Crockpot Ranch Chicken Tacos

Sure, you could fry some hamburger or ground turkey in a skillet. Or... you could pop these few ingredients into the crockpot and have something a little tastier that you might get at your local Mexican restaurant...

It's good, you won't be disappointed. So try it. Enjoy!

CROCKPOT RANCH CHICKEN TACOS

Servings: 1

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 1+/oz of chicken, 1+ for 1/4 serving of sauce, 2+ for tortilla(s), 2+ for cheese, 2+ for avocado = about 5-9+ (depending on what you put in your taco)

Note: Nutritional information below is for the sauce only (1/4 serving)

Ingredients:

• Boneless/skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 packet Ranch mix
• 1/2 packet (I only used 1 TBSP since I don't like "spicy") low-sodium taco seasoning
• Your favorite taco/taco salad toppings!

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and pour into a crock pot with a few chicken breasts.
2. Let cook on low for about 3 1/2 hours.
3. In the last 15 minutes or so of cooking, use a spoon or fork to pull apart the chicken. 
4. Allow it to cook a little longer and enjoy!

Avocado Pasta

This dish makes me think of the FRIENDS episode where Rachel attempts to make a trifle, but accidentally looks at the recipe above the right one and ends up creating a jelly/meat/dessert dish. While everyone else in the room realizes how disgusting it is, Joey continues to eat it, listing all the ingredients in the dish as separate foods saying that they are all good (the clip may be found here: Rachel's Dessert). May I present my evaluation of this dish...

"Guacamole? Goooood. Pasta? Goooood. Slivered almonds on top? Goooood. Whole dish together? Surprisingly goooood."

AVOCADO PASTA

Servings: 3-4

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 13+ for pasta, add 2+ for 2 TBSP of slivered almonds on top (they're worth it for the extra crunchiness)

Side note: To make this dish worth fewer WW Points+, see below. Also, you may choose to use only one avocado and not top with nuts.

REVISED NUTRITION (for 4 total servings): using 1 TBSP olive oil, 2 small avocados, 2 TBSP lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp garlic salt / Calories: 157, Fat: 15, Sat Fat: 2, Polyunsat Fat: 1, Monounsat Fat: 7.5, Trans: 0, Chol: 0, Sodium: 63mg, Potassium: 385mg, Sugar: 0g, VitA: 0%, VitC: 15%, Calcium: 0%, Iron: 5% / 4+ for sauce (with 1 cup pasta, total dish is only 9+)

Ingredients:

• 3 servings of pasta (Barilla Plus penne)
•  2 ripe avocados, seed and skin removed
• 1½ tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
•  ¼ tsp salt
•  2 tbsp lemon juice
• Grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp nuts (slivered almonds)

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, add 1 tbsp olive oil, avocado, garlic, salt, and lemon juice to a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are smooth and creamy.
3. Next wash and cut the tomatoes into small cubes, combine them with ½ tbsp olive oil and warm on low-medium heat.
4. Strain the pasta and combine with the sauce in a large bowl, until all the pasta has been covered.
5. Cover pasta with the tomatoes and sprinkle with parmesan cheese/slivered almonds.
6. Enjoy!
   
   

Tomato, Avocado, Provolone, Turkey Paninis

So here goes, my first post about my latest cooking endeavor. Last night, we kept things fairly simple and (with the help of my Nana's panini maker) had nice, homemade sandwiches for dinner. They turned out wonderfully and were quite delicious if I do say so myself. While they would probably be better on a lunch menu instead of for dinner, they were pretty quick and easy to make for a filling meal. It's not a complex recipe, either (see below)... Enjoy!

TOMATO, AVOCADO, PROVOLONE, and TURKEY PANINIS

Weight Watcher Points Plus:
Light bread, 1 cheese slice, 2 oz. turkey, 1/4 avocado, tomato = 6+
Artisan bread, 1 cheese slice, 4 oz. turkey, 1/4 avocado, tomato = 11+

* Bread may be substituted for less points to lighten the dinner, and more veggies may be added to bulk up the sandwich without adding points *

Ingredients:

• Artisan bread (or any bread of your choosing, really)
• Reduced-fat provolone cheese slices
• Low sodium deli turkey
• Avocado, sliced
• Tomato, sliced
• Optional sides: 
• Soup
• Chips
• Carrots/other vegetables
• Fruit cups
• Pickles

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients between two bread slices.

2. Put sandwich in panini maker and cook until slightly golden brown or until cheese starts to melt.

3. Garnish with a pickle, fruit, soup or any other optional side.

4. Eat and enjoy!