| Article By: Mark Scarbrough |
If you can't stand the heat... try these deliciously simple ideas. Too hot to cook? No sweat! With these easy meals, you don't have to go near the oven, the stove, or even the microwave. Each serves two, but double or triple the recipes as you wish. |
Cantaloupe Soup with Basil and Crab
Puree 2 cups cubed cantaloupe with 1/2 cup mango nectar. Pour the mixture into a large bowl and stir in 1 small shallot, minced; 6 basil leaves, shredded; 3 dashes hot pepper sauce; and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Chill at least 2 hours. Top each serving with 3 ounces cooked lump crab meat, picked over for shell and cartilage.
Serving size: 1 1/4 cups
POINTS® value: 3
Cranberry-Nut Turkey Roll Ups
Spread two medium low-fat whole-wheat tortillas each with 1 tablespoon whole-berry cranberry sauce and 1 tablespoon fat-free mayonnaise. Top each with 3 ounces thickly sliced deli turkey breast, 1 leaf romaine lettuce, and 1 teaspoon chopped pecans. Roll up and serve.
POINTS value: 4
Bombay Tuna Salad
Drain a 6-ounce can of chunk white tuna packed in water and place in a bowl. Mix with 1/4-cup fat-free mayonnaise; 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons minced red onion; 2 tablespoons sliced almonds; 2 tablespoons golden raisins; 2 teaspoons curry powder; 2 teaspoons lemon juice; and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Place a bed of Boston or Bibb lettuce on each of two plates and divide tuna between them.
POINTS value: 4
Melon and Berries with Poppyseed Dressing
Combine 1 cup diced watermelon, seeded or seedless; 1 cup diced honeydew melon; 1 cup sliced strawberries; and 1 cup raspberries. Toss with 1/4-cup bottled low-fat poppy seed dressing. Serve over 1/2 cup 1% low-fat cottage cheese.
Serving size: 2 cups
POINTS value: 5
Ceviche
Toss 4 ounces sea scallops, thinly sliced, and 4 ounces skinned red snapper filet, diced, with 1/2 cup fresh lime juice in a medium glass bowl. Cover and refrigerate until the fish becomes opaque, about 1 hour. Drain, then toss with 1 large tomato, diced; 1/2 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, and diced; 1 small red onion, minced; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 3 dashes hot pepper sauce; salt to taste; and ground pepper to taste. Serve immediately, cold, on a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce. NOTE: Ask for sushi-grade fish at your market.
Serving size: 1 cup
POINTS value: 5
Chunky Roast Chicken Slaw
Pull 6 ounces of white meat off a store-bought roast chicken. Mix with 1 small Napa cabbage, finely shredded; 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and shredded; 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced; 1 small shallot, minced; and 1/4-cup low-fat ranch dressing.
Serving size: 2 cups
POINTS value: 5
Two Bean Chili Salad with Smoked Chicken
Drain and rinse one 14 1/2-ounce can French-style green beans and place them in a large bowl. Toss with 1 cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 6 ounces chopped store-bought smoked chicken breast; 1 tablespoon cider vinegar; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 2 teaspoons olive oil; salt to taste; and ground pepper to taste.
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
POINTS value: 6
Thai Summer Rolls
Soak 6 Thai rice paper wrappers (available in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets) in warm water until soft, about 10 seconds. Lay them flat on your work surface and top each with 1 large cooked cocktail shrimp (about 1 ounce), 2 cucumber slices, 2 tablespoons shredded carrot, 1 tablespoon minced scallion (green part only), and 1/2 teaspoon hoisin sauce. Roll to seal in the filling; serve immediately or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.
Serving size: 3 rolls
POINTS value: 4
Mozzarella and Tomato
Thinly slice two large beefsteak tomatoes. Layer the slices with 4 ounces thinly sliced part-skim mozzarella and 12 basil leaves. Sprinkle the stacks with 2 teaspoons aged balsamic vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
POINTS value: 4
Optional: Accompany each serving with 4 ounces cooked large shrimp, drizzled with a splash of white wine vinegar.
POINTS value: 6
Chef's Orchard Salad
Place 1 1/2 cups mixed greens on each of two plates. Top each set of greens with 1/2 peach, pitted and thinly sliced; 1/4-cup blueberries; 1/4-cup small red seedless grapes; 3 ounces thinly-sliced deli roast beef; and 2 tablespoons bottled fat-free vinaigrette.
POINTS value: 5