My strawberry ricotta toast didn’t look that pretty when I ate it yesterday. My train, for some unknown reason, was running 45 minutes late. I didn’t get to my desk until 9:25 and forgot I had mandatory training at 9:30. I toasted the bread, threw strawberries and blueberries on top, a drizzle of agave nectar, and no basil. Luckily there were only three other people in the class, and I like to explain that I am diabetic so I had to eat (not true, I just really wanted it) and everyone was drooling after each crunchy bite and asked “what exactly is that?!”
It’s delicious! Five points of deliciousness and this kept me full for hours. I ate this at 9:30 and didn’t even heat up my soup until 2:30.
It never seems to fail that on the most gorgeous days either I can’t walk, or my sister can’t walk. Yesterday she got tied up at work, and since I had to make up from being late, I walked for 30 minutes on the River Walk. It was gorgeous and 71 degrees.
I can’t wait to share my next blog post for The Chopping Block. I made this turkey bolognese with 99% lean turkey breast. It’s only 1 point for the whole pot, so it’s basically free. With this one pot of bolognese and am morphing it into 8 different meals. It’s so good.
One of the ideas is making minestrone soup. I forgot how much I love this soup! I simple took a cup of the Italian bolognese above, mixed it with 1.5 cups chicken broth, sauteed zucchini, 1/2 cup cooked pasta, a pinch of crushed red pepper and 1/2 cup kidney beans. This was hearty, and delicious. I know I’ve said it a million times, but I can eat soup 365 days a year. This soup was 4 points – 3 points for the pasta in the soup, and then there was leftover Parmesan cheese from a pizza lunch and I drizzled a points worth over the top after this picture was taken.
I also toasted a second ounce of bread for 2 points for dunking into the soup. Six points of deliciousness.
Do you guys use a chimney to start your coals? It’s a game changer, especially on a week night. I didn’t get home until nearly 7, but my coals were ready in about 10 minutes. All I knew was that I was going to be grilling chicken breasts that I got in the meat discount bin at Jewel. I got four chicken breasts for $2.80.
Code 3 Spices sent me their signature BBQ sauce and I love it. It’s not too sweet, has a bit of tang and is perfect on chicken. It’s only 1 point for 2 tablespoons, but I put about a tablespoon (if that) on my chicken breast making my chicken only 1 smart point.
The chicken was so juicy and delicious. Only one tiny problem. As I was grilling I had no idea what I was going to make with it. I had plenty of points to spare, but I was thinking “should I make pasta on the side?!” when I opened my fridge and saw the romaine lettuce and radishes I bought at the farmers market, and suddenly it hit me – BBQ chicken salad!
The chicken was 1 point, the 1/2 ounce of cheese was 2 points, and the Bolthouse Farms Avocado Goddess Dressing was 1 point. This is a 4 point salad and I couldn’t even finish it. And I loved the strawberries and blueberries on the salad. I think next time though I’d add some nuts or something for a bit of crunch, but either way, this was so good considering I had no plan going into dinner.
That salad just screams summer!
Okay – side note and question of the day. Hannah is convinced that the shaped pasta tastes better than regular pasta. I don’t like the texture of the shaped pasta because I don’t think it ever cooks evenly.
Hannah and Jacob loved this though. I will admit though that Annie’s mac n cheese is pretty tasty. Just give me the regular elbow macaroni, thank you very much.
Hoping the rain will take a break during lunch so Jenn and I can get our walk in. I guess there is always Macy’s though!
Happy Tuesday friends – make it a great day!
That salad and those chicken breasts look awesome and yummy!
Mmm, that glorious toast again! I was just at the store looking for some burrata cheese and should have grabbed ricotta. Your salad had me drooling last night, I think I could eat a salad for dinner everyday and not get tired of it. The shaped pasta debate just cracks me up . I agree, it doesn’t cook even and some parts get too mushy for my taste. I will have to give Annie’s a try.
When I saw the title, I was thinking ” Omg, its so hot, how can she eat soup”??? I love soup, most mostly in the winter. Its 90 plus here and all I want is a salad. Your salad looks delicious. I like to cut up a corn tortilla( in long strips) , spray with olive oil and bake in the toaster oven for some low-fat tortilla strips. I hope no one from work reads your blog!! I’m with you on regular macaroni shapes. I think they hold the sauce better because they kinda go up the tubes( if that makes sense).