Tomato-Basil Parmesean Soup

From 365 Days of Slow Cooking

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil
4 cups chicken broth
½ bay leaf
½ cup flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup butter
2 cups half and half, warmed
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

1.  Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker.
2.  Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.
3.  About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper.  Add additional basil and oregano if needed (the slow cooker does a number on spices and they get bland over time, so don't be afraid to always season to taste at the end). 
4.  Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.


3 points per 1 cup serving 

Strawberry Salad and Dressing

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons strawberry jam
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 pint strawberries, sliced
• 4 to 5 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens of any kind

Directions:
Whisk jam, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt and pepper together to make dressing. Arrange sliced strawberries and lettuce on plate and top with dressing.

4 servings - 132 calories, 10.4 g fat, 1.8 g fiber - 3 points


Add sugared and toasted walnuts for an extra treat.

Chocolate Cherry Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 1 can cherry pie filling
• 2 eggs

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in mixer. Pour in greased 9x13 pan and bake as directed on cake mix box. Top with light whipped topping if desired.

15 servings - 128 calories, 3.8 g fat - 3 points

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 box spice cake mix
• 1 15 oz can of pumpkin
• 1 cup of chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:
Mix together and drop cookies onto baking sheet bake 350 for 10 minutes. (maybe longer)

24 cookies (smallish) - 128 calories, 3.9 g fat -  3 points each

Baked French Fries

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon onion salt
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 cup water as needed
• cooking spray

Directions:
Peel and cut potatoes into french fry shapes. Mix flour, spices and water to make fry batter. Dip potatoes in the batter and lay on sprayed baking pan. Then spray lightly the outside of all the fries. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes checking and turning over about halfway.

8 servings - 172 calories, 2.1 g fat, 3.9 g fiber - 3 points