Festive Holiday Spread

2 (8oz) pkgs. of fat free cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup of shredded low-fat Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup of shredded nonfat cheddar cheese
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles, drained
1/2 cup sliced green onions
2/3 cup fat free sour cream
1 medium red pepper
chopped fresh parsley

In large bowl combine cream cheese and shredded cheeses. Blend well. Stir in chiles, onions. Place mixture on sheet of plastic wrap. Shape into 12" log and bend upper 1/3 to form a candy cane shape. With plastic wrap, transfer to serving plate and reshape if necessary. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Just before serving, spread "candy cane" with sour cream. Decorate with red pepper strips to make the stripes. Use parsley to accent stripes. Serve with assorted low point crackers. Store in the refrigerator.

Makes 10 servings at 2 points each

Italian Spinach Pie

16 oz container of lowfat cottage cheese
10 oz pkg frozen chopped spinach, drained
1 cup reduced fat mozzarella, shredded
4 eggs or eggbeater substitute for 4 eggs
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried oregano

Mix all together. Pour into 9" pie plate. Bake 40 minutes at 350.

8 servings @ 4 Points each

Thanks Sally!

Pumpkin Pie with Phyllo Dough Crust

Was POINTS® Value: 8
Now POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 8

* 4 sprays cooking spray
* 4 sheet phyllo dough
* 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
* 1/4 tsp ground cloves
* 1 tsp ground cinnamon
* 1 tsp ground ginger
* 1 tsp cornstarch
* 1/8 tsp table salt
* 1 1/2 cup canned pumpkin, puree
* 1 1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
* 1/2 cup fat-free egg substitute
* 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

* Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9-inch round pie pan with cooking spray.

* Cut phyllo sheets in half. Place 1 sheet in prepared pan and lightly coat with cooking spray. Top with another sheet of phyllo, placing corners just to the right of the previous sheet's corners. Repeat with remaining sheets to form a circle. Press layered phyllo into pan and roll in edges. Bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

* Whisk together brown sugar, spices, cornstarch and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together pumpkin, evaporated milk, egg substitute and vanilla in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

* Pour filling into crust. Bake until set, about 50 minutes. (Cover crust edges with foil during baking if they are becoming too brown.) Cool completely before cutting into 8 pieces.

Thanksgiving Foods

These are the points for traditionally made foods (deli, your family, etc). If you substitute ingredients you will be able to enjoy them for a lower points value.


Apple pie, 1 slice - 9 points
Au Gratin Potatoes, 1 cup - 12 points
Butter, 1 tsp - 3 point
Candied Sweet Potatoes, 1/2 cup - 4 points
Corn bread dressing, 1 cup - 8 points
Cranberry sauce , 1/4 cup - 2 points
Crescent rolls, 1 - 2 points
Dinner roll, 1 - 2 points
Gravy - cream, 1/4 cup - 4 points
Gravy - brown, 1/4 cup - 2 points
Green Bean Casserole, 3/4 cup - 3 points
Marshmallows, 2 medium - 1 point
Mashed potatoes, 1/2 cup - 2 points
Mixed nuts, 1 ounce - 4 points
Mincemeat Pie, 1 slice - 14 points
Pecan Pie, 1 slice - 11 points
Pumpkin bread, 1 slice - 7 points
Pumpkin pie, 1 slice - 9 points
Stuffed mushrooms, 4 - 3 points
Stuffing, 1/2 cup - 4 points
Sweet potatoes, 1 large - 3 points
Turkey, 2 oz. - 2 points
Whipped cream, 1/4 cup - 1 point
Wine, 4 oz. - 2 points
Winter squash, 1 cup - 1 point

Pumpkin Ginger Bread

One 15-oz. can pure pumpkin
1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute
1/2 cup granulated Splenda
1/4 cup molasses
3 TBSP mini chocolate chips
2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp granulated sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine both types of flour, Splenda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and ginger. Reserve 1 tsp of this dry mix.

In a medium bowl, mix together pumpkin, egg substitute, molasses and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingedients slowly, mixing well until combined.

Toss chocolate chips with reserved flour mixture, fold these into the bread batter. This step will help suspend your choclate chips in the batter instead of sinking to the bottom. (That tip is from Good Eats!)

Pour batter into a large loaf pan (about 9" X 5") sprayed with nonstick spray. (I like to use the kind with flour in the can.) Sprinkle the top of the batter with the 1 tsp of granulated sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or the top of the bread is firm to touch. Don’t over bake it or it’ll be like a ginger bread brick! The bread should be moist inside. Cool before serving.

MAKES 8 SERVINGS @ 3 Points, or 2 Points without chocolate chips

Thanks Dawn!!!

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

1 15 oz. can pumpkin
1/3 c.sugar
2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c. refrigerated or frozen egg product thawed,or 2 eggs lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 c. evaporated fat-free

Prep:25 minutes Bake:45 minutes Makes:8 servings Serving size: 1/8 of pie

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 1 1/2 quart souffle dish,or eight 4 -ounce ramekins,set aside.
For filling,in a medium bowl,combine pumpkin,sugar,honey,and pie spice. Add eggs and vanilla.
Beat lightly with a fork just until combined. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into prepared dish.
If,using ramekins,place in a 15x10x1 inch baking dish.

Bake 45 to 50 minutes for dish or 30 to 35 minutes for ramekins or until center appears set when gently shaken.
Cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours before serving.

Serve with Lite Cool Whip.

2 Points each
Thanks Roberta!

Thanksgiving Recipes

Apple Pie - much lighter than traditional recipes!
1 cup flour + 5 tbsp.
2 tsp. sugar + 2 tbsp.
3 tbsp. reduced-calorie margarine; chilled & cut up + 2 tbsp. melted butter
2 tbsp. water, or more if necessary
4 medium apples, Macintosh, peeled and sliced thin
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats
Preheat oven to 400. To make the crust, combine 1 cup flour and 2 tsp. sugar in a large bowl. Add 3 tbsp. chilled margarine and mix together by hand, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cold water, 1 tbsp. at a time and mix until manageable dough forms. Press dough into 9" pie pan and up sides too. Pinch the edges to form decorative rim.
To make filling, combine apples, 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a large bowl; toss to coat apples. Arrange mixture in pie crust. Combine oats, 5 tbsp. flour, 2 tbsp. sugar and melted margarine in a small bowl. Sprinkle over apples. Bake until tender and crumb toppings are golden brown, about 45-50 minutes. Cool 30 minutes before slicing. 8 slices @ 4 points per slice


Candied Sweet Potatoes
2 large sweet potatoes, about 2 lbs, peeled, halve lengthwise and cut crosswise into 2-inch thick pieces
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, melted
1/2 tsp table salt
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Place sweet 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 and arrange them in a single layer in the bottom of a shallow baking dish. Whisk together juice, sugar, syrup, margarine and salt; pour mixture over sweet potatoes.
Bake for 30 minutes, then stir to coat potatoes with liquid and bake for 15 more minutes, until sauce is thick and bubbly. Stir once again before serving. 1 cup = 3 Points


Campbell's Greem Bean Casserole
1 can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup 1% or skim milk
1 tsp. soy sauce
dash pepper
4 cups cooked cut green beans
1 1/3 cup french-fried onions
Mix soup, milk, soy, pepper, beans and 2/3 cup onions in 1 1/2 qt. casserole. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until hot.
Stir and sprinkle with remaining onions. Bake 5 minutes more. Makes 6 servings (3/4 cup each) at 2-Points

Crustless Pumpkin Pie #1
1 1/2 cup Splenda
1/2 tsp salt
1 3/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup Eggbeaters
1/2 cup reduced-fat Bisquick
15 oz canned pumpkin
12 oz fat free evaporated milk
Mix with whisk and pour into 9" coated pie pan. Bake at 450 for 15 minutes, then at 350 for an additional 20 minutes.
Makes 8 servings at 2-Points each

Crustless Pumpkin Pie #2
15 oz can pumpkin
1 can evaporated skim milk
3/4 cup egg substitute
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup Splenda
Mix all together and bake at 400 for 15 minutes, then at 350 for 45 minutes. Makes 8 servings at 1-Point each

Crustless Pumpkin Pie #3
1 egg2 egg whites
3/4 cup Splenda
1/2 cup reduced fat biscuit mix
1 tsp vanilla1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1 can solid pack pumpkin (15 oz)
1 can (12 oz) fat free evaporated milk
Pour into 9" pie plate sprayed with nonstick coating. Bake at 350, 35-40 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean. Refrigerate leftovers. Dollop with 2 TBS fat free whipped topping.
8 servings @ 2-Points

Fat Free Gravy
1 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
Poultry seasoning to taste
Combine cornstarch and water in small bowl. Stir with whisk until well blended. Stir in broth and set aside. Coat medium pan with spray and place over med/high heat until hot. Add onion, thyme, salt, pepper and poultry seasonings. Stir in cornstarch mixture. Boil over medium heat 1 minute or until thick and bubbly stirring constantly. Makes 1 1/2 cups.
1 tablespoon = 0 points1/4 cup = 1 point


Holiday Stuffing
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
8 oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained
3 tbsp. minced parsley
1 tsp. dried sage
8 oz package herb seasoned stuffing mix (Pepperidge Farm brand is preferred by many)
Heat oven to 350. Spray 2 qt casserole with nonstick spray. Spray large nonstick saucepan with spray and heat. Add celery, onion, and mushrooms. Cook until softened about 5 minutes. Stir in chestnuts, parsley, sage and 1 1/2 cups water (or fat free chicken broth for better flavor with no added points!) Bring to a boil. Remove and stir in stuffing mix. Transfer to casserole and bake 20 minutes. Makes 12 servings of 1/2 cup @ 2-Points


Pumpkin Fluff
1 pkg. sugar-free fat-free vanilla pudding
2 cups skim milk
1 tub fat-free Cool Whip
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
Make pudding according to package directions. Fold in pumpkin and cool whip. Place in reduced-fat graham cracker crust if desired. If made without crust 8 cups @ 1-Point per cup If made with crust it's 8 servings @ 3 points per serving

Southwest Burger

1 Oroweat Sandwich Thins Roll
1/4 pound 96% lean ground sirloin
1 tsp grill seasoning
1 tsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp chopped scallion
1/2 sliced reduced-fat pepper jack cheese
2 tsp ketchup
hot sauce
sliced tomato, red onion, avocado and red leaf lettuce

Pre-heat grill or non-stick skillet to medium-high. In a small bowl, combine ground sirloin, seasoning, cilantro and scallions and form into a patty about 1/2" thick. Grill patty 3-4 minutes each side. At the last minute of cooking top patty with pepper jack cheese. Spread one side of the roll with ketchup and sprinkle hot sauce to taste. Top patty with sliced tomato, onion, avocado and lettuce.

1 burger @ 7 Points

Chicken & Apple Panini

1 Oroweat Sandwich Thin Roll
4 oz boneless skinless chicken breast
2 slices reduced-fat switss cheese
4 pieces thinly sliced apply, any variet
1 tsp reduce-fat mayonnaise
baby spinach leaves

Preheat a nonstick grilled or skillet to medium. Grill each side of the chicken breast for 5-7 minutes. Spread one side of the roll with mayonnaise. Assemble the sandwich by layering a slice of cheese, apples, chicken baby spinach and the remaining slice of cheese; grill the sandwich about 90 seconds on each side, weight the sandwich down wtih a small skillet as it cooks.

Makes 1 sandwich @ 7 Points

Tune your ears to wisdom

Tune your ears to wisdom,

and concentrate on understanding.

Cry out for insight,

and ask for understanding.

Search for them as you would for silver;

seek them like hidden treasures.