Agua De Sandia (Watermelon Water)

Can't think of anything more thirst quenching that this on a hot summer day like today – chilled watermelon pureed with water, a squeeze of lime juice over a large glass of ice. Agua fresca is as common in Mexico as ice tea is here in the States. And BONUS, since watermelon is naturally sweet, there's no need to add any sugar!

Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin C, lycopene, beta-carotene and a great choice for it's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant health benefits, so eat as much as you can, before the summer's over.

Last weekend I spent a few days out in Montauk for a little family getaway. It's only about 2 hours away by car (if you don't count traffic) but since it's on the most eastern tip of Long Island, where all the highways from NYC merge into one road, there's always traffic. It's worth it though – the beaches, lighthouse, restaurants, shopping  – it's so much fun!

After a morning at the beach we went to the town to grab some lunch at La Brisa. Aguas frescas, horchata, fish tacos – I was in heaven. Probably had the best ceviche I've had in a long time (although a bit overpriced) but I couldn't stop talking about it all weekend. I had a fish taco and pork taco with the watermelon agua fresca. As I sat there, I kept thinking I can't believe I don't have this recipe on my blog. So of course, I came back, bought some watermelon and here it is, tasted exactly like the one I had in La Brisa.

And you may even want to make some skinny fish taco's to go with it!

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Aaron's Mexican Dry Adobo Seasoning

A fusion of Mexican and American spices – a dry rub that combines the flavors of Mexico using dried pasilla and ancho chiles, with spices commonly used in dry rubs across the American South. Make a batch and it will keep for months if stores in an airtight container.

I don't watch much TV, but one show I am pretty addicted to is Chopped on the Food Network. I love seeing what mystery ingredients the contestants will get, and love seeing what the chefs come up with under pressure. But what really gets me watching is the judges, at times they can be a bit harsh, which makes me thankful I'm not on that show. If you watch Chopped, then you probably recognize Aaron Sanchez, chef from Centrico in NYC. This adobo recipe is from his new cookbook, Simple Food, Big Flavor. I actually quartered the recipe and it still made a lot, and used it to make a delicious pork tenderloin from his book (recipe coming next), but thought this should live on a page of it's own.

This can be used as a rub, for seasoning chili, stews, black bean soup and more.

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Peppermint Meringues

Light and airy peppermint swirls. 'Tis the season for all things peppermint, shopping and big wooly mittens, cookies and hot cocoa, and of course, cookie exchanges.

And what can be more symbolic this time of year than peppermint flavored cookies. 

The taste of these meringues is somewhere between a cookie and a candy cane. I found out by accident that dissolving one into my morning coffee with a little whipped cream instantly makes me feel like I'm drinking a Starbucks Peppermint Latte. I bet it would be yummy in hot cocoa too!

Meringues are made with egg whites and sugar, so they are naturally low-fat and gluten-free. They can be flavored with different extracts to get different results, and baking them in different temperatures will yield different textures. Some of my favorites varieties include the Chocolate Chip Clouds, Black and White Clouds, and To Die For Coconut Cookies.

These beautiful candy cane gems are colored with a paint brush and a little gel paste food coloring (available at Michaels) just before piping to give you the peppermint stripe. Completely optional of course, but it really makes the cookie. Always use metal bowls and beaters and be sure they are squeaky clean before making meringues to guarantee good results.

For more skinny cookie recipes to add to your cookie exchange this holiday season, click here.


Thank you GLAD for bringing us this post. Learn more about Glad's Mom Made Cookie Exchange program here.


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Guiltless Banana Ice Cream

The ultimate "guilt-free" frozen ice cream treat made with only ONE ingredient, over-ripe bananas! No cream, or sugar added. Finally it's OK have ice cream for breakfast.

You know those bananas sitting on your counter, the ones with all those brown spots that you think are passed their prime. Well those bananas make the BEST dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, fat-free, frozen ice cream treat.  (Cute spoons can be found on Etsy For Such A Time Designs )

On my recent trip to the Dole Banana Summit, I was introduced to my first Yonanas Ice Cream Treat Maker - coolest machine EVER! You basically take your over-ripe bananas, freeze them, then run them through this simple machine. Out comes a healthy frozen, soft-serve banana ice cream. 

So easy, and fun to make with the family. Ever since I got my Yonanas, we've been experimenting with all the possibilities but quite honestly my favorite is some chopped walnuts and berries. I put some colored sprinkles on my toddler's and she loves it.

You can also add other frozen fruit such as berries, pineapple, mango or if you want something a little more decadent you can add some dark chocolate, or peanut butter. Think of the possibilities! 

Now, if you don't own a Yonanas, you can still make this frozen treat in a food processor , simply freeze the bananas and process until smooth and creamy. Thanks to the kind folks over at Dole Bananas, they are giving away ONE Yonanas Ice Cream Treat Maker to a lucky Skinnytaste fans. For a chance to win, head on over to Skinny Bits, the giveaway ends Friday, November 16th.

The ultimate guilt-free snack, breakfast or dessert!
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Homemade Ketchup

Making your own ketchup is so EASY to make at home and making it yourself allows you to control what goes into it.

Ketchup is as American as apple pie, that sweet-sour combination on french fries are irresistible and who doesn't love it on their burgers! But have you ever checked the label of your favorite brand of ketchup? High Fructose Corn Syrup is used to sweeten most brands of ketchup although I did find organic Heinz ketchup in my health food store that does not contain HFCS's, but it was half the size at a higher price.

So I thought it would be fun to try making my own and tested and played around with a few recipes until I found one that I loved with some slight changes using honey as my sweetener and cutting back on the sugar and tested it out on some grilled fries (recipe coming!) and the results were delicious...

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Frozen Fruit Pops

Fresh fruit with a splash of juice makes a fresh and healthy snack. Use whatever fruit you're heart desires. A perfect summer treat!

These are so simple and so darn cute, my one year old probably had just as much fun playing with them as she did eating them. Super easy to make and no fancy gadgets required, you'll need small 5 oz disposable cups and some craft sticks.

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Freshly Brewed Ice Tea with Fresh Mint

What can be more thirst quenching on a hot summer day than a tall glass of fresh brewed iced tea over ice with lemon and fresh mint leaves...

Spearmint is always the first thing to bloom in my garden every spring. As it sprouts each Spring, it always brings back memories of my childhood as Mom would always put fresh mint in our iced tea. Funny how smells can take you back in time, I just can't walk past my mint without pleasant thoughts of iced tea.

Making home brewed tea is very simple. You can use orange pekoe or black tea for traditional iced tea or experiment with fruit flavors like passion fruit, peach, mango, pomegranate which are especially nice if you aren't using sugar. 

Brew your tea and discard the tea bags before refrigerating. Serve with fresh lemon slices or fresh fruit if you are using fruit tea. Add the lemon slices right before serving to avoid a bitter taste. For sweet tea add the sugar, agave, honey or Splenda with the boiled water so it dissolves (extra calories and points).

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Colombian Aji Picante

Aji picante is a spicy Colombian hot sauce served with soups, sancocho, stews, rice, beans, empanadas and more. Every Latin country has there own version of a spicy hot sauce, each unique and delicious. This is my mom's recipe, she never measures when she cooks so it was a bit tricky getting her measurements right. A little goes a long way, you only need to add a few teaspoons to whatever you put this on. To save time, I used my mini food processor.

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Skinny Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a classic Greek cucumber yogurt sauce or dip. It is served as a condiment on gyros, fish and souvlakis, and other Greek dishes or it is served as a dip with pita wedges. I personally love it on my Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts, on chicken burgers, as a dip with crudites and even drizzled over Greek salad. My lightened up version is fat free and just as delicious.

I can't think of a better time to make this with all the cucumbers and fresh herbs growing in my garden right now. Chives aren't typically added but I love the flavor it adds to it. Some people also like to add mint leaves. Straining the yogurt and cucumbers are a must to make this thick, so don't skip this step!

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Nojito

I love mojitos, but when I'm looking for a non-alcoholic beverage, this is great! With tons of mint in my garden, I love making these, especially on a hot day. A great alternative to fresh lemonade. I drank a lot of these when I was pregnant!

Nojito
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 1 • Serving Size: 1 tall glass • Points: 0 pts with Splenda, 1 pt with sugar
Calories: 58.5 • Fat: 0.1 g • Protein: 0.5 g • Carb: 15.2 g • Fiber: 0.9 g 

• 10-12 fresh small spearmint leaves
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 7 oz sprite zero or club soda
• 1 tbsp sugar or Splenda
• crushed ice

In a cool tall glass, muddle the mint, sugar or splenda and lime juice. Add crushed ice and soda and stir well. Garnish with a lime wedge and a few sprigs of mint. Serve with a straw.

Homemade Chicken Broth From Your Crock Pot

What's better than coming home to homemade chicken stock and cleaning out your refrigerator at the same time. Simply throw all the ingredients into the crock pot the night before, turn it on in the morning and come home to a splendid stock. Save the chicken for recipes where shredded chicken is needed or use it in your soup. Lot's of people ask me for my chicken soup recipe but honestly, that depends on what's in my fridge. Here's an easy recipe for chicken stock. You can also use giblets, leftover chicken bones, wing tips or chicken backs.

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Rainbow Swiss Chard

I love all leafy greens and Swiss chard is no exception. The colors of this rainbow chard were so striking, I just could not pass it up in the farmer's market. If you have always wondered how to prepare Swiss chard, it's simple. Just sauté the stalks a little longer than the leaves and add garlic and oil. Makes a great side dish.

Rainbow Swiss Chard
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 • Time: 10 minutes • Points: .5 ww points

• 1 pound rainbow Swiss chard, washed and thoroughly dried
• 2 clove garlic, smashed and chopped
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tsp olive oil
• Salt and fresh pepper to taste

Heat the oil over medium heat in a sauté pan.

Smash the garlic clove with the side of a knife and add it to the pan. Add red pepper flakes if using, sauté the garlic lightly in the oil until it becomes golden.

Chop the stems into small pieces and add to the oil. Mix and add a drop of water and cover. Cook about 4-5 minutes. Chop the leaves and add to the pan. Sauté until just wilted, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper.

Roasted Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is so versatile and easy to make!

Enjoy it with salt and pepper as a side dish, drizzle it with butter and grated cheese, or top it with tomato sauce to replace your favorite spaghetti dish. Here is a basic recipe for baked spaghetti squash.

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Sautéed Zucchini Julienne - .25 pts

Sautéed Zucchini Julienne
This is a simple side dish. The garlic gives this great flavor. Great served with fish and chicken.
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 servings • Time: 10 minutes • Points: .25 ww points

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 medium zucchini, cut into 2 inch julienne strips
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
• salt and fresh pepper

In a 12 inch skillet, heat on high flame. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil. When oil is hot, add garlic and sauté until golden. Add zucchini, salt and pepper and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.

Roasted Asparagus

A simple side dish of asparagus, roasted in the oven until tender-crisp. This is super easy and can be served with just about from poultry, to steak or pork. You can garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese or lemon if desired.

Roasted Asparagus
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 servings • Time: 12 minutes • Points: 0 ww points

• 1 bunch fresh asparagus
• olive oil spray
• kosher salt
• fresh pepper

Preheat oven to 400°. Wash and trim hard ends off asparagus. Place in a single layer in roasting pan. Spray with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven approximately 10 minutes.

Pico de Gallo Salsa

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, try this fresh and healthy salsa recipe with tomatoes, peppers and onions goes great with chips, grilled fish, chicken and in tacos. This salsa is low in calories and fat. You can adjust the heat and any ingredients to suit your taste. If you can't find chile peppers, jalepeno peppers work great too.

Pico de Gallo Salsa
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 servings • Time: 10 minutes • Points: 0 pts

• 4 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
• 2 chile peppers, mild or hot, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped bell pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves (no stems)
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• salt and pepper, to taste

In a bowl combine all ingredients. Let it marinate in the refrigerator at least an hour for best results.

Easy Cucumber Salad - 0 pts

Easy Cucumber Salad
I love cucumbers. I'm a working mom and usually pressed for time on week nights, so when I want to make a quick 0 point side dish, I make this. Goes great with everything.
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 6 servings • Time: 5 minutes • Points: 0 ww points

• 2 medium cucumbers peeled and sliced
• kosher salt to taste
• white pepper
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar

Sprinkle cucumbers lightly with salt. Combine with vinegar and pepper and chill before serving.

Grilled Zucchini and Tomato Salad - 0 pts

Grilled Zucchini and Tomato Salad
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 6 servings • Time: 25 minutes • Points: 0 ww points

Spring is here and it is getting warmer out. Get your grill out and make this simple grilled zucchini salad. This is a great zero point side dish.

• 2 medium zucchini
• 2 tomatoes
• cooking spray
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• a few sprigs fresh parsley

Heat your grill to high flame.

Wash zucchini and trim off the ends. Using a mandolin or vegetable peeler slice the zucchini lengthwise in thin slices. Lightly spray with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill the zucchini ribbons on 1 side, until lightly marked and wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove and put on a platter and let cool slightly.
Cut up tomatoes in large chunks, season with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange on a platter with zucchini and garnish with parsley sprigs.

Dad's Cauliflower Soup

When I was a kid, we had homemade soup every night before our meal and this was always a favorite of mine. This is the perfect quick and easy low fat, low carb soup.

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