I love lentils but never seem to eat them that often.  I ran across a lentil salad recipe in a Trader Joe’s cookbook called Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s. It’s a cool cookbook.  It was put out by Trader Joe’s fans, not Trader Joe’s.  As always I altered the recipe a bit.  It was good cold or warm.  And it was tasty as is but next time I think I will add a bit of oregano.

Lentil Salad

2 1/2 cups cooked lentils
1 cup chopped grape or cherry tomatoes
3/4 cup chopped parsley
2 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp salt

Combine lentils, tomatoes, and parsley in a medium bowl.  In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, oil and salt with a fork.  pour over lentil mixture and stir to coat.

serves 5

Nutritional Info
Calories: 146.6
Fat: 3.2 g
Carbs: 21.5 g
Fiber: 8.5 g
Protein: 9.5 g

Weight Watcher points: 2

I love mashed potatoes.  I think it is one of the best comfort foods out there.  Combine mashed potatoes with corn and cheese and it is unbelievably good. The original recipe is from recipezaar.

Mashed Potatoes With Corn & Cheese

4 cups cubed peeled potatoes
1 1/2 cups water
4 tablespoons skim milk
1 tablespoons light Smart Balance
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed & warmed
1 cups shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese

Place potatoes in water in a microwave safe dish.  Cover and microwave on HIGH for 12-14 minutes or until tender and then drain. Alternatively, you can boil your potatoes on the stove as you would for any mashed potato recipe or even cook them in a steamer bag - your choice - you just needed cooked potatoes.

Place the potatoes in a mixing bowl. Mash with milk, Smart Balance, salt and pepper. You can use a hand mixer but I like to use a potato masher as I like lumpy potatoes. Stir in corn and cheese.

Nutritional Information:

Serves 6
Calories: 156
Fat:  5.1 g
Carbs: 21.6 g
Fiber: 3.1 g
Protein: 8.1 g

3 Weight Watcher points (but really, who just eats one serving of mashed potatoes?)

I don’t usually use the microwave to cook, only to heat things up.  but I finally tried the Glad Simply Cooking Microwave Steam Bags and I love them! They cook vegetables to perfection.  Even potatoes.

Microwaved Baby Potatoes

24 oz baby potatoes (or you could probably use cubed potatoes
1 Tbs olive oil
2 tsp seasoned salt (I used McCormick’s Season All)
1 microwave steam bag

Wash your potatoes.  Drizzle oil over them.

Stir to coat in oil.  I use my hands.

Sprinkle on the seasoned salt.

(My 1st action shot!)
Again, stir to coat.  Again I used my hands.

Place potatoes into the steam bag.

Close bag and microwave per instructions on bag.  I nuked mine for 8 minutes.  Let the bag stand for about 2 minutes - if you open it immediately, you could burn yourself with the steam.

Your potatoes are ready to serve!

Nutritional Information:

Serves 4
Calories: 161
Fat:  3.5 g
Carbs: 29.7 g
Fiber: 3.7 g
Protein: 3.4 g

3 Weight Watcher points

I guess technically my version of this potato recipe shouldn’t be called “chips”. They were not cut as thin as they should have been and I didn’t bake them until crispy.  I prefer my potatoes (even French Fries) non-crispy.  This was a tasty alternative to oven fries. This makes a nice sized side dish for not too many Weight Watcher points.

Oven Parmesan Chips - originally from the Taste of Home magazine (Feb/Mar ‘94)

4 servings
3- 4 medium unpeeled baking potatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs)
1 Tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
2 Tbs Parmesan

Cut potatoes into thin slices, place in a mixing bowl and add the oil.  Toss to coat.  Add the seasonings and toss to coat with the spices.  Spread the potato slices on a greased baking sheet in a single layer.  Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes until tender and golden.  Turning once during cooking.  Bake a little longer if you like them crispier.  Sprinkle with Parmesan.

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 173
Fat:  4.3 g
Carbs: 30 g
Fiber: 3.9 g
Protein: 4.5 g

3 Weight Watcher points

Lemon and Herb Rice

4 servings

1 cup uncooked rice
2 cups water
1 Tbs Light Smart Balance
1 1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1 Tbs lemon juice

Place rice, water, butter and herbs in medium pot and bring to a boil.  Turn down to low, cover and simmer 20-25 minutes. Stir in lemon juice.

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 181
Fat: 1.6 g
Carbs: 37.3 g
Fiber: .6 g
Protein: 3.3 g

4 Weight Watcher points

This is an extremely cheap and easy side dish.  Sometimes I get in a rut fixing the same side dishes the same way over and over.  Or I get lazy and just dump a can of veggies in a pot.  This side dish takes very little effort and gives canned corned just a little more oomph.

Parslied Corn

4 servings

1 can corn
1 Tbs butter substitute (I use light Smart Balance)
1 1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Drain the corn and empty in a small pot.  Add the rest of the ingredients and mix.  Heat the corn over low, stirring occasionally as t he butter melts until heated.

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 72
Fat: 1.9 g
Carbs: 14 g
Fiber: 1.4 g
Protein: 2 g

1 WW points