Chipotle Black Bean Avocado Burgers

The picture just doesn't do this yummy "burger" justice at all. I made these yesterday and even my meat loving husband said "I'd take this over a real hamburger any day." He also hinted the rest of the day how much he'd like another and even suggested we have them for dinner the same night!

I cheated and used Morning Star's pre-made burger as shown above. There are several great recipes on the web for black bean burgers, but I am fond of these, and they are great for those times you don't feel like cooking. The kids can even heat them up themselves. Also, our Costco had a coupon for these making them a great deal!

I also used the "Sandwich Thins" shown above just because they taste good and are so thin you can actually taste whatever you put on your sandwich and not just a lot of thick, fluffy, air filled bread. At 100 calories each, you don't have to feel guilty about eating them either.

First, I cooked the burgers in the microwave according to the directions(2 minutes!) and placed on bottom half of the bun. Then I scooped out an avocado and mashed it up and spread about 1/2 the avocado on top of each burger. I then placed some onions on top of the avocado, followed by a few slices of tomato, lettuce and topped off with a tablespoon or two of chunky salsa. No need for mayo or any other fattening condiments.

These have been a HUGE hit around here, and you can't get much easier for a fast, quick summer meal!

Chicken Breasts With Avocado Salsa

Here is another gem found in one of my old Weight Watchers cookbooks. I like to cook as directed, then break up the chicken and salsa and serve it in warmed corn tortillas. Super yummy!

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp chili powder

4(4 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tsp vegetable oil

1/2 cup bottled chunky salsa

1/2 cup diced peeled rip avocado

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro(I omitted this)

1. Combine first three ingredients; sprinkle over both sides of chicken.

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook five minutes. Turn chicken, add salsa to pan. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer seven minutes or until chicken is done.

3. Transfer chicken onto individual serving plates. Stir avocado and cilantro into salsa in pan; cook just until thoroughly heated. Spoon salsa mixture over chicken.

Hoisin Chicken

I have recently been browsing through several of my old cookbooks looking for some fresh ideas. I am trying to find low fat, healthy meals that the kids will eat too. Pretty tall order to fill, but I think I hit the jackpot with several older Weight Watchers Annual Cookbooks!

This one is our favorite so far, though we have found MANY we like.

Hoisin Chicken

3/4 cup fat free, less sodium Chicken broth

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger

1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil

1 garlic clove crushed

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/ 8 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs

4 (4 ounce)skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh cilantro(I omitted this)

1. Combine first nine ingredients in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk.

2. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on both sides of chicken.

3. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add vegetable oil. Add chicken, and cook 3 minutes. Turn chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook 12 minutes or until chicken is done. Remove chicken from pan; keep warm.

4. Add broth mixture to pan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 2 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Spoon sauce evenly over chicken. Sprinkle with cilantro.