[kddani]

Recently started South Beach, here's some of my favorites so far:

Spaghetti Squash with Alfredo Sauce VERY LOW FAT and NO CARBS!
You can add chicken or shrimp and whatever vegetables you'd like. I added shrimp- I buy a big bag of them pre-frozen, awesome because you can just take out however many you need, thaw them, and throw 'em in.

Spaghetti Squash- cut in half (cutting it is a beotch, need a big knife and a strong arm). Scrape out the seeds and pulp. Put both halves face down in a microwave safe dish (I used a pyrex baking dish) with 1/4 inch of water. Poke some holes in the rind. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 13-15 minutes.
When it's done, just get a fork and scrape out the squash, it comes out in strands.

Sauce:
1 8 oz fat free cream cheese
1 stick of fat-free I Can't Believe it's Not Butter
1/2 cup milk (I use skim)
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste (I should've added more, I LOVE garlic- might also saute some garlic first before making the sauce)

Throw all the sauce ingredients in, stir constantly until everything melts. Spoon over the squash and whatever else you want to throw in.

The sauce is pretty rich, it's a low-fat version of Olive Garden's recipe. It's amazing how rich it is with the only real fat being from the parm.
I've had the spaghetti squash with red sauce before and didn't really like it, the textures together didn't do it for me.

This recipe is Phase 1 of SB approved, as is the rest:


Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup all natural peanut butter
1 cup granulated Splenda
1 egg
vanilla to taste

Mix it all up, drop onto cookie sheet- make sure to flatten with your fork (can dip fork in Splenda if you'd like), bake at 325 for 10-12 minutes. They're kinda crumbly, but good. Keeping in the fridge helps, some people also freeze them.
Other versions: some people put in 1/4 cup ricotta and 3/4 cup PB to give it a more chewy texture (I haven't tried this yet, not sure how they turn out), others put in some cocoa to have a chocolate flavor)

Peanut Butter Fudge Cream
Not it's official name, but I don't know what to call it.
As most SB dieters know, Fudgesicle fat free no sugar added fudgsicles are awesome!
1 of those fudgesicles- let melt somewhat, can nuke for a few secs
1 tbs natural PB
1 tbs lt cool whip
Mix it up, put in fridge or freezer for awhile, consume. Yummy

Mock French Toast
Made these this morning, not bad, taste more like sweet eggs, lol.
1 cup part skim ricotta
2 eggs
2 packets of Splenda
cinnamon
nutmeg, if you like it.
Blend in blender- helps break down the grittiness of the ricotta. Cook over medium to low heat in a non stick pan. Takes awhile, don't turn it (pour like pancakes) until it looks a little dryish on top.


Cheese Crisps
Get your favorite low fat cheese- cheddar is the best, can also use mozarella or freshly grated parmesan.
Some people make it in the microwave- if you do this, use parchment paper or else they'll stick.
Or I put it in the oven- 350 and used a silpat on a cookie sheet (this is the BEST option, comes right off). Cook until bubbly and browning at the edges- less if you want something chewy, more if you want more crispy.
Great snack, the cheddar tastes a lot like cheese nips