Mu Shu Pork

I fell in love with this recipe the minute I turned to the page in the new Weight Watchers Cookbook Eat and Enjoy.  It quickly took it's place on this weeks menu planner and I think we have all been looking forward to trying it.

Fork free dining is always a hit at our house with rice paper rolls, tacos, fajitas etc frequently on the menu - the dinner table is always relaxed and we seem to chat more (I have no idea why) except for tonight - everyone was too busy eating. 

This dish from northern China combines pieces of delicately flavoured pork and the pungent yet sweet flavour of hoisin sauce in everyone's favourite Peking Duck pancakes.  I changed the suggested vegetables as I knew my kids wouldn't eat the choy sum by itself.

All I can say was it was amazing and has already been requested again.

Mu Shu Pork 

(recipe adapted from WW Eat and Enjoy Cookbook)

Serves: 4

ProPoints per serve: 8

1 tablespoon salt reduced soy sauce

1 tablespoon shaoxing wine (Chinese rice wine)

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon caster sugar

1 tablespoon canola or sunflower oil

450 grams lean pork fillet, trimmed, cut into 3 cm pieces

4 green shallots, cut into 2 cm pieces plus extra for garnish

2 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger

2 garlic cloves, crushed

150 grams fresh shitake mushrooms, thinly sliced

1/2 cup canned sliced bamboo shoots, shopped

1 tablespoon water

12 peking duck pancakes

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1 bunch choy sum
1 bunch broccolini
2 teaspoons kecap manis

Combine soy sauce, shaoxing wine, sesame oil and sugar in a small bowl and stir until sugar has dissolved.  Set aside until required.

Heat a wok over a high heat heat.  Add half the canola or sunflower oil and heat for 30 seconds.  Stir fry pork, in batches, for 3 - 4 minutes or until lightly browned.  Transfer to a plate.

Reheat wok over high heat.  Add remaining oil and heat for 30 seconds.  Add shallots, ginger and garlic and stir fry for 1 minute.  Add mushrooms and bamboo shoorts and stir fry for 1 minute.  Return pork to wok along with soy mixture and water.  Stir fry for 1 minute or until heated through.

Meanwhile warm pancakes in microwave following packet intstructions.

Steam choy sum and broccolini until just tender.  Place on a plate and drizzle with kecap manis.

To serve spread 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce over each pancake.  Top with pork mixture and roll to enclose filling.  Sprinkle with extra shallots and serve with steamed choy sum.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Creamy Lemon Linguine with Prawns and Scallops

I have a passion for creamy pasta and although it's not that popular with my hips it's probably something that I would class as "real" comfort food, something I have been fancying for a while now especially with all the travel I have been doing.

I have read several recipes now combining lemon, seafood and cream and knew I would be able to come up with something combining all these flavours along with knocking the yearning for comfort food on the head.

Then I found a recipe in one of my Weight Watcher cookbooks which I adapted to suit the desired outcome my tastebuds required.

Creamy Lemon Linguine with Prawns and Scallops

(recipe adapted from WW Cook Fast Cookbook)

Serves: 6

ProPoints per serve: 9

300 grams linguine

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

400 grams green prawns, peeled

300 grams scallops

cooking spray

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 green shallots, thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 tablespoon cornflour

375 mil can evaporated skim milk

1 teaspoon fingely grated lemon rind

1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and cook pasta according to packet directions.  Drain.  Return pasta to the pan and drizzle with lemon juice.

Rinse and drain prawns and scallops, pat dry on paper towel to remove excess water.

Heat a frying pan over medium heat and spray with cooking spray.  Cook prawns 1 -2 minutes on each side or until just turning pink and remove to a plate.  Respray pan and cook scallops for 2 minutes on each side or until just cooked also.  Remove to a plate.  Wipe out frying pan with paper towel.

Return frying pan to stove and heat oil over medium heat.  Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, for 3 - 4 minutes or until softened.  Blend the cornflour with a little of the evaporated milk in a small jug.  Stir in the remaining milk.  Add the milk mixture and cook stirring over low heat until mixture bubbles and slightly thickens. 

Add the lemon rind, prawns and scallops and cook until seafood is heated through.

Add the sauce and parsley to the pasta and toss to combine.  Serve garnished with extra parsley sprigs.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Massaman Beef Curry

When it comes to cuisines I have to say Noel and I enjoy most aspects of Asian inspired cuisine ranking Chinese, Thai and Indian up the top of the list. We both love cooking with all the ingredients associated with those styles of cooking and just the aroma that some dishes give before eating is enough to send our tastebuds into a frenzy.

Massaman Beef Curry does exactly that. It's one of the dishes we always order when at a Thai restaurant even the kids enjoy the mildness of it. I loved the smell of this curry cooking with its pungent flavoursome smell of garlic, lemongrass, ginger and chilli laced with kaffir lime leaves. Not to mention how we devoured it once we sat down to eat. 

This version we used a pre brought jar of massaman curry paste and of course with replacing the thick coconut cream with lighter version it reduced the fat making it fit perfectly within the Weight Watchers ProPoints plan.

Funnily enough this Thai curry originated in India although made from natural Thai herbs and spices so that might explain why Noel and I have a little crush on it.

Massaman Beef Curry

(recipe sourced from WW Magazine September 2011)

Serves: 4

ProPoints per Serves: 11

2 teaspoons peanut oil

600 grams lean beef, cut into 3cm cubes

cooking spray

6 eschallots, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons Massaman Curry Paste

2 kaffir lime leaves, shredded

3 large carrots, thickly sliced

2 cups beef stock

3/4 cup light coconut cream

1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce

1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves

2 cups steamed jasmine rice

1 lime, cut into wedges, to serve

Heat peanut oil in a large heavy based saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook beef, in batches, for 2 - 3 minutes or until browned, then transfer to a plate and set aside.

Lightly spray same pan with cooking spray. Add eschallots and cook, stirring for 5 minutes or until browned. Add curry paste and lime leaves and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant.

Return beef to pan, add carrots and stock and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 hours or until beef is tender.

Add coconut cream and fish sauce and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until thickened slightly.

Serve Massaman Curry with fresh coriander sprinked on top with a bowl of steamed jasmine rice and lime wedges on the the side.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Honey Mustard Pork with Roasted Pear Salad

I was always brought up thinking that Apple Sauce was the perfect condiment for pork but I can tell you know that pears are a pretty good match also especially with this dish.

Beurre bosc pears are the pears that you find with the rough brownish skin but the white flesh inside is sweet and really great when roasted as they didn't mush as I would imagine normal pears to do.

A brilliant cooking tip with this recipe is to line your frying pan with baking paper as this will stop the marinade on the pork from burning. This recipe from the marinaded pork to the roasted pear salad and the sticky gooey sauce went down a treat.

Honey Mustard Pork with Roasted Pear Salad

 (recipe sourced from WW Programme Cookbook)

Serves: 4

ProPoints per Serve: 8

3 beurre bosc pears, quartered and cored

500 grams baby (chat) potatoes, halved

cooking spray

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

500 grams lean pork fillet, fat trimmed

100 grams cherry tomatoes, halved

2 cups baby spinach leaves

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Place pears and potatoes in a large baking dish. Lightly spay with cooking spray and toss to coat. Roast for 40 - 45 minutes or until golden and tender.

Meanwhile combine oil, honey, mustard and thyme in a large shallow bowl. Add pork and turn to coat.

Line a frying pan with baking paper and heat over medium to low heat. Cook pork, turnin, for 12 - 15 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.  Rest pork for 5 minutes before slicing thickly.

Place tomatoes and spinach in a medium bowl. Add roasted pears and potatoes and toss to combine.

Drizzle pork with pan juices and serve with the roasted pear salad.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Chorizo, Capsicum and Mushroom Gnocchi

As it was our last night just the three of us - Alex comes home tomorrow I decided Oliver could choose what he wanted for dinner.... Gnocchi and Chorizo Sausages were his choice.

Gnocchi is one of his favourite pastas, a pasta we do not eat that often as Alex doesn't really like it but Oliver orders it when we are out for dinner.  Gnocchi is a potato pasta, little rolled balls which are just quickly boiled.

Choriza is a smokey yet spicy spanish sausage, similar to a salami, another of Oliver's favourite things and also another thing Alex doesn't like.

Perfect meal tonight using both ingredients that the boy likes and the girl doesn't and I have to say it was very easy to cook and tasted great.  The plain tomato base of this sauce complemented the chorizo and also sat smoothly on the gnocchi.  It was a pleasure to eat.

Chorizo, Mushroom and Capsicum Gnocchi

Serves: 6

ProPoints per serve: 10

2 Chorizo sausages, sliced

cooking spray

100 grams 97% fat free bacon

1 teaspoon crushed garlic

1 brown onion, sliced

1 red capsicum, sliced

200 grams mushrooms, sliced

1 x 400 gram tinned diced tomatoes

1 cup water

salt

freshly ground black pepper

500 grams 98% fat free potato gnocchi

200 grams baby spinach leaves

fresh basil leaves for garnish

Heat a large frying pan and fry chorizo until cooked through, remove to a plate. 

Wipe out frying pan with kitchen paper towel, spray frying pan with cooking spray, reheat and add bacon.  Cook until slightly browned and remove to same plate.

Respray pan again, add garlic, onion and capsicum.  Cook over a medium heat until onion starts to soften.  Add mushrooms and cook for a further 5 minutes.  Add tomatoes and water.  Mix well.  Season with salt and pepper.  Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook gnocchi as per packet instructions.  Drain well.

Add gnocchi to the pasta sauce along with the spinach.  Mix gently to combine and cook until heated through.  Serve garnished with fresh basil leaves.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Chengdu Prawns and Scallops

Every now and then we have to put up a spicy dish to please both of our tastebuds and this one was no exception as far as flavour and spice were concerned.

The Sichuan cuisine, also known as Szechuan-style and is one of the most popular regional styles of Chinese cooking. Known for it's spicy and pngent flavours this dish sure kicked a punch. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan and the inclusion of citrus peel in this dish proves that it comes from this city.

I have to say the thought of using orange rind in a spicy sauce interested me as it is an ingredient that isn't often used.

Noel cooked this dish and I have to say that it was delicious.....

Chengdu Prawns and Scallops (Recipe adapted from Women's Weekly Stir Fry Chop Wok Toss)
Serves: 2
ProPoints per serve: 10
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons chinese cooking wine
1 teaspoon sesame oil
400 grams prawns, shells removed and deveined
300 grams scallops
2 teaspoon peanut oil
500 grams baby spinach
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cms piece fresh ginger, grated
4 spring onions, sliced thinly
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon white sugar
2 tablespoons finely grated orange rind
2 tablespoons sambal oelek
1 teaspoon sichuan peppercorns, crushed

Combine half the sauce, half the wine and half the sesame oil in a large bowl, add prawns and scallops and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Heat 1 teapsoon peanut oil in wok and stir fry spinach until just wilted. Remove from wok and cover to keep warm.

Heat the remaining peanut oil in wok and stir fry the prawn and scallop mixture in batches until just cooked and remove from pan. To the same pan add the garlic, ginger and onion cooking until the onion just softens.

Return prawn mixture and remaining suacue, wine and sesame oil to the wok along with the vinegar, sugar, rind and sambal. Stir fry for 1 - 2 minutes until prawns are cooked through.

Serve spinach topped with prawns and scallops and sprinkled with the crushed sichuan peppercorns.


(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Coriander and Lemongrass Fish

This was such a wonderful dish mainly flavour wise but also due to the how easy it was to prepare.

It's a dish that I have always fancied cooking since first purchasing the Weight Watchers Simply The Best 2005 Cookbook but for some reason had never got around to actually doing so.

The fish was amazingly moist and tender. Although topped with strong exotic flavours of coriander and lemongrass I have to say that they weren't overpowering either.

I decided to serve the fish with some Vegetarian Noodles which made it a delicious Asian themed meal.

Coriander and Lemongrass Fish (recipe adapted from WW Simply The Best 2005)
Serves: 4
ProPoints per serve: 5
4 x 200 gram white fish fillets
1 tablespoon Garden Gourmet Coriander Herb Blend
1 tablespoon Garden Gourmet Lemongrass Herb Blend

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Combine coriander and lemograss, mix well. Spread 2 teaspoons of mixture over each fillet.

Cover with foil and bake in oven for 12 - 15 minutes of until cooked.


(Click here for a printable version of the recipe)

Vegetarian Noodles

After a long and unwanted break from sharing out culinary adventures, I want to assure you and myself that I have not forgotten or given up on my beloved blog. A break, which has seen me do very little cooking during this time due to work commitments having me live in a hotel room for 4 out of the 5 weeknights and I must also add this place wasn’t local to my home.

But last weekend we did manage to cook and I have to say that I enjoyed every minute. It is amazing how you miss do something that you find a chore to do day in day out especially when confined to a small hotel room that only has a kettle and a toaster – no real cooking facilities. Even a microwave would be good while I am away.

However hopefully over the next few weeks I will also be able to sneak in a few more cooking experiences here and there and keep A Dash Of Flavour progressing as I still have at least another two weeks away from home.

Enough waffling let's get down to some cooking. I must say noodles are one of my secret favourite dishes, a favourite that I often crave. So it is no surprise that I really enjoyed cooking and eating these especially teamed with Coriander and Lemongrass Fish.

Vegetarian Noodles

Serves: 4
ProPoints per serve: 5

440 grams hokkien noodles
1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce
1 tablespoon kecap manis
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 cm piece of ginger, grated
1 onion, sliced
1 carrot, julienned
1 red capsicum julienned
200 grams button mushrooms, sliced
2 baby bok choy, roughly chopped
100 grams bean sprouts
1/4 cup fresh coriander, chopped

Fill a large bowl with hot water and soak noodles as per packet directions. Drain and set aside.

In a small jug mix together sweet chilli sauce, kecap manis, soy sauce and water.

Heat oil in a large wok or frying pan over high heat. Add garlic, ginger, onion and carrots tossing until onion starts to soften - add a little water if vegetables start to burn. Add capsicum and mushrooms. Stir fry for 3 - 4 minutes.

Add combined sauce and stir through. Add noodles and bok choy tossing to combine.
Stir through bean sprouts and corinader. Serve immediately.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Chilli Pork, Vegetable and Noodle Stir Fry

WOW what a dish jam packed with not only lots of vegetables but also all the flavours that I love.... I love using fresh herbs and spices as they add so much more than packet mixes or jars. Best of all this dish wasn't a heavy dish it was quite light and refreshing but very filling.

If you love Asian flavours this dish will definitely satisfy your tastebuds.

Chilli Pork, Vegetable and Noodle Stir Fry
Serves: 4
ProPoints per serve: 10
200 grams thick rice noodles
cooking spray
600 grams pork mince
2 cloves garlic, finely sliced
3 cm piece fresh ginger, grated
2 - 3 red chillies, finely sliced (taste dependant)
1 onion, finely sliced
1 carrot, cut into fine batons
1/2 red capiscum, finely sliced
150 grams mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons water
225 gram bamboo shoots, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
juice of 1 lime
1 cup bean sprouts
1 bunch fresh coriander, chopped

Cook noodles as per packet directions, drain and set aside.

Spray a large wok with cooking spray and heat over a high heat. Add pork, garlic, ginger and chillies Stirfry until pork is sealed and almost cooked. Remove from wok.

Respray wok with cooking spray and add onions and carrots. Stir fry for 2 - 3 minutes or until starting to soften. Add capsicum and mushrooms and stir fry for a further 2 minutes, adding water if required. Add bamboo shoots and stirfry until combined.

Return pork to the wok along with oyster sauce, sweet chilli sauce and lime juice. Stir fry until mixed through. Add noodles, bean sprouts and coriander and toss through. Serve immediately garnished with extra coriander and sliced chilli.

(click here for a printable version of the recipe)

Mexican Chicken Cannelloni

Lately there has been a lot of fancying happening in the House of Murray… last night was a classic example. The kids wanted pasta and I really craved Mexican flavours. So in a time of being torn between both worlds the only thing that can be done is to combine both.

Mexican Chicken Cannelloni combined the mellow chilli tomato based salsa flavours that I adore with the home comfort of pasta which satisfied all of us last night.

Mexican Chicken Cannelloni

Serves: 6
ProPoints per serve: 9

cooking spray
500 grams chicken breast fillet, chopped
1 onion, diced
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 red capsicum, diced
1 green capsicum, diced
125 gram can corn kernels, drained and rinsed
440 gram can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ - ½ teaspoon chilli (taste depending)
salt
freshly ground black pepper
6 Latina fresh lasagne sheets
2 cups tomato based salsa
120 grams reduced fat grated tasty cheese

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Spray a large frying pan with cooking spray and heat on high. Add chicken and cook until sealed and starting to brown. Remove from pan.

To the same pan add onion and garlic, cooking over a medium heat until softened. Add capsicums and corn, Cook for a further 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, cumin and chilli powder and cook for a further 5 – 10 minutes or until mixture has reduced slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Cut lasagne sheets in half lengthwise to make 12 sheets. When filling has cooled place 1/12 of the chicken mixture on the edge of a lasagne sheet and roll to enclose finishing with the seal at the bottom. Repeat with remaining mixture and sheets to make 12 rolls.

Spray a large baking dish with cooking spray. Spread ½ cup salsa along bottom of baking dish. Place cannelloni tubes in baking tray and top with remaining salsa. Sprinkle evenly with cheese.

Bake in oven for 25 – 30 minutes or until cooked through and cheese is golden.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

1 Minute Berry Ice Cream

I saw this recipe on Jamie Oliver's 30 Minute Meals and just knew it would go down a treat with the kids!

Frozen berries make it an instant frozen dessert but it can be frozen also to firm it up. The hint of mint from the fresh mint leaves gave it a pleasant aftertaste also.

I loved this recipe as there is no cream - just low fat natural yoghurt complimented with some honey to provide sweetness. A very easy and low ProPoint dessert that anyone can make.

And as Jamie said in the episode I was watching you can literally put anything you want into it - just use a little imagination. Watch out - I will be experimenting with this one.

1 Minute Berry Ice Cream
(recipe sourced from Jamie Oliver 30 Minute Meals)

Serves: 8
ProPoints per serve: 2

500 grams frozen berries
500 grams low fat natural yoghurt
4 tablespoons honey
fresh mint leaves

Place berries, yoghurt, honey and mint leaves. Blend until smooth.

Place in a sealed container and freeze if not using immediately.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Asian Pork and Vegetable Sausage Rolls

We definitely answered our call for having something different for dinner last night. I was going to make a spicy asian meatball but the kids didn't really jump for joy about that idea so I then thought about sausage rolls only to come to the conclusion that they would be boring. After a little discussion Noel and I decided to make both - an Asian Pork and Vegetable Sausage Roll.

Jam packed with vegetables and asian spices this created a buzz in the Murray household. Not overly spicy but with every mouthful the hint of sweet chilli, lemongrass and even kaffir lime was apparrant but not overpowering.

Overall a very pleasant and welcome change to the humble sausage roll. These would also be perfect as finger food if you made them smaller.

Asian Pork and Vegetable Sausage Rolls

Serves: 8
ProPoints per serve: 14

4 sheets reduced fat puff pastry
900 grams pork mince
1 onion, finely diced
2 carrots, grated
1 large zucchini grated
1 red capsicum, finely diced
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup char sui sauce
1/4 cup sweet chilli sauce
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon grated garlic
2 teaspoons finely chopped lemongrass
4 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
freshly ground black pepper
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon flour
cooking spray
1 egg white, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Remove pastry from freezer and allow to defrost. Line a baking tray with baking paper and spray with cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine pork, onion, carrot, zucchini, capsicum, tomato paste, char sui sauce, sweet chilli sauce, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and mix thoroughly to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

Divide mixture evenly into 4. Sprinkle a little flour on work surface and quickly roll 1/4 of the mixture into a sausage shape. Repeat with remaining mixture.

Working with one piece of pastry, place sausage mixture along the edge of the pasty. Gently but firmly roll to encase pastry ensuring pastry seam is at the bottom when done. Repeat with remaining pastry. Cut each sausage roll in half to make 8 rolls in total.

Place on baking tray and brush with egg white.

Cook in oven for 25 - 30 minutes or until pork is cook and pastry is golden.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Calabrese Salad

Although very basic - slices of tomato and boccocini, sprinkling of basil leaves, then drizzled with a balsamic dressing this salad is appealing as a side dish or just on it's own.

The freshness of this very easy salad is perfect. Do not dress it too early nor overdress it. It needs to be kept quite simple and the flavour will speak for itself.

Calabrese Salad

Serves: 4
ProPoints per serve: 4

6 Amarosa tomatoes or 3 Roma tomatoes
120 grams bocconcini
fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoons balasamic vinegar

Evenly slice the tomotoes and the bocconcini.

Arrange sliced tomotoes on a plate.

Top with a single layer of bocconcini.

Slice basil leaves (if desired) and sprinkle over tomatoes and cheese.

Combine olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Drizzle over tomatoes and cheese just before serving.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Curried Cauliflower Soup

MMMM warm soup on a cold day and this one has a slight kick to the taste.

A very simple recipe, and a quick soup to whip up. The addition of Korma Curry Paste gives it a mellow curry flavouring with a little spice but it's not overpowering. The kids loved it and by doubling the recipe I have ensured that both Noel and I have some for lunches. As there is no cream the soup is freezable.

Curried Cauliflower Soup

Serves: 8
ProPoints per serve: 0

cooking spray
1 brown onion, diced
1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
2 litres chicken stock (made with stock powder)
1 tablespoon Korma Curry Paste

Coat a large saucepan with cooking spray, add onions and cook over a medium heat until softened.

Add cauliflower florets, garlic, stock and curry paste. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until cauliflower is very soft.

Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly. When cooled place in blender and pulse until smooth.

Return soup to saucepan and reheat without boiling.

(click her for a printable version of this recipe)

Slow Cooked Balsamic Beef Ribs

You are probably already aware that I love my slow cooker and anytime I get the chance to use it I will.

I came across this recipe, which originally uses lamb shanks, and knew I had to try it. The ingredients enticed me with the use of balsamic vinegar and fresh thyme leaves. The sauce was magnificient - slightly sweet, a little sour and had a wonderful aroma of the fresh herbs.

Although we used beef ribs, which are full of meat and so tender when cooked slowly, this dish had a wonderful taste and even when full you can't stop wondering whether you could fit in some more.

Slow Cooked Balsamic Beef Ribs
(recipe adapted from WW Cook Hearty Cookbook

Serves: 4
ProPoints per serve: 11

2 teaspoons olive oil
4 x 250 gram beef ribs, fat trimmed
2 red onions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 carrots, diced
1 1/2 tablespoons plain flour
2 cups beef stock (made with stock powder)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
freshly ground black pepper

Heat a large non stick fying pan. Rub half the oil over beef ribs. Cook beef, for 5 minutes or until browned. Transfer to slow cooker vessel.

Wipe pan clean with paper towel. Heat remaining oil in same pan over medium heat. Add onion, galric and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until onion is softened. Add flour and cook for 30 seconds.

Combine stock, vinegar, tomato paste, sugar and thyme in a large jug. Gradually add stock mixture to onion mixture and bring to the boil. Remove from heat and pour over beef. Season with freshly ground black pepper.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Creamy Chicken and Bacon Fettucine

Pasta is always a favourite at our house especially Spaghetti Carbonarra with the kids so I knew that this dish would be a hit also.

A very easy and quick dish to prepare - the creamy taste complimented by the bacon and a hint of parmesan makes this dish a comfort meal that everyone enjoys eating during the winter months.

Creamy Chicken and Bacon Fettuccine
(recipe sourced from WW Cook Easy Cookbook)

Serves: 4
ProPoints per serve: 12

240 grams fettuccine
cooking spray
300 grams lean chicken breast, thinly sliced
1 small brown onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
125 grams Weight Watchers Bacon, thinly sliced
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 cup evaporated skim milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup reduced fat Sour Cream
20 grams grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water, following packet instructions, or until just tender. Drain. Return pasta to the pan.

Meanwhile, lightly spray a large non-stick frying pan with oil and heat over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3–4 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer to a bowl.

Cook onion, garlic and bacon in same pan, stirring, for 3–4 minutes or until onion has softened and bacon is golden. Add wine and cook until reduced by half.

Combine milk, egg and sour cream in a jug and add to pan. Simmer, stirring, for 2–3 minutes or until thickened.

Stir in chicken, cheese and parsley. Add chicken mixture to pasta. Toss to combine. Serve.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Cheesy Onion Potato Bake

Nothing accompanies a meal better than a creamy potato bake but the idea of making one goes out the window when trying to lose weight, or does it? Not necessarily!!

This is a version of a potato bake that we make that is very much like the tradition version. Made without using cream it still has all the familiar characteristics - it's rich, creamy and very morish.

Cheesy Onion Potato Bake

Serves: 6
ProPoints per serve: 5

cooking spray
1 kilogram potatoes
1 large brown onion, sliced
120 grams grated reduced fat cheese
1 cup skim milk
2 teaspoons chicken stock powder
1 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Spray a 20 x 20cm square casserole dish or similar with cooking spray.

Peel potatoes and evenly thinly slice.

Place 1/4 of the potatoes in a layer at the bottom of the baking tray. Cover with 1/3 of the onion slices and then sprinkle with 1/4 of the cheese. Repeat layers of potato, onion and cheese. The last layer should be potato and cheese.

Combine milk, stock powder, parsley and pepper, mixing well. Pour gently and evenly over potato layers.

Cover with foil and bake in oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to cook for another 15 minutes or until cheese is golden and potatoes tender.


(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Sesame Beef with Noodles

If you would like a quick and easy stir fry that's as tasty as they come this is your new mid-week wonder.

Minimal ingredients does not mean that it is minimal in taste. The sweet chilli mellowed by the oyster sauce with the hint of sesame from the seeds made tonight's dinner very enjoyable. Paired with boiled noodles and broccoli this dinner wasn't as colourful as most Asian dishes but it was definitely a hit in our house.

Sesame Beef with Noodles
(recipe adapted from Weight Watchers Simply The Best 2004)

Serves: 4
ProPoints per serve: 10

200 gram packet egg noodles
300 grams broccoli, chopped
cooking spray
500 grams beef strips
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 cup oyster sauce
1/2 cup sweet chilli sauce

Cook noodles as per packet instructions, drain.

Cook the broccoli in the microwave on high for 2 - 3 minutes or until tender but still crisp.

Coat a pan with cooking spray, heat over high heat and add beef and garlic. Stir fry until beef is tender - about 2 - 3 minutes. Remove from pan.

Add the sesame seeds to the same pan and cook until golden. Return the beef to the pan with the sauces. Gently stir fry until heated through.

Serve the broccoli and noodles topped with the beef.

(click here for a printable version of the recipe)

Creamy Leek Chicken and Bacon Pot Pies

There is nothing more homely that a pot pie no matter the filling but on my favourites list this Creamy Leek Chicken and Bacon Pot Pie would be at the top. Not only was the filling creamy but it had all the right flavours with the combination of bacon, leeks and mushrooms.

With a few extra vegetables hidden in the mix it makes for a perfect individual one dish dinner with the only problem being you always want some more. A little on the high side propoints wise but well worth it.

Creamy Leek Chicken and Bacon Pot Pies
(recipe adapted from The Australian Women's Weekly Weeknights Fast and Fabulous Cookbook)

Serves: 4
ProPoints per serve: 13

cooking spray
500 grams chicken breast fillets, chopped
salt
freshly ground black pepper
175 grams reduced fat shortcut rindless bacon
1 small leek, trimmed and sliced thinly
150 grams mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 broccoli head, cut into florets
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 375ml can light and creamy evaporated milk
2 tablespoons cornflour
2 tablespoons water
2 sheets reduced fat puff pastry, defrosted
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Spray 4 11/2 cup capacity ramekins with cooking spray and place on oven tray.

Spray a large frying pan with cooking spray and cook chicken over medium heat until browned all over. Season with salt and pepper and remove from pan.

In the same pan cook the bacon, leek and mushrooms, stirring unitl leek softens.

Meanwhile steam or microwave the carrots and broccoli until almost tender. Add to bacon mixture.

Add wine to pan, cook stirring until liquid is reduced by half.

Add evaporated milk to pan, reduce heat to low and stir. Combine cornflour and water together in a small bowl/jug. Increase heat slightly and add combine cornflour, stirring continually until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat.

Cut out pastry slightly larger than the ramekins, keeping a little of the leftovers for decorations if desired.

Divide mixture amongst ramekins. Press pastry shapes over dishes and spray with cooking spray. Cut a slit in each pastry top. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.

Cook in oven for 20 minutes or until browned.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Spinach, Pancetta and Ricotta Cannelloni

We love a good filling pasta dish and this was no exception... the added saltiness and richness of the pancetta made this cannelloni not only a pleasant change but delicious. It was devoured with quietness which is always a good sign at our table.

Using lasagne sheets instead of cannelloni tubes reduced the time it takes to prepare normal cannelloni - the ease of this element made this an easy dish to prepare on a week night!

Spinach, Pancetta and Ricotta Cannelloni
(recipe sourced from WW Cook Simple Cookbook)

Serves: 4
ProPoints per serve: 10

8 slices pancetta
250 grams frozen spinach, thawed and chopped
4 spring onions, thinly sliced
1 medium zucchini, coarsley grated
420 grams low fat ricotta cheese
2 cup tomato puree
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
4 individual fresh lasagne sheets
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place pancetta on prepared tray. Bake for 10 minutes or until crisp. Set aside to cool slightly. Finely chop.

Place spinach, shallots, zucchini, pancetta and 1½ cups (360g) ricotta in a bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine.

Lightly spray a a large ovenproof baking dish with oil. Place puree, basil and garlic in a bowl. Stir to combine. Spread 1⁄3 cup tomato mixture over base of prepared dish.

Cut lasagne sheets in half to make 8 rectangles. Place 1⁄3 cup spinach mixture along the centre of each sheet. Roll to enclose filling. Place cannelloni, in a single layer, in prepared baking dish.

Pour remaining puree over cannelloni. Crumble over remaining ricotta and sprinkle with parmesan. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and set aside for 5 minutes before serving.


(click here for a printable version of this recipe)