Turn to Hot Dish each month for the scoop on new food finds from your Weight Watchers community. We're tapped in to what meetings leaders and members and online subscribers from around the country are finding on supermarket shelves, at local farm stands, in kitchen stores and on restaurant menus. From food-prep helpers that do everything but the dishes to treats that won't take up your entire Weekly POINTS® Allowance, this column will be a clearinghouse of delicious news and healthy food ideas served up by all of you. So stay tuned every month for updates about the goods and gadgets that have people like you buzzing – and don't forget to send us your Hot Dish!

This month, the foods we're featuring aren't new, but they may be new to you—especially if you're only just beginning your weight-loss journey. Both meetings members and online Community Users rely on these products to make tasty snacks, meals, and even desserts without feeling like they're eating "diet food." Think of this list as a convenient starter kit—and don't forget to bring it along the next time you go to the supermarket!

Laughing Cow cheese wedges
Is there anything these creamy cheese triangles—with a POINTS value of 1 per wedge—can't do? "They are the best invention!" raves one Community User. In addition to spreading "one wedge on 16 reduced-fat Wheat Thins," our Community Users like to mix the garlic-flavored wedges "into rice or noodles when they are really hot" to make a "yummy Alfredo-type" sauce. Others "spread it on a sandwich instead of mayonnaise or mustard," or stuff some into stemmed mushrooms (along with "garlic powder to taste") and bake for 15 minutes for a savory snack with a POINTS value of 1. Another gourmet spin from a Community User: The cheese is "wonderful tucked into wonton wrappers and baked at 350º for eight to ten minutes. I use eight wonton skins and two cheese wedges" for a snack or light meal with a POINTS value of 5*. "Yum!"

Weight Watchers GIANT Fudge Bars and Cookies 'n Cream Bars
When it comes to sweet treats, our Community Users have rave reviews for Weight Watchers ice-cream bars. One Community User is "eternally grateful" for the Weight Watchers GIANT Fudge Bar: "I can't end my day without something sweet, and they have aPOINTS value of just 1 per bar!" Another reports that these bars are "definitely the best I've ever tasted," while yet another says she tries "to keep some in the freezer at all times." As for the Cookies and Cream bars, "they are soooo good!" says another Community User. "I can't believe they have a POINTS value of just 2 per bar!"

Van Egg Rolls
These heat-and-eat egg rolls are "tasty, crunchy, crisp little bites of heaven—actually, they're not so little!" says one Community User. They might be hard to find at the supermarket (check the refrigerated cases near the deli counter), but our Community Users are positive that they're worth a persistent search! The low-fat shrimp and vegetable varieties have a POINTS value of just 2 per egg roll*, and they're "very filling—I had two of the shrimp ones tonight for a quick dinner," reports satisfied Community User. Another raves, "I am a 'dipper' with egg rolls, but I have to tell you, I don't think you even need sauce—they're so good alone!" A preparation tip: Be sure to "make them in the oven so they're crispy!" advises one Community User.

Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods veggie burgers
"Yummy" and "delicious" are two words our Community Users rely on to describe these veggie burgers (found in the freezer section at the supermarket)—and each burger has a POINTS value of just 1. "The California burgers are really good," says one Community User. Another likes the Indian-flavored Bombay burgers: "I shove them in a pita with some hummus and veggies!" Part of their appeal is the fact that "there are real veggies in it that you can see," says one Community User. "You can actually see whole pieces of corn and peas!" adds another. And they're not just for lunch or dinner, as one Community User recently pointed out: "This morning, I ate one for breakfast on a whole-wheat pita with a bit of reduced-fat cilantro dressing on it. So, so good!"

Wasa Crackers
Think crackers are boring? Our Community Users will tell you otherwise, especially if the crackers in question are any of the Wasa varieties. Spread with a little cheese, the Crisp 'n Light 7 Grain crackers have a POINTS value of 1 for three full-size crackers—"They are my favorite snack at work!" says one Community User. Others rave about the earthy flavor of the Light Rye crispbread crackers (with a POINTS value of 1 for two crackers), which they say taste great crumbled into soup: "Makes it taste more like a meal." For another light meal idea, try this Community User's tip: "If you have the Wasa Fiber Rye Cracker"—which has a POINTS value of 0 for one piece—"and one wedge of Laughing Cow cheese, and a cup of the Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup, you have a very satisfying 1 point meal, perfect for when I want to save my points for a special dinner."

Hebrew National 97% Fat-Free Hot Dogs
Hot dogs might seem like a healthy-eating "don't," but our Community Users have discovered a sensible alternative that they really like. These nearly fat-free hot dogs—each has a POINTS value of just 1—"are my favorite to grill and serve on a light bun!" says one Community User. Another says she stuck to other low-fat hot dogs until she "caved" and tried one of these. Today she swears she'll "never go back. Hebrew Nationals are the best!" If you want a meal that doesn't feel "light" at all (even though it is, of course), other Community Users recommend having some low-fat baked potato chips on the side and a Weight Watchers GIANT Sundae Cone for dessert.

Got a favorite new food find that you'd like to dish about? We're all ears. Join the discussion on our Food Talk message board or email us at hotdish@weightwatchers.com. Be sure to include the item's exact name, a brief description and why you think it's a must-have.

*POINTS values based on manufacturer's nutritional information. These items have not been nutritionally tested by WeightWatchers.com.


-- Edited by Colette at 19:02, 2006-01-25