Friday, April 4, 2008

Fresh Salmon and Lime Cakes

weight watchers Fresh Salmon and Lime Cakes recipe

Here's a delicious fish cake recipe - each small cake is only 1 point, because no oil is involved. (If you want, you can try frying them in oil, but the point value will increase.)

You can also make these cakes bigger, and eat them as burgers.

I personally don't like to eat spicy, but if you want to add some heat to these cakes, chop up some hot red chili peppers and add them to the salmon mixture.

Weight Watchers Fresh Salmon and Lime Cakes recipe
Makes 20 small cakes

Ingredients
500 g salmon fillets, skin removed
3 tablespoons fine cornflour
1 egg white
1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
3 kaffir lime leaves, shredded
3 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
1 teaspoon wasabi

For the lime dipping sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Preparation
1. To make the salmon cakes, remove any bones from the salmon and chop into 1/4 inch (5mm) dices.
2. Combine the chopped salmon with the egg white, corn flour, lime leaves, ginger, chopped parsley and wasabi paste; mix well.
3. Grill the cakes (or fry them in oil) on each side, until they turn golden brown.5. Drain the cakes on kitchen towels, and keep warm in a low oven until you finish cooking up the batter.
4. To make the lime dipping sauce, combine the lime juice, soy sauce and brown sugar.
5. Serve the dipping sauce with the warm salmon cakes.

WW POINTS for one cake: 1
Nutritional information for one cake: 44 calories, 0.9g fat, 0.1g fiber

Granola Bars

weight watchers Granola Bars recipe

The peanut butter flavor of these home-made granola bars gets nicely complemented by the sweetness of the dried fruit.

Weight Watchers Granola Bars recipe
Makes 12 servings

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups rolled oats
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup peanuts
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons raisins
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
2 tablespoons orange juice (fresh)
1/2 teaspoon orange rind (fresh)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Toast the oats and sunflower seeds on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees F for about 5-7 minutes (until crispy).
3. In a large bowl, combine the toasted oats and sunflower seeds with the remaining ingredients (except the sliced almonds).
4. Press the mixture into an 8-inch greased baking dish.
5. Press the almonds on top.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes (or until brown and done).
7. Cool before cutting into bars.

WW POINTS per serving: 5
Nutritional information per serving: 205 calories, 12.9g fat, 3.3g fiber

Salsa Burgers

weight watchers Double Salsa Burgers recipe

I know it's not that healthy, but I enjoy eating burgers once in a while. They're my favorite comfort food (besides pasta, of course).

I tried this burger recipe the other day, and I loved it. The salsa really gives it a special flavor...

Weight Watchers Double Salsa Burgers recipe
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1 large tomato, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped red onions
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup finely chopped green sweet peppers
2 finely chopped seeded jalapeno peppers
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 tablespoon snipped cilantro
1/3 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sour cream and/or guacamole (to serve)

Preparation
1. For the salsa: In a bowl, combine the tomato, garlic, onion, green peppers, jalapeno peppers, cilantro, and salt. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the salsa. Cover and chill the remaining salsa until serving time.
2. In another bowl, combine the ground beef and the 2 tablespoons of reserved salsa; mix well.
3. Shape the mixture into six 1/2-inch-thick oval patties.
4. Grill the patties on an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for about 13-15 minutes (or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in side of patty registers 160 degrees F), turning the patties once halfway through grilling time.
5. Arrange the shredded lettuce on individual plates. Top with the burgers, the remaining salsa, and the cheddar cheese.
6. Serve with sour cream and/or guacamole.

WW POINTS per serving: 6
Nutritional information per serving: 260 calories, 15.6g fat, 1g fiber