Friday, August 31, 2012

Roasted Tomatoes and Zucchini

As summer is winding its way down, it seems the cherry tomatoes are winding up! We have so many on our vines! As you all know - there is nothing quite like a garden tomato - cherry or otherwise!

It seems that we are not quite done with the zucchini crop either. So, with that in mind I was on my continual hunt for something delicious to try with these to veggies! My search proved 'fruitful'.

This recipe although not a main meal, could be paired with rice or noodles to make it more filling. We did serve it over rice (which negated it's low cal appeal!).

Roasted Tomatoes and Zucchini Recipe (from Laa Loosh)

A great low calorie side dish to any meal, these Roasted Tomatoes and Zucchini are flavorful and fresh. At 0 Points + per serving, it’s a wonderful guilt free vegetable recipe.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sized zucchini, chopped into bite sized pieces
  • 1 small container of cherry tomatoes (about 20 tomatoes), sliced in half
  • Non-fat olive oil cooking spray
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Line a small baking sheet with aluminum foil (for easy cleanup) and lightly mist with the non-fat cooking spray.
  3. Place tomatoes and zucchini onto baking sheet and lightly mist with non-fat cooking spray or olive oil mister, then sprinkle evenly with the sea salt.
  4. Roast in oven until vegetables start to char, about 15-20 minutes.
  5. Serve immediately.

Quick Notes

NOTE: Because this Roasted Tomatoes and Zucchini Recipe only uses vegetables and trace amounts of olive oil, I count it as 0 Points +. However, if you add up the nutritional information and plug it into your Weight Watchers Calculator, you’ll see that it comes up as 1 Points +. So it’s up to you how you want to count it.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 20 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4

Entire recipe makes 4 servings
Serving size is 1/2 cup
Each serving = 0 Points +

PER SERVING: 43 calories; 0g fat; 8g carbohydrates; 3g protein; 3g fiber


Surprisingly my son and husband both LOVED this recipe and went back for more. I didn't have the heart to tell them it was a "Weight Watcher's" Recipe. Because they enjoyed it so much, it receives the distinction of "2" on the RollRater!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Zucchini Soup

Now, I know what you're thinking...."Soup in this hot weather! Forget it!" This is actually a COLD soup (of which I am not usually a fan). But this came recommended by long-time blog follower, fellow teacher and friend, Judy C. She new I was looking for zucchini recipes and sent this along. It is not only delicious but it's healthy too!

It has taken me a while to make this soup because it calls for a blender (something I do not own). So my sister-in-law, Dianne, heard I wanted to try this and offered up her Hamilton Beach Personal Blender. I looked at it and thought, "This little thing isn't going to work." But in fact, it was just perfect.

So, Grab your pot! Get your blender! And go!


Zucchini Cold Soup
  • Saute one large Vadalia onion in butter in a fairly large pot
  • Dice 4 pounds green zucchini
  • When onion is sauteed, add zucchini to pot
  • Add one small can College Inn fat free chicken broth
  • Stir and Cover

  • When zucchini is cooked, cool on stove
  • Add 1/2 teasp. salt and one full teasp. curry
  • When pot is cool, put into a blender to "blend" to thicken soup consistency
  • Serve with croutons

No here is where it got a little tricky for me. I didn't have any curry so I decided a good substitute would be crushed red pepper flakes. While I love the taste of them, my dear Dave does not. Unfortunately, I added a bit too much and it was overly spicy for him.

I thought I wouldn't enjoy the cold soup and it was actually a nice change. I'm thinking though that this could be easily served warm...Judy might have to chime in on this one.

So even though one of us did not go back for seconds, the other did. Therefore, this recipe receives a 2 on the Roll-Rater scale.

By the way - do you like my vintage Syracuse China Bowls circa 1950's? A great purchase on eBay!

Let me know if you try the soup!

Happy Dining!