Happy Monday all! I took complete advantage of having the day off work and had a totally productive day. I cooked and cooked and tried to not eat everything in site as I did our taxes.
I managed to cook 5 different things ~ 2 flops, 3 awesome recipes and umm, I took 180 pictures…OMG! Note to self, it takes longer to sort through than many pictures than it does to cook the recipes…learn to just set the camera down…. 
#1 Crustless Spinach & Mushroom Quiche
I got really excited about making this recipe when I saw that Trader Joe’s carried a reduced fat Smoked Gouda. I would’ve totally used full fat, but, figured I could save on calories/fat where ever you won’t miss them.
The other thing that really appealed to me about the recipe was that you put it all in the food processor and bake it….EASY!
The only changes I made were to use fresh spinach vs frozen, add sautéed mushrooms, crushed red pepper flakes and I used nonstick spray instead of oil in the baking dish. Oh and I omitted the nutmeg.
It is super green and totally made me think of St. Patrick’s day.
I recalculated the stats based on 6 servings with my changes and it came up to 6 points+.
The verdict ~ I honestly didn’t like it at all ~ it was awful. The gouda gives it a nice “ham” taste but texture is funky. Flop #1. I had pineapple on the side but somehow never took a picture of it LOL.
Flop #2 was forgetting to put the baking soda in my hard boiled egg water creating not so perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs.
#2 100% Whole Wheat Banana Muffins from Roni’s Green Lite Bites Cookbook!
The recipe is so simple to make.
Simply….mix your dry ingredients.
Whisk your wet ingredients ~ 2 two “secret” ingredients that I think make this recipe extra tasty are Molasses & Almond Extract!
Stir to combine your wet and dry ingredients.
Scoop into 6 prepared muffin tins and top with oats. I LOVE that there are not a ton I have to worry about eating or freezing.
Your house will smell incredible while you baked these HUGE muffins for 18 minutes.
I LOVE that I can have a HUGE Muffin for ONLY 4 POINTS+! They are super moist, you can taste the banana and the almond extract gives them a flavor similar to poppyseed muffins. I can’t wait to have more!
#3 Fire Cracker Chicken ~ Success!
Steps and my changes to the recipe (since not all the ingredients are listed LOL) coming up tomorrow. I made this up for lunches this week and it is phenomenal!!! Can’t wait to dig in tomorrow.
I actually made all those recipes by 10 am and decided I NEEDED to go to Trader Joe’s for the 3rd day in a row. You see, I think I’ve told too many of you about my FAVORITE bread because it has been gone EVERY day 
Lunch involved some more EGG SALAD with some new additions ~ I added BACON since Beth mentioned it last week!
The irony was that I wanted to have my sandwich on TJ’s Fat Free Multi-Grain, but, when, it came down to it, I picked The Husband’s sour dough bread LOL.
#4 Bacon Egg Salad
* 1 egg (2 points+)
* 1 Egg White (0 points+)
* 1 Tbsp LF Mayo (1 point+)
* 1 Tsp Mustard (0 points+)
* 1 Slice of Bacon, crumbled (2 points+)
* Sprinkle of scallions and crushed red pepper flakes
All on top of the best sour dough bread ever for 8 points+
Crunchy salad with 1 Tbsp TJ’s Balsamic (1 point+)
Cuties!
MMMMM……I am IN LOVE, I think….bacon always makes everything better.
I was completely satisfied all day, but, I got really “snacky” in the afternoon ~ I honestly KNOW it had more to do with doing my taxes/boredom eating than it did with hunger.
I started off with some Sour Cream & Onion Pop Chips in a single serving bag.
3 points+ and total portion control. If I had a big bag, I am pretty sure I would’ve had it next to me as I worked away.
Then, I thought, hmmm, maybe, I NEED something sweet now. No, I totally didn’t NEED it, but, I WANTED it. 2 more FANTASTIC cookies (4 points+)
I finally took a post it note that said “I DON’T EAT FOOD SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS THERE” and put it on our pantry. It stopped me from going back
The Husband requested homemade mac & cheese (with hot links) for dinner to help his “cold”. I figured this gave me the perfect opportunity to try Shannon’s recipe.
#5 Low-Fat Super Cheesy Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
The “SECRET” ingredient ~ CAULIFLOWER!
“Steam’ the cauliflower in boiling water for 2 minutes (while your husband showers so he doesn’t know 
Remove, then, add your pasta and cook according the packaged directions.
Meanwhile….sautéed the onions and garlic in nonstick spray until softened.
Create your “rue” with flour and butter.
Add 2 cups of skim milk and bring to a simmer, about 10 minutes.
Add half your cheese, sea salt and black pepper. I added a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to give it a little heat.
Add your cooked pasta and cauliflower. I actually doubled the pasta in the recipe and used 1 cup of pasta because I wanted more noodles.
Pour your super cheesy mixture into a prepared 11 x 7 pan. Top with remaining cheese.
Sprinkle with toasted bread crumbs. I used 1/2 panko and 1/2 Italian breadcrumbs because it is what I had on hand.
Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.
Cut into 6 slices and dig in! Each serving is 6 points+.
I LOVED it ~ it really is super cheesy and the bread crumbs on top add a nice, crunchy buttery-ness. The Husband said I tried to trick him by using cauliflower, but, he ate two servings so I think he liked it. He just won’t admit it because it’s good for him
NEW OVER AT FRIENDS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
* Check out these delicious looking 2 Point+ Low-Fat Banana Bread Cookies!
* Tomorrow is the last day to enter to WIN the Green Lite Bites Cookbook!
If you missed out on winning Annie’s new 1 point+ dressings, I am hosting another giveaway this week ~ GO HERE to ENTER NOW!
Q’s
What is your favorite way to make your eggs?
Obviously I LOVE my eggwiches, but, I am really digging egg salad lately. Omelets are my next favorite then there is deviled eggs too.
Night all!
Wow! You are on a roll!
Can’t wait to see the firecracker chicken recipe because I am in a bit of a food rut and could use some new ideas.
That egg salad looks SO good. I need to make it!
Can’t wait to try your new recipes, except for the flops, lol! Just ordered a copy of Green Lites Cookbook! Can’t wait to get it!
You were a cooking fool this weekend!! Love all of the recipes! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Tonight, I told my WW group about your website and what an inspiration and encouragement you are! One of the members looked you up immediately on her cell phone. ::: waving at all my pals from Mt. Penn ::::: It is such a great group on Monday nights, and our leader is terrific! I look forward to our meetings and gather lots of ideas about staying on target! Remember, if you bite it..write it, if you smell it, tell it! (or something like that.)
I wondered about the Firecracker Chicken recipe, it seemed to be missing some ingredients! I Googled it and combined the recipe you gave us with some ideas from others I found. Made it Saturday night and it was totally yummy! I forbade anyone in the house to eat the leftovers, they were MINE for lunch this week! Thanks for continuing to give us new and different meal ideas Danica!
Danica, I am so making that Mac N Cheese! Where is the recipe for the muffins? I have the mini-cheese meatloafs prepared and are eating them tonight. Did you try it yet?
What a super productive day! You are set for the week! Love that cauliflower mac n cheese!
cauliflower mac and cheese! you are a genius! i want it!
wow – all of this looks SO good (even the quiche to me!!) 🙂
I love a hard boiled egg and egg salad, so I am SO EXCITED to try your boiled egg technique – I have never heard of this and I hate peeling eggs when it seems like it comes off in 100 pieces 🙂
definitely starring this one in my reader – many awesome things I will be making! (why do I vaguely sound like yoda??)
What am I missing? You said you made 5 recipes…2 flops and 3 success’. You said the first recipe was a flop….. but he last four you seemed to like. What was the other flop recipe?
Thanks for the recipes, I’m definitely going to make the egg salad and the muffins, and fire cracker chicken.
Thank you so much for featuring my recipe for Cheesy mac and cheese! So glad you guys loved it, I agree doubling the pasta is a good idea!! I brought the banana bread cookies to a friends house today and everyone loved them! They couldn’t believe they were weight watchers friendly!!
Hey Danica! I popped over to see if you had made the firecracker chicken yet, and TA-DA, you had! I made it yesterday, too and it was VERY yummy! But, i did notice the missing ingredients as well…how funny! Thanks for linking to the recipe 🙂 I love looking over your menus for ideas. xoxo
Holy moley ! You cooked your little heart out ?! I love when I take the time to prepare and cook a few meals for the week on sun (or a day off like we had mon) so that it makes the weeks food easy peasy. Have a great week Danica!
Hi Danica, WOW you were a kitchen MAVEN yesterday!!!!! Baking soda in egg water??? Great tip, thanks! And also GREAT idea to put bacon in egg salad. One of my favorite egg dishes is eggs benedict. I have a weight watchers version that is pretty good, I should make that soon. Have a great day!!!
That Cauliflower Mac and Cheese looks too good. Since I got laid off and live at my parents I don’t cook really but I am wondering if my Mom will make it for us. However, don’t think my Dad will eat it. I love how you cooked all day and had some fails. 🙂
Awwww thanks so much AJ!!! I LOVE it and this comment totally made my day 🙂
Danica
Hi Marcia,
Nope ~ I am waiting for you to tell me how amazing they are 😀
Danica
Hi Kathy,
Oh flop #2 was my hard boiled eggs. I ALWAYS add baking soda to the water when I boil them so they peel easy. I forgot to do that so they looked like I massacred them 🙂 They still worked for the egg salad though.
Danica
I love eggs any way I can get them… poached, sunny side up, over easy, scrambled, omelet, hard or soft boiled… it’s ALLLLL good to me!! 🙂
I have been crazy addicted to my egg sandwich with dijionnaise! Its is fantastic and so full of flavor! There is a quick recipe for it on my blog!
I’m addicted to the ranchero egg white salad from TJ’s. I like to make egg salad sandwiches at home. The bacon one you made looked so yummy!!!
I also tried the firecracker chicken from Panda Express on Friday night, so yummy. I can’t wait to see your recipe so that I can try to make it at home.
Saw those peanut butter cookies at TJ but decided not to get them….might go back this weekend for them. Hehe
Great recipes! Im going to try the MAC n cheese with cAuliflower for sure and the muffin cookies subbing nuts for the raisins. My fav breakfast is eggwich on lt whole grain English muffin with. Laughing cow……I also like a breakfast burritos egg lt cheddar salsa cilantro etc
Both my husband and I are loving Hungry Girl’s egg mug! We have it on a split crumpet almost every day. She has so many variations, but our favorite is simply egg substitute and a Laughing Cow wedge cut up in it. Yum! Danica, I love your blog. I tell everyone about it and look forward to it every day.
I’ve never tried egg salad sandwiches (in my 30+ years) but lately, and especially after seeing the picture on this post, I want to try one. And that cauliflower macaroni & cheese looks delicious! We must’ve been on the same wavelength because I, too, made a spinache soufle type dish yesterday.
I have been totally digging your eggwich sandwiches. I found a low fat multi grain bread at TJ’s that is 1+ each, then fry an egg and use precooked oscar meyer bacon. ummmm ummm! i want one right now.
That Firecracker chicken looks so good. I tried to find the black bean sauce to make it but had no luck. 🙁 Where did you find it?
Hi Heather,
Here is a link so you can see what my jar looks like. I found it at my local grocery store in the “Asian foods” section. I imagine your grocery store should have it or maybe a specialty Asian food store?
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Kum-Kee-Black-garlic/dp/B000F08KCU
Good luck!
Danica
OK, haven’t tried it yet, but I made the cauliflower mac/cheese tonight. I cheated when I steamed the cauliflower though and used a Ziploc Steam bag 🙂