We love us some Italian food around El Rancho Dominguez. And I am always excited when I find a new low-fat recipe that works well with the POINTS system. This week I thought it would be fun to share our new Italian fave around here....mangiamo!

Parmesan Baked Chicken Breasts
(from the Weight Watchers Annual Recipes for Success 2007 Cookbook)


1/3 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Cooking spray
Pasta sauce (favorite homemade recipe or store-bought will work)

1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Combine first 3 ingredients in a shallow dish.
3. Place garlic and oil in a small glass bowl, and microwave on HIGH 30 seconds or until warm and fragrant.
4. Dip chicken in garlic oil; dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray and place chicken on pan. Coat chicken with cooking spray (makes it crispy).
5. Bake for 25 minutes or until done and golden. Serve with pasta sauce.

POINTS value: 7 points per chicken breast.
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We actually serve this over whole-wheat pasta and with a side of veggies.

One cup of whole-wheat pasta is 3 points. 1/2 cup of (most) pasta sauce is 1 point.

I love to add Molly McButter (as pictured) to our veggies for a little extra something.

Does anyone else's pasta sauce make this mess? Bubble, bubble, splat, splat.

Weight Watching TIP OF THE WEEK:
I think it's fun to try new things and think outside of the box. My WW pal, Jennifer, told me about these bagels and since then they have become my everyday breakfast. Hold onto your hats... they are only ONE point per bagel. And taste great. You can find "The Alternative Bagel" (from the Western Bagel Company) in the refrigerated section at Walmart...right next to the cream cheese.

This is the best 3-POINT breakfast...yummy when toasted. If I am in a salty mood, I use the 1/3 Less Fat Garden Veggie Cream Cheese (2 tablespoons). But if I am in the mood for something sweet (90% of my mornings), I go for the 1/3 Less Fat Strawberry Cream Cheese (2 tablespoons). The spread adds 2 points.

I would have never tried these on my own. But, I am so happy my friend found them. Since then, I have branched out and found a few new low-point things on my own. Just try something new! The tip? Think Outside the Box!