Taste of Thyme: Good & Good for You Food

Adding some heat to your food can make it more interesting, challenging, allow you to cut back on the salt, and can even boost your metabolism. I find adding some heat to my food (I like it hot) also helps me feel full and saited faster. Here are ate ways to heat up you meals: 1. Louisiana Hot Sauce 2. Red Pepper Flakes - when heating oil for a saute, add some flakes to season the oil 3. Cayenne Pepper - use it like black pepper 4. Tabasco Sauce (red, green, garlic) 5. Jalapenos - fresh or pickled 6. Black, white or pink Pepper - try all the varieties 7. Wasabi - not just for sushi; add it to mashed potatoes for a zing 8. Chinese Mustard - mix some dry mustard with warm water to create a paste; add to a stirfry at the last minute for flavor and a kick

Rice is always a good side dish. My version of this Mexican classic is as good as it is easy. This is made with brown rice so you get you fiber in too. If you think you don't like brown rice, try this and you might change your mind. I like this version because it is a little more moist than the traditional rice. 1 tsp oil (grapeseed or olive is best) 2 cloves of garlic. minced pinch of red pepper flakes 1 cup of brown rice 1 can 10.5 oz can vegetarian vegetable soup 2 cans of water Heat oil in a 2 quart pot. add the pepper flakes and garlic to the hot oil and heat 30 seconds. Add the brown rice and stir occasionally. When the rice starts to become fragrant (will smell like popcorn) add the soup and the water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on lowest setting until the water is all absorbed (about 35 minutes). Allow to rest 5 - 10 minutes, covered, before serving. Fluff with a fork (a spoon will crush the grains). This can also be cooked in the oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees...

This is a spicy way to dress up ground beef. This is good enough to serve to company, too. Of course, you can use ground turkey instead of beef. Don't be frightened away by number of ingredients....most of them are just spices you should have on your spice rack already. This is a great recipe to prepare on the grill (or your George Forman) as well. It also freezes well so if you make extra, pack up individual portions for later. 24 oz ground sirloin 1/2 c oats 1/4 c Dijon Mustard 1/2 c red bell, diced 1/2 c green bell, diced 1/2 t pepper 1/2 t paprika 1/2 t basil 1/2 t thyme 1/2 t pepper flakes 1/2 t onion powder 1/2 t garlic powder cooking spray Mix all the above ingredients (except the spray) together. Form into 4 patties (or if you want to have a smaller version you can make 6 smaller patties). The mustard adds a lot of salt to the patties, but you want more you can season the patties before cooking. Set aside and begin the relish. 3 Red onions, chopped or sliced 2 T hone...

Summer is a great time to relax and have a drink or two with friends. With summer approaching quickly and now that I am spending more time outside at cafes or in the yard, I have come up with a simple summer drink that is easy on the calories and points and refreshing too. White Wine Cocktail 2 oz of a crisp chilled white wine (not Chardonay) 1 wedge of lime or lemon 4 - 6 oz of lime or lemon sparkling water ice Squeeze a wedge of lemon or lime into a large wine glass. Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the wine and the sparkling water (water flavor to match the fruit used). Can garnish with a fresh strawberry if desired. And this is only 1 point!

I always give a healthy cooking tip to my Weight Watchers Members each week. Here is my tip for this week. Try cooking your food En Papillote. That is a French technique that means to seal the food in parchment paper and bake it in the oven. What happens is the food steams in its own moister (with perhaps a bit of wine or juice added). This gives you a light product that is nutritious and healthy. If you think about it, you may already use or have used this technique. Maybe you have wrapped something in foil and baked it or grilled it. This is actually the same thing (effect). I use this a lot because it is quick, easy, low calorie (points) and delicious. And you don't have to worry about the parchment paper, just use the foil, it is easier to work with. It is also fun for everyone to get your own individual package of food that you can unwrap at the table! (kids love this) Try these simple and tasty variations on this theme or come up with your own: Pesto Salmon : Lay down a few s...

This is on my menu this week. It is a healthy and delicious alternative to BBQ chicken. I like to serve it with a low fat Hummus and Fresh Pitas. Glaze: 3 cups seedless red grapes or 4 cups grape juice (reduced to 2 cups by boiling) 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary Chicken: 2 teaspoons olive oil 6 chicken drumsticks & 6 chicken thighs (skin removed) 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 3/4 teaspoon salt Cooking spray Fresh rosemary leaves (optional) To prepare glaze, place grapes in a blender; process until smooth. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cover and cook 10 minutes. Add garlic; cover and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in pureed grapes, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and 1 teaspoon rosemary; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes ...