Thursday, January 31, 2013

Recipe for Spicy Cilantro-Peanut Slaw

Cabbage Salad with Cilantro
This Spicy Cilantro-Peanut Slaw is something I could eat over and over!

(It's the very last day for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and I'm proud I haven't missed a single day even though I got a broken arm the second week of the month!  Yesterday I promised one more recipe that would work for Superbowl parties, and his delicious Spicy Cilantro-Peanut Slaw is something I'd happily gobble up, no matter what else was on the table.  If you have people who don't like cilantro, I'd just leave it out and use more sliced green onions.)

It's a lucky break for me that cabbage happens to be one of the most diet-friendly ingredients around, as well as being an uber-nutritious cruciferous vegetable, because I'm such a huge fan of cabbage salad I could eat it almost every day. I do have some favorite cabbage salads that I make over and over, but when I see a new cabbage salad recipe that looks interesting, it always gets my attention. When I spotted a recipe for Crunchy Peanut Slaw on The Kitchn, I knew I'd be making some version of it soon.  And of course the generous amount of cilantro and the use of Sriracha in the dressing  makes this a double winner for me.

Click to continue reading

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Slow Cooker Recipe for Pulled Pork with Low-Sugar Barbecue Sauce

Pulled Pork with Low-Sugar Barbecue Sauce
Just make the barbecue sauce with all Stevia or Splenda and you can enjoy this pulled pork for Phase One!

(I'm afraid that breaking my arm three weeks ago put a crimp in any plans I had for a special round-up of Superbowl Recipes, but I decided I should at least end our A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes with some Phase One ideas that would work for Superbowl parties.  And as long as you skip the optional brown sugar in this low-sugar barbecue sauce and make it with all Stevia granulated sweetener or Splenda,  this pulled pork is perfectly legal for Phase One.)

When I mentioned on Facebook that I was making a version of pulled pork with low-sugar barbecue sauce, I had people asking me to post the recipe. That didn't surprise me, since this is a classic American dish, but I do want to start by saying that one reason I decided to tackle this was because I find most barbecue sauce recipes to be too sweet, without enough complex flavor undertones. I wanted to see if I could come up with a version that would suit my preference for more savory flavors, so if you try this recipe, be prepared for a sauce with plenty of mustard flavor, smokiness, and spice, and just the barest touch of sweetness.

Click to continue reading

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Chicken, Broccoli, and Red Bell Pepper Salad Recipe with Peanut Butter Dressing

Chicken, Broccoli, and Red Bell Pepper Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing
Chicken, Broccoli, and Red Bell Pepper Salad with Peanut Sauce Dressing is unique and delicious!

There's a lot to love about this Chicken, Broccoli, and Red Bell Pepper Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing made from chunks of shredded chicken, small bites of crunchy broccoli, and finely diced red bell pepper tossed with a flavorful slightly sweet dressing made of peanut butter, soy sauce, lime, ginger and garlic.  As soon as I spotted the original version of the salad in Sunset Magazine, I started thinking about how I could adapt it for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes.   I switched green peas for diced red bell pepper, used natural peanut butter, sweetened the dressing with Stevia In the Raw Granulated Sweetener, and upped the ginger for a more highly-flavored dressing, and the result was an amazingly good combination that I'm sure I'll make over and over again.  

Click to continue reading

Monday, January 28, 2013

Recipe for Asian Lettuce Cups (or wraps) with Spicy Ground Turkey Filling

Lettuce wraps or lettuce cups
Spicy Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps, perfect for Phase One!

(Before we end A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes I didn't want to forget this favorite recipe for spicy ground turkey lettuce wraps.  Not only are lettuce wraps a perfect fun dish for Phase One, but this lettuce wrap recipe in particular is a big favorite of quite a few people in my family.)

I vividly remember when I first had lettuce wraps, at a Chinese restaurant in Salt Lake where a friend named Mike was hip enough to order them even though they weren't on the menu. This was about 20 years ago; now lettuce wraps are somewhat mainstream, and made with lean ground turkey like this, they make a wonderfully South South Beach Diet friendly dinner option. This dish with spicy meat eaten inside pieces of lettuce can be called lettuce wraps or lettuce cups, but I like to pile up the lettuce cup with lots of filling rather than wrapping it, so I'm calling them lettuce cups.

Click to continue reading

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Vegetarian Recipe for Green Chile and Pinto Bean Layered Mexican Casserole

Vegetarian Green Chile and Pinto Bean Layered Mexican Casserole
This Vegetarian Green Chile and Pinto Bean Layered Mexican Casserole is a perfect Meatless Monday dish

This new recipe for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes is the firstborn child of my Green Chile Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef and Layered Mexican Casserole with Chicken (that are also Phase One), and once Jake and I had the idea of trying to create a vegetarian casserole with some of those same flavors, it took us three tries to get it right.  But this final version is a definite winner, with all the flavors that make bean and green chile burritos such a favorite of many people.  Even though casseroles aren't too photogenic, I love them for the way the flavors combine to make a sum that's greater than the parts, and a leftover casserole like this in the fridge is always a nice benefit.

Click to continue reading

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Recipe for Almond and Parmesan Baked Tilapia

Baked Tilapia with an Almond-Parmesan Crust
This Baked Tilapia with an Almond-Parmesan Crust is easy and delicious.

(We're nearing the end of A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and I wanted to be sure to share this delicious way to cook Tilapia.  I could easily eat this once a week, even if I wasn't doing phase one!)

For six years this tasty recipe for Almond and Parmesan Baked Tilapia was stuck back in the recipe archives without a photo.  When I finally got around to cooking it for photos, I remembered how this recipe produced some of the the best-tasting Tilapia I'd ever had.  When I told my nephew Jake that we were going to cook Tilapia, he was polite but told me he didn't really like it, but when we ate some with the homemade tartar sauce, Jake was completely amazed at how good it was.   The almond meal and finely grated Parmesan makes a crispy coating on the fish that's also gluten-free and South Beach Diet friendly, and I'm betting this recipe will be a hit with just about anyone who tries it.

Click to continue reading

Friday, January 25, 2013

Slow Cooker Recipe for Pork Sirloin Roast with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Spicy Peanut Sauce
A craving for peanut butter led to this recipe for Slow Cooker Pork Sirloin Roast with Spicy Peanut Sauce.

(When I realized I had completely ignored National Peanut Butter Day, I decided to feature this Slow Cooker Pork Sirloin Roast with Spicy Peanut Sauce for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and we can just enjoy our peanut butter fixation a day later.  Yum, peanut butter!  Just don't eat nuts for a snack on the day you make this if you're seriously doing Phase One.)

It's true that I never liked peanut butter sandwiches when I was a kid (and still don't) but I love recipes using peanut butter, especially if the recipe has a spicy Asian twist to it.  A few weeks ago I had a pork sirloin roast I wanted to cook, I had a lot of work to do so I thought about using the slow cooker, and I was craving peanut butter.  That combination of circumstances led to this recipe for Slow Cooker Pork Sirloin Roast with Spicy Peanut Sauce.  I enjoyed a couple of slices of the roast pork for dinner, and the next day I diced up some of the leftover meat and ate it inside lettuce leaves, and I thought it was great both ways.

Click to continue reading

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Recipe for Grain-Free Meatloaf with Tomatoes, Fennel, and Flax Seed (Phase One, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb)

Grain-Free Meatloaf with Tomatoes, Fennel, and Flax Seed
This healthy grain free meatloaf is Phase One, Gluten-Free, and Low-Carb!

(For today's post for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, I've updated the photos for this favorite meatloaf from 2007 that has lean ground beef, turkey Italian sausage, roasted tomatoes, and flax seed meal instead of bread crumbs instead to bind the meatloaf together.  This recipe makes two meatloaves, but it freezes well, and this delicious meatloaf will probably get gobbled up pretty quickly.)

I'm  fan of meatloaf, so when I set out to make a Phase One meatloaf recipe, I came up with the idea of using flaxseed meal instead of bread crumbs so the meatloaf would be grain free. Flax seeds are very rich in nutrients, and the oil is popular as a nutritional supplement. But flax seeds are more nutritious than merely the oil because besides omega-3 fatty acids, the seeds are rich in both kinds of fiber and they also contain a phytoestrogen called lignans. Of interest to South Beach Dieters, flax seed meal has equal amounts of carbohydrates and fiber, which means no net carbs. The amount of flax seed meal I used in this recipe seemed perfect to bind the meatloaf together, but you could certainly use more.

Click to continue reading

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Recipe for Broken Arm Breakfast Casserole with Cottage Cheese, Bacon, Feta, and Green Onions

Breakfast Casserole with Cottage Cheese, Bacon, Feta, and Green Onions
If you have a broken arm (or just want a smaller size) this is a delicious breakfast casserole!

It's now been two weeks since I slipped on my icy steps and landed flat on my back with a broken arm.   Before that I'd been doing well with my yearly return to Phase One of the South Beach Diet, but I confess the broken arm did trigger a few days of total comfort eating.  Then I got over it and decided I really DID want to get back on track.  I've been even more grateful than usual to have Jake to help with recipes I've been trying out for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, but there are also times I have to cook for myself if I want to stick to Phase One.

Click to continue reading

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Recipe for Crunchy Napa Cabbage Asian Slaw with Sugar Snap Peas, Radishes, Almonds (and Cilantro?)

Crunchy Napa Cabbage Asian Slaw with Sugar Snap Peas, Radishes, Almonds
Even though I made it on a day I was out of cilantro, I loved this Crunchy Napa Cabbage Asian Slaw!

(Today's pick for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes is this delicious Napa Cabbage Asian Slaw.  I've made this for several Denny family parties, and it's always been a hit!)

When I spotted this crunchy Napa Cabbage Asian Slaw recipe in The Sunset Cookbook, I knew I had Napa cabbage in the fridge, so I immediately started checking to see if I had the other ingredients.  I found sugar snap peas, radishes, green onions, sliced almonds, and all the dressing ingredients, but no cilantro.  It was cold outside and I didn't want to go to the store, so I thought I'd try making it without cilantro (gasp!) and all you cilantro-adverse people out there will be happy to hear that the salad was fantastic even without it.  Of course, cilantro lover that I am, I'd definitely add the cilantro if I had some on hand!

Click to continue reading

Monday, January 21, 2013

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Recipe with Lime and Melted Mozzarella

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken with Lime and Melted Mozzarella
Flavorful chicken is cooked in the slow cooker with salsa and lime, then it goes under the broiler with cheese!

This Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken with Lime and Melted Mozzarella is a new recipe for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and I'm pretty sure this four-ingredient recipe will become a favorite for lots of my readers who like flavorful dishes that use things you usually have in the house.  But if anyone is looking at the photo and thinking it doesn't look like a slow cooker dish, let me share how it took Jake and me three attempts to come up with this final version of the dish (which we thought was perfect.) 

Click to continue reading

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Chipotle and Black-Eyed Pea Soup with Double Cilantro (Vegetarian, can easily be made vegan)

A delightful and slightly spicy soup made with black-eyed peas.

(Today's choice for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes is this unusual and delicious soup made from black-eyed peas, herbs, and a touch of spicy ground Chipotle pepper.  You'd have to limit yourself to a small serving of this for Phase One, since the soup is mostly beans, so enjoy it with something like Vegan Tomato Salad with Cucumbers, Avocado, Cilantro, and Lime on the side.)

Mention eating black-eyed peas, and most people think of Hopping John, the southern U.S. dish that combines black-eyed peas, ham, and collard greens. If I hadn't made Hopping John Soup a few years ago, and realized how much I like the taste of black-eyed peas, I might not have tried making this soup. That would have been just sad, because I absolutely loved this recipe, (which I did change a tiny bit, mostly to indulge my love for extra lime and cilantro.)

Click to continue reading

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Sausage and Red Russian Kale Soup Recipe with Tomatoes, Chickpeas, and Herbs

Kale, Sausage, and Garbanzo Soup
Sausage and Red Russian Kale Soup with Tomatoes, Chickpeas, and Herbs will warm you up!

(Salt Lake is having a few weeks of below freezing temperatures, so a hearty and warming soup like this one seems perfect for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes.  I'm trying to stay upbeat about the broken arm, and some hot soup like this could really help!)

I first made this soup when it snowed in Salt Lake and I was home sick with that coughing thing teachers get each year from being around too many small people with germs. I didn't feel much like cooking, so I was very glad to have soup in the freezer that I'd made in August when my garden was overflowing with Red Russian Kale. In the soup I used Colosimo's Tuscan Sausage, made by a local Utah company, and also added some fresh herbs from my garden. There must be a thousand variations on soups like this with sausage, kale, and beans, but I thought this version was delicious.

Click to continue reading

Friday, January 18, 2013

Recipe for Shrimp Salad Cabbage Cups

Shrimp Salad Cabbage Cups
A treat for Phase One, inspired by the Denny family favorite Shrimp and Macaroni Salad.

Here's a brand new recipe for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and since I made this and photographed it with a broken arm, I think it's safe to say that it's a super-easy recipe.  Typing with a cast is definitely a challenge though, so this post may be a little shorter than usual!   Nearly everyone in my family loves the Shrimp and Macaroni Salad that inspired this recipe, and I loved this Phase One variation as well.  I know, some of you don't like cabbage.  I don't understand this aversion to cabbage at all, but you can certainly make lettuce cups if you prefer.

Click to continue reading

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Recipe for Mexican Baked Eggs with Black Beans, Tomatoes, Green Chiles, and Cilantro

Mexican Baked Eggs with Black Beans, Tomatoes, Green Chiles, and Cilantro
No one will think about dieting when you serve these Mexican Baked Eggs!

(Day two with a hard cast on my broken arm, and although I'm slow at doing everything I'm hoping I'll get better at typing within a few days so I can share some brand new recipes again.  Meanwhile, for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, here's one of my favorite Phase One breakfasts, first posted in 2009, and enjoyed many times since at my house!)

This dish started out as one of those recipe ideas that get stuck in my mind and simply don't go away until I've finally tried creating the recipe. For sure it was the Tuscan Baked Eggs I made last summer that got me thinking of eggs baked in tomato sauce but I have no idea what inspired me to try simmering the tomatoes with black beans and spicy green chiles. It turned out to be a keeper though (and not all my spontaneous recipes are a success, so I'm happy when they are!)

Click to continue reading

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Recipe for "Breaded" Pork Chops with Mustard Sauce (Gluten-Free)

"Breaded Pork Chops with Mustard Cream Sauce
Breaded Pork Chops with Mustard Cream Sauce are great for Phase One

(Today I got the hard cast on my broken arm, and it's going to be very slow typing for a while.  Luckily I have good things from the past that I can feature for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, like these "breaded" pork chops that are really delicious!)

This version of pork chops that are "breaded" with almond meal is a recipe I first posted back in 2005, and it's a favorite of my niece Kara, her husband Tim, and their adorable kids Cooper, Sophie, and Quinn.  (Hi guys!)  When Kara told me a while ago how much her family liked these pork chops, I realized that the photo I'd taken with my very first point-and-shoot digital camera really did need to be updated, and when I made these again recently with Jake, I remembered how good they are!  The almond meal used for the breading here adds a delicious layer of flavor, and also makes this recipe gluten-free as well as very low on the glycemic index.  I'd say this recipe is a winner in lots of ways!

Click to continue reading

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Recipe for Ottolenghi's Perfect Lettuce Salad with Radicchio, Radishes, Tomatoes, and Capers

Ottolenghi's Perfect Lettuce Salad with Radicchio, Radishes, Tomatoes, and Capers
This salad by London's Yotam Ottolenghi has the perfect combination of flavors.

(To continue on with A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, this perfectly brilliant combination of flavors in a side salad by Ottolenghi. Any time you're doing Phase One and cooking for guests, this interesting salad combination is sure to impress!)

Yotam Ottolenghi is a brilliantly creative London food personality who's famous for his simple-but-profound flavor combinations.   I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered Ottolenghi: The Cookbook a few years ago, but I was captivated by his food.  Then after waiting months while it was on back-order, I recently got his second book, Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London's Ottolenghi.   Within minutes of opening the book, I knew I wanted to make this salad.

Click to continue reading

Monday, January 14, 2013

Twenty Favorite Slow Cooker (CrockPot) Recipes to Enjoy, Suitable for The South Beach Diet Phase One! (Low-Carb, Gluten-Free)

20 Slow Cooker (CrockPot) Recipes for Phase One South Beach Diet
The Slow Cooker can really help with Phase One, and here are 20 Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes!

I can tell by my daily stats that there are a lot of you following along with A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and something I think makes Phase One much easier is when recipes make enough for leftovers.  That's one of the reasons I love slow cooker recipes, and when I'm doing Phase One I'll definitely be making food in the CrockPot each weekend to eat during the week.   I thought it might be helpful if I shared a round-up of my favorite slow cooker recipes that work for Phase One.

Click to continue reading

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Recipe for Stir-Fried Marinated Tofu and Mushrooms

Stir-Fried Marinated Tofu and Mushrooms
If you limit the serving size, you can eat this Stir-Fried Marinated Tofu and Mushrooms for Phase One.

We're chugging along with A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and for anyone who likes tofu this delicious Stir-Fried and Marinated Tofu with Mushrooms is something you can enjoy for Phase One if you have a moderate serving with the rest of the plate filled with something like World's Easiest Garlicky Green Beans Stir Fry that's not limited in serving size.  This recipe calls for marinating the tofu  before frying it in the hot wok, a technique which makes the tofu slightly softer than a recipe like this one where the tofu is pressed and then fried.  If you like firmer chewy tofu, you could skip the marinating step.

Click to continue reading

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Slow Cooker Bavarian Pork Sirloin Tip Roast with Sour Cream Gravy

Slow Cooker Bavarian Pork Sirloin Tip Roast with Sour Cream Gravy
An ultra lean pork sirloin tip roast gets tender and flavorful in the slow cooker.

Even though I've been adding photos and re-doing posts on the blog for years now, there are still a few recipes hanging out in the archives without a photo, and when I spotted this Slow Cooker Bavarian Pork Sirloin Tip Roast with Sour Cream Gravy, I remembered how good it had been and added pork roast to my shopping list.  This would make a perfect dinner for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, maybe served with something like Twice-Baked Cauliflower and a nice green salad.  The ingredient that makes this "Bavarian" pork roast is the use of caraway seeds, and if you're not sure how much you like that flavor (or you're cooking for kids), you might want to reduce the amount of this strongly-flavored spice.

Click to continue reading

Friday, January 11, 2013

Recipe for Chicken, Black Bean, and Cilantro Soup

Chicken, Black Bean, and Cilantro Soup
This tasty Chicken, Black Bean and Cilantro Soup is great for Phase One.

(Salt Lake has gotten about 24 inches of snow in the last 24 hours, and I could use some comfort food, so this delicious Chicken, Black Bean, and Cilantro Soup sounds perfect for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes. This is a quick and easy recipe, especially if you have some leftover rotisserie chicken in the fridge.)

If you're a regular reader you know I'm constantly going through the archives of the blog and updating old posts with new photos.  And if you want to see how much this recipe for Chicken, Black Bean, and Cilantro Soup needed a photo make-over, just look below at the original photo, with soup spilled all over the edge of the bowl! I'm still not the greatest photographer, but I'm leaving that photo here as proof that my photos are certainly  improving.

Click to continue reading

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Recipe for Broccoli, Ham, and Mozzarella Baked with Eggs

Broccoli, Ham, and Mozzarella baked with eggs.
Lots of broccoli with a little ham and low-fat mozzarella, baked with eggs.  Delish!

If you're trying Phase One for the new year how's it going for you?  So far Phase One is going well for me, but I'm now an official member of the Two-Finger Typing Club, due to a bad fall on the icy steps of my house, which resulted in a broken arm (ugh!)  So if things are not quite as efficient around here as usual, you'll know why.  However, I'm determined that A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes is going to go on.  I think trying to eat vegetables with every meal is one of the best diet tips ever, and I enjoyed some of this delicious Broccoli, Ham, and Mozarella Egg Bake for breakfast today.  I've made this twice, once in a flatter version and then again in the one in these photos which has a bit more broccoli, ham, and egg. I'll give a range in the recipe so you can decide which version you want.

Click to continue reading

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Recipe for Ground Chicken (or Turkey) and Chickpea Curry Stew with Yogurt and Cilantro

Chicken and Chickpea Curry Stew with Yogurt and Cilantro
A tasty Phase One stew with ground turkey!

(Things were going along smoothly for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and then today I fell on the icy steps and broke my arm.  Ugh.  I'm going to try to corral my cooking assistant/nephew Jake to type posts for me, but if you don't see a post every day you'll know why!    For now, here's a tasty Phase One Stew with ground turkey and chickpeas.)

This flavorful stew with ground chicken or turkey, chickpeas, tomatoes, yogurt, and curry powder was one of those recipes that end up tasting a lot better than they look, and I thought this was a delicious quick dinner option. I spotted the recipe for Chicken Chickpea Curry Bowls on Everything Rachel Ray, but I skipped the rice and served it as a stew. I did change the preparation method a little, simmering the meat, chickpeas, tomatoes, and curry powder for a few minutes before I stirred in the yogurt.

Click to continue reading

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Spicy Green Chile Mexican Casserole Recipe with Ground Beef, Black Beans, and Tomatoes

Spicy Green Chile Mexican Casserole
Having this Spicy Green Chile Mexican Casserole in the fridge can really help you with Phase One!

This Spicy Green Chile Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef, Black Beans, and Tomatoes is a new recipe for our A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes.  I'm a card-carrying member of The Casserole Fan Club, partly because casseroles usually mean leftovers in the fridge for easy meals later in the week.  And although lots of my Casserole Recipes contain rice, quinoa, or pasta, for the last few years I've been working on more casserole recipe ideas that will work for Phase One.  This recipe was definitely inspired by the Layered Mexican Casserole with Chicken, Green Chiles, Pinto Beans, and Cheese, but if you've tried that one I think you will find this recipe is quite different.  I do warn you that this casserole is definitely spicier, which is one reason it tastes so great with a dollop of low-fat sour cream, but if you're cooking for a family I'll share how to tone down the heat.

Click to continue reading

Monday, January 7, 2013

Recipe for Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms, Balsamic, and Parmesan

Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms
Roasting brings out amazing flavors in fresh green beans and mushrooms!

(Todays pick for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes is these delicious Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms, Balsamic, and Parmesan.  You might think of green beans as a summertime vegetable, but I first made these in January 2009, and since then this has become the most-pinned recipe from my blog on Pinterest.   Apparently a lot of people like green beans!  And these beans are so delicious, you won't even think about Phase One while you're eating them.)

Back in the days when most of my exposure to green beans meant the ones that came from a can, I wasn't too much of a green bean fan. Then Costco started carrying these lovely thin French beans, and I fell in love with green beans. They're expensive compared to most vegetables, so this is definitely something to make for a special dinner at my house, although the day I roasted the beans for this recipe I ate a big plate of green beans for lunch!

Click to continue reading

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Slow Cooker Recipe for Vegetarian Greek Lentil Soup with Tomatoes, Spinach, and Feta

Slow Cooker Greek Lentil Soup
Delicious vegetarian lentil soup with Greek flavors and a sprinkling of Feta!

How about an ultra-tasty lentil soup for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes?  I've been a lover of lentils for quite a few years now so there are many variations of Lentil Soup on my blog, but when I spotted a recipe for Greek Lentils with spinach and Feta in the American Heart Association Healthy Slow Cooker Cookbook, I couldn't resist turning it into a soup.  And since lentils are a limited food for Phase One, I added other ingredients like celery, tomatoes, and lots of stock so I could have a larger serving.  This slow cooker recipe starts with just lentils, chopped celery and onion, garlic, vegetable or chicken stock, canned tomatoes, and spices, and if you chop the vegetables the night before it's easy to throw in the slow cooker in the morning and let it cook all day.  When you get home, add chopped spinach to the soup with some lemon juice and cook a bit longer, then scoop into bowls, add Feta, and you have a tummy-warming soup for dinner.   I've never used Feta as a soup topper before, but I loved how it added a vibrant burst of flavor. 

Click to continue reading

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Recipe for Wake-Up-Your-Mouth Thai Cucumber Salad

Thai Cucumber Salad
This Phase One Thai Cucumber Salad is perfect as a side dish for any main dish with Asian flavors.

(For A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, this cucumber salad with slightly spicy Thai flavors is something I'd never get tired of eating, and when I'm doing Phase One I'd especially enjoy a light salad like this with lots of flavor.  The salad has mint, which could be replaced with cilantro or even extra green onions if you prefer.)

I'm a huge fan of Thai Cuisine, known for dishes that contain a balance of spicy, sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and savory (or Umami) flavors. I love how the many flavors work together so well in this cucumber salad with a spicy Thai-inspired dressing, even if some of the ingredients I've used are not authentically Thai. This light cucumber salad is a perfect side dish for grilled meat, seafood, or tofu, but I probably eat this most often as a quick main-dish salad for a very flavorful summer lunch.

Click to continue reading

Friday, January 4, 2013

Slow Cooker Recipe for Cabbage Soup with Tomatoes, Chicken-Garlic Sausage, and Parmesan

Slow Cooker Cabbage Sausage Soup Recipe
Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup with lots of flavor from Tomatoes, Chicken-Garlic Sausage, and Parmesan.

Next up for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes is this delicious Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup.  I hope no one has flashbacks of The Cabbage Soup Diet when they hear the name of the recipe, because this soup is a perfect South Beach Diet Phase One recipe, but you won't think about being on a diet when you're eating it.  My cabbage soup is loaded with flavor from tomatoes, beef stock, seasonings, and Chicken-Garlic sausage, and it gets even better if you top it with a spoonful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.  And best of all, if you do a little chopping the night before, this is one of those "throw in the slow cooker and cook all day" kinds of recipes that so many people love.  When you get home, just brown the sausage, add to the soup and cook on high for 30-45 minutes more, and dinner is ready!

Click to continue reading

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Recipe for Chicken and Shredded Cabbage Salad with Mustard and Celery Seed

Chicken Cabbage Salad
This Chicken and Shredded Cabbage Salad is so good you might forget it's Phase One.

(We're celebrating the new year with A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and this Chicken and Shredded Cabbage Salad with Mustard and Celery Seeds from 2009 is something I could eat for lunch or dinner without even thinking about Phase One.)
  
If you come to my house and peer into the veggie crisper, you'd find green and red cabbage in there at least 90% of the time. I love the taste of raw cabbage, and this type of cabbage salad is something I never get tired of eating. How handy that cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, and therefore deemed one of the world's healthiest foods! Chicken and cabbage salad is also a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken if you're like me and just have to buy those roasted chickens at Costco. The celery seeds in this are something my mother always put in coleslaw, and I always think of her whenever I use them. They're possibly an ingredient that not everyone has in the spice rack, but they're not expensive, and I think they add a lot to this type of salad.

Click to continue reading

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Recipe for Chicken-Garlic Sausage, Kale, and Mozzarella Egg Bake

Chicken Sausage, Kale, and Mozzarella Baked with eggs.
Low-Fat Chicken-Garlic Sausage, Kale, Mozzarella, and just enough egg to hold it together!

This new Chicken-Garlic Sausage, Kale, and Mozzarella Egg Bake is on the menu today for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and starting the day out with a hearty breakfast like this is one guaranteed to make Phase One a little easier.  For years I've been making South Beach Diet Friendly Breakfast Casseroles or Egg Muffins for breakfast, but for about six months now I've been liking "Egg Bakes" where there is proportionally more veggies, meat, and cheese, with just enough egg to hold it together.  This recipe uses the Sabatino Chicken-Garlic Sausage that I've been raving about lately, and it was a delicious combination with the kale and mozzarella.

Click to continue reading

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Recipe for Leftover Roast Beef Italian Stew


Leftover Roast Beef Stew
A delicious stew with no potatoes or carrots, perfectly satisfying for Phase One!

(For January I'm sharing A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and this stew from the very early days of my blog is a perfect example of how recipes can be adapted to make them suitable for Phase One.  This is the first recipe for January 2013, but eventually you can use that link above to find all the recipes, and you may also want to check A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes 2012.)

Starting Phase One will be easier if you follow a mental process of thinking about all the really good foods you can still eat, and plan recipes or menus around those foods.  This delicious Leftover Roast Beef Italy Stew is a perfect example, and with all the flavor from green pepper, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, oregano, and basil, you wont' miss the potatoes or carrots in this stew.  The recipe is something I created when I had leftover roast beef and remembered something I saw in a magazine at my brother Rand's house. At the time I was a brand new blogger, and didn't write down the source for the inspiring recipe. I do like pot roast, but I don't much like roast beef sandwiches, so this seemed like a perfect way to turn leftover roast beef into something special.

Click to continue reading

South Beach Diet Phase One Recipes Round-Up for December 2012 (Low-Glycemic Recipes)

A Delicious Assortment of South Beach Diet Phase One Recipe Ideas from December 2012.  (Photos above from Kalyn's Kitchen, Cookin' Canuck, Simply Recipes, and The Perfect Pantry.)

Everyone who is raring to go and ready to start Phase One today, raise your hand.  (Kalyn's hand is raised high in the air.)  I knew it was time for Phase One when I looked back at my folder of recipes I'd found during December for this Round-Up and saw how few Phase One Recipes I made myself  during the month!  But what may be lacking in quantity is more than made up in quality in this Round-Up.  And if you're starting Phase One today and looking for ideas, there is always the Phase One Recipe Index or the Index Page for the Monthly Phase One Recipe Round-Ups to look through.   And just like last year, I'll be featuring Daily Phase One Recipes all during January to help you keep on track.  (You can also use the label Low-Glycemic Recipe Round-Ups to see all the posts like this one.)  Now, let's see the delicious recipes I found in December.

Click to continue reading