A note from Rita C.

While it is my intention to offer "lighter" dishes, they may not always be Weight Watchers. All but 2 of these are WW recipes. The other 2 have been altered with healthy substitutions. As Jodi has stated, if you don't like a particular dish you can either omit it or make it anyway and give it away. You can also substitute meats. Example: if you don't like tuna, use chicken or ham. These recipes are just guidelines for you and you are free to add or subtract ingredients based on your families "taste buds".

Things to keep in mind:

It's hot in the kitchen!
Don't stress! A can of soup or cheese can fix almost anything :)
It's hot in the kitchen!
Jodi's right! Bring zip lock gallon sized bags.
It's hot in the kitchen!
Have fun!
It's hot in the kitchen!
And, if you think you've messed everything up (but you won't, I promise) then just serve M&M's and soda for dinner. They won't complain :)

The Menu:

Diet Coke Sloppy Joes (WW)
Sweet & Spicy Diet Coke BBQ Chicken Nuggets (WW)
Meatloaf (WW)
Tater Tot Casserole
Layered Mexican Chicken (WW)
Tuna Noodle Casserole (WW)
Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

The Shopping List:

3 1/2 lbs ground beef (cook 2 lbs prior to coming if you can)
4 lbs chicken breast
2 cans of tuna in water

2 onions
1 bag of tater tots (you will need 72 or there abouts)
16 oz bag (2 C) of frozen broccoli
1 pkg of fresh mushrooms (omit if using canned)

2 eggs
2 TBSP light butter
1/2 C FF/1% or skim milk
1/2 C grated parmesean
2 C reduced fat monterey jack (regular will just increase point values)
2 C reduced fat mexican cheese (regular will just increase point values)
5 C (40 oz) FF sour cream (light version will just increase the point value)

2 15 oz. cans black beans
1 8 oz. can green chilies (or 2 4 oz. cans)
1 C salsa (your choice of heat)
1 10 oz. can FF cream of chicken soup
1 10 oz. cans FF cream of mushroom soup
2 cans of diet coke (any brand will do)

2 C ketchup
1/4 C hot sauce
2 TBSP vinegar
1 TBSP worcestershire sauce
4 tsp dijon mustard (or your favorite kind)
1/2 FF mayo

1/2 quick oats
1 1/2 TBSP flour
1/2 pound box of spaghetti or fettucini noodles (or any other kind)
1 pkg egg noodles
12 corn tortillas

2 TBSP + 2 tsp parsley
1 TBSP brown sugar
2 tsp salt
2 1/4 pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp cumin
cooking spray

The Recipes:

Diet Coke Sloppy Joes

6 servings
3 WW points per serving (without a bun)

1 lb ground beef cooked
1 medium onion
1 1/2 TBSP flour
1 C diet coke
2/3 C ketchup
2 TBSP vinegar
1 TBSP worcestershire sauce
2 tsp dijon mustard

Mix, heat for 30 min. and serve

Carry home in a zip baggy or container of choice

Sweet & Spicy Diet Coke BBQ Chicken Nuggets

4 Servings
4 WW points

1 lb. cooked & cubed (nugget sized) chicken breast
1/2 C ketchup
1 C diet coke
1/4 C hot sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

Mix all ingredients except chicken in a pan and heat til sauce thickens. Add chicken.

Carry home in a zip lock baggy or container of your choice

Meatloaf

6 Servings (2 slices each)
5 WW points

1 1/2 ground beef uncooked
3/4 C ketchup
1/4 onion chopped
2 TBSP parsely
1 TBSP brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 large egg white
1 large whole egg
1/2 C quick oats
cooking spray

Combine 1/2 ketchup, onion, parsley, brown sugar, salt, pepper and eggs in large bowl. Add meat & oats. Mix thoroughly. Place into a 8x4 loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Put remainder of ketchup on loaf and bake @ 350* for 1 hour & 10 min or until done.


Tater Tot Casserole

Not a WW recipe but at 12 servings comes out to about 4.5 points per serving

72 tater tots
1 lb ground beef cooked
1 can FF cream of chicken soup
1 can FF cream of mushroom soup
3/4 reduced fat monterey jack cheese (or your favorite)

Spray 9x13 pan. Mix together soup & beef. Arrange tater tots in single layer. Spoon soup/beef mixture of the top. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake @ 350* for 30 minutes.

Layered Mexican Chicken

INVITE GUESTS WITH THIS DISH OR SPLIT INTO TWO SMALLER PANS FOR 2 DISHES. ENJOY ONE NOW, ONE LATER. OR GIVE ONE AWAY!

12 Servings
6 WW points

2 lbs. cooked and shredded chicken
2 15 0z cans black beans
3 C FF sour cream
2 C reduced fat mexican cheese
8 oz green chilies
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp pepper
12 medium corn tortillas cut into strips
1 C salsa

Add to chicken, beans, sour cream, 1 C cheese, green chilies, cumin and pepper. Mix well. Arrange 1/2 tortillas on bottom of a lasagna pan that has been sprayed. Overlap pieces to cover surface. Top with 1/2 chicken mixture. Repeat. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350* until bubbly and cheese is melted about 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing into 12 pieces. Serve with salsa on the side.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

8 Servings
6 WW points

12 oz egg noodles, cooked
2 cans tuna in water
2 cans or 1 pkg fresh mushrooms
1 cup frozen broccoli (or veggie of choice)
2 C FF sour cream
1/2 C FF mayo
2 tsp dijon mustard
2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 C reduced fat monterey jack cheese

Mix all ingredients except cheese in a large bowl. Transfer to a 4 quart casserole dish. Top with cheese and bake @ 350* until top is golden. About 30 minutes.

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

This is not a WW recipe and points have not been calculated. But we all have to splurge once in a while. We could always go walking with Jodi :)

Serves 4

1/2 pound package of spaghetti or fettucini noodles
1 C frozen broccoli
2 TBSP light butter
1 lb cooked & cubed chicken breast
1 10 oz can FF cream of mushroom soup
1/2 C milk
1/2 C grated parmesean
1/4 tsp pepper

Cook noodles, drain and mix in butter. In a large skillet add all remaining ingredients. Stir until well blended and heat until hot & bubbly. Serve with additional parmesean cheese if desired.

Carry home in a zip lock baggy or container of your choice.

Well, that's about it. I shop at Aldi's ALOT and know that most of these ingredients are there and will save you tons of money! The remainder of items not found I usually get at Kroger (gotta get them gas saver points) and usually always buy the Kroger brand. Splurge on the ground chuck. I buy the large Kroger roll for 11.50. It's 5 pounds and that makes it $2.30 a lb. Worth it to not see your meat floating in grease. You know the kind that clogs arteries. I buy frozen chicken breasts at Aldi's or if on sale at Kroger for Buy one get 1 free. I think regular breasts are 3 lb packages and tenderloins are 2.5 or 3.5 lb bags. Either will work. Get whats cheapest. ALWAYS ALWAYS check the reduced meat bin and Kroger and ALWAYS ALWAYS check for red & white to be discontiuned stickers on the shelves. You can substitute alot of ingredients (to save the budget) but just remember it may alter the WW points.
I will bring the spices. No need to have 6 bottles of garlic powder. Unless of course you prefer a particular brand. I will also bring the diet coke. I think a 2 liter will cover us and I will bring the cooking spray.
Looking forward to cooking with you! Rita C