Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

Servings: 5 • Size: 2 thighs plus vegetables • Old Points: 8 pts • Points+: 9 pts
Calories: 347.1 • Fat: 17.0g • Protein: 31.1 g • Carb: 19.2 g • Fiber: 5.8 g
Ingredients:
 
10 (20 oz) boneless skinless chicken thighs
20 medium asparagus, ends trimmed, cut in half
3 red bell peppers
1 cup carrots, sliced in half long way
2 red onions, chopped in large chunks
10 oz sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper
3 tbsp fresh rosemary
2 cloves garlic, smashed and sliced
2 tbsp oregano or thyme
4 leaves fresh sage, chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°. Wash and dry the chicken well with a paper towel. Combine all the ingredients together and using your hands and arrange in a very large roasting pan. The vegetables should not touch the chicken or it will steam instead of roast. All ingredients should be spread out in a single layer. If necessary use two baking sheets or disposable tins to achieve this. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes.

Another super yummy, low calorie recipe from one of my fav sites, skinnytaste.com.   I added a tablespoon of brown sugar when I made it, and it sweetened it up a tad that made it so the kids loved it.  You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but I would shorten the cooking time slightly so they don't dry out.  Enjoy!  Kim

Ginger Beer Pulled Pork Sliders

This is one of our new favorite recipes!  Such a unique and delicious take on BBQ sliders.  Sounds random....but they are gooooo--ood!  It also creates some wonderful leftovers for a couple of days.

Ginger Beer Pulled Pork Sliders

Meat:
4 lb. pork roast (we use the one from Sam's Club and cut it in half if only serving our family)
12 oz. bottle of ginger beer (you can find this at Harmon's or Trader Joe's--or you can also use a good quality ginger ale)
11 oz. can of peach nectar
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp. freshly cracked pepper
1/2 tsp. liquid smoke (optional)
1 dozen small rolls

In a medium bowl, which together peach nectar, brown sugar, salt, garlic, pepper and liquid smoke.  Set aside.  In a roasting pan or slow cooker, place trimmed pork.  Pour the bottle of ginger been over the meat, and repeat with peach mixture. (I just mix all the ingredients together in the crock pot and then roll the roast in the mixture so it gets flavor on all sides).

Cover and bake at 300 for 4-5 hours.  If using slow cooker, cover and cook on high for 5 hours or on low for 10 hours.

When meat pulls apart easily, remove and let meat rest for 10 mins.

Pull apart with forks and mix with Honey Peach BBQ Sauce

Honey Peach BBQ Sauce:
1 1/2 c. ketchup
1/2 c. fresh peach puree (I use frozen peaches)
1/2 c. apple cider vinegar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. honey
1 TBSP honey mustard
1TBSP Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper (only use 1 if you want it less spicy)
1/2 tsp. minced garlic

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized sauce pan and simmer about 1 hour, or until reduced by half.  Set aside until ready to use.

Black Pepper Coleslaw:
1 head of shredded cabbage
1/4 c. shredded carrot
1/2 c. mayo
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. milk
2 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 TBSP white vinegar
Approx 1/4 of an onion--shredded
2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper (add less for less spice)
1 1/2 tsp. honey mustard
1/2 tsp. salt

In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients except cabbage.  Stir in cabbage and mix well.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

To make sliders:
Lightly toast your rolls.  Top with Honey Peach BBQ Pork and Black Pepper Coleslaw (we also love to add a slice of cheddar cheese).  Serve immediately.  Enjoy!

Hugs, Alicia

Asian Glazed Drumsticks

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 2 drumsticks • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 213 • Fat: 4.7 g • Protein: 27.5 g • Carb: 12.7 g • Fiber: 0.4 g

•8 medium chicken drumsticks, skin removed (I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs)
•olive oil spray
•1 cup water
•1 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce (more or less to taste)
•1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
•1/2 cup soy sauce
•4 tsp agave nectar (or sugar)
•3 cloves garlic, crushed
•1 tsp ginger, grated
•2 tbsp chives or scallions, chopped
•1 tsp sesame seeds

In a heavy large saucepan, brown chicken on high for 3-4 minutes with a little spray oil. Add water, balsamic, soy sauce, agave, garlic, ginger, hot sauce and cook on high until liquid comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for about 20 minutes. Remove cover and bring heat to high, allowing sauce to reduce down, about 8-10 minutes, until it becomes a thick glaze, turning chicken occasionally. (Keep an eye on glaze, you don't want it to burn when it start becoming thick) Transfer chicken to a platter and pour glaze on top. Top with chives and sesame seeds and serve.  Serve with rice and broccoli.

We love this recipe, it is super yummy and great for a week night!   Kim