Marietta's Swiss Steak

As a kid, my mother used to make Swiss Steak quite a bit.  I still like to make it once in a while, and this recipe brings that familiar smell and taste right back to me.  I hope you will give it a try, and maybe it will become a favorite for you as well!

Marietta’s Swiss Steak

Serves 4

1 medium green pepper, chopped

1 small onion, diced  

1 T all-purpose flour   

1 Tbsp olive oil   

16 oz uncooked lean beef round steak

16 oz can diced tomatoes   

2  oz water , or as needed

1 tsp sea salt   

1/2 tsp black pepper   

1-2 Tbsp canned tomato paste   

Trim the beef pieces to remove excess fat.  Mix the flour with salt and pepper, then use to coat the beef. In a saute pan, heat the oil and brown the beef on both sides. Remove beef and set aside for a moment. Add onion and green pepper to the pan and saute. Add tomato paste, then tomatoes and water(as needed) to create sauce. Add beef pieces back to the pan and bring the sauce to boil. Reduce to simmer and cook at least until beef is tender, about 90 minutes.

6 WW points per serving

Amazing Banana Bread!

The beauty of this recipe is that it contains no added sugar and no grains...it is gluten free!  My husband follows the Paleo/Primal diet. He found this recipe on one of the sites he looks at regularly, and asked me to make if for him.  I think it's a keeper because it's good for dieters, diabetics, and those with gluten intolerance--and for me, too!

No Added Sugar, No Grain Easy Amazing Banana Bread

12  gluten free servings

 4  medium banana(s), very ripe, mashed   

1/3 cup(s) regular butter, melted   

  4  egg(s), organic, free range   

 1 tsp vanilla extract   

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon   

 1 tsp baking soda, heaping tsp   

1/4 tsp table salt   

1/4 cup(s) chopped pecans, optional ingredient   

 8 tbsp (1/2 cup) Bobs Red Mill Organic Flour, Coconut, High Fiber... DO NOT SUBSTITUTE another ingredient

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Throw everything together in a medium bowl and mix until combined. Pour into a lightly greased (use butter) bread pan and bake for about 45 min. Bananas should be extremely brown almost to the point where you would throw them away or freeze them. If they are NOT overly ripe, your bread will not be as sweet so you can add about 1/2 c maple syrup to the batter. optional add ins: dark chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans,slivered almonds, raisins, etc.

Note: Sometimes when I have very ripe bananas around, I peel and mash them up, then put them in a plastic bag in the freezer.  Then when I want some banana bread, I am ready to go!

 4 WW points per serving

Source:Primally Inspired

Ricotta Cheese Breakfast

Do you ever want something different, yet healthy for breakfast?  This idea comes from the
South Beach Diet; it makes for a satisfying breakfast.  It is also very quick and easy...no cooking experience needed!

Ricotta Cheese Breakfast

1 serving

3/4 c. fat free ricotta cheese

1-2 packets Truvia sweetener

1 t. vanilla extract

fresh berries or other fresh fruit

sprinkle of cinnamon

1 T. Chopped pecans

Mix the ricotta cheese with the sweetener and vanilla, you can mix in the cinnamon if you like, or use it as a topping.  Put fresh fruit atop the mixture, then top with nuts.

Serve immediately.

WW points: 5 per serving