Laughing Cow Cheese

After my run-in with the Gigi’s Cupcake on Friday, I knew that I had close to no calories left for dinner. I also knew that I had zero energy for the gym. I considered going straight to bed, but a 5:30pm bedtime is a little early for me and even for my 6 year old nephew.

I decided to get creative with veggies tonight, and enjoy a carb-free meal. I can’t believe how good this dish ended up being. So good, I ate it all weekend long – - GUILTY!

I had tried an Asiago and Sun Dried Tomato chicken sausage at Target a few weeks back, but hadn’t used it in anything until this point. Each sausage weighs in at 110 calories per link. I knew if I made this bowl I’d be clocking about 220 calories for this super-flavorful ingredient. I also reserved a wedge of Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Mozzarella Laughing Cow Cheese to add to the dish for a little creaminess (for just an additional 35 calories!)

Pick this up at your Target or SuperTarget… it’s AMAZING!

Think of this dish as Chicken Sausage and Onions meets my Garlicky Spinach recipe. DE-LISH!

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Sausage Spinach Bowl

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

2 links Market Pantry Sun Dried Tomato and Asiago chicken sausage

2 cups raw spinach

1/2 red onion, sliced

2 tsp. minced garlic

1 cup grape tomatoes (about 15)

1 wedge Laughing Cow Cheese – Sun Dried Tomato and Basil flavor

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Slice the sausage into thin slices and add to a pan sprayed with cooking spray.

2. Add your sliced onion and garlic to the pan, and saute until sausage is browned and onions begin to caramelize.

3. Add raw spinach to the pan and stir until combined. Saute until the spinach begins to wilt and add tomatoes.

4. Continue to saute the mixture, allowing tomatoes to blister and spinach to wilt completely. (1-2 minutes)

5. Remove pan from heat, and add Laughing Cow Cheese and some freshly ground pepper. Stir until combined and cheese has melted.

6. Move to your favorite bowl, and enjoy!

This dish is INCREDIBLY flavorful and very satisfying. I can imagine it with some pasta on a day where you’ve not had 1/3 of a cupcake. The sausage + Laughing Cow creates a light sauce that would be awesome with penne.

Per entire recipe serving:

CAL 288; CARB 12g; FAT 14g; PROT 28g; FIB 2g; WW Points Plus 7

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I’ve always thought of potatoes as one of those items that were incredibly off limits when I was eating healthy. That and just about any carb really.

Now, I haven’t eliminated them from my diet, but I do eat a LOT less of them than I used to before I started eating healthier two years ago. What I have done is found new ways to eat them… and new ways to make them a healthier option.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve played around with pairing potatoes with The Laughing Cow® Cheese. As you know, Laughing Cow is one of my favorite cheeses to eat and I tend to smear that tasty spread on english muffins, pizzas, and anything else that makes sense.

Also, Laughing Cow sent me a package of French Onion flavored cheese to experiment with, so that was the first one I thought I’d try out with my potatoes. I had already used one wedge of cheese to make this fantastic burger.

I had purchased a potato to make into Baked Parmesan-Truffle Fries, but suddenly, another idea came to mind. Afterall, I had leftover caramelized onions from making my burger….

Cheesy French Onion Baked Potato

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

3 Tbsp. caramelized onions

1 wedge of The Laughing Cow® French Onion cheese

1 medium potato

salt

pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Caramelize onions following instructions found here.

2. Scrub your potato and make a small cut in it. Create an “X” in the top of the potato and wrap it in a paper towel. Place the potato in a microwave and cook it for 8-10 minutes on high, until your potato is softened when you insert a fork.

3. Slice the potato open, and add a wedge of Laughing Cow Cheese.

4. Mash the cheese wedge into the potato, along with salt, and pepper to taste. Continue to mix until blended well. Top with caramelized onions.

The Laughing Cow Cheese adds an amazing creaminess and oniony flavor to the potato. I MUCH prefer this potato to traditional potatoes toppings like butter and sour cream. It’s sort of the best of both worlds!