Caprese Salad

Insalata Caprese is a simple salad of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes topped with basil and a splash of balsamic. A perfect summer appetizer or first course, especially when tomatoes are at their peak.

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Oven Fried Chicken

This "fried" chicken is moist and crispy and loaded with flavor, yet won't leave you feeling guilty after you eat it. Putting the chicken pieces on a rack above foiled baking sheets is key to getting the chicken crispy. If you're looking to eat healthy yet not sacrifice flavor, make this recipe, your family will love you for it!

Oven Fried Chicken
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 1 drumstick • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 170.7 • Fat: 6.6 g • Protein: 14.5 g • Carb: 14.7 g • Fiber: 3.1 g  

• 6 medium bone-in skinless drumsticks
• 2 1/2 cups bran flakes
• 3 tsp kosher salt, less if you are using regular salt
  
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 5 tbsp Hellman's light mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Oil spray

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a rack above. Spray rack with oil. 

Crush cereal in a food processor or chopper. In a bowl mix crushed cereal with salt, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Place in a shallow dish or ziplock bag. 

Combine mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. Using a cooking brush, brush onto chicken then coat chicken with crushed cereal mixture. Place chicken on wire rack and spray with oil. Bake 35-40 minutes.

Zucchini Carpaccio

Zucchini season is here which is a great reason to make this perfect summer side dish. Use a mandolin or potato peeler to thinly slice the zucchini. Let the zucchini marinade in the lemon juice for at least 10 minutes before topping with arugula and shaved Parmesan. You can serve this as an appetizer, side dish or even as a light lunch.
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Arroz Con Gandules (Rice and Pigeon Peas)

I've gotten requests to add more latin recipes to my site which for me is never a problem since I LOVE latin food! Arroz Con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas) is a Puerto Rican dish popular in the Carribean. The pigeon peas are loaded with fiber which makes this a healthy side if cooked right.

This is a lighter version of my cousin's recipe, who makes the best arroz con gandules I know! The most important part of this dish is in the seasoning. Your liquids should have lots of flavor and should taste slightly salty before adding the rice, otherwise it will taste a bit bland.


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Heirloom Tomato Salad

A simple summer tomato salad made with heirloom tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, extra virgin olive oil and garden fresh basil. If you can't find heirloom tomatoes, you can use garden tomatoes instead. This is my husband's recipe and it's my favorite ways to eat tomatoes. Serve this as a side dish or for lunch with a nice crusty bread.

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Pepper Steak

Strips of beef and peppers are stir fried in a wok to create a delicious main dish, ready in no time!

I love stir fried anything, this pepper steak is always a hit in my house. The key when stir frying is to have all your ingredients chopped and prepped before you start to cook. Once prepped, your meal will be ready in minutes. This is perfect served over white or brown rice.

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Spaghetti with Garlic Scape Pesto with Tomatoes

A quick summer pasta with ingredients you can find in your own backyard if you are lucky!

If you can't find garlic scapes, you can make the pesto by substituting 2-3 cloves of garlic and an additional cup of basil.

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Fourth of July Recipes

July Fourth is all about BBQs and celebrating outdoors, so whether you are having a party or going to one and need a dish to bring, here are some of my favorite recipes for backyard parties. Hopefully the weather will cooperate this year!

STARTERS

Pico de Gallo Salsa - Zero points. If you are lucky to have fresh tomatoes in your garden here is a great recipe that everyone will love and is easy to make. Serve with some baked chips for a perfect appetizer.

Chick Pea and Roasted Pepper Dip - This healthy dip is easy to make and taste great with crudites such as cucumbers, peppers, zucchini and celery. Pita chips are also great on the side.

Guacamole - Your guests will devour this. Serve with light tortilla chips on the side and watch it go!

HEALTHY SIDES

Macaroni Salad with Tomatoes - What's a BBQ without the macaroni salad! Everyone will love this, I promise!

Potato Salad with String Beans - This is my friend Julia's recipe who is a great cook! She can make dirt taste great and this potato salad is amazing. Light with no mayo, just really good extra virgin olive oil.

Baby Red Potato Salad - An absolutely delicious potato salad, especially if your not a fan of traditional potato salad loaded with mayonnaise and celery like you find in the deli and it's only 2 pts per serving.

Southwest Black Bean Salad - Corn, cilantro, black beans and avocado. A perfect summer side dish for grilled meat, fish or chicken.

ON THE GRILL

Filipino BBQ Skewers - Everyone loves these skewers. I make these at every bbq. Works great on chicken, pork or beef. Best if you marinade overnight.

Grilled Rosemary Lamb Chops - If you're a lamb lover like myself, these are simple to prepare and taste great.

Swordfish Burgers - Also works great with tuna or salmon. Very healthy alternative to beef burgers.

Asian Flank Steak Skewers - Ginger, garlic and sesame oil give these skewers a wonderful flavor.

DESSERT

Blueberry Cream Pie - A no bake pie that is super light and takes 5 minutes to make.

No-Bake Cheese Cake - Low in points and delicious.

Strawberries and Cream - Strawberries are sweet this time of year and when filled with fat free whipped cream, this makes a delicious low point dessert you won't feel guilty eating!

COCKTAILS

Mango Bellinis - What's a party without cocktails! These tropical bellinis are very summery.

Skinny Mojitos - My personal favorite cocktail!! If your like me and have lots of mint growing in your garden, here's a great way to use it!

Wine Spritzers - If you're a wine lover, lighten them up and make spritzers!

Garlic Scape Basil Pesto

I went to the farmers market in Union Square this morning where I encountered these garlic scapes. Never seeing these before, I was told they are the shoots that grow from the bulb that eventually straighten out and bloom, and they are only available for a short time. Farmers remove these so the garlic bulb can get more energy to grow larger. These have a milder garlic flavor than garlic cloves, similar to a green onion, but with a garlic taste. The vendor at the market told me you can replace garlic in recipes or you can make a pesto which you can use on bread, in risotto, pasta, bruschetta, etc. I will now be purchasing these scapes on a regular basis if I can find them!

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