Wednesday, September 30, 2020

4-Ingredient Sugar-Free Chocolate Sauce

 Ingredients:

  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
  • 2 Tbsp. erythritol-based sweetener (confectioners’)
  • 2 Tbsp. water

Makes 4 Servings 

  1. 1. Whisk cocoa powder, coconut oil and erythritol in a medium-sized bowl until combined.
  2. 2. Add water, whisking until the sauce reaches a thick, creamy consistency.
  3. 3. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

WW POINTS VALUE: ?

Note: This recipe appears on www.palm.southbeachdiet.com/recipes. This homemade chocolate sauce is quick, easy and delicious. This sauce is perfect for a low-carb diet and it goes great in or on everything. It can go in a yogurt bowl with fruit, homemade oatmeal, with fruit, in a coffee to make a mocha latte or on top of pancakes for a decadent breakfast. 
chocolate sauce recipe

One-Pan Olive Oil and Herb Poached Flounder

 Ingredients:

  • ¾ lb. flounder fillets
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 2 Tbsp. rosemary, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. parsley, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. sage, chopped
  • salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
Makes 2 Servings.

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 
    2. Pat fish dry and season with salt and pepper to taste.
    3. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, parsley, sage, salt and pepper in a 9x13 baking dish.
    4. Arrange flounder in a single layer in the olive oil mixture. Spoon olive oil mixture over the flounder to coat.
    5. Lay lemon slices on top of the flounder.
    6. Bake 12-15 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and liquid is bubbling.
    7. Serve fish with pan sauce drizzled over top.
    WW POINTS VALUE:? 

    Note: This recipe appears on www.palm.southbeachdiet.com/recipes. Poached fish is quite delicious when it is done right. The combination of olive oil, lemon juice and herbs are so succulent when they go with fish. If you don't have flounder on hand, you can use another white fish such as cod, sole or halibut and the meal will still be delicious. This meal is so quick and easy it can be made any week night in 30 minutes or less. 
    olive oil

    Wednesday, September 16, 2020

    Pepperoni & Goat Cheese Pizza

     Ingredients:

    Crust:

    • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    • 2 oz. cream cheese
    • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 tsp. minced garlic

    Toppings:

    • 1/2 cup pizza or tomato sauce
    • 1 cup whole-milk mozzarella cheese
    • 32 thin slices of pepperoni
    • 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
    • 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
    Makes 8 slices (1 slice per serving)

    1. Place an oven rack at the bottom of the oven and preheat it to 425 F. Take out a baking sheet and cut two pieces of parchment paper the same size. Set these aside. 
    2. Combine the 1 1/2 mozzarella and cream cheese in a saucepan over low heat and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Transfer it to a food processor.
    3. Add the almond flour and egg to the cheese mixture and pulse until a dough forms, about 2 minutes. 
    4. Remove the dough from the food processor and transfer it to a piece of parchment paper. Cover the dough with the other piece of parchment paper and use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a rectangle about the size of your baking sheet, approximately 1/4-inch thick. 
    5. Remove the top piece of parchment paper and transfer the dough along with the bottom piece of parchment paper to a baking sheet. 
    6.  Use a fork to poke holes all over the dough. Spread the minced garlic evenly on top.
    7. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 9 minutes or until the dough starts to turn golden. Remove it from the oven. 
    8. For the topping, spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella evenly on top, followed by the pepperoni and crumbled goat cheese. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the toppings. 
    9. Bake for 10-15 more minutes or until the cheese melts and starts to bubble. Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool before slicing and serving. Cut the pizza into 8 slices. 

    WW POINTS VALUE:  9 pts.

    Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. This is a new take on the traditional pepperoni pizza. It's flavorful and creamy and it's good for you. If you don't have pizza sauce on hand, use traditional marinara sauce or puttanesca sauce and the pizza will be just as delicious. If the dough doesn't work out, you can use traditional pizza dough and the pizza will be just as delicious and comforting. 

    Monday, September 14, 2020

    Cream of Broccoli Soup

     Ingredients:

    • 6 slices raw bacon, chopped
    • 2 tbsp. butter
    • 2 cups broccoli florets
    • 1/4 cup chopped shallots
    • 1 tbsp. minced garlic
    • 1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 2 cups chicken broth
    • 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
    • 2 tbsp. chopped chives
    • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
    Makes 4 Servings

    1. In a large stockpot, heat the chopped bacon over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, cooking until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside, reserving the grease in the pan. 
    2. Add the butter to the bacon grease and melt. 
    3. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 4-5 minutes, until browned. Add the shallots and garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. 
    4. Add the yogurt, milk, chicken broth, and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 5-6 minutes, until the broccoli is tender. 
    5. Transfer the soup to a processor and puree until smooth, or use and immersion blender. 
    6. Divide the soup evenly among 4 bowls. Garnish with the bacon, chives, and sliced almonds. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 8 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet Book. Cream of broccoli soup is quite delicious when it is done right. The Greek yogurt is the key ingredient that makes this soup rich and creamy. The garlic and the shallots also had more flavor to this salad. I highly recommend using an equal amount of chicken and vegetable broth more a more flavorful soup. If you want to go completely vegetarian, use vegetable stock. 

    Soy and Ginger-Marinated Salmon

     Ingredients:

    • 2 tbsp. unseasoned rice wine vinegar
    • 1 tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp. packed brown sugar
    • 1 tbsp. grated peeled fresh ginger
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • 2 tsp. Asian (dark) sesame oil
    • 1 (1 lb.) skinless salmon fillet, cut crosswise into 8 strips
    • 4 cups lightly packed baby arugula
    • 2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
    • 1 tbsp. black sesame seeds
    Makes 4 Servings (1 cup salad & 2 salmon strips per serving)

    1. To make the marinade, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil in a large bowl. Transfer 2 tablespoons of the mixture to a medium bowl and add the salmon, turning to coat; let marinate about 5 minutes. 
    2. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and cook until just opaque in the center, about 2 minutes on each side. 
    3. Add the arugula to the remaining vinegar mixture and toss to coat. Divide the arugula evenly among 4 plates. Top each serving with 2 salmon strips  and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon of the chives and 3/4 teaspoon of the sesame seeds. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the WW in 20 Minutes Cookbook.  Salmon grilled or sauteed is quite delicious when it's done right. The combination of soy, ginger and garlic is quite tasty and will leave you satisfied. You can enjoy this salmon with any leafy green of your choice and the meal will still be delicious. 

    Easy Chicken Parm

     Ingredients:

    • 1 (3-oz.) chicken breast
    • 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta, cooked
    • 1 zucchini, spiralized
    • 1/2 cup low sodium tomato sauce
    • 1/4 cup almond flour
    • 1 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
    • 1 tsp. nutritional yeast (optional)
    • 1/8 tsp. pepper

    Makes 1 Serving
    1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    2. In a bowl or large dish, place almond flour and pepper. Mix. 
    3. Dip the chicken in the almond flour mix so that all of the chicken is coated.
    4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the chicken on the parchment paper. Place in the oven and let bake for about 35 min, flipping the chicken over halfway through.
    5. Boil pasta for 7-10 minutes or until fully cooked. 
    6. In a small sauce pan, add the spiraled zucchini (“zoodles”) and cook on low to medium heat for about 5 minutes. Drain the zucchini and mix in a bowl with cooked pasta.
    7. Heat the tomato sauce and add to the noodle mixture.
    8. When the chicken is done, place eon top of the noodles and sauce. Garnish with chopped basil and nutritional yeast.
    WW POINTS VALUE: ?

    Note: This recipe appears on palm.southbeachdiet.com/recipes. Chicken parmagiana is an Italian-American dish that originated in the Northeastern part of the United States in the 1950's. You can enjoy this classic Italian-American comfort food on your healthy lifestyle. Instead of traditional bread crumbs, almond flour is used and it's just as delicious. The spiralized zucchini adds a nice touch to this dish and it adds color and nutrients as well. If you don't want pasta in this dish, double up on the spiralized zucchini and/or yellow squash and you will be satisfied. 
    South Beach easy chicken parm

    Thursday, September 10, 2020

    Orange Dreamsicle Shake

     Ingredients:

    • ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
    • 1 packet South Beach Diet Keto Friendly Shake Mix, Vanilla
    • ½ cup orange juice
    • ½ tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp. orange zest
    • 1 medium frozen banana
    • ¼ cup ice
    Makes 1 Serving

    1. Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth.
    WW POINTS VALUE: ?

    Note: This recipe appears on palm.southbeachdiet.com/recipes. This shake will brighten your day and leave a nice aftertaste in your mouth. If you don't have orange juice on hand, used some freshly squeezed oranges and the shake will be just as delicious and you won't have any added sugars to this shake. You already get natural sugars from the fruits so any additional sugar won't be necessary. If you don't have the keto friendly shake mix on hand, use MCT oil instead and your shake  will taste just as good. This shake is packed with Vitamin C and potassium it will make it easier to fight the common cold. 
    orange

    Tuesday, September 1, 2020

    Chicken, Shrimp & Chorizo Paella

     Ingredients:

    • 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2 (3/4 lb.) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut in half crosswise
    • 1/2 lb. extra-large shrimp, peeled & deveined
    • 1/4 lb. chorizo sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
    • 1 onion, finely chopped
    • 1 bell pepper, chopped
    • 1 cup peas
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
    • 1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
    • 3/4 cup long-grain rice
    • 8 small piemento-stuffed green olives sliced
    • 1/2 tsp. saffron threads, crushed
    • 1/8 tsp. smoked paprika
    • 3 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (optional)
    • salt
    • freshly ground black pepper
    Makes 6 Servings (1 1/3 cups per serving)

    1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned, 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook until browned, 1 1/2 minutes on each side; transfer to a separate plate. Add the chorizo to the skillet and cook until browned, about 3 minutes on each side; transfer to the plate with the chicken. 
    2. Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic to the skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, broth, rice, olives, saffron, and paprika; bring to a boil. Add the chicken and chorizo; return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, about 15 minutes. 
    3. Add the shrimp to the skillet and simmer, covered, until the chicken and chorizo are cooked through and the shrimp are opaque in the center, about 7 minutes. Fluff mixture with a fork and stir in the parsley, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
    WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts. 

    Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. Paella is considered the national dish of Spain and it's a wonderful comfort food that is full of flavor. Paella is a saffron-infused Valencian rice dish that is rich with ingredients such as chicken, seafood, sausages, vegetables and flavorful seasonings such as saffron and paprika. This version of paella is tasty, filling and deliciously satisfying. The original recipe calls for Keilbasa sausage but I used chorizo because chorizo is a traditional ingredient used in paella. I added peas to the paella for a more filling flavor. Red bell peppers are used in traditional paella but you can use any bell pepper in this recipe. I highly recommend using bomba rice in this recipe for an authentic Spanish flare.