Tag: Appetizer

Appetizers, Asian, Under 10 WW SmartPoints, Under 5 WW SmartPoints

Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs

by aspoonfulofsimpleblog2 Comments on Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs

One dish that I never get sick of is a classic meatball. Now, being on Weight Watchers, I try to find some variations of meatballs that use as many 0 point foods as possible so I can pack as much flavor in without the guilt. These delicious teriyaki chicken meatballs are perfect as an appetizer or as a main dish over rice or noodles. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 lb ground chicken breast

3 tbsp fresh minced ginger

3 tsp minced garlic

1/3 cup minced scallions (save additional for garnish)

2 tsp soy sauce

2 tsp sesame oil

1 egg

1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs

Canola oil spray

Salt to taste

Garlic ginger teriyaki marinade, or other Asian sauce of choice (store bought)

Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken breast, ginger, garlic, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, egg, bread crumbs, and salt. Mix well with your hands or a hand mixer until well combined.
  3. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with canola oil.
  4. Form meat into 20-24 small meatballs and place on the baking sheet (If the mixture feels too wet, add some extra breadcrumbs, but this mixture may feel a bit more wet and sticky than a traditional meatball! No worries!).
  5. Baked meatballs for 13-15 minutes, until browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Turn meatballs with 5 minutes of cooking time left to avoid burning on the bottoms.
  6. Toss in a bowl with the garlic ginger teriyaki marinade and serve on their own for an appetizer or over rice or cauliflower rice!
Before cooking
Cooked and tossed in sauce

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 1 point per meatball with marinade. Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Print a copy for your recipe binder!

50 calories per meatball.
Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Appetizers, Party Favorites, Side Dishes, Under 10 WW SmartPoints, Under 5 WW SmartPoints

Summer Corn and Black Bean Salad

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Summer Corn and Black Bean Salad

One of my favorite summer activities is attending a great summertime barbecue. The grill, the sun, the sides…it all makes for the perfect day. Here is one of my all time favorite barbecue recipes, and the best part about it is…dump and go! No cooking required. This summer corn and black bean salsa is the perfect side dish or dip to bring along with you!

Ingredients

2 can black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans corn, rinsed and drained

1 small container of grape tomatoes (or tomatoes of your choice), diced

1 small red onion, diced

1 avocado, cubed

3 tbsp lime juice

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup cilantro (optional)

Directions

  1. Combine black beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, and avocado in a large bowl. Mix until well combined.
  2. Add in olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Toss to coat. Add more salt to taste if needed.
  3. Serve as a side dish, as an appetizer dip with tortilla chips, or as a topping for grilled chicken or burgers!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 2 points per serving (12 servings total). Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Print a copy of this recipe for your recipe binder!

Party Favorites, Under 10 WW SmartPoints

Baked Beef Empanadas

by aspoonfulofsimpleblog1 Comment on Baked Beef Empanadas

When there is endless college basketball on, you need to have some finger foods ready to go! Check out these awesome (and easy) baked empanadas.  Cut some calories with these delicious snacks that will be gone in seconds.

Ingredients

12 empanada wrappers (I used GOYA)

2 lbs ground beef

1 medium onion

4 tbsp sofrito (I used GOYA)

GOYA Adobo seasoning, to taste

Olive oil

1 egg, whisked, for egg wash

Directions

1 . Coat large skillet with olive oil.  Saute onions and add in ground beef.  Make sure all ground beef is thoroughly cooked through and browned on all sides.

2.  Add in 4 tbsp of sofrito seasoning to coat beef and let simmer.
3.  Generously sprinkle GOYA Adobo seasoning on all of meat and mix in thoroughly.  Add more or less to taste.

4.  Once meat is cooked and seasoned, take an empanada wrapper and fill one half with beef mixture.  Fold it over and press and seal with a fork.
5.  Crack and whisk one egg.  With a pastry brush, coat both sides of each empanada with the egg wash to help it crisp up in the oven.
6.  Baked on an ungreased baking sheet at 375 F for 15-20 minutes, or until empanada wrappers look cooked and crispy.
7.  Serve and enjoy!! 

These seriously went so fast.  Next time, I will definitely make two batches!!

Baked Beef Empanadas

  • Servings: 12
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients
12 empanada wrappers (I used GOYA)
2 lbs ground beef
1 medium onion
4 tbsp sofrito (I used GOYA)
GOYA Adobo seasoning, to taste
Olive oil
1 egg, whisked, for egg wash

Directions
1 . Coat large skillet with olive oil. Saute onions and add in ground beef. Make sure all ground beef is thoroughly cooked through and browned on all sides.
2. Add in 4 tbsp of sofrito seasoning to coat beef and let simmer.
3. Generously sprinkle GOYA Adobo seasoning on all of meat and mix in thoroughly. Add more or less to taste.
4. Once meat is cooked and seasoned, take an empanada wrapper and fill one half with beef mixture. Fold it over and press and seal with a fork.
5. Crack and whisk one egg. With a pastry brush, coat both sides of each empanada with the egg wash to help it crisp up in the oven.
6. Baked on an ungreased baking sheet at 375 F for 15-20 minutes, or until empanada wrappers look cooked and crispy.
7. Serve and enjoy!!

Weight Watcher Freestyle SP: 8 per empanada. Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the Weight Watchers app.

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.