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Spicy Beef Tacos

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  • Post category:Entrees

Weight Watchers

POINTS® Value: 5
Servings: 4 (two tacos)
Preparation Time: 12 min
Cooking Time: 13 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

  • 3 spray(s) cooking spray, divided
  • 2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
  • 3/4 pound(s) uncooked lean ground beef (with 7% fat)
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 3/4 tsp table salt, or to taste
  • 1 1/2 cup(s) canned diced tomatoes, with jalapenos or green chilies
  • 8 small corn tortilla(s), lightly toasted just before serving if desired*
  • 2 cup(s) lettuce, shredded
  • 1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, sharp-variety or queso fresco
  • 1/3 cup(s) salsa

Coat a large skillet with cooking spray; heat over a medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add beef; cook until browned, breaking up meat as it cooks, about 5 to 6 minutes Add cumin, coriander, salt and diced tomatoes; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is almost absorbed, about 5 to 6 minutes.

Place tortillas on a flat surface. Top each with about 1/4 cup beef, 1/4 cup lettuce, 1 tablespoon cheese and 2 teaspoons salsa. Fold tortilla in half, repeat with remaining ingredients and serve. Yields 2 tacos per serving.
*To toast tortillas, coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place tortillas on top and coat with cooking spray. Heat in a 300°F oven until slightly crisp but not too crisp that they break when folded.

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Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes with Cookie Crusts

Weight Watchers

POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 12
Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 0 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

  • 12 item(s) chocolate wafer(s), about 2 1/2 oz
  • 8 oz Neufchatel cheese, softened
  • 1 cup(s) 2% reduced fat milk
  • 2/3 cup(s) sugar
  • 2 envelope(s) unflavored gelatin
  • 3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 cup(s) water, boiling

Line 12 muffin tins with paper muffin liners. Place a wafer in the bottom of each of 12 muffin tins (or custard cups); set aside. (If the wafer doesn’t fit in bottom of muffin liners, break into pieces to cover bottom.)
Place cheese in bowl of a food processor and process until loose. With food processor running, pour milk down feed tube.
In a separate medium bowl, mix together sugar, gelatin and cocoa with a fork or spoon. Slowly add boiling water, mixing as you go; mix quickly until gelatin has completely dissolved.
With food processor running, slowly add cocoa mixture through feed tube; process thoroughly, about 1 minute.
Fill each muffin liner (or custard cup) with about 1/3 cup of cheese mixture. (Muffin tins will be filled up to the top; custard cups should be about 2/3 full.) Chill for a minimum of 2 hours. Yields 1 per serving.
These easy-to-make cheesecakes can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. If you’re a coffee lover, add a teaspoon of instant espresso to the cocoa mixture for an extra kick.

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Homespun: Modern Handmade

I’ve mentioned INDIEana Handicraft Exchange here before; Stephanie and I were introduce to the contemporary craft fair by a friend and have attended their events twice. It’s helped inspire the two of us to plan and scheme about our own crafting projects and what we might be able to do someday as a potential vendor.

In their words: “The INDIEana Handicraft Exchange is a D.I.Y. contemporary craft fair that showcases the work of artists and crafters who use traditional crafting techniques mixed with a contemporary edge.”
Now the folks who run the Exchange — Neal and Amanda Mauer Taflinger — are opening a new venture in Indianapolis – a store for local artists to sell their work. Homespun will be opening up on east Washington Street in the Irvington neighborhood.

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