Showing posts with label side dishes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label side dishes. Show all posts

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Puerto Rican Style Beans


My husband's favorite food is rice and beans so he was very happy tonight. Cooking dried beans is something I do often, but during the week when I want to make a quick dinner, canned beans work fine. This is ready in 15 minutes. Serve over rice.
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 • Size: 1/2 cup • Time: 15 minutes • Points: 2 ww points
  • 15.5 oz can pink beans
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 small onion
  • 1/2 cubanelle pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 potato, peeled and diced into 1/4 pieces
  • 1 packet sazon
  • 1 bay leaf
  • pinch oregano
  • salt and pepper
In a mini food processor, chop onions, garlic, pepper and cilantro. Add oil to a medium saucepan and saute the chopped ingredients about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse the beans and add to the saucepan with 3/4 cup of water. Add tomato sauce, potato, sazon, bay leaf, oregano, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer on low for about 15 minutes.

Potato and Green Bean Salad


This is my new favorite potato salad. Extra olive oil and good balsamic vinegar really makes a difference in the taste. I am looking forward to the warmer weather to make this at my next bbq but this can be served all year as a fabulous side dish.
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 10 • Size: 9 oz • Time: 15 minutes • Points: 3.25 ww points
  • 7 large new potatoes, peeled
  • 1 lb string beans beans, ends trimmed
  • 1 2.8 oz can sliced olives, drained
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 scallions, chopped
  • kosher salt and fresh pepper
Cook potatoes in a large pot of salted water. In another pot, cover string beans with water and boil until string beans are cooked. Run under cold water to prevent them from overcooking. When the potatoes are done, drain and slice in large chunks.

In a large bowl, combine balsamic, oil, salt and pepper. Add potatoes green beans, scallions and olives. Mix will and serve room temperature.

Cauliflower Fritters


This is a delicious way to prepare cauliflower. Similar to the taste of a potato pancake. Your kids will love them! Makes approx 24 fritters depending on size of cauliflower.
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: makes 24 • Size: 2 fritters 4 oz • Time: 25 minutes • Calories: 137 • Points: 2.5
  • 1 head cauliflower (4 cups)
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano
  • 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup hot water
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
Steam cauliflower, then chop into small pieces. In a large bowl, combine cauliflower, flour, garlic, eggs, grated cheese, parsley, salt and pepper. Add water so that batter becomes slightly more dense than pancake batter.

On medium-low heat, add 1 tbsp of oil in a 10 inch skillet coating bottom of the pan. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to form fritters. You can fit 4 fritters at a time. Cook until golden brown, turn and cook another few minutes. Add a little more oil to the pan, and repeat with the remaining batter.

Southwestern Black Bean Salad
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 12 • Size: 1/2 cup • Prep Time: 10 minutes • Calories: 106 • Points: 2.5 ww points
  • 1 15.5 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 9 oz frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 1 small hass avocado, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
  • 1 scallion, chopped
  • 1 lime, juice of
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp cilantro
  • salt and fresh pepper
Combine beans, corn, tomato, onion, scallion, cilantro, salt and pepper. Mix with lime juice and olive oil. Marinate in the refrigerator 30 minutes. Add avocado before serving.