Beggar's Purse

After a trip to the farmers market, I came home with a bounty of fresh veggies and fruits, that promptly filled our fridge. Solution: Beggar's Purse. I have to say this was one of the most delicious dishes I have ever created and for 10 points plus per purse its a lovely splurge that wont take you away from your weight loss goals! My version below is not vegetarian, but you could save some points and some calories by leaving the bacon out!

Ingredients Serves:6
2 packages reduced fat crescent rolls (6 rolls)
1 cup of finely chopped carrots
1 cup of finely chopped potatoes
1 cup of finely chopped (mini) Japanese eggplant
1 cup of finely chopped onions
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup of finely chopped leeks
1/4 cup of finely chopped
3 tbsp of I can't believe its not butter (in a stick)
2 Sprigs of French Thyme (about two tsp)
Salt & Pepper to taste.
2 Slices of Bacon (cooked extra crisp and crumbled)
1/4 of grated Parmesan cheese

Tools:
Baking Sheet, Sauté Pan

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 Degrees.

Add carrots, potatoes, eggplant, french thyme (leave the leaves on stem) and butter (ICBINB) to a sauté pan and cook on medium heat until soft. Remove carrot mixture from pan - Then add onions and garlic, until soft then remove from heat and mix with carrot mixture, remove thyme sprigs and add salt and pepper to taste.

Cover a Baking Sheet, with aluminum foil and spray with a little non-stick cooking spray. Open package of reduced fat crescent rolls. Marry together 2 triangles to make a rectangle by pinching the lines together and pounding to make a smooth line. Place about a tablespoon of the carrot mixture into the center of the dough, then add a little bit of the crumbled bacon to the top,  then "wrap" to make the purse. Add a little bit of grated Parmesan cheese to the top and continue until all 'rectangles' are complete and placed on the baking sheet.

Place purses into oven for 15 min until golden brown and crisp. Let cool and enjoy!

Weight Watchers Points Plus Value : 10 per purse

Salpicón Summer Cocktail

A delish Colombian non-alcoholic, summer beverage that you serve with a spoon! I made some for a hot summer afternoon, and it was thirst quenching. Low in points plus and a huge hit! This makes a large amount and would fill a large punch bowl; great for back yard parties. Although it's usually made with champagne kola, I made this with Soda water instead and thought it tasted just as good. You could really use any sparkling soda you desire, we even played with adding a little vodka or clear tequila to make it a more adult cocktail.

As for the fruit, don't skip the watermelon and fresh pineapple, because they give you the juice, but as far as other fruits like mangos, peaches, or blueberries - have fun and make what you can with what you have in season!

• 1 1/2 cups diced banana 
• 1 1/2 cups diced papaya 
• 1 1/2 cups diced apples 
• 1 1/2 cups diced strawberries 
• 1 1/2 cups diced watermelon 
• 1 1/2 cups diced orange 
• 1 1/2 cups diced fresh pineapple 
• 1 1/2 cups grapes (red and green) 
• 1 1/2 cups diced kiwi 6 1/2 cups Sprite Zero or Soda Water (Tonic is Yummy To!) (for an "adult" version - add 1 1/2 cups of Vodka or Clear Tequila (we like Milagro for this one) ultimately it is better if you added it in per drink - rather then inside the entire Salpicón.

Weight watchers Points Plus Value : 2 (with 4oz of Vodka or Tequila 5)

Directions: Dice all fruit to equal size 1/2 inch pieces. Refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to serve combine with sparkling soda and place in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Ladle into cups and serve with a spoon.