Monday, July 13, 2009

Iced Vanilla Coffee Milk – South Beach

Ok, I really don’t know why they label this as a dessert, maybe the whipped topping? This is Phase 1 approved.

3 cups strong brewed coffee, chilled (hey, this is what I have the picture of leftover vanilla coffee for!)1 cup fat free or 1% milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp splenda or other sugar substitute
Ice
½ cup fat free or light whipped topping
Pinch of cinnamon for garnish (optional)
4 cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)

In pitcher, combine coffee, milk, vanilla & sugar. Stir well. Fill 4 glasses with ice and pour coffee over top. Spoon 2 tbs of whipped topping onto each. Stir gently to some topping mixes with coffee and rest remains on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon & add stick, if using.

Chilly Chocolate – South Beach

This is Phase 1 approved.

3 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbs splenda or other sugar substitute
Pinch of salt
3 cups cold 1% milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
Ice cubes

In bowl, mix cocoa, sugar and salt. Slowly pour in 1 cup of milk & whisk til smooth. Whisk in remaining milk & vanilla.
Pour in to 4 glasses over ice.

I would say to toss in blender with ice & make it thick! ME - I'm planning on trying this in the Bullet ...

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Taco Salad

It's kinda stupid, but you know, for a while there, I just could not get the hang of doing a taco salad. What the heck was up with that? Now, whenever I make tacos for hubby & sonny boy, I make mine a salad as I prefer it more ....


Ground meat (I've used chicken which was awesome, but most use beef or turkey!)
taco seasoning of choice (have not found a homemade that I prefer yet, still looking)

Of course, cook meat, breaking into smaller pieces as you go. OR you can do like I do 70% of the time and toss the cooked meat in the food processor & give it a whirl. Careful though, otherwise it can turn to paste.

Add taco seasoning & continue cooking per package (or recipe) instructions.

Shred lettuce (I'm assuming you washed it already, right??). Iceburg is the norm. Just cut in half and slice thin. Toss all in bowl. Dice some onions and tomatoes up, toss each in their bowl.

Shred some cheese (or think, CRAP I forgot to take the bag of shredded stuff out of freezer this morning!!). Get out the sour cream, black olives (if desired), tortilla chips (break them up into fairly bite size pieces) ... and beans. Any kind of beans. I prefer black beans. Rinse & drain the can well.

Now get yourself a plate (that you will eat off of), lay a layer of lettuce. Add some taco meat, top with cheese, tomatoes, onions. Top that with some cheese and sour cream. Add the tortilla chips around the edges. Add the beans around the edges (or under the meat if you want to incorporate all together to hide. Add whatever else you like, such as hot sauce, olives, etc.

You can always take the short cut and just use salsa instead of the tomatoes & onions.

My secret (for me) is to mix it up a little on the plate and try to get a little of the 'wet' stuff, like tomatoes, sour cream whatever in each bite.

Crab (or Lobster) Salad

This is South Beach friendly, and the recipe comes from The South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook but I've modified it a bit.

*If in Phase 1, do not use the roll. Phase 2 you can add the roll if desired.

2 8 ounce packages of imitation crab (or, if you are wealthier, 4 lobster tails cooked & removed from shells, chopped)
1 celery stalk, diced
1 tbs (more or less) of diced red or white onion
1 tbs mayo
1 tbs basil
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
fresh ground pepper
red pepper flakes (optional)
I also add red or green diced peppers, cucumbers and whatever else I have to make it more 'bulky'

Mix all together. You may need to add more mayo to hold together, but remember, the SB Diet allows a minimal amount of fats.

Phase 1 - serve on a bed of salad greens.
Phase 2 - serve on a whole wheat hot dog roll, lightly toasted (if desired).

This will make 4 servings.