Perfect for spreading on some wheaten bread or crackers.

Summer Couscous

Spiced couscous with spring onions, peppers and shredded smokey bacon ham, its a 5 minute lunch or side dish and can be eaten hot or cold. 

Cheese Toastie

Carmelised onions with tomatoes, a hint of basil smothered in melted cheddar cheese on a toasted bread.  Now that's a lunch date. 

Weight Watcher Lunch Sandwiches

Tomato, spring onion in creamy mayonnaise and salad cream with sliced ham and lettuce on whole wheat brown bread.  Add a bowl of zero propoint soup and a pack of crisps and for 8 Weigh Watchers Propoints you have yourself a gorgeous lunch. 

Weight Watchers Lunch Recipes

Need something warm for lunch during this cold spell?

Crispy fried bread with melted mozzarella, parma ham with a dash of oregano.  For lunch?  yes please!

Cashew Chicken, Weight Watchers Fake Away

0 Propoint Tomato and Basil Soup

A Perfect Baked Potato

With Cheese Please!

How to get that perfect crisp skin on the outside with a floury potato on the inside. 

Weightwatchers Style Baked Potato

Wondering what to have for Lunch?

Firstly i need to apologise for the terrible picture but having children crawling in between your legs does not help with focus.

So this is not news.  A baked potato, we've all done that yea!  Well i have but what i didn't realise until recently was that the Denny Gammon Steaks are only 2 Weightwatchers Propoints and go lovely with a baked potato and cheese.

Weightwatchers Spicy Chorizo Stew

Spicy chorizo stew to warm up your tummy

Weightwatchers Garlic Butter

Smother it on whatever you fancy!

Does anyone else feel hard done by when they cant have that garlic bread with their spaghetti or pizza?  I have done but now i make my own and no i really feel like im having proper garlic bread.

Weightwatchers Creamy Chicken Salad

The Lunch Chronicles 

Lunch is one of those meals that really, after a while on Weightwatchers, we begin to eat the same thing all the time because we know exactly how many propoints is in the meal.  Salads.  In my opinion can be so dull and boring and quite honestly not near fill a gap in my tooth let alone my stomach. 

Weightwatchers Pepperoni Pizza

Do you miss real Pepperoni in your Pizza?  Not any more

Its a meat feast.  I love pepperoni as a topping.  It just makes a pizza meaty and manly.  I have to say the one thing that i would crave after a beverage or 2 would be a slice of pepperoni pizza.  That has been my biggest longing for the last 5 years.  Now don't get me wrong.  I have had pepperoni but it has been a rare treat and i have usually used up a lot of my weeklies, as in this weeks and next weeks  (oops)

Weightwatchers Quiche

So easy and so Weightwatchers Friendly

Mini quiche for lunch with a side of salad, a perfect summer meal.

Weightwatchers Style Chinese

The quickest and easiest Chinese, faster than your takeaway!

Im well aware that sometimes you see, quick and easy recipes and then when you go to make them yourself, you realise that it means quick and easy if your really good at cooking.  This little dish is not one of them.  Lunches in my house can at times be a bit of a hit and miss and usually i need something quick and easy that really is as it says. 

Now I love rice and i usually like a lot of rice so i tend to buy the pre portioned rice from Uncle Ben's rice that works out at 6 Weightwatchers Propoints, or the rice infusions although they can be pretty expensive but their also 6 Weightwatchers Propoints. Recently, while shopping in Tesco i found out that they have their own brand of Rice Infusions.  Its white and wild rice mixed with all different veg and its already pre portioned and each little sachet works out at 4 Weightwatchers Propoints.  

I was so happy about this because their even a euro cheaper than the rice infusions and you just bang them in the microwave for 4 minutes and Ben's your uncle.  

It really is simple and also perfect for lunches, preportioned, pre propointed and all you need is a microwave. I love them and all for 4 Weightwatchers Propoints! now what more could i ask for? 

Well something to go with them. 

Im not a great steak person but i do like minute steak's and last week Aldi had them on special for 2 euro, so they were on the list.  

Then i was having a read of a Weightwatchers Magazine that was from May i think, anyway they had a couple of recipes that i liked and there was one for a marinade and i just happened to have all 4 ingredients at hand so i decided that i was going to make Chinese style steaks with the rice.  

Weightwatchers Propoints per Recipe 16
Weightwatchers Propoints per Serving 8
Serves 2 

Ingredients 

For the marinade taken from Weightwatchers Marinade May 2012

2 tsp of Hoisin Sauce
2 tsp of clear honey  (i used Accacia)
2 tsp of Soy Sauce
1/4 tsp of Chinese 5 spice 

2 Pockets of Tesco Micro Rice
2 Minute Steaks (i got them in Aldi and each steak was 3 Propoints)

Directions

Mix all the marinade ingredients together.  Brush the steaks heavily with the marinade.  Heat a large saucepan over a medium heat, misting with some spray oil.

Pop the rice in the microwave and if placing them in the microwave together add 2 minutes to the waving time. 

Place the steaks in the saucepan and cook as per pack instructions so literally 1-2 minutes.  Turn and pour the remaining marinade over the meat.  

Serve each pocket of rice on a plate and serve with a steak each.

Enjoy the Niptuck way, so you don't have too!

Weightwatchers Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

These are an Eastern European dish that I have tried a few times and i absolutely love them. 

However, while looking for a recipe for these, it was really difficult because it appears that every country and every family within that country makes them to suit their own taste. 

So because I had them in Poland, im going with a version of the Polish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls or better known as gołąbki. 

I originally got the recipe from www.magdascouldron.blogspot.com  Magda makes beautiful food and her blog is in English and in Polish. 

Now Magda, i think is not a Weightwatchers judging by the amount of beautifully tempting cakes on her blog, however these were actually quite healthy and versatile and the main point to remember with these stuffed cabbage rolls is to do with the amount of rice you use and the type of mince you use.  The other ingredients are nearly all 0 Weightwatchers Propoints. 

Now i must mention a key point here.  I don't actually like Cabbage.  Yes, im aware im Irish and surely this is a vital gene im supposed to have.  Well i guess i was on holiday when this gene was being distributed. 

Nevertheless, these are really tasty and i love them.  If your unsure about trying foods from different countries, give these a try and it will change your opinion. 

Ireland is so diverse now, it would be a real shame to not indulge in the beautiful cuisines that is now so readily accessible to us now.  I have to say Poland had some of the tastiest cakes ive ever tasted, and ive tasted quite a few but there not really Weightwatchers friendly but as a treat their really worth it. 

Anyways back to these cabbage rolls.

Weightwatchers Propoints per Roll 2

Weightwatchers Propoints per Recipe 20

Weightwatchers Propoints per Serving 4

Serves 5

Ingredients 

15 Cabbage Leaves.  I bought mine ready softened and jarred in the Polish Shop beside Lidl on the Walkinstown Road.  I wasn't sure of the name of them but i asked for the Cabbage Leaves in the Jar to make  gołąbki.  and the assistant was very helpful so maybe do the same. 

120g of rice, any rice you desire

400g of 95% lean Beef mince, i got mine in Dunnes Stores, but you can use any type, just Propoint it and adjust to ensure of the propoints. 

18 mushrooms thinly sliced

2 carrots grated 

1 onion diced

3 cloves of garlic

2 chillis thinly sliced and deseeded

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp of chili powder

2 tsp of Vegata (optional, i also bought this in the Polish shop, its litterally just a seasoning)

Boiling water

Spray oil

Directions

Cook the rice as per pack instructions.  Rinse each cabbage leaf under cold water.  Place 5 leaves flat on to the bottom of a large pot.  

In a large non stick pan, mist with a little spray oil and add the garlic and cook over a medium heat until golden.  Add the onion and the chili peppers and all the herbs and spices and season well with salt and pepper.

Add the mince (this is my version, usually its uncooked).  When its brown, remove from heat and add the drained rice, mushrooms and grated carrot.  Toss the mixture together. 

Roll out one cabbage leaf at a time and spoon 3 Tbl of the mixture onto the middle of the cabbage leaf.  Roll from the bottom and tuck the sides in as you go alone.  Now the cabbage can break easily so go gentle but try to get them nice and tight aswell.  

Once rolled place them seam side down in the pot ontop of the flat cabbage leaves.  Repeat until all the mince is used up.

Make sure that the cabbage leaves are only on 1 layer because it will fall apart.   Cover with boiling water so that the water just skims past the top of the cabbage rolls.  Set the heat unto simmer and cover for 1 hour. 

Remove carefully so that you don't rip them and use a draining spoon as you do. 

You can serve this with bread or you can top it off with your favourite tomato or ive heard mushrooms sauce. 

Enjoy the Niptuck way, so you don't have too!

Weightwatchers Style Garlic Pasta, with Cherry Tomatoes and Parmesan Cheese

This is great for lunch and really tasty, i love the mix of cherry tomatoes, garlicified to the max and grated parmesan cheese with olive oil.

At least once every 2 weeks ill not eat meat for a day.  Im not sure of this reason at all.  There is none but i find that every so often i do this.  Now im a real meat eater.  Im only short of coming out of the cave with a leg of chicken in my hand, however with this i dont seem to miss the meat.  It feels complete.

I must confess though that when i do have these days its a thoughtless day for me as i will usually do it when there is very little left in the fridge or when there is left over Sunday ham to be eaten up.

Now if your new to either Weightwatchers or cooking for that matter, make this and you will surpise yourself because its really tasty and really easy.

Weightwatchers Pro Points per Recipe 22
Weightwatchers Pro Points per Serving 6
Serves 4

Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic amd Olive Oil

Ingredients

240g of pasta (reserve 3 Tbl of the pasta water before draining)
Spray Oil
5 cloves of garlic minced and finely chopped
1 punnet of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 Tbl of olive oil
3 Tbl of reserved pasta water
2 Tbl of Grated Parmesan
Mixed leaves for salad

Directions

Cook pasta as per pack instructions for al dente and reserve 3 Tbl of the pasta water.

In a large saucepan, mist with spray oil, over a medium heat.  When hot, add the garlic and let it cook for about 3 minutes until its aroma is very strong, being careful not to burn the garlic.  Add in the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally so that it doesnt stick to the bottom of the pan.

Reduce the heat to low and add the drained pasta. Stir to mis it all together.  Pour in the olive oil and stir to combine. 

Pour in the reserved water, 1 Tbl at a time to loosen it out and then add in the parmesan cheese and mix to combine.

Plate up the pasta and mix some mixed leaves, such as spinach, rocket and watercress and serve.

You can also eat this cold and add in some smoked salmon for a really filling lunch or you could add, cooked spinach and some pine nuts to add some crunch.

Enjoy the Niptuck way, so you don't have too!

Sweat Chili Chicken Quesadillas

I love me some Spicy food and today with it being a little cooler and with having very little in my fridge i decided that i would work with what i had on hand and i had everything i needed to make these.


Being honest the reason why i didn't have anything in the fridge or cupboards is because for the past 24 hours i have done nothing but eat, eat and eat.  In fact im still imagining that im hungry and there is absolutely no possibility that im hungry after what i have eaten today. 


That's not because these aren't filling its just that i woke up starving and have remained that way all day. 


Anyway these i suppose aren't really Mexican because of the sweat chili sauce in it, but they tasted delicious.


Weightwatchers Propoints Value per Recipe 16
Weightwatchers Propoints Value per Serving 8
Serves 2 


Ingredients

2 Aldi Mediterranean Wraps
1 Pre boiled chicken breast
Half a red bell pepper sliced
Half a green bell pepper sliced
2 red onions sliced
8 Mushrooms sliced
60g of Low Fat grated Cheese
1 tsp of ground cumin
2 tsp of ground sweat paprika
1 tsp of ground chili powder
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp of coriander
2 Tbl of Weightwatchers Salad Cream
1 Tbl of tomato ketchup
3 Tbl of Sweat Chili Sauce
Salt and pepper to season
Spray Oil


Directions 


Using a large non stick pan mist with a little spray oil and place over medium heat, when hot add in the sliced onions and leave for about 5 minutes, until they start to carmelise.  Give a little stir but continue to cook for another 3 minutes.  Remove from the pan and set aside. 


Using the same pan, add the peppers, mushrooms and cooked chicken.  Add in all of the herbs, spices, salt and pepper.  Cook until the pepper become soft and the chicken is heated thoroughly.

Using one of the wraps cut it so that there is 2 circles of the wrap. Put the grill on and place one half of the wrap and heat for roughly 2 minutes so that it is slightly charred.  Turn it over and spoon on 1 Tbl of salad cream and ketchup.  Add some onions and then the chicken mix.  Sprinkle on 30g of the cheese and place back under the grill until cheese has melted. 

Using the other half of the wrap, pour on 1.5 Tbl of the sweat chili sauce.  Place the wrap sauce side down unto the cheese and place back under the grill for about 3 minutes until its is slightly charred.


Remove from grill and repeat the process on the next wrap.


Serve with a side salad. 

Enjoy the Niptuck way so you don't have too!

Summer Burgers

The Sun is Still Here

Hooray for more sun shine.  I actually feel like a new person now after a good dose of vitamin D.  Well i never got round to doing the BBQ but i really craved burgers today.  Juicy mince, cheese, fried onion and a bun and i thought im going to have it. 


I just love the smell of burgers and sun cream together.  If over the weekend your looking for meaty get together food this is definitely one to try. 


Weightwatchers Propoints per Recipe  28
Weightwatchers Propoints per Serving 3
Serves 8 


Ingredients


For the burger


1 pack of Dunnes, Superquinn typically 95% Lean Mince
1 Egg white
1 tsp of salt 
Black ground pepper
1 tsp of Cumin
1 tsp of Sweat Paprika 
1 tsp of Worcester Sauce
Spray Oil




For the Buns


1 pack of Aldi Soft Crust Buns
2 Tbl of Tomato Ketchup
2 Tbl of Weightwatchers Salad Cream 
2 Slices of Low Low cheddar cheese 
1 Red onion sliced


Salad for garnish


Directions


Mix the mince,  egg white and all of the herbs and spices together and set aside in the fridge for 20 minutes.


In the meantime, in a non stick pan mist with a little spray oil.  When hot, add the sliced onion and cook on a medium heat until soft and slightly browning.  


Remove the onions from the pan and set aside for later. 


Remove the mince mix from the fridge and divide the mixture into 8 burgers.  Mist pan with spray oil and when hot add in the burgers.  Cook over a medium heat for roughly 6 minutes.  Do not use a spatula and squish the juice from the burger just leave them as they are.  Turn over the burger and cook for another 4-5 minutes.  Remove from the pan and set aside.

Mix the tomato ketchup and the salad cream together.


Half each bun and place soft side down for around 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and using a knife spread some of the tomato and salad cream mixture on the buns, add the burgers, divide the cheese slice into 4 each and place a quarter slice on top.  Add the caramelized onion and top with other half of bun.


Repeat with remaining burgers


Serve with a side salad.

Enjoy the Niptuck way so you don't have too!