Digital Kitchen Scale -- $10 on Groupon Goods

I wanted to let everyone know that Groupon Goods is selling a digital kitchen scale for $9.99.

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-digital-kitchen-scale

I have a food scale, and I absolutely believe its been instrumental in my weight loss/maintaining success. Plus, they're extremely useful for avid bakers and chefs, as well. The scale has been marked down 80% from its $48.99 list price, so this one's a steal!

According to the site:

Electronic Kitchen Scale

This touch-sensitive scale helps you portion out ingredients such as ground beef, minced herbs, or chopped plastic fruit in pounds, ounces, or grams. The tempered-glass surface accommodates up to 11 lb.—or 5 kg—and it detects weights as low as 0.35 oz. with graduations of 0.05 ounces in between. These precise measurements render on a digital display with large, easy-to-read characters. The automatic-shutoff feature helps conserve the scale's built-in lithium-ion battery.

• Measures in pounds/ounces or kilograms/grams for European foods
• Touch-sensitive on/off/tare and unit controls
• Digital display with large numbers
• 0.11" tempered-glass surface
• Max. capacity: 11 lb. (5 kg)
• Min. capacity: 0.35 oz.
• Graduation: 0.05 oz. (1 gram)
• Built-in lithium-ion battery (CR2032)
• Low-battery and overload indicators
• Automatic shutoff
• Dimensions: 6.5"x1"x9"

Recipe: Lemon Broccoli Rabe

This is a great side if you are looking to switch your greens up. For those who are knew to broccoli rabe, it is more bitter than its broccoli cousin. If you aren't a fan of bitter veggies, (think mustard greens), than broccoli rabe might not be for you.

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches broccoli rabe, trimmed and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 TBS olive oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/4 cup black olives, pitted and thinly sliced
• Juice of one lemon (approx. 3 TBS)
• Lemon zest
• Red pepper Flakes (to taste)

To Make:

• Heat 3/4 cup of water over medium heat until the water boils.
• Add broccoli rabe, cover and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Transfer broccoli rabe to colander, and run under cold water to stop cooking process.
• In a skillet over medium heat, cook red bell pepper in olive oil. Add minced garlic and olives. Continue cooking for 1 minute. Add broccoli rabe and lemon juice. Cook for an additional 3 minutes. 
• Transfer to serving dish and garnish with red pepper flakes and lemon zest.

Serves: 4

Each Serving: 53 Calories, 3 g Carbs, 5 g Fat, 1 g Protein, 1 g Fiber

Weight Watchers Points: 2

Chopped looking for Amateur Teen Chefs

Just a quick update:

The Food Network's acclaimed competition show, "Chopped" is looking for teen amateur chefs, ages 12-16 in the NY/Northeast Area.

To enter, go to: http://www.choppedcasting.com/special.php

Chopped also routinely looks for home chefs of all ages.

Which Spices to Pair with Food

Last month, I posted an infographic from McCormick, which showed you which spices went together if you were trying to create a regional or ethnic-inspired dish.

I love that infographic quite a bit, which is why I posted it, but I do think it left out one thing -- an idea of which spices complement which foods best. For that, I found this new infographic.

Now, there are some points I disagree on -- I think that Basil can and should be used in some savory desserts, and I think basil would be wonderful in breads.... but for the most part, I think its a good guide.

Lunch Complaint: Where's the Broccoli??

This is going to be a venting post.

As my readers know, I've recently joined Weight Watchers, and am following the Points Plus program. So far, it's going well, and I appreciate that Weight Watchers markets and manufactures Smart Ones microwavable meals for the days when I'm running late for work. I grab one with a side of fruit and veggies and I'm out the door.

That happened to be the scenario this morning, so I grabbed a WW Smart Ones meal: Creamy Rigatoni with Broccoli & Chicken. I really like some of the WW meals -- I recommend Pasta with Ricotta and Spinach and the Chicken Enchiladas Suiza -- but I had never tried this particular meal.

I make the meal. Easy enough, just follow the directions.

I pull back the film to stir, and notice the INSANELY wimpy portion of broccoli. Picture 6 small pieces. 

Now, I am a veggie fan. I love them, so I was disappointed that there wasn't more. But then, the more I thought about, the less those 6 broccoli pieces made sense to me.

Why, you ask?

Because broccoli, like other fruits and veggies, has a grand total of 0 WW points. ZERO. 

I can understand the limited amount of chicken in the meal, ya know, because chicken adds up at 1 point per ounce, but why is Weight Watchers skimping on a zero point veggie that the program encourages us to eat?? 

 Obviously, this will not affect my long term results on the WW program, but it did bother me enough to take to my blog to talk about it. Weight Watchers, if you're listening, I'd like more broccoli, please. 

Lessons learned here:

• Bulking up meals with veggies and fruits will not only add more nutrients to your daily diet, but will also leave you satisfied for longer. 

Well, it looks like there's broccoli....

Maybe the rest of the broccoli is with Waldo