Sunday, May 31, 2020

Cilantro-Cumin Marinade

Ingredients:
  • 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened orange juice
  • 1 tbsp. water
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 1/2 tbsp. cilantro, minced
  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 small uncooked onion, chopped
Makes 8 Servings
  1. Puree ingredients in blender until smooth. 
  2. Place protein of your choice in a dish and pour marinade over it. Marinate no more than 20 minutes, turning at least once. Spoon leftover marinade (boiled for 3-5 minutes to destroy bacteria) over cooked fish, if desired. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt. 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. This Latin-style marinade is aromatic and is great for any kind of protein such as fish, pork, chicken and steak. This marinade adds sweetness and heat to your meal and leaves a great aster taste in your mouth. 

Monday, May 25, 2020

Lemon-Rosemary Braised Chicken Breasts

Ingredients:
  • 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 (4 oz.) medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 leeks, white parts only, chopped
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2 slices pancetta or bacon, diced (optional)
  • 2 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 2 lemons, 1 zested and juiced, the other cut into wedges
  • 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 sprigs fresh sage (optional)
  • 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
Makes 4 Servings
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook, turning, until golden brown and all over, about 7-10 minutes. Transfer them to a plate and set it aside. 
  2. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the leeks to the skillet  and saute for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and pancetta (if using), and cook for 2-3 minutes. 
  3. Deglaze the pan with the white balsamic vinegar. Add the tomatoes, lemon zest, lemon juice, rosemary, and sage (if using), and return the chicken breasts to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste and then pour in the chicken broth. 
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for about 20 minutes or until the sauce is reduce by half and the chicken is fully cooked (an instant-read thermometer placed in the center of the breast should read 165 F). If the pan gets dry during cooking, add a splash of broth or water as needed. 
  5. Slice the chicken breasts and spoon the sauce on top; serve with lemon wedges. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 9 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. This is a wonderful meal to kick-start your healthy lifestyle. It's both filling and flavorful. The combination of pancetta, tomatoes, leeks, garlic and herbs adds a nice zing to this dish. If you don't have leeks on hand, use minced onion or shallots and the dish will be delicious. 
lemon rosemary chicken

Monday, May 18, 2020

Salted Tahini Dark Chocolate Fudge Cups

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 2 bars sugar-free dark chocolate bars
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • coarse sea salt for topping
Makes 12 Cups (1 cup per serving)
  1. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with silicone cups or paper cupcake liners.
  2. Microwave the tahini, dark chocolate, and coconut oil together in 30-second increments, until the chocolate is melted. 
  3. Stir in the vanilla extract and pour the mixture into the prepared muffin tin. Sprinkle with salt and freeze for at least 2 hours. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New-Keto Friendly South Beach Diet book. Tahini is a thick, rich paste that is made from sesame seeds and is most commonly used to flavor Middle Eastern dishes like hummus and baba ghanoush. Tahini can be used in desserts and the end result is decadent and delicious. The creamy tahini is combine with the dark chocolate to make these decadent fudge cups. These sweet treats are so delicious you'll forget they are good for you and you won't buy store-made fudge again. 


Mexican Veggie Egg Muffins

Ingredients:
  • ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. onion, chopped
  • ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp. (or 3/8 cup) grape tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 Tbsp. unsweetened almond milk
  • cayenne pepper (optional)
  • black pepper (optional)
  • Non-stick cooking spray
  • ¼ cup or 4 Tbsp. pepper jack or shredded cheese of choice
  • 1/2 avocado 
  • 1 tsp. lime juice (optional)
Makes 2 Servings 
  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. As the oven is preheating, chop/dice your pepper, onion and tomatoes finely.
  2. Crack the eggs into a medium-sized bowl and whisk them with the almond milk.
  3. Add your diced vegetables into the egg mixture, stir well and then sprinkle with cayenne pepper and black pepper. If you prefer not to season your eggs, you can omit the cayenne pepper and/or black pepper.
  4. Grease four of the muffin cups of a large muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Fill each of the sprayed muffin cups evenly with the egg mixture.
  5. Sprinkle one tablespoon of shredded pepper jack cheese, or cheese of choice (including light Mexican cheese, cheddar cheese or part-skim Mozzarella cheese, if you prefer less spice) to the tops of each muffin cup.
  6. Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the eggs are set and slighlty golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin cup should come out clean.
  7. Let them cool for about 5-10 minutes before using a fork or knife to lift them out carefully from the muffin tin.
  8. Serve immediately, topping them with avocado slices or avocado mashed with lime juice. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears on the www.southbeachdiet.com/recipes. Eggs are wonderful for breakfast  when they are done right. Mexican veggie egg muffins are both filling and flavorful. You have a colorful variety of vegetables with the Mexican cheese of your choice. Eggs and vegetables do fill you up. Feel free to omit the avocado and save your ½ serving of Healthy Fat to use at a different meal. Place the remaining two egg muffins in a resealable bag in the refrigerator to enjoy on your second practice day. 

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce
  • 3 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 4 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 medium red onion, sliced
For the Dressing:
  • 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
  • 1/2 tsp. dried dill
  • 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Makes 4 Servings
  1.  Place the chicken breasts and hot sauce  in a large zip-top bag and toss until the chicken is well coated. Marinate them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. 
  2. Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and store the mixture in the refrigerator  while you prepare the rest of the salad. 
  3. Lightly grease with olive oil and preheat a grill or grill pan. Add the chicken, pouring any remaining hot sauce over the top. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through. 
  4. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest before slicing. 
  5. Combine the romaine lettuce, celery, cherry tomatoes, and red onion and divide into 4 bowls. Place the sliced chicken on top of each portion and drizzle with the ranch dressing. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. This is a flavorful salad that is a great way to kick-start your healthy lifestyle. Grilled buffalo chicken is so succulent and juicy it will melt in your mouth. The salad is nice and crunchy and the homemade dressing is tangy and delicious. It goes great on the salad or on the chicken. The yogurt ranch dressing balances out the hot spice in the buffalo chicken salad. This salad will become a favorite in your kitchen, I promise. 
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Spicy Parmesan Crisps

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 small serrano pepper, thinly sliced
  • 2 sweet mini peppers, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
For the toppings: (optional)
  • 1/4 cup shredded full-fat sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 tbsp. hemp seeds
  • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
Makes 10 crisps (5 crisps per serving)
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a large silicon baking mat. 
  2. Place a heaping tablespoon of Parmesan on the prepared baking sheet and spread it into a 3-inch circle. This is most easily done using a 3-inch egg ring or cookie cutter as a guide. Repeat until all the cheese has been used; you should have enough for 10 circles. 
  3. Carefully portion the sliced serrano pepper and sweet peppers on top of the cheese circles and sprinkle each circle with the Italian seasoning  and red pepper flakes. Additional toppings may be added or substituted. 
  4. Bake for about 5-7 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. 
  5. Let the crisps cool slightly for a minute or two on the baking sheet before serving. Store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New-Keto Friendly South Beach Diet book. Who doesn't love cheese? These cheese crisps are a healthy and delicious alternative to crackers. Don't be intimidated by the ingredients in these treats. The ingredients are more natural and flavorful and these crisps are more flavorful than ordinary crackers. They can be made in 10 minutes or less and are great for a midday snack or for a gathering. You can use any kind of cheeses in this recipe and the crisps will still be tasty. 

Chicken Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower

Ingredients:
For the Filling:
  • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive  oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stick, finely chopped
  • 1 (one-inch) piece fresh gingerroot, grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1 lb. lean ground chicken or turkey
  • 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
  • 1 small dried bay leaf
  • 2 cups packed baby kale
For the Topping:
  • 2 cups finely chopped cauliflower florets
  • 2 tbsp. ghee or butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 tsp. turmeric (optional)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Makes 4 Servings
  1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. 
  2. Heat the oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft. Stir in the ginger, garlic, and turmeric and cook, stirring for 30 seconds, until fragrant. 
  3. Add the chicken and turn up the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. Add the tomatoes, thyme, marjoram and bay leaf, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the baby kale and turn off the heat. 
  4. Meanwhile, steam the cauliflower florets for about 8-10 minutes, until soft. Transfer the cauliflower to a large saucepan and mash it with the ghee, heavy cream, turmeric (if using), and cheddar over medium heat, until creamy. If you prefer a smoother mash, blitz the mixture in a food processor. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set it aside. 
  5. Transfer the filling to a large pie dish or divide it among 4 individual pie dishes or ramekins. Top it with the mashed cauliflower, ruffling it with a fork. 
  6. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until bubbling and golden. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 11 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Shepherd's Pie is considered the national dish of England and a classic comfort food. This version is keto-friendly because it contains a lot of vegetables and uses lean ground meat. The mashed cauliflower is used in place of traditional mashed potatoes. You can use lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey in this recipe for a succulent flavor. Don't worry if the plate looks messy; it still tastes delicious. 

Monday, May 11, 2020

Spice-Rubbed Salmon with Creamy Dill Dressing

Ingredients:
  • 1 lb. salmon fillets
  • 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
  • 1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
  • 2 oz. crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. chopped chives
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill
Makes 4 Servings
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease a sheet pan with olive oil and set it aside.
  2. Pat the salmon dry. Rub it with olive oil and place the fillets skin side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the salmon with Dijon mustard. 
  3. Combine the cumin, paprika, and coriander in a small bowl. 
  4. Sprinkle the salmon with the spice mix and salt and pepper to taste. 
  5. Transfer the salmon to the oven and bake it for 15-18 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through. 
  6. Meanwhile, whisk together the yogurt, feta cheese, lemon juice, chives and half the dill in a bowl. 
  7. Divided the salmon into 4 equal portions and serve warm, drizzled with the creamy dill dressing and garnished with the remaining dill. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Salmon with a dressing is always a tasty dinner. The spicy Dijon glaze make these salmon filets flavorful and succulent. The creamy dill dressing goes great with the salmon and the vegetables. You can grill these salmon fillets and the meal will be just as delicious. 

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Chive & Prosciutto Egg Cups

Ingredients:
  • 20 eggs
  • 1 cup whole buttermilk
  • 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped chives
  • 2 oz. chopped prosciutto
  • salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
Makes 24 Egg Cups (2 egg cups per serving)
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. 
  2. Lightly grease with butter two 12-count muffin tins (for 24 total muffins) and set aside.
  3. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, yogurt, Parmesan salt and pepper to taste in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Divide the mixture evenly between 24 prepared muffin cups. 
  5. Divide the chives and prosciutto among the cups. 
  6. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the eggs are set. 
  7. Cool for 5-10 minutes in muffin tins and then gently slide a butter knife around the edges to release the egg cups. Remove them to a wire rack. 
  8. Serve warm or store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 
WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. These egg cups bring egg muffins and eggs and ham to a new level. If you ever enjoyed ham and eggs when you were a kid, you will love these Italian egg cups. Prosciutto and Parmesan cheese are delicious flavors that go well together, especially in eggs. These egg cups are both filling and delicious they will be a great start for your day.