Easter Goodness

This year for Easter my family (due to schedules) decided to have Easter Dinner on Saturday instead of Sunday. Thus, I get to go to two celebrations! My coworkers are getting together tomorrow night and I'll get to attend since I already spent time with family. Which also means... getting to make more goodies! Today my family did potluck style. I brought Skinny Potato Casserole, Skinny Deviled Eggs, and Coconut Macaroons. Tomorrow is more of an assigned food type thing. I have been asked to bring dessert. I'm bringing more of the Coconut Macaroons, Strawberry Shortcake Trifle, and Orange Pretzel Salad. I am also required to bring Sweet Tea to any event with them. I'll post those offerings tomorrow. :)

Coconut Macaroons

exact recipe from skinnytaste.com

I saw Gina at Skinny Taste post these a couple weeks ago and instantly had to make them. I didn't even take the time to pin the recipe to make later. I literally went to my kitchen and made them. I love coconut. Today I doubled the recipe to have enough to take to both events. However, the recipe below is for a single batch. I also displayed them a top some pretty green Easter basket grass. The first time I used real egg whites, the second I used liquid. I really couldn't tell a different and felt less guilty about wasting yolks with the liquid. 

Ingredients: 

• 10 oz sweetened coconut flakes
• 3/4 cup egg white (or 5 large egg whites)
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 tsp almond extract 
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 300. In a saucepan combine the coconut and sugar over medium low heat. Slowly stir in egg whites until combined. Note: DO NOT turn the stove eye higher. DO NOT pour the eggs in first. You will end up with coconut scrambled egg whites. Trust me. I almost did. Stir until completely combined and not soupy. About 7-12 minutes. It will still be sticky and wet. Place pan in the refrigerator on a plate or towel and let cool for 30 minutes. If you double the recipe, it will take longer. I ended up putting mine in the freezer. Spoon packed tablespoons full on a parchment lined baking sheet. You can put the cookies close together because they don't spread. Bake for about 30 minutes. Bottoms will be golden and look like toasted coconut. The tops will start to brown just slightly. 

They are 3 points on Weight Watchers for 2 cookies. 

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Skinny Cheesy Potato Casserole

recipe from EmilyBites.com

I used her recipe exactly, I just put in extra onion (I love onion). 

Ingredients: 

• 32 oz bag of frozen cubed potatoes, defrosted
• 1 medium chopped onion (she said 1/4 cup)
• 1 cup fat free sour cream
• 1 can of 98% fat free cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup 2% sharp shredded cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup corn flakes, slightly crushed

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl except corn flakes until well combined. Don't forget to add salt and pepper. Spread evenly into a lightly sprayed 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with corn flakes and bake for 1 hour.

For 8 servings it's 5 points per serving. However, at a potluck no one is eating 1/8th of the casserole so it's probably less. 1/8th is a hearty portion for a side. 

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Skinny Deviled Eggs

recipe from RecipeDiaries.com

I used her recipe exactly, even the egg cooking method! The only thing I did differently was double the recipe and use 1/2 green onions and 1/2 chives. The recipe below is for a single batch. 

Ingredients: 

• 12 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled
• 1/3 cup fat free cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup low-fat mayo
• 3 tbsp chopped green onion tops or fresh chives (or 2 tbsp dried chives)
• 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
• 2 tsp yellow mustard
• 1/8 tsp salt
• paprika, for garnish

Directions: 

Okay. I know this may sound crazy. It did to me at first too, but when I realized it was Alton Brown's method for hard-cooked eggs, I decided to give it a try. These "boiled" eggs weren't boiled at all! I preheated the oven to 325,  sat the eggs straight on the oven rack, and baked them for 30 minutes. Put a sheet pan under it just in case one cracks. One of mine did indeed crack, but I let it cook anyway. I was so excited to break it open and see that it actually worked!

The little guy who didn't quite make it. 

Immerse the eggs in an ice bath and let them cool down for about 30 minutes. If you want to do the tried and true boiling way, you can too! But these made the creamiest yolks, perfect for deviled eggs. Once your hard cooked eggs of choice are cooked and peeled, cut them in half and discard the yolks of 4 of the eggs. Add the remaining 8 egg yolks (16 halves) in a food processor. Add all other ingredients except egg white halves. Process until smooth and creamy. Spoon mixture into a ziplock bag. Arrange egg white halves on a plate in a pretty fashion. Cut the tip off the ziplock bag and pipe the mixture into each half. Sprinkle with paprika for garnish. 


They are 1 point on Weight Watchers per egg half. These were so good! Everyone in my family loved them, no one could tell they were lighter at all, and no one could guess the secret ingredient (cottage cheese) either! 


Enjoy your Easter celebrations. The meaning of this holiday truly is one of my favorites and the greatest. He is risen and we are forgiven. What are you cooking for your celebrations?