Beef with Barley Soup, 8 Points+

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp oil
• 1-1/2 lbs lean beef round stew meat
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 6 cups water
• 1 - 2 tsp kosher salt, to taste
• 2 bay leaves
• 2/3 cup dry barley
• fresh ground black pepper

Cook the beef and all ingredients except the barley until vegetables and beef are done.

Add the barley, adjust the salt if needed and add fresh ground pepper. Simmer an additional 30-35, remove bay leaves and serve. Makes 7 1/2 cups.

Upside Down Cake, 7 Points+

Ingredients

•  20 oz canned pineapple packed in juice, rings    
•  6 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine    
•  2 Tbsp packed light brown sugar    
•  7 item(s) maraschino cherries, halved    
•  1 cup(s) all-purpose flour    
•  3/4 tsp baking powder    
•  1/4 tsp baking soda    
•  1/4 tsp table salt    
•  1/2 cup(s) fat free skim milk    
•  1 tsp vanilla extract    
•  1/2 cup(s) sugar    
•  2 large egg(s)    

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Drain pineapple and reserve 2 tablespoons of juice; set aside.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of margarine and pour into the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan. Top margarine with brown sugar and, using a fork, swirl together to make an even layer. Place 1 pineapple ring in center of pan and arrange 6 more rings around it. Place cherry halves, cut side up, in center of each ring and in spaces between rings; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
4. In a small bowl, combine milk, 2 tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice and vanilla.
5. In a large mixing bowl, beat together remaining 4 tablespoons of margarine and granulated sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add flour mixture and milk mixture in small batches, alternating each and beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix until blended. Pour batter over pineapple in pan.
6. Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center of cake comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 2 minutes in pan, invert pan onto a serving plate and slice into 8 pieces. Serve warm or at room temperature.