Tofu-Noodle Casserole

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups water
1 (10 3/4 oz) can reduced-fat, reduced-sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (14 1/2 oz) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup sliced carrot
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
8 oz dried whole wheat extra-wide noodles
1 (16 oz) package extra-firm lite tofu, drained, and cubed
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Directions:
In slow cooker, whisk together the water and cream of mushroom soup. Stir in undrained tomatoes, celery, carrot, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high heat for 3 1/2 to 5 hours.

If using low-heat, turn to high-heat setting. Stir in uncooked noodles; cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes more or until tender, stirring once halfway through cooking. Gently stir in tofu cubes, sprinkle with cheese; cover and let stand until cheese is melted.

Nutritional Info:
Makes 6 servings
Per Serving (280 cal, 6g fat, 6g fiber) (Unofficial WW = 5 points)

Changes Made:
Added fresh sliced mushrooms when I added the noodles.

Review
This was very good. Perfect for an easy meal at the end of the day with minimal work. It could use some zip for some though. Maybe a sprinkling of crushed red pepper...I will try that tomorrow for lunch.

Cuban-Style Black Beans and Rice

Ingredients:
4 cups of water
1 1/2 cups of dry black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (14oz) cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup chopped onion
2 bay leaves
1 to 2 fresh jalapeno chile peppers, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp finely shredded lime peel

Hot cooked brown rice
Snipped fresh cilantro
Chopped fresh jalapenos
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped onion
Lime wedges

Directions:
In large saucepan, combine 4 cups of water and beans. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans.

Place beans in slow cooker. Add broth, the 1 cup chopped onion, the bay leaves, finely chopped jalapenos, garlic, cumin, and lime peel.

Cover and cook on low-heat for 10-12 hours or on high heat for 5-6 hours.

Discard bay leaves. Mash beans slightly. Serve with hot cooked rice. Garnish with cilantro, chopped jalapenos, tomatoes, additional chopped onion, and lime wedges.

Nutritional Info:
Makes 5 servings
Per serving (353 cal, 2g fat, 12g fiber) (unofficial WW = 6 points)

Changes made:
None

Review:
A favorite!!! Definitely double recipe to keep this around as long as possible.
Kind of weird, but Manda and I loved this with sliced banana.

Vegetable-and-Garbonzo Curry

Ingredients:
3 cups cauliflower florets
1 (15oz) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup loose-pack frozen cut green beans
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (14oz) can vegetable broth
3 tsp curry powder
1 (14oz) can light coconut milk
1/4 cup shredded fresh basil leaves

Directions:
Combine all veggies in slow cooker. Stir in broth and curry powder.
Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 2&1/2 to 3 hours.
Stir in coconut milk and basil.

Nutritional Info:
Makes 4 to 6 servings
Per Serving (219 cal, 7g fat, 9g fiber) (unofficial WW = 4 points)

Changes Made:
None

Review:
Great over brown rice. Double recipe as left overs are awesome for lunch.

Multigrain Pilaf

Ingredients:
2/3 cup wheat berries
1/2 cup regular barley
1/2 cup wild rice
2 (14oz) cans vegetable broth
2 cups loose-pack frozen edamame
1 medium red sweet pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp butter or margarine
3/4 tsp dried sage, crushed
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:
Rinse and drain wheat berries, barley, and wild rice. In slow cooker, combine everything.
Cover and cook on low-heat for 6-8 hrs or high heat for 3-4 hours.

Nutritional Info:
Makes 12 servings
Per serving (169 cal., 4g fat, 5g fiber) (unofficial WW= 3 points)

Changes Made:
Eric and Ana enjoyed theirs with shredded Parmesan on top.

Review:
This was better than I thought it would be. Makes a great side or main dish.