Chick pea and Ham Soup

I whipped this up without prior soup knowledge or recipe, but it turned out pretty damn good.

2 Tbsp EVOO
3 cloves garlic
1/2 an onion (I'd even use a full one, but I only had half)
1/2 lb ham, cut into chunks
ham bone with meat left on it
2 cans of chick peas, drained and rinsed well
8 c. water (May wish to reduce this to 7 or 7.5 c.)
Herb de provence (season to taste)
Rosemary (season to taste)
1 bay leaf
fresh ground pepper
1.5 tsp kosher salt.

Sautee garlic and onion in 2 Tbsp oil in soup pot for 10-12 minutes, careful not to burn.
and water, chick peas, ham, bone, herbs and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hrs, stirring occasionally.

Using immersion blender or food processor, puree contents of soup pot (minus the bay leaf and ham bone). Return to stock pot, add additional seasonings if required, continue to simmer with ham bone for additional half or or so.

Makes 8 cups. 4 pts per cup.

**NOTE**

The reason I recommended using less water is the soup was not as thick as I'd have desired. It did thicken over night, so you could add a bit of cornstarch, or reduce liquid.

I found it to be really good!

Grilled Portobello

1 3.5 oz. Portobello mushroom cap - 0
2 tsp EVOO - 2
2 T. feta -2
kosher salt
pepper
crushed or pressed garlic
1/2 tsp rosemary - optional

Brush 1 tsp of EVOO onto top of mushroom, sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper, and put it under the broiler-about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile mix feta with crushed garlic and rosemary. Take Portobello out of oven, flip it over. Brush with remaining tsp EVOO, and stuff cap with cheese mixture. Broil until cheese is golden.

POINTS(5)

**note**
To make an open faced sandwich, toast a slice of whole wheat or multi grain bread. Combine 1 Tbsp of either fat free, or low fat mayo with a few dashes of chipolte tobasco sauce. Spread on bread and top with sprouts, roasted red peppers and portobello mushroom. Broil as instructions state above.

Serve with a side mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette.

Peanut butter and banana french toast

2 slices WW bread - 1 pt
1 Tbsp creamy Peanut butter - 2
1 small - med banana - 1.5
1 egg white
1.5 T. milk
1/8 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp butter - optional 0.5 Pts
1 tsp powdered sugar - optional - 0 pts

Spread 1 Tbsp Peanut butter on one slice of bread. Top with sliced banana, and other piece of bread.

In a bowl whisk together egg, milk, vanilla, sugar and salt. Dip both sides of sandwich in egg mixture and transfered to a prepared skillet (Sprayed with non stick butter flavoured spray)
Fry each side until golden.

OPTIONAL: Spread 1/2 tsp of butter on one side, and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Enjoy.

Total POINTS(R) - with butter 5

**Note**

Works well as a grilled sandwich. Omit egg mixture and butter.

Sirloin Salad

2-21/2 c. mixed greens
75g Maple Leaf Grilled Sirloin Strips
1 roma tomato sliced
1.5 T feta cheese (goat cheese is wonderful too)
1 T. walnuts
sliced red onions

4.5 POINTS(R) before your favourite dressing.

I like to use 2 tsp evoo, balsamic vinegar, garlic, grainy mustard, red wine vinegar and a shot of Franks Hot Sauce.

6.5 POINTS(R) total.

It's a wonderful filling meal.

Easy Egg Salad

Twist on an old favourite.

1 full hardboiled egg
1 hardboiled egg white
1 Tbsp Hellmans Dijonaise
Dill
salt
pepper
2 slices WW bread
alfalfa sprouts

Coarsely chop the egg and white together, add in 1 Tbsp dijonaise, dill, kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Combine thoroughly.

Spoon onto bread and top with sprouts. SO GOOD.

Total POINTS(R) 3

*note* for added flavor, mix in some capers, and/or minced red onion and sliced tomatoes.

*note 2*

To lessen the points value to 2, serve on a bed of lettuce or spinach, topped with sprouts, and surrounded by tomato wedges.

Don't miss the POINTS® pizza

1 flatout bread (1-2 pts depending on flavour)
1/4-1/2 c. pizza sauce (1 pt)
1 Pillar's© Turkey bite, thinly sliced (1 pt)
10 green olives, sliced - (1 pt)
1 oz light shredded cheese (2)
3 T Carmalized red or sweet onion (optional) - 0 pts


preheat oven to 350ºF.

Place flatout bread on ungreased cookie sheet, bake for 7 minutes.

Remove from oven. Spread tomato sauce on bread, sprinkle 1/2 the cheese, top with turkey bites and olives, sprinkle with remaining half of the cheese.

Put back in the oven until cheese melts, about 7 minutes.

Total POINTS® Value = 6

For an extra POINT®, try adding 1 Tbsp of crumbled feta.