Spicy Potato Soup

What could be better on a fall day, than a nice pot of soup simmering on the stove? It makes the house smell so warm and inviting.

I found this recipe many years ago in a Taste of Home magazine. Richard and I loved it, but the girls thought it was too spicy. So when I made it I would cut way back on the pepper. Richard and I would then add our own pepper to suite our taste to our own bowls. I bet now that the girls are older and their taste have changed I could keep the pepper in.

Spicy Potato Soup

1 pound ground beef

4 cups potatoes, cubed

1 small onion, chopped

3 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce

4 cups water

2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 teaspoons pepper

1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

In a Dutch oven, brown ground beef with onions over medium heat; drain. Add the potatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in the water, salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender and the soup has thickened.

 

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Crock-pot Chicken Taco Filling

I love using just a few ingredients when I cook, that’s because sometime some of the simplest dishes are the best!

The hardest choice about the dish is choosing weather to chose a soft or hard taco shell or maybe to just go for it and have a burrito.

You can see that I decided to have both a hard and soft taco. And there is plenty left over so that I can have a burrito later.

Crock-pot Chicken Taco Filling

2 pounds chicken breast
1 package taco seasoning
1 (16oz) jar salsa (your choice of heat)

Place all ingredients in a crock-pot, cook on low for 6-8 hours. When done shred meat and return to crock-pot. Serve.

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3 2 1 Cake

3 2 1 Yum! What a nice little treat and so simple to. When one is trying to watch their weight and want to have a little something then this little cake is perfect.

Yes it is as simple as 3 2 1 cake! Just 3 tablespoons of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water and 1 minute in the microwave is all it takes. My little dessert is only 2 points for the cake 1 point for the chocolate sauce and the strawberries are 0 points, that equals a big YUMMY for me!

3 2 1 Cake

1 box angel food cake mix
1 box any flavor cake mix

Mix both cake mixes together in a gallon-size food storage bag.

For each individual cake, mix together 3 tablespoons of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave safe container; microwave for 1 minute. Enjoy! Makes 48 cakes, 2 points each.

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Roasted Cauliflower

When I was growing up I never ate cauliflower, not because I didn’t like it but because my parents never served it to me. Now when it came to my kids I used to serve it mixed together with carrots and broccoli, which is called California blend. But usually what was left in the bowl that no one wanted to eat was the cauliflower.

I first made cauliflower this way many years ago when I first join Weight Watcher. I never thought of roasting vegetables before. It just makes them taste so much better.

Some people call this recipe cauliflower popcorn or even cauliflower poppers. I just call it, Yummy! What makes it even better is that it is 0 points per serving!

Roasted Cauliflower

1 head of uncooked cauliflower

1 tablespoon Mrs. Dash

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400⁰F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

Wash cauliflower and cut into bit size pieces. 

 Place on to prepared baking sheet; sprinkle Mrs. Dash and salt over cauliflower.

Bake for 40 minutes in preheated oven; stirring every 10 minutes.   ½ cup Point value 0

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Chicken Paprika with Pasta and Veggies

This recipe was adapted from one that I found on the Weight Watchers web-site.   I changed it up with the ingredient that I had on hand and also because I wanted a bigger portion then what the recipe called for, but with the same amount of points.

One of the biggest challenges that I have when I am trying to eat health is portion control. I know what a portion is or at least what it is suppose to be.  But sometime I want more than I am supposed to have, like when it comes to pasta. I love pasta, but a cup can look pretty small lying on your plate. That is why I found this recipe very intriguing. To bulk up the portion size of this recipe you add vegetables. Anything that gives me more food without all the points is ok by me.

The original recipe and mine both serve 6 with a point value of 9.

Chicken Paprika with Pasta and Veggies

2 pounds chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1 large onion, chopped
1 (14oz) can diced tomatoes
1 cup fat-free chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon paprika
8 oz. pasta, spaghetti broken into pieces
12 oz. bag of broccoli slaw mix
2 tablespoons flour
2 Tablespoon water
½ cup fat-free sour cream

In a large pot combine the chicken, onion, canned tomatoes, broth, salt and paprika, bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer about 30 to 40 minutes. In a small bowl mix together flour and the 2 tablespoons of water; set aside.

Meanwhile in another large cook pasta according to the package direction. Just before the pasta is done add broccoli slaw to pot and cook until pasta is done and the broccoli is tender. Drain.

When the chicken is done add flour mixture and simmer about 10 minutes or until liquid is thickened. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.

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Pineapple Angel Food Cake

One of the best things about Weight Watchers is that you don’t have to give up sweets; you just need to make sure you count your points. That is why I love the program so much.

I have been making this cake for years; it is one of my family’s favorites. One of the most important things to remember is that you don’t use any water just the cake mix and the can of crushed pineapple, it is just that simple. And make sure that you do not grease the pan or the cake won’t rise.

Pineapple Angel Food Cake

1 box of Angel Food cake mix
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple

In a large bowl mix the ingredients together until well blended. Pour into ungreased pan. Bake according to the direction on the box for the size pan that you are using.

 Serves 12, 4 points eachPin It