New recipe - Spinach & Chicken Quesadillas

As I am getting back on track, I know that means I have to do a lot less eating out & a lot more cooking. Not that I can't eat out, but cooking gives me control over what goes into my food & how it's prepared. That being said, this week I got back in my kitchen and came up with this recipe for some healthy & scrumdeliumptious quesadillas that have surpassed any of the restaurant quesadillas I've had in flavor. They're also very Weight Watchers friendly :-)

Spinach & Chicken Quesadillas

Serving Size: 1 or 2 quesadillas
Points Plus Values: 4 for 1, 8 for 2**

Ingredients

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breast w/ rib meat
4 cups water
1 tbsp taco seasoning (I like Taco Bell's)
1/2 tbsp Goya Adobo seasoning
3 tbsp Mami's Sofrito (recipe will be posted)
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 to 3 cups fresh baby spinach
1 oz shredded extra sharp 2% cheddar
1 Laughing Cow garlic & herb cheese wedge
2 Ole Xtreme Wellness High Fiber Low Carb tortillas
Cooking spray

Directions

1. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Cover & simmer over medium heat until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Place the shredded chicken back into the simmering pot & reduce to low.

2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the garlic & spinach. Cook until just wilted & remove from pan.

3. Preheat griddle to 375. Spread each tortilla with 1/2 Laughing Cow cheese wedge.

4. Measure out 4 oz of shredded chicken. You will use 2 oz for each quesadilla.

5. Lightly spray the griddle w/ cooking spray. Place both tortillas on the griddle, cheese side up. Sprinkle a little shredded cheese on 1/2 of each tortilla. Add 2 oz chicken to 1/2 of each chicken. Add half the spinach to each half. Then add remaining cheddar to each half. Fold each tortilla over the filling side.

6. When underside is golden brown, flip each quesadilla over & cook until golden brown. Then serve!!!

Notes:
- You can accompany the quesadilla(s) with 0 point salsa or pico de gallo.
- Other filling options that won't change the points values: bell peppers, onions, mushrooms.
- You will have plenty of chicken left to make more quesadillas or stay tuned for my Easy Chicken & Black Bean that uses the leftover shredded chicken.

Fit 4 Flava ROTW 2/4/10 - Sandi's Guac dat Rocks

You can thank Aretha for me posting the very FIRST Fit 4 Flava Recipe of the Week (ROTW)! The minute she saw my guacamole-inspired Facebook status, she sent me an inbox message and asked for the recipe! Now I readily admit that I've switched it up a couple of times and find now that I've really perfected it to my liking!  I've even used it as salad dressing with some extra salsa & greek yogurt! 

Sandi's Guac dat Rocs

Ingredients

3 ripe haas avocados
3 tbsp salsa
2 tbsp non-fat greek yogurt (or fat-free sour cream)
2 tsp hot sauce
1/2 tsp lime juice
garlic powder, goya adobo powder, salt, black pepper and ground red pepper (ALL TO TASTE)

Directions
 

1) Slice avocados in half, remove pit (reserve one pit for storage), scoop out flesh into a bowl and mash until desired consistency (chunky vs smooth)

2) Mix in salsa, greek yogurt, hot sauce and lime juice.

3) Season to taste with goya adobo powder, garlic powder, salt (sparingly), black pepper & ground red pepper.

4) Serve w/ fresh veggies or tortilla chips (baked or regular depending on your preference)

Serving Size = 1/4 cup

Sandi's Notes & Recommendations:

• Before you put it in the refrigerator, put one of the avocado pits on top of it to keep it from turning ugly brown!
• I use either the florida big avocados (w/ the smooth skin) or the small haas avocados (the bumpy ones). 
• I use fresh salsa, specifically I REALLY LOVE the Market Fresh Chipotle Garlic medium salsa I get from Wal-Mart's produce section called Market Fresh 
• I have a Fire Roasted Habanero hot sauce that is made locally here in GA that I LOVE and that's what I use in this recipe and honestly a GOOD hot sauce will make ALL the difference! (Check out Stripling's Fire Roasted Habanero Hot Sauce and more varieties)
• While this is a relatively healthy recipe, remember that avocados are high in calories and fat, but it's the GOOD FAT! That doesn't mean eat ALL the guacamole in one sitting. Everything in moderation folks ;o)