Don't forget the Beano!

Last night, I made one of my and Stephen's favorite recipes for Stephen, Mom, Dad, Lee, E, and Aunty Lynn down the beach. It was a success!  Rave reviews (at least they said)!  Enjoy!

Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients:

1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 c. brown rice, cooked

1/2 medium onion, diced

2 egg whites, whisked

6 Tbsp. salsa

4 Tbsp. fat free sour cream

Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking spray

4 whole wheat hamburger buns or sandwich thins

Instructions:

1.  Heat non-stick skillet over medium heat.

2.  In a large bowl, mash beans with a fork until they become a paste.

3.  Mix beans with rice, onions, egg whites, and 2 tablespoons of salsa.

4.  Divide mixture into 4 patties (they will be very loose).  Spray skillet with cooking spray.  Drop patties onto hot skillet.  Cook patties for approximately 4 minutes on each side, or until firm.

5.  While patties are cooking, mix sour cream with remaining salsa to create sauce.

6.  Serve patties on buns topped with 1 1/2 tablespoons of sauce each.

Serves 4

4 WW points (with sauce and bun)

Yum!  Sorry, forgot to take photos!  Next time!

Mexican Monday!

Happy Monday!

About a year ago, Stephen and I began Mexican Monday.  We thought, "How can we make Monday a better day in the week?"  Then it came to us...Mexican food!  Mexican Monday has been forgotten about a bit recently because of grilling season.  But since tonight is raining...it is back!

I have chosen to share with you (and make for dinner tonight) our favorite Mexican Monday recipe.  I do confess though, it is not an original Amy recipe.  I have modified the deliciousness of the wonderful Chanel Elise Latimer.  Many thanks, Chanel.  You have made Mondays much better here in Kenmore Square.

Chicken and Salsa

Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken breast, raw, thin sliced

24 oz. jarred salsa (Tostitos is the best for this recipe)

15 oz. black beans, canned, rinsed and drained

1 large bell pepper, green, chopped

1/2 medium onion, chopped

2 2/3 c. brown rice, cooked (I tend to use Trader Joe's frozen brown rice...so easy!)

4 Tbsp. fat-free sour cream

Instructions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.  In a 9"X13" casserole dish, lay chicken in a single layer (I usually put a couple spoonfuls of salsa on the bottom to make sure it doesn't stick).

Kind of an icky picture!

3.  Cover chicken in 1/2 of the salsa.  Then top with peppers, onions, and beans.

4.  Cover with remaining salsa.  Bake for 45 minutes.

5.  Divide into 4 servings and serve with 2/3 cup of rice and 1 tablespoon of sour cream.

Delicious!

Serves 4

7 WW points

P.S.  It is also fabulous on Day 2 chopped up and with tortilla chips!  Yum!

I want to be like Julia!

For the past few days, I've been battling a scratchy throat.  I've been known to describe that sensation as "woody."  I didn't feel like making the standard Jewish penicillin (i.e., chicken soup), therefore, I decided to attempt a healthy French onion soup.  It was pretty good, could have used some more salt and butter, but we've got a wedding coming up!  Ha!  If it is any indication, Stephen had seconds!

French Onion Soup

Ingredients:

2 large onions, roughly chopped

6 Tbsp Sherry, dry or sweet

6 cups beef broth, fat free

1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

4 1-in slices, French bread

4 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large saucepan, combine onions and sherry; saute until onions are tender, about 6 minutes.

2.  Add broth and Worcestershire sauce.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

3.  While soup is simmering, toast bread in oven until golden brown (about 7 minutes).

4.  Place one piece of toast into each of four bowls.  Divide soup among bowls (about 2 cups each) and top with 1 tablespoon of cheese.

Mmmmmmmmm!  Delicious!

Serves 4

3 WW points

Benvenuti!

It all began in the summer of 2006.  Picture this...a 21 year old Amy, a bachelor's degree, a summer of pretending to look for a part-time job, and an impending start to grad school.  "How did this young Amy fill her time?" you ask.  Watching Food Network, of course!  My love for cooking and experimenting with recipes started there.  Here, I will share all of my delicious and not-so-delicious recipes with you.  There will be no chicken frying here, as I am always looking for a healthier way to make a scrumptious meal.  I promise you, even your picky, cheese-loving fiance will love (most of) these recipes!