ISO: Low-WW Point CL Favorites

[mandarin2j]

I just started back on WW Points this week. When I was doing WW last year, I wasn't using CL recipes, so I don't have a lot of low-point CL recipes targeted yet. As stated on some of the threads about how some think CL isn't necessarily "light" (I disagree with that, BTW. As someone else said on that thread, it's Cooking Light, not Cooking Fat Free!), a lot of the recipes are not necessarily "diet" recipes. Rather, they're recipes more suited for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That's great for when I hit maintenance or have banked Points to splurge with, but not so great for day-to-day dinners.

So… I'm looking for dinner entrees that are 10 WW Points or less, and I figured that people already doing WW Points would have a bunch of favorites to share. (as you wonderful folks always do!) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif What are your favorite "diet-friendly" CL recipes? Also, if you're familiar with WW Points and know the Points value, can you include that in your reply?

[ebobbitt]

I am on WW and make tons of CL recipes. I'll assemble my list this weekend and post it on Monday. Will that be ok?
Elizabeth

[This message has been edited by ebobbitt (edited 04-27-2001).]

[mandarin2j]

Elizabeth-

Sounds great to me! I just did a search and found a few, too. A lot more CL recipes are low-Point than I originally thought. Of course, that might be a portion size thing, too. (and I'm a hungry girl!) I'm all about gettin the most bang for my WW Points buck! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

-Amanda

[browneye]

Some of my recent favorites are:
Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna, April 2001 =9 points (I thought the serving size was ample) Add a salad with nonfat dressing and you're full!
Chicken Francais- J/F 2001, 5 points, I served with rice pilaf and vege, the total came in under 10 points. Very satisfying.
Superfast Salisbury Steak- J/F 2001, 5 points. Served with Mashed potatoes and fresh veges, this came in under 10 points..

Spicy Pan-Fried Sirloin Steak with Noodles also J/F 2001 = 8 points, including the pasta! I used penne pasta. Really different and yummy.

Smoked salmon pizza with Mascarpone and Capers J/F 2001= 9 points.

Fettucine and Tofu with Finger-licking peanut Sauce, April 2001 9 points per 2 cup serving- I thought this was an ample portion size.
Honestly, I have found many CL recipes to be around 10 points. I have used them almost exclusively when I cook, and have had good success on WW. I am within my normal weight range now, and have continued to eat mainly CL.
It really isn't difficult to do!
Good luck http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[crazycook]

Hi mandarin2j http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
You may want to check out my post where I reviewed the Spicy Ranch Chicken Wraps (June, 2000). (posted today) I included the WW points; 7 for this dish. A very tasty 7 too, I might add. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif When I get my magazine, I go through it and write in the WW points for the recipes I plan on trying. This helps me plan my meals through the week.

[Jen]

I make tons of CL recipes, and almost all of them are under 10 points. If it makes it faster to calculate (the little slider can be awkward), there's a formula for calculating that has been posted before: (calories/50) + (fat/10) - (fibre/5) = points. (I made a little program in my computer that calculates it for me if I punch in the values - yes I'm a nerd!). If you have a palm pilot, there's a program you can download for free at http://www.whiteoaks.com - it also has a points calculator. Anyway, the only CL recipes I find really difficult to fit in are the desserts - I realize they're lighter than regular desserts, but most of the cheesecakes etc. are at least 6-7 points - that's about a whole meal's worth for me! I have a few recipes for one or two point "treats" that will give me a bit of a chocolate fix - but I've found few from CL that are low enough for this (except the Kahlua brownies - only 2 pts!). Hope this helps - good luck!

[CathyPA]

Elizabeth - I didn't make the original request, but I would love to see your list. I have been on WW since 1/06/01 (lost 19.4 lb. as of this morning's meeting). I have prepared CL recipes, but didn't sit down to work out points, this gives me motiviation. I've just "guesstimated" and plan my day around what I plan to cook.

I agree with the first comment - CL is focused on a healthy balance which seems to fit right in with the points concept that WW uses. I have a few WW cookbooks, but so far, I find their recipes drab compared to CL. I'm not planning to buy any more of their books.

Cathy

[ebobbitt]

I came into the office for a little while so I thought I'd send some recipes off my list.
All of these are from the CL Annual Recipes 2001 so they ran in 2000.
Barbecued Pork Chops - 6 points
Cajun Chicken Pasta - 10 points & worth it!
Maple-Glazed Salmon - 8 points
Beef Empanada Potpie - 9 points
Spaghette Pie - 9 points
Cajun Catfish Wraps with Slaw - 7
Now I've made myself hungry. I'll post some more tomorrow. That's all I got out of the house with this morning.
Elizabeth

[ebobbitt]

Sorry for the delay. I had a meeting that lasted all morning. The following recipes are in the CL Annual Recipes 1999 so they were in the 1998 magazines.
BBQ Chicken Potpie - 9 points
Tuna Noodle Casserole - 8 points
Ham Tetrazzini - 6 points
Homestyle Meatloaf - 5 points
Crockpot Chili - 5 points
Turkey Enchiladas - 8 points
Cheese & Chicken Enchiladas - 7 points
Chicken Pasta Salad - 6 points
Chili Mac - 6 points

[Jewel]

Pirate's Booty is only 1 point per cup!! Talk about guilt-free pleasures!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[goldilocks]

I made the Spinach, Rice and Feta Pie (like a quiche, but rice based) from the CL Complete Cookbook. This was excellent, and instead of 6 servings, I reduced to 4 huge servings for 7 points each. This is a very filling 7 points, just had my leftovers for lunch!

[mandarin2j]

Thanks for all the great suggestions, Elizabeth, browneye, crazycook, Jen, Jewel, & goldilocks!

crazycook: I saw your post and printed it before I even wrote my original post. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif The wraps sound yummy! Oh, and as a suggestion for a side, how about making the fajita marinade from CL July 2000(or was it June???, oh well, the cover recipe of that month's magazine, anyway!) and then just using it to marinate the peppers and onions only, and then grilling them outside? I can't get enough of grilled veggies in the summer!

CathyPA: I agree about the WW cookbooks. I think that's what made me so hesitant to try CL in the first place (to my great loss!). My mom fed us on recipes from the WW cookbooks and I don't care if I never see another plate of WW shrimp jambalaya again! Blech!

Jewel: I cleaned Trader Joe's out on the stuff last week! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif The cashier must've never tried it, 'cause he commented about my choice in packing material. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif Oh well, more for me then!

-Amanda

[ReneeV]

Hi Guys,
I didn't know so many CL groupies count WW points. Count me in as one of the "counters". I LOVE the points plan and actually decided to try it because I could continue to use my Cooking Light recipes. I knew any food plan on which I could be successful, would have to include CL. I love cooking too much to give it up!

I'll look up my favorites and post them later.

Renée