Authors: Carrie S. Forbes
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 12
Wide ends of 6 celery stalks, cut in half
5 ounces Brie cheese, softened
2 tablespoons capers
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted
Per Serving: Calories: 66 | Fat: 6 g | Protein: 3 g | Protein: 3 g | Sodium: 131 mg | Carbohydrates: 1 g | Sugar: 0.5 g | GI: Low
This cold green bean appetizer is a delicious and healthful start to your meal. Fresh dill has a wonderful aroma and adds the finishing touch to this dish.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
2 cups canned green beans, drained
1 cup canned yellow beans, drained
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1
⁄
2
teaspoon dill
2 tablespoons minced onion
Green beans are not always green. They can be yellow and even purple. Green beans of all colors are rich in vitamins A and C. Despite the different appearance, yellow green beans taste the same as their green counterparts.
Per Serving: Calories: 28 | Fat: 0 g | Protein: 2 g | Protein: 10 g | Sodium: 12 mg | Carbohydrates: 6 g | Sugar: 6 g | GI: Very low
Figs are the fruit of gods and goddesses. Enjoy them!
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 6
1 pound carrots
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
3 fresh figs
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon capers
Per Serving: Calories: 93 | Fat: 2.5 g | Protein: 1.5 g | Sodium: 94 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Carbohydrate: 18 g | Sugar: 11 g | GI: Moderate
This simple bean salad is enough to feed a small crowd at a potluck or picnic. Serve with grilled meat hot off the barbecue and a fresh green salad.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 8
1 pound black-eyed peas
1
1
⁄
2
cups Italian Dressing (see recipe in
Chapter 2
)
1 cup white corn
2 cups diced red bell peppers
1
1
⁄
2
cups diced onion
1 cup finely chopped green onions
1
⁄
2
cup finely chopped jalapeño peppers
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
Salt and Tabasco, to taste
If you need to speed up the prep time, substitute 2 (12-ounce) cans of black-eyed peas for 1 pound of dried peas and use your favorite bottled salad dressing. The final result will turn out just as well.
Per Serving: Calories: 224 | Fat: 13 g | Protein: 3 g | Sodium: 939 mg | Fiber: 8 g | Carbohydrates: 25 g | Sugar: 11 g | GI: Low
Highly nutritious and full of vitamins and fiber, this salad is ideal for breakfast or as a side. Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”) is a seed that can be used much like a grain and has a texture very similar to couscous.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 6
4 cups water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup quinoa
1 cup French Dressing (see
Chapter 2
)
2 cups peeled and diced jicama
1 green apple, peeled, cored, and diced
1
⁄
2
pound small seedless red grapes
2 cups mixed baby greens
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Jicama, also known as a Mexican turnip, is a lumpy root vegetable with a unique and versatile taste. The jicama’s peel is inedible, but like a potato, it can be fried, baked, boiled, steamed, or mashed—or eaten raw. Try it as a vehicle for guacamole or use its mild flavor and crunchy texture in fruit salad.
Per Serving: Calories: 256 | Fat: 11 g | Protein: 5 g | Sodium: 579 mg | Fiber: 4.5 g | Carbohydrates: 35 g | Sugar: 12 g | GI: Low
In some parts of Italy, polenta is used more than pasta! It is simply cornmeal cooked in boiling water until soft and fluffy like mashed potatoes. When polenta is cooled, it stiffens up, making it useful for frying or grilling. This classic can be used instead of pasta or potatoes. Serve as a base for stews, veggies, or pasta sauces.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
3
1
⁄
2
cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup coarsely ground yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon butter or heart-healthy margarine
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or fontina cheese
Pepper, to taste
Parsley for garnish
Per Serving: Calories: 68 | Fat: 4 g | Protein: 2 g | Sodium: 813 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Carbohydrates: 6 g | Sugar: 3 g | GI: Moderate
This side dish or snack is a great fall dish. It smells amazing and will give you the carbohydrate boost your glycogen storage needs.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
3 cups cubed butternut squash
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Per Serving: Calories: 93 | Fat: 0 g | Protein: 1 g | Sodium: 7 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Carbohydrate: 24 g | Sugar: 12 g | GI: Moderate
Dress up your everyday green beans with toasted pine nuts, crispy prosciutto, and fresh sage.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 6
2 pounds green beans, trimmed
2 ounces prosciutto or bacon, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons fresh sage, minced
1
⁄
4
teaspoon salt, divided
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1
⁄
4
cup pine nuts, toasted
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Place nuts or seeds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat and cook for 3–5 minutes. Nuts will have a nutty scent and will be slightly browned.
Per Serving: Calories: 99 | Fat: 5 g | Protein: 5 g | Sodium: 449 mg | Fiber: 5 g | Carbohydrates: 10 g | Sugar: 3 g | GI: Low
This is a classic French dish of stewed vegetables, often including tomatoes and eggplant, served as an appetizer or side dish. Serving it over beans makes it a bit heartier and very satisfying.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 2
1
⁄
4
cup olive oil
2 baby eggplants, chopped
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small zucchini, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon dried parsley; if fresh, 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon dried thyme, if fresh, 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, if fresh, 1 tablespoon
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 (13-ounce) can white beans, drained and rinsed
Ratatouille is a versatile vegetable stew that can be served hot (either alone or as a side dish), at room temperature, or even cold as an appetizer on toast or crackers.
Per Serving: Calories: 409 | Fat: 16 g | Protein: 24 g | Sodium: 1,642 mg | Fiber: 31 g | Carbohydrates: 59 g | Sugar: 23 g | GI: Very low
Broccoli rabe is somewhat bitter and has a real snap to its flavor. It is wonderful when poached in boiling water and then sautéed in oil with a bit of garlic and lemon juice. Serve this recipe over rice or pasta, or on its own.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
1 quart water
1 teaspoon salt
1
⁄
2
cup loosely packed broccoli rabe, ends trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons Parmesan
Per Serving: Calories: 81 | Fat: 8 g | Protein: 2 g | Sodium: 1238 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Carbohydrates: 2 g | Sugar: 0 g | GI: Zero
This is a wonderful side dish and is very filling.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
2 cups wild rice, cooked to package directions
2 shallots
1 tart apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
1
⁄
4
cup olive oil
1
⁄
2
cup walnuts, toasted
Salt and pepper, to taste
While the rice is cooking, sauté the shallots and apple in the olive oil in a medium frying pan on medium for 5 minutes. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and serve immediately.
Per Serving: Calories: 417 | Fat: 32 g | Protein: 8 g | Sodium: 347 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Carbohydrates: 31 g | Sugar: 5 g | GI: Very low
This is a simple, delicious meal that can be made early and thrown in the oven 30 minutes before dinner.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 2
2 large bell peppers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1
⁄
4
medium red onion, peeled and minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1
1
⁄
2
cups black beans, drained and well rinsed
1 small tomato
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
1
⁄
4
cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
Per Serving: Calories: 420 | Fat: 20 g | Protein: 18 g | Sodium: 1,548 mg | Fiber: 13 g | Carbohydrates: 45 g | Sugar: 9 g | GI: Moderate