I don’t cook with paprika nearly enough. I’ve got regular and smoked in my cupboard, but they rarely make it into my meals. Smoked paprika which is delightfully reminiscent of bacon adds a deep, smoked flavor to dishes…um, why aren’t I using this??

In the most recent Rachael Ray Magazine, she had a recipe for Chicken Paprikash and it was just the inspiration I needed to get the paprkia collecting dust in my cupboard into a meal.

Chicken Paprikash 2 + servings – inspired by Rachael Ray

• 1 Tbsp olive oil + 1 Tbsp
  
• 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
  
• 1 tsp paprika
  
• 2 Tbsp red wine
  
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced into 1″ wide pieces
  
• 2 Tbsp half & half (if desired)
  

Combine olive oil, paprikas and red wine in small dish. Whisk together and set aside.

Heat large pan over medium heat. Add olive oil, onion and garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes. Add chicken pieces. Cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add paprika mix and peppers. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

Season with salt and pepper to taste, adding more paprika if desired.

If you would like it a bit creamy, add half & half and stir.

I’ve been hearing a lot about the new and improved Weight Watchers PointsPlus Program. Without doing much research, it sounded like it was focusing on real foods, which of course, I always appreciate.

After looking into it a bit, I must say that it sounds pretty impressive. From the Weight Watchers website:

…we needed a program that recognized that calories are most definitely not created equal…

…taking a stand for unprocessed foods…taking a stand for fruits and vegetables…

While the point values aren’t all that different, instead of being primarily based on calories with a penalty for fat and bonus for fiber like they used to be, they are now focused on whole, real foods with an emphasis on protein and fiber. I am a huge protein & fiber person and feel that it is that duo that helps keep you full and satisfied.  I do wonder if they’ll start to clean up their line of products to fit the new program better…

Always one who appreciates images – here is a comparison of two breakfasts with the same number of calories each:

The medium croissant with pat of butter has 270 calories and 7 points;  the poached egg, 1 slice of whole-wheat toast with pat of butter and 3 oz ham has 270 calories and 6 points. Sure they only have a 1 point difference, but a point is a point (and probably a small snack) and I would bet the 2nd breakfast is one that would stick with you much longer than the croissant. But what I’ve always liked about Weight Watchers, is that if you were really craving that croissant, it is still something that you can fit into your daily points.

Are you familiar with the new Weight Watchers PointsPlus system? What are your thoughts?