Orange-Almond Ricotta Cheesecake

 Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup slivered almonds 
• 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 6 large eggs, separated
• 3/4 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1/3 cup granular sugar substitute
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1 (32 oz.) container part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2 tsp. finely grated orange zest
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• orange twists, for garnish (optional)

Makes 12 Servings

1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 275 F. Lightly coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast for 10-12 minutes, or until light golden. Let cool.
2. In a food processor, pulse the cooled almonds until finely ground. Add the graham cracker crumbs and  pulse to combine. Increase the oven temperature to 325 F. 
3. In a large metal bowl, with an electric mixer at high speed, beat the egg whites until frothy, about 1 minute. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes longer. 
4. In a separate large bowl, beat the egg yolks, sugar substitute, vanilla, and almond extracts for 1 minute. Add the ricotta, orange zest, and orange juice. Beat on high until smooth. Gently fold one-third of the whites into the yolk mixture, then add the rest of the whites and gently fold until well combined. Spread the crumb mixture over the bottom of the pan. Pour the batter into the pan and place the pan on a baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until cake is golden and mostly set. Cool completely. 
5. Run a knife around the edge and release the cake from pan. Chill, loosely covered, for 4 hours or overnight. Serve chilled, garnished with orange twists if you like. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Super-Quick Cookbook. This is a new and  flavorful take on traditional cheesecake. This is a lighter version of cheesecake to enjoy on later phases and it's a wonderful dessert for get-togethers. The crust is made from ground graham crackers, ground almonds, cinnamon and nutmeg which give the crust a nice flavor. The vanilla and almond extracts and orange zests add a nice tough of zing to this cheesecake. If you want to add more flavor to this cheese cake, I highly recommend adding lemon juice and zest to the cheesecake for a more authentic Amalfi Coast flare. I also highly recommend adding a touch of berries of your choice for a more fruity flavor. 

Coffee-Almond Flans

 Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp. water
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 2 tsp. instant espresso powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• pinch cinnamon
• pinch nutmeg
• 2 tbsp. slice or slivered almonds, toasted

Makes 4 Servings

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. 
2. Combine 1/3 cup of sugar and the water in a small heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, without stirring, brushing side of saucepan with brush dipped in cool water during first few minutes of cooking time, until syrup turns amber. Immediately pour caramel into 4 (6 oz.) ramekins, gently swirl ramekins to coat bottoms halfway up sides. Refrigerate until caramel is hard, about 10 minutes. 
3. Meanwhile, combine half-and-half and espresso powder in medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until bubbles form. Whisk eggs, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, the almond extract, cinnamon and nutmeg in bowl. Remove saucepan from heat; whisk hot half-and-half mixture into egg mixture. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Pour through sieve set over bowl. 
4. Divide custard  among ramekins. Put ramekins in 9-inch square baking pan. Place pan in oven; add enough hot water to pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake until flans are just set around edges and jiggle in center, 35-40 minutes. Transfer ramekins to rack; cool 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours or up to 1 day. 
5. To serve, run thin knife around edges of flans to loosen from ramekins. Unfold onto plates; spoon any sauce over flan. Sprinkle with almonds. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 9 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Family Meals Cookbook. Flan is an open tart-like pastry with the flavor of a sweetened egg custard and a caramel topping. This was my first attempt at flan and it wasn't bad. The combination of coffee and homemade caramel is quite delicious mixed in the with the ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Flan is very sweet so enjoy it wisely. 

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. 

Plum & Toasted Almond Dessert Pizza

 Ingredients:

Dough:

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 egg white
• 2 tsp. low-fat milk
• 1 1/4 tsp. vanilla 

Topping:

• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 8 ripe purple plums (about 2 lbs.) halved, pitted & thickly sliced
• 1 tbsp. granular sugar
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsp. sliced unbleached almonds

Makes 8 Servings (1 wedge per serving)

1. To make the dough, put the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor; pulse to blend. Add the ricotta, butter, egg white, milk, and vanilla; pulse until the dough begins to form a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to overnight. 
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray. 
3. Roll out the dough between 2 sheets of wax paper to form a 10-inch round. Remove the top sheet of wax paper and flip the dough onto the baking sheet; remove the wax paper. Fold the edge of the dough over to form a 1/2-inch rim. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool about 5 minutes on the baking sheet on a rack. 
4. Brush the crust with the egg white. Beginning at the edge, arrange the plum slices in concentric circles, overlapping the slices slightly, sprinkle evenly with the sugar. Bake for 40 minutes. Sprinkle the almonds over the fruit and bake until the crust is golden brown and the plums soften but still hold their shape, about 10 minutes longer. Cut into 8 wedges and serve at once. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. Cooked fruit is such a delicious treat and you can enjoy a slice of pizza for dessert. Plum pizza is quite delicious. I reduced the granulated sugar from 1/2 cup to 1/4 cup  in the dough, 2 tablespoons to 1 tablespoon for the topping and added ground cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance the flavor of  the plum pizza. The dough for the pizza crust is refrigerated before being rolled out for two reasons: to relax the gluten in the flour and to make the dough easier to work with. This plum pizza is so delicious it will become a favorite at your table. 

Crispy Catfish with Tartar Sauce

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. fat-free mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp. pickle relish
• 2 tsp. capers
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 3/4 cup plain dried bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup almonds, toasted and finely chopped
• 2 tsp. dried thyme
• grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup fat-free buttermilk
• 4 (5 oz.) catfish fillets
• lemon wedges

Makes 4 Servings (1 fish fillet and about 1/3 cup sauce per serving)

1. To make the tartar sauce, stir together yogurt, shallot, parsley, lemon juice, mayonnaise, pickle relish, capers, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and cayenne in a serving bowl. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve. 
2. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray. 
3. Mix together bread crumbs, almonds, thyme, and lemon zest on sheet of wax paper. Pour buttermilk into pie plate. Dip fish fillets, one at a time, into buttermilk, then coat with bread crumb mixture, pressing gently so crumbs adhere. 
4. Place fillets on prepared baking sheet; spray with nonstick spray. Bake until just opaque in the center, about 10 minutes. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. If you enjoy fish and chips with a side of tartar sauce, you will enjoy making and eating this dish. You can use any kind of fish (cod, halibut, tilapia, etc.) and your meal will be delicious. The fish literally melts in your mouth it's that good. The tartar sauce is both tangy and delicious and it goes great with fish and potatoes. 

Keto Chicken Fingers

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 lb. chicken breast tenders
• 1/2 cup fresh basil
• 1/4 cup parsley sprigs
• 1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded (wear plastic gloves when handling)
• 1/8 tsp. sea salt
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. water
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Makes 4 Servings

1. Coat a grill rack or broiler-pan rack with cooking spray. Preheat the grill or boiler.
2. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Cut two 1/2"-deep slashes in each side of the chicken breast. Rub the spice mix on the chicken, pressing it into the slits. Place the chicken in a baking pan and coat completely with cooking spray. Let sit for 10 minutes.
3. In a food processor, combine basil, parsley, almonds, garlic, jalapeno pepper and salt. Process until chopped. While the processor is running, add the lemon juice and oil through the feed tube, stopping the machine once or twice to scrape down the sides of the container until the sauce is smooth. Pour the sauce into a bowl. Stir in the water, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Place the chicken on the prepared rack and grill or broil 6" from the heat, turning several times, for 15 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted in the thickest portion registers 170°F and the juices run clear. Serve with the sauce and garnish with fresh basil.

WW POINTS VALUE: ? 

Note: This recipe appears on www.southbeachdiet.com/recipes. These chicken fingers are a healthy and flavorful take on traditional chicken fingers. They are not fried but broiled or grilled and are packed with flavorful herbs and spices as well as a jalapeno pepper. They are succulent and juicy and go great with a side of coleslaw. 

Smoky Goat Cheese & Almond Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
• 1 (10 1/2 oz.) package soft goat cheese
• 1 ripe avocado, mashed
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan or sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened or at room temperature
• 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp. minced garlic and/or onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin

For the Garnish:

• 1/3 cup smoked almonds, chopped
• 3 tbsp. fresh chopped chives
• 1 tsp. fresh chopped thyme

Makes 24 balls (1 ball per serving)

1.  Whisk together all of the cheese ball ingredients until thoroughly combined. Add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes. 
2. Line a flat serving platter with parchment paper and set it aside. 
3. Mix together the garnish of smoked almonds, chives, and thyme in a small bowl. 
4. Scoop out 1 tablespoon of the cheese ball mixture and roll it into the almond garnish. Arrange the balls on the prepared platter and refrigerate until firm. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. These little cheese bites pack a creamy punch of flavor. These cheese balls make a nice snack and an appetizer for a gathering. The cheeses and the mashed avocado give these treats a nice creamy texture and they melt in your mouth. These cheese balls make a wonderful snack on their own or with vegetables or keto-friendly chips. 

Grab-and-Go Nut & Berry Yogurt Bark

Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. chopped pecans
• 2 tbsp. sliced almonds
• 2 tbsp. chopped walnuts
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsp. blueberries
• 2 tbsp. sliced strawberries

Makes 6 pieces (1 piece per serving)

1. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt and the vanilla extract. 
3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. 
4. Top with pecans, almonds, and walnuts, as well as the blueberries and strawberries. Gently press the toppings into the yogurt mixture.
5. Cover the yogurt bark and transfer it to the freezer for 3 hours, until firm. 
6. Cut or break the bark into 6 pieces. These may be stored in the freezer for up to a month in an air container. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet. Yogurt and berries make a delicious combination at the table or on the go. This yogurt bark is very tasty with the nuts and berries; plus you won't miss the granulated sugar in this dish. I added ground cinnamon and nutmeg for more flavor in this bark and it worked very well. 

Salmon Ball

Ingredients:

• 2 cups canned salmon, drained, flaked, and skin and bones removed
• 8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
• 1 tbsp. finely chopped onion
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. horseradish
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. liquid smoke
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds
• 3 tbsp. chopped parsley

Makes 1 (5-inch) ball or 16 (2-tbsp.) Servings

1. In a large bowl, combine the salmon, cream cheese, lemon juice, horseradish, salt, and liquid smoke; mix thoroughly. Refrigerate for 4 hours, or until form enough to form a ball. 
2. In a small bowl, combine the almonds and parsley. Shape the salmon mixture into a ball. Roll in the almond mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until chilled. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. Salmon makes a delicious snack during the day. Don't be intimidated by the ingredients in this recipe. The combination of flaked salmon, cream cheese, onion and horseradish make a delicious dip. This appetizer makes a nice snack as a salmon ball or as a dip served with vegetable or crackers. 

Warm Raspberry Crisp

Ingredients:

• 3 cups fresh raspberries 
• 1/3 cup granular sugar substitute
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Topping:

• 2/3 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 2 tbsp. granular sugar substitute
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 4 tbsp. melted butter or coconut oil

Makes 8 Servings (1 square per serving)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Mix the raspberries, granular sugar, and vanilla in an 8-inch square baking dish. Spread evenly in the dish.
3. To make the topping, stir together all remaining ingredients in a bowl and then use your hands to crumble it over the berries. 
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Allow the crisp to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Cut into 8 squares and serve. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 13 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Cooked fruit for dessert is quite delicious and flavorful. The original recipe calls for 1/3 cup of granular sugar substitute but you can cut the sugar in half or substitute honey in place of the sugar with the raspberries and the filling will be just as good. I also cut the sugar substitute in half for the topping and added a touch of ground nutmeg with the ground cinnamon for a healthier and more flavorful topping. This dessert is gluten-free and make a wonderful, filling dessert. 

Cod with Almond-Basil Relish

Ingredients:

Relish:

• 1/2 cup almond-stuffed green olives, sliced (or substitute 1/4 cup pitted green olives and 1/4 cup blanched almonds)
• 2 tbsp. capers, chopped
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp. chopped roasted red peppers
• 4 tbsp. chopped fresh basil
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice, to taste
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

Cod:

• 4 (5 oz.) skinless cod or haddock filets
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Makes 4 Servings (1 fillet per serving)

1. Combine all the relish ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste and refrigerate until needed. 
2. Season the fish with salt and pepper to taste. Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until golden. 
3. Transfer the fish to serving plate and serve topped with the relish and sprinkled with the parsley.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. Fish and vegetables make a great dinner when it's done right. This dinner takes about 20 minutes to make and it can be enjoyed on any day of the week. The flavors from the relish have a nice Italian and Mediterranean flare and will wake up your taste buds. You can serve your choice of grilled or sautéed vegetable to make this meal complete. You can use cod, haddock, halibut or any white flaky fish in this recipe and your meal will be delicious. 

Chewy Chocolate-Walnut Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 3 egg whites, at room temperature
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped

Makes 24 Cookies (1 cookie per serving)

1. Place the oven racks in the upper  and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Sift together confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, and salt into a medium bowl. With an electric mixer on low speed, beat the egg whites into the cocoa mixture until blended. Increase the high speed to high. Beat about 1 minute. Beat in the vanilla, then stir in the walnuts.
3. Drop the dough by level tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheets about 2 inches apart, making a total of 24 cookies. Bake until shiny, cracked, and firm to the touch, 12-15 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheet on racks.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. These cookies are  chewy and delicious. I think they are better than store-bought cookies. These cookies could also be considered gluten free because there is no flour in them. The Dutch-process cocoa mellows the flavor and gives the cookies a very deep color to them. If you don't have walnuts on hand, substitute almonds work just as well. 

Warm Beef & Broccoli Romesco Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups roasted red peppers
• 1/4 cup raw almonds
• 1 1/2 tbsp. so-salt-added tomato paste
• 1 1/2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 head broccoli (about 1 lb.) 
• 1 lb. sirloin steak

Makes 4 Servings

1. In a food processor, puree the roasted peppers, almonds, tomato paste, vinegar, paprika, 1 tablespoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and 2 tablespoons water. Transfer the dressing to a bowl and set aside.
2. Separate the broccoli florets from the stalks. Trim off the very bottoms of the stalks. Peel the stalks and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Cut the broccoli into smaller florets. 
3. In a large skillet, bring 3 inches of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and the stalks. Cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Drain again.
4. Preheat the broiler with the rack 4 inches from the heat.
5. Sprinkle the steak with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and brush with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Broil until cooked to the desired degree of doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a cutting board and when cool enough to handle, thinly slice.
6. Divide the beef among 4 plates and top with the broccoli. Dividing evenly, spoon the dressing on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Gluten Solution Cookbook. This is a delicious salad to kick-start your healthy lifestyle. Any kind of beef salad is really delicious when it's done right. This salad has a Spanish flare to it The dressing is a healthy take on a traditional Romesco sauce. I highly recommend adding minced garlic to the Romesco sauce because garlic always makes everything taste better. This Romesco sauce can also be used on chicken, fish, pork, and even eggs. 

Plum Rice Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. slivered almonds
• 2 cups whole-grain brown rice
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
• 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. granular sugar substitute
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 small plums, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Makes 4 Servings

1. Heat the oven to 275 F. Spread almonds on a baking sheet and toast, stirring once, until fragrant and golden, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cool.
2. While almonds are toasting, in a medium saucepan bring rice, half-and-half, sugar substitute, and vanilla to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add plums and cinnamon; cook until liquid is absorbed and plums are softened, about 8 minutes. Transfer pudding to 4 dessert bowls, sprinkle evenly with almonds, and serve hot.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts. (2/3 cup per serving)

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. This dish was surprisingly delicious. Who knew rice pudding could be so delicious? Plum rice pudding is quite flavorful and tasty. The plums literally melt in your mouth with the vanilla and cinnamon. The almonds add a nice crunch to the treat. You can use any kind of plum in this recipe and the dish will still be tasty. 

Easy Walnut Muesli with Fresh Apricots

Ingredients:

Muesli:

• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Toppings:

• 2 tbsp. ground flaxseed
• 8 fresh apricots, sliced
• 2 cups 1% or fat-free milk

Makes 8 Servings (1/2 cup per serving)

1. For the muesli: Heat the oven to 275 F. Spread walnuts on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant and lightly browned, about 12 minutes. In a large bowl, combine walnuts, oats, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.
2. For each serving, place 1/2 cup muesli in a cereal bowl. Top each with 3/4 teaspoon flaxseed and 1/4 cup apricots. Add 1/4 cup milk and serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 7 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. Muesli is a popular treat for breakfast in Switzerland and Germany and very easy to make at home. This breakfast treat is flavorful and delicious. I highly recommend adding a touch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg to make the muesli more flavorful. You can also use chopped almonds in place of the walnut and the muesli will be just as delicious. 

Tandoori Lamb with Almond-Apricot Couscous

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
• juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 small onion, quartered
• 1 tbsp. minced peeled fresh ginger
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp cayenne 
• 1 (2 lb.) boneless leg of lamb, butterflied and trimmed
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup whole wheat couscous
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

Makes 8 Servings (4 slices lamb & scant 1/2 cup couscous per serving)

1. Stir together yogurt, lime juice, onion, ginger, garlic, paprika, coriander, and cayenne in a small bowl.
2. Place lamb on work surface; with meat mallet or rolling pin, pound to even thickness. Put lamb in large shallow baking dish and spread yogurt mixture all over. Cover dish with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
3. Spray grill rack with nonstick spray. Preheat grill to medium-high or prepared medium-high fire using direct method. 
4. With paper towel, wipe excess yogurt mixture from lamb; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place lamb on grill rack and grill, turning, until instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of lamb registers 145 F for medium, about 25 minutes. Transfer to cutting board and let stand for 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, cook couscous according to package directions. Transfer to serving bowl and top with almonds and apricots. Cut lamb across grain into 32 slices. Serve with couscous.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. This exotic dish is a wonderful dish to dinner. You  can use any cut of lamb in this recipe and the meal will still be delicious. This lamb dish is spicy and flavorful it will melt in your mouth. The side of couscous goes well with the lamb for cooling the spice of your taste buds. Couscous is a granular semolina and a staple of North African cuisine. The sliced almonds and sliced apricots add a touch of flavor to the couscous and go well with the lamb. 

Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 3 tbsp. finely chopped toasted hazelnuts
• 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Makes 32 Servings (1 truffle per serving)

1. Line a 5 x 9-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap; spray with nonstick spray.
2. Combine the chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan and set over low heat. Cook, stirring often, until melted and smooth. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the half-and-half until well blended.
3. Scrape the chocolate mixture into the loaf pan and spread evenly. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days.
4. Put the hazelnuts and cocoa powder on 2 separate plates. Inver the loaf pan onto a cutting board; remove the plastic wrap. With a sharp knife, cut the chocolate mixture into 32 equal squares. Lightly coat half of the squares in the hazelnuts and half in the cocoa powder. Place the truffles in a covered container, separating the layers with sheets of wax paper. Refrigerate up to 1 week.

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. How can you not love chocolate truffles? Chocolate truffles are delicious when they are done right. You can have your truffles and eat them too. There is no sugar in these truffles and they are absolutely delicious. I highly recommend mixing the nuts and cocoa powder together to make the truffles more flavorful with a crunch. You can use almonds, walnuts or any kind of nut in this recipe and they will still be good. I also highly recommend adding a touch of vanilla extract when combining the chocolate and butter for more flavor.

Strawberry-Blackberry Crush

Ingredients:

• 1 (6 oz.)  container blackberries
• 1 tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 1 (16 oz.) package frozen whole strawberries, thawed slightly
• 1 cup coarsely crushed ice cubes
• 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp. sliced blanched almonds
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. almond extract

Makes 4 Servings (3/4 cup crush, 1/4 cup blackberries & 1/4 tsp. almonds  per serving)

1. Toss together blackberries and maple syrup in a small bowl; set aside.
2. Put the strawberries, ice, sugar, 1/4 cup of the almonds, lemon juice, vanilla and almond extracts in a food processor and puree. Immediately divide the mixture evenly among 4 wineglasses. Top evenly with the blackberry mixture and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of almonds. Serve at once.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. This is what I call a cool and refreshing sweet ending. This dessert literally takes 10 minutes to make and the end result is delicious. It's flavorful and gives you a nice feeling after having a delicious dinner. You can use blueberries or raspberries in place of the blackberries and the dessert will still be good. The ordinal recipe calls for 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar but I reduced it to 3 tablespoons and added 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for more flavor and the end result is delicious. 

Cherry-Pistachio Cannoli Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
• pinch salt
• 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 tsp. grated orange zest
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups sweet cherries, pitted, plus 4 cherries on the stem
• 2 tbsp. chopped pistachios

Makes 4 Servings (1/2 cup per serving)

1. Combine the ricotta, brown sugar, and salt in a food processor; process until perfectly smooth, 1-2 minutes
2. Scrape the cheese mixture into a medium bowl; stir in the chocolate chips, orange zest, and vanilla. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
3. Stir the pitted cherries into the cheese mixture. Divide the cannoli cream evenly among 4 dessert bowls. Sprinkle with the pistachios and top each with a cherry in the stem. Serve at once.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. If you love Italian food or dessert, this treat is for you. A cannoli is a Sicilian dessert that is consisted of a pastry shell filled with ricotta cheese topped with nuts and/or chocolate chips. This spin on cannoli is both flavorful and filling. The combination of dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, orange, vanilla and cherries is absolutely delicious. If you don't want to eat this as a pudding, I highly recommend using this cannoli cream as a filling for cannolis. The cannolis will be deliciously filling. The points value will go up but they are worth it.

Cherry Strudel

Ingredients:

• 3 cups pitted fresh tart cherries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds, finely ground
• 12 (12 x 17-inch) sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
• 1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

Makes 10 Servings (1/10 of strudel per serving)

1. To make the filling, combine the cherries, 1/4 cup of the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium saucepan and set over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat; set aside to cool, about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
3. Combine the almonds, and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar in a small bowl. Lay 1 phyllo sheet on a work surface with a long side facing you. Keep the remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel and plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Lightly spray the phyllo with nonstick spray; sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon of the crumb mixture. Continue layering with the remaining phyllo and crumb mixture, lightly spraying each sheet of phyllo with nonstick spray to make 12 layers in all.
4. Spoon the cherry filling over the phyllo, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the short side over the filling, then roll up jelly-roll style. Do not roll to tightly or the phyllo might tear.
5. Place the strudel on a diagonal, seam side down, on a large baking sheet. Lightly ray the strudel with nonstick spray. Cut four (1-inch) slits in the top of the strudel to allow the steam to escape. Bake until the filling is hot and the phyllo is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely  on the baking sheet on a rack at least 45 minutes. Just before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Best-Ever Desserts Cookbook. This is what I call elegant comfort food. Strudel is a nice comfort food when it's done right. Baked cherries are absolutely delicious. The original recipe called for 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of dried bread crumbs. I cut the granulated sugar in half, cut out the bread crumbs but increased the slivered almonds and added the cinnamon and nutmeg for a healthier and more flavorful dessert. The end result was delicious. You can use any kind of berries or stone fruit in this recipe and the dessert will still be delicious.