Spicy Mac and Cheese

.W.’s Spicy Macaroni & Cheese
4 cups cooked macaroni or cavatappi1 tablespoon olive oil1/4 to 1/2 finely diced red onionEqual amount diced red bell pepper1 finely diced jalapeno1 4 oz can chopped green chilies1 cup frozen corn2 to 3 cloves garlic, chopped1 cup cream1 generous cup grated Pepper Jack cheese2 tablespoons butterSaltPepper
Boil pasta until al dente. In a large skillet, add olive oil and saute garlic and vegetables over medium heat for a couple of minutes. Add in canned chilies and stir around, then turn off heat. Drain pasta and add it to skillet. Pour on cream, add cheese, then add salt and pepper to taste and stir gently. At the end, add 2 tablespoons butter and stir again. Check seasonings and serve.
Serve with juicy steak, with grilled shrimp, chicken, or on its own. It’ll change your life for the better.

Fresh Salmon and Lime Cakes

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

Salsa Burgers

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

Chicken Quesadilla's

A quesadilla is a Mexican dish that consists of various ingredients (usually cheese, but sometimes also meat, mushrooms, scrambled eggs, etc.) inside a tortilla.

This chicken quesadilla is great as an appetizer, but you can also eat it for lunch, dinner or even as a snack.

Weight Watchers Chicken Quesadillas recipe
Makes 10 servings

Ingredients
1 lb boneless chicken breasts
1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
1/2 lb cheddar cheese, Shredded
10 8-inch flour tortillas

Preparation
1. Broil the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink inside. Cool and then shred or cube the chicken.
2. Mix chicken, salsa and cheese in a bowl.
3. Place 1/10th of the mixture on half of the tortilla, fold over and press down slightly to "seal". You can moisten the edges with water to help the edges seal
4. Bake at 400°F for about 5 minutes or until tortillas start to brown.
5. Serve with additional salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for dipping.
6. Goes well with refried beans and/or Spanish Rice.

WW POINTS per serving: 6
Nutritional information per serving: 291 calories, 12.2g fat, 2.4g fiber

Stuffed Bell Peppers

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	6 large red or green peppers, rinsed
	1 pound lean ground beef
	1 medium onion, finely chopped
	1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
	1/2 cup long-grain white rice
	1 1/4 cups chicken or beef broth
	3/4 cup diced tomato (fresh or canned)
	1 teaspoon paprika
	1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
	1 teaspoon dried basil
	1/2 teaspoon salt
	Pepper, to taste
	1/3 cup grated Parmesan, plus a little extra for garnish
	1 large egg, lightly beaten
	3 cups of your favorite tomato sauce

1. Slice the top 1/4 inch off each pepper. Finely chop the flesh on the stem end; set it aside. Remove the seeds and white pith from inside the peppers. (If the peppers won't stand up straight, take a small slice off the bottom with a paring knife to make a flat surface.)

2. Put a steamer basket (or a colander) inside a large pot and add an inch or so of water. Place the peppers in the basket. Bring the water to a boil and tightly cover the pot. Steam the peppers for 8 minutes. Remove the peppers with tongs and set them on a wire rack to cool.

3. Combine the reserved chopped pepper, ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet. Brown the meat over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.

4. Drain any visible fat from the pan, then return it to the heat. Add the rice, broth, tomato, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer it, tightly covered, for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the egg and the 1/3 cup of Parmesan.

5. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a large baking dish or casserole and pour in 2 1/2 cups of tomato sauce. Using a large spoon, scoop about 3/4 cup of filling into each pepper. Set the stuffed peppers into the prepared pan, so they are evenly spaced and surrounded by sauce. Spread a spoonful of the remaining sauce over the top of each, to keep the filling moist, and cover the pan with aluminum foil.

6. Bake the peppers until they're heated through, about 35 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the tops with Parmesan. Serve the peppers hot, in pools of tomato sauce. Makes 6 servings.

Chile Relleno Casserole

4 7-oz cans whole mild green chiles (or 1 2-1/2 lb can)

1 lb. Jack Cheese

5 eggs

1 1/4 cups milk

1/4 cup flour

1/2 t. salt

dash of pepper

4 cups (1 lb.) grated cheddar cheese

Split chiles lengthwise. Remove seeds and membranes. Rinse under cold water and drain open on paper towels.

Slice cheese in 1/2"x1/2" long slices.

Place inside of chiles, folding chiles around cheese. Place stuffed chiles in ungreased 3 qt. baking dish.

Beat eggs with milk, flour, salt and pepper well. Pour over chiles. Sprinkle top with grated cheddar.

Bake uncovered at 350°, 45 minutes.

Serves 10 - 12