Chocolate Muffins

More cooking!

I wasn't sure if the Orzo recipe (see below) that I made was going to be enough for lunch. So, I decided to make some muffins. I had most of the ingredients, so it didn't really cost much.

You will need:
2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups flour
3 tbs sugar
confectioners' sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fat-free milk
1 egg
4 tsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
In a large bowl, your going to add all your dry ingredients. Start with the flour!

Sugar. I accidentally put 4 tbs....but I scooped some out. Ooops!

Add your cocoa powder. (I use this all the time for chocolate covered popcorn. Definitely not WW).

Baking soda.

Last, but not least, salt.

In another small bowl, melt your butter.

The egg is next...

Milk.

Vanilla extract (sorry, I forgot to get him in the photo).

Then, whisk it all together. And then whisk it into your dry ingredients!

Add the mixture into your muffin pan!

Bake for about 20-25 minutes! Depending on how you know your oven bakes. Mine tends to bake things quicker, so I baked the muffins for 20 minutes.

Let them cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. Take them out and top with the confectioners' sugar!

2 WW points or 92 calories.

I'd say they are a 2.5 out of 5....I don't think I'll make them again. The berry muffin recipe might turn out better.

Orzo with Zucchini and Feta

I had the day off, so I had some time to catch up on cleaning my place AND cooking!

First, a thank you to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for what he did for our country.

Onto cooking :)

You will need:
1 cup orzo
1 zucchini
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tsp dried oregano
4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
Splash of pepper

First, boil water and your cute little orzo! I've never worked with orzo before, but I like it! It's so tiny!

While you're cooking your orzo, have another pot with a little water in it to "steam" your zucchini. Leave it in for about 3-5 minutes or until a little soft. I usually try test it with poking a fork in it.

Once your zucchini is done, drain it and put it in a large bowl.

Feta....I love feta! The package I got happen to actually be 3/4 cups, but go ahead and measure it any way and add it to your bowl.

This recipe calls for oregano. I think I'll use a different spice next time (perhaps one of the spices I used on my croutons). Anyway, add it to the bowl.

Olive oil. Did you know if you mouth the words "olive oil" it looks like you are saying "I love you". I did it to my husband the other day. He thought it was funny. Add your olive oil after you've checked that out!

Hopefully your orzo is about ready. Drain it and add it to the bowl!

Don't let it fling all over the place, like I did. Gently toss it together!

I added the pepper on top once I divided mine for lunches.

3 WW points (old school) or 283 calories. Makes 4 servings. You can serve it cold or hot.

Enjoy!

Red Pepper Chicken with Noodles

The holiday's have added some squishiness to my body. As much as I've enjoyed eating all the goodies, I much rather be able to fit into my clothes! So it's back to the norm or my WW lunches!

This week I made Red Pepper Chicken with Noodles.

You will need:

3/4 pd boneless skinless chicken, chopped (or if you're like me, you just eyeball it and get a few pieces out of the freezer)
2 tsp olive oil
salt
pepper
4 scallions (chopped)
1 cup roasted red pepper (chopped)
3/4 cup red kidney beans (rinsed)
2 cups cooked wide egg noodles
1/3 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese

I started off boiling my water for the noodles while I was getting everything else ready.

After that was ready, I chopped my scallions. And oh boy! Did they smell yummy!

Next, chop the red peppers! Next time, I think I'll keep them a little more chunky for flavor.

If you're house is anything mine, your children come bug you! 

Ok. I don't have real children yet, but I have feline children! 

Now, add your oil to a big pan and cut up your chicken into it. I use kitchen scissors, I love them!

Add some pepper! I love pepper, so I was generous. 

Then, add some salt. 

Turn on the stove and start frying up your chicken! About 5 mins or so after it gets warm. Be sure to stir it around a bit so the chicken doesn't get stuck together. 

Once your chicken is pretty well done, you'll start adding the stuff that's left over. Go ahead and throw in your kidney beans.

Red peppers.

Let it simmer for a few minutes and then throw in your cooked noodles.

Wa la!

This makes 4 servings, about 323 calories, 6 WW points (old school).

I put mine into containers, as always. Then I put the cheese on top.

I'd give it a 3.5 out 5. The kidney beans add a weird texture to me. But you may love kidney beans and you'll give it a 5?!

Enjoy!