Spiced Tea

Ingredients:

• 9 cups water
• 2 tbsp. roughly chopped fresh ginger
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 tsp. whole cloves
• 1/4 tsp. black peppercorns
• 3 (1-inch) strips lemon zest
• 3 (1-inch) strips orange zest
• 10 caffeinated or decaffeinated black tea bags
• 3 tbsp. granular sugar substitute (optional)

Makes 8 Servings (3/4 cup per serving)

1. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add ginger, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, and zests. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to steep at room temperature for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator overnight.
2. When ready to serve, return ginger mixture to a boil. Remove from heat, add tea bags, cover, and steep for 5 minutes. Squeeze tea bags into liquid, then strain and discard solids. Add sugar substitute for a sweeter tea, if desired, and serve hot.

WW POINTS VALUE: 0 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Parties & Holidays Cookbook. I was never a tea drinker when I was younger but I enjoy tea now. This tea will get you into the holiday spirit. Plus, it will make you feel like you're in a Charles Dickens novel after having one sip. The combination of cinnamon, ground cloves, and ginger mixed with fruit zest is very comforting. This tea can be enjoyed during the cold winter months any time of day.  



Mornay Sauce

Ingredients:

• 3 cups low-fat milk
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 small onion, peeled
• 3 whole cloves
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. ground white pepper
• 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Makes 8 Servings

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, whisk the milk and flour. Stud the onion with cloves; add to the milk mixture. Stir in the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Simmer, whisking constantly, until mixture boils and thickens, about 10 minutes. Discard the onion.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the Swiss and Parmesan cheeses until melted.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. This is a quick and easy sauce you can make at home from scratch and you can serve it at breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's a creamy cheese sauce that can enhance the flavor of your meal. This is an elegant sauce that goes great on chicken, fish and even on top of poached eggs.

South Beach Ballpark Mustard

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup mustard seeds
• 1/4 cup +2 tbsp. mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp. dried tarragon
• 1 tbsp. ground turmeric
• 1/2 cup tarragon vinegar
• 1/2  cup dry white wine
• 1 tbsp. canola oil
• 1/4 cup granular sugar substitute
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp. arrowroot

Makes 1 1/2 cups

1. In a small bowl, combine water, mustard seeds, mustard powder, tarragon, and turmeric.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, wine, oil, sugar substitute, garlic, allspice, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. In a blender or food processor, combine the mustard and vinegar mixtures and blend for 2 minutes. Return the mixture to the saucepan and heat on low heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the arrowroot to thicken. (Keep covered in the refrigerator for 1 week.)

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. You can make mustard at home and it's better than what you would buy at the store. This recipe requires a little time and effort but it's worth it. Don't be overwhelmed by the amount of ingredients in this recipe. They come together great in the end. The mustard is great on chicken, beef, pork and some fish as well.