Category: Recipes

TACOS! But plant-based?

On By Sister SlimIn RecipesLeave a comment

Let’s keep this intro short….these are AMAZING! Do you love chorizo but hate the heartburn that inevitably follows it? Do you love chorizo but hate how greasy and calorie laden it can be? Well, it’s taco time! These take about 10 minutes if you’re moving fast, no more than 20 to make so it’s a quick fix meal if you have everything.

I will say that we generally eat two tacos. If I have a salad or some side veggies then we only eat one. Two is definitely enough to be a meal so don’t think you need a ton of these…and the chorizo mix heats up very well for leftovers.

The tortillas we prefer.
The good stuff!

Plant-Based Tacos
Servings: 6-8 tacos

1 package Morningstar Veggia Chorizo
1 package of whole wheat tortillas
1 onion, sliced into strips
8 oz container of sliced baby bella mushrooms
2 bell peppers, discard core and slice into strips

Optional Adds:
1 100 calorie pack of guacamole or fresh made, if available
Plant based cheese such as Chao Creamery or Follow Your Heart Slices

Directions:
Turn oven broiler on high.

Slice all veggies and start sautéing over medium heat in a non-stick pan (using non-stick to avoid oil). Once veggies are soft and translucent add a little salt and pepper. Add chorizo bag, per the directions add 1/3 cup of water, put the lid on and let simmer for 5 minutes.

Put tortillas on a sheet pan and put under the broiler, DON’T WALK AWAY! After 1-2 minutes add half of a slice of cheese in the center of the tortilla and leave in the oven until melted; another 1-2 minutes.

Assembly:
Remove tortillas from the oven and plate them. Add guacamole, as desired and a spoonful of the taco mixture to the center. Fold and eat.

Now for the counting….

Weight Watchers: with cheese, 1/4 of guacamole pack and making 8 servings means you can have two tacos for 10 points.
Six servings makes two tacos 12 points.

Calories: same as above for the build means about 280-350 calories depending on serving size.

Instapot Jam

On By Sister SlimIn RecipesLeave a comment

This isn’t a totally zero point food, but it’s very low in points and calories. Compare to any shelf variety jam and you’ll see how low this is and you know everything that’s in it!

It’s important to use frozen fruit as the moisture is needed to prevent sticking and give the fruit room to breakdown. Feel free to substitute any frozen fruit you’d like. I make this for Father Foodie with frozen cherries.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound frozen strawberries
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • Pinch of fine sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds

Combine frozen strawberries, maple syrup and salt in the instapot. Close the steam valve and pressure cook on manual for 1 minute.

When cooking cycle is done let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes then release.

Press cancel to stop the cooking cycle and turn on sauté. Add chia seeds and stir often to prevent sticking. I use this time to break the strawberries up more.

Once slightly thickened press cancel and transfer to 16 oz jar with a lid. It will thicken more as it cools in the refrigerator. Jam should keep for 2 weeks.

1 Tablespoon is 0 points
2 Tablespoons are 1 point
21 calories per serving

Recipe from: The Fresh and Easy Instapot Cookbook by Megan Gilmore

Salad Dressings

On By Sister SlimIn Recipes, Tips and ToolsLeave a comment

Salad dressings can be very hard to navigate. Dressings are a lot of oil, fats, and sugar generally so finding the right one can be a little difficult. There’s a reason so many restaurant salads are 800-1000 calories, it’s the cheese and the dressing. Here are a few that make it a little easier for less points or calories.

This is at most major retailers and when in the restaurant you can request lite dressing. 2 Tbsp is 1 point.
I love spinach and strawberry salads, best dressing for them. 1 tbsp (which is plenty) for 3 points.
2 tbsp for 2 points, these are in the refrigerated salad section
2 tbsp for 2 points, these are in the refrigerated salad section

Blackeyed Pea and Ham Soup – Instapot

On By Sister SlimIn Recipes3 Comments
  • 1-3 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 1.5 cups LEAN ham, cubed (can be frozen)
  • 1 lb. dried black eyed peas soaked overnight in water, rinsed, and drained
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (from about 2 sprigs)
  • 15 oz. canned fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups collard greens, packed (bag from the freezer section is double what you need for this)
  • kosher salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

You’re going to love this, put it all in the instapot. Cook on manual for 20 minutes then slow release for 10 minutes. Release steam, stir and serve.

Do You Miss Chips?

On By Sister SlimIn Meal Plans, Recipes, Tips and Tools2 Comments

So we’re tracking our food. Focusing on WHOLE foods, simpler and cleaner eating. But what are you missing? Snacks, chips, junk food…. Nothing will beat Oreos for Father Foodie or queso blanco and tortilla chips for me but we’ve found some things that take the edge off and taste good! We all miss something so I hope to give you some substitutes we’ve found that help the cravings over the next few weeks.

Most of these items will be found on the aisle with the organic food and health snacks…for me it wasn’t an aisle I frequented until recently.

Chips

Tortilla chips up first, the substitute is plant based and pretty low in points compared to their restaurant or bagged counterparts. These come in three flavor options: sea salt, nacho and lime. Ten chips are 4 points.

Regular “potato” chips are missed from time-to-time. These will fool you easily and satisfy the craving fast! They also have a variation that are straws. We don’t gravitate to these but they do have snack bags for on the go in sea salt and zesty ranch. The snack bags are 3 points per bag. In the large bag you get 38 chips for 4 points!

Another chip variant we like are these cauliflower stalks. They’re crunchy and puffy with a little bit of salt. 13 stalks for 2 points.

Pulled Chicken Ancho Chile and Black Bean Soup – Our Version with Instapot Instructions

On By Sister SlimIn Recipes1 Comment

This is a staple soup in our house. Originally this was a Weight Watchers recipe that we have modified more to our tastes. You’ll see why soon considering the flavor this soup has. I’ve added zucchini and squash to make a pot go a little farther before…think extreme chicken tortila soup. So delicious that Father Foodie wants it for lunch every week. It’s a regular in Sunday meal preps.

Ingredients:
2 medium poblano chiles; chopped
1 Tbsp garlic; minced
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp ancho chile powder
1 can diced tomatoes; 15 oz.
1 can black beans; 15 oz., rinsed and drained
2 cups onions; chopped
1 1/2 tsp salt; divided
4 cups fat free chicken broth
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
1 can corn kernels; drained – reserve for after cooking

Once all of the produce is chopped I put everything in the instapot and turn the valve so that it cooks under pressure. I leave the corn out of the initial cooking so it doesn’t cook to bits.

I set the instapot to 20 min if I was prepared and thawed the chicken. If the chicken is frozen I go 28-30 minutes. Once the cooking is done release the pressure.

Once you can remove the lid get the chicken breasts out, shred them and return to the pot with the corn kernels.

Single recipe makes 12 large servings

Weight Watchers Blue Smart Points: Zero Points
Calories: 370 per serving