Part 6 (1/2)

Saganaki If you've never tried the Greek cheese Ka.s.seri, you're in for a treat. This dish is fantastically delicious, and it has a dramatic, fiery presentation to boot.

pound (115 g) Ka.s.seri, in a slab inch (1.3 cm) thick 1 egg, beaten 2 to 3 tablespoons (16 to 24 g) rice protein powder, (10 to 15 g) soy powder, or (14 to 21 g) low-carb bake mix Olive oil 1 shot (1 ounces, or 42 ml) brandy lemon Dip the slab of cheese in the beaten egg, then in the protein powder, coating it all over.

Heat inch (65 cm) of olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the cheese.

Fry until golden and crisp on both sides, turning only once. Remove from the pan and put on a fire-proof plate.

Pour the brandy evenly over the hot cheese, strike a match, and light the brandy on fire. It is traditional to shout ”Opa!” at this moment.

Squeeze the lemon over the flaming cheese, putting out the fire. Divide in half and scarf it down!

Yield: 2 servings 2 servings Each with 3 grams of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and 17 grams of protein.

Southwestern Saganaki This is a yummy twist on the traditional Saganaki and a perfect starter for a fiery Mexican dinner for two.

pound (115 g) pepper Jack cheese, in a slab inch (1.3 cm) thick 1 egg, beaten 2 to 3 tablespoons (16 to 24 g) rice protein powder, (10 to 15 g) soy powder, or (14 to 21 g) low-carb bake mix Olive oil 1 shot (1 ounces, or 42 ml) tequila lime Dip the slab of cheese in the beaten egg, then in the protein powder, coating it all over.

Heat inch (65 cm) of olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the cheese.

Fry until golden and crisp on both sides, turning only once. Remove from the pan and put on a fire-proof plate.

Pour the tequila evenly over the hot cheese, strike a match, and light the tequila on fire.

Squeeze the lime over the flaming cheese, putting out the fire.

Yield: 2 servings 2 servings Each with 3 grams of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and 17 grams of protein.

Cheese Cookies This recipe requires a food processor, so if you only have a tiny one, cut the recipe in half. Despite the name, these are not sweet; they're more like cheese crackers.

pound (225 g) processed American loaf cheese, like Velveeta (Store brand works fine.) pound (225 g) sharp cheddar cheese pound (115 g) b.u.t.ter 1 cup (80 g) soy powder About 6 dozen pecan or walnut halves (optional) Preheat the oven to 400F (200C, or gas mark 6).

Cut the loaf cheese, cheddar, and b.u.t.ter into chunks.

Put the cheese chunks, b.u.t.ter, and soy powder in the food processor and pulse until the dough is well combined.

Coat a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the cookie sheet and press half a pecan or walnut in the top of each one (if using).

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cookies are just getting brown around the edges.

Yield: This will depend on how big you make your cookies. I make mine small and get 6 dozen. This will depend on how big you make your cookies. I make mine small and get 6 dozen.

Each with 1 gram of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and 2 grams of protein.

Antipasto This easy dish makes a nice light summer supper. Use some or all of the ingredients listed here, adjusting quant.i.ties as necessary.

Wedges of cantaloupe Salami Boiled ham Pepperoncini (mildly hot salad peppers, available in jars near the pickles and olives) Halved or quartered hard-boiled eggs Marinated mushrooms Black and green olives (Get the good ones.) Strips of canned pimento Solid-pack white tuna, drizzled with olive oil Sardines Marinated artichoke hearts (available in cans) Simply arrange some or all of these things decoratively on a platter, put out a stack of small plates and some forks, and dinner is served.

Yield: Varies with your taste and needs, but here are the basic nutritional breakdowns for the items on your antipasto platter: Varies with your taste and needs, but here are the basic nutritional breakdowns for the items on your antipasto platter: Cantaloupe,[image] of a small melon: 4.5 grams of carbohydrates and 0.5 grams of fiber, for a total of 4 grams of usable carbs and 0.5 grams of protein of a small melon: 4.5 grams of carbohydrates and 0.5 grams of fiber, for a total of 4 grams of usable carbs and 0.5 grams of protein Salami, 1 average slice: 0.5 grams of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and 3 grams of protein Boiled ham, 1 average slice: a trace of carbohydrates, no fiber, and 3.5 grams of protein Pepperoncini, 1 average piece: 0.5 grams of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and no protein Hard-boiled eggs, : 0.3 grams of carbohydrates, no fiber, and 3 grams of protein Marinated mushrooms, 1 average piece: 1 gram of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and no protein Black olives, 1 large: 0.5 grams of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and no protein Green olives, 1 large: a trace of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and no protein Pimento, 1 slice: a trace of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and no protein Tuna, 3 ounces: no carbohydrates, no fiber, and 22 grams of protein Sardines, 2 average: no carbohydrates, no fiber, and 5 grams of protein (not to mention 91 milligrams of calcium) Artichoke hearts, 2 quarters: 2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and no protein Pickled Shrimp This recipe will feed a crowd, so make it when you have plenty of people to share with.

6 cups (1.4 L) water cup (60 ml) dry sherry teaspoon peppercorns 1 bay leaf 6 teaspoons (36 g) salt, divided 3 pounds (1.4 kg) raw shrimp, sh.e.l.led and deveined 1 cup (240 ml) oil [image]cup (160 ml) lemon juice cup (120 ml) white vinegar 3 tablespoons (20 g) mixed pickling spice 2 teaspoons Splenda 2 sprigs fresh dill, coa.r.s.ely chopped In a large saucepan over high heat, bring the water, sherry, peppercorns, bay leaf, and 2 teaspoons (12 g) of salt to a boil.

Add the shrimp and bring back to a boil. Cook 1 minute longer and drain.

In a large bowl, combine the oil, lemon juice, vinegar, pickling spice, Splenda, dill, and the remaining 4 teaspoons (24 g) of salt. Add the shrimp and toss with this pickling mixture.

Cover the bowl and chill it and the platter you will serve the shrimp on in the refrigerator overnight.

To serve, drain off and discard the marinade and arrange the shrimp on the platter. Garnish with additional dill, if desired.

Yield: This is enough for a party of a few dozen people, but the carb count will differ according to how big your shrimp are, of course! Figure 24 servings. This is enough for a party of a few dozen people, but the carb count will differ according to how big your shrimp are, of course! Figure 24 servings.

Each with less than 1 gram of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and 12 grams of protein.

If it's going to be a long party, it's a good idea to set the platter or bowl on a bed of crushed ice in another container to keep the shrimp cold.

Easy Party Shrimp How easy is this? Yet your guests will devour it. If you can't find the crab boil spices in the spice aisle at your grocery store, ask the fish guys. They should know where it is.

1 envelope (3 ounces, or 85 g) crab boil spices 12 ounces (360 ml) light beer 1 tablespoon (18 g) salt or Vege-Sal 4 pounds (2 kg) easy-peel shrimp or frozen shrimp, unthawed Drop the crab boil spice net bag in your slow cooker and pour in the beer. Add the salt or Vege-Sal and stir. Add the shrimp. Add just enough water to bring the liquid level up to the top of the shrimp. Cover the slow cooker, set it to high, and let it cook for 1 to 2 hours or until the shrimp are pink through. Set the pot to low.

Serve the shrimp straight from the slow cooker with low-carb c.o.c.ktail sauce, lemon b.u.t.ter, or mustard and mayo stirred together, for dipping. Or heck, serve all three. This is enough shrimp for a good-sized party, at least 15 or 20 people, if you're serving it as an appetizer/party snack.

Yield: 20 servings 20 servings Each with 18 g protein, 1 g carbohydrate, 0 g dietary fiber, 1 g usable carbs. (a.n.a.lysis does not include any dipping sauces.) Crab and Bacon Bundles This quick, hot appetizer will impress your guests.

1 can (6 ounces, or 170 g) crab, drained 1 scallion, finely minced pound (225 g) bacon Duck Sauce (page 465) Preheat the broiler.

Flake the crab, removing any bits of sh.e.l.l or cartilage. Stir in the minced scallion and set aside.

Cut all your bacon strips in half crosswise to make two shorter strips. Place a rounded teaspoon or so of the crab mixture on the end of a bacon strip and roll the strip up around it, stretching the bacon slightly as you go. Pierce the bundle with a toothpick to hold. Repeat until all the crab and bacon strips are used up.

Broil about 8 inches (20 cm) from heat, turning once or twice, until the bacon is crisp-no more than 10 minutes. Serve with Duck Sauce for dipping.

Yield: About 2 dozen servings About 2 dozen servings Each with only a trace of carbohydrates, a trace of fiber, and 4 grams of protein. (a.n.a.lysis does not include Duck Sauce.) c.o.c.ktail Ham Tartlets These hot appetizers are a throwback to the 1960s, but they're darned tasty.

Pie Crust (page 520) 2 cans deviled ham, one the 4.25-ounce (120 g) size, the other the 2.25-ounce (60 g) size cup (180 g) Simple No-Sugar Pickle Relish (page 497) 2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard Make your pie crust first, but don't pat it into a pie pan. Instead, you're going to use two 12-cup m.u.f.fin tins. Spray them with nonstick cooking spray, nip off 1-inch (2.5-cm) b.a.l.l.s of dough with your fingers, and press each one evenly over the bottom of a m.u.f.fin cup.

Now, preheat your oven to 375F (190C, or gas mark 5). Mix together all the remaining ingredients and spoon about a teaspoon of the mixture into each m.u.f.fin cup, spreading it with the back of the spoon.

Bake your c.o.c.ktail Ham Tartlets for about 20 minutes and then let them cool just a bit before using the rounded tip of a b.u.t.ter knife to loosen each one and lift it out to a serving plate. Serve warm.

Yield: 24 servings 24 servings Each with 6 g protein; 2 g carbohydrate; trace dietary fiber; 2 g usable carbs.

Cranberry Barbecue Meatb.a.l.l.s Boring old ground turkey does a Cinderella turn and comes to the party in this dis.h.!.+

2 pounds (1 kg) ground turkey 2 eggs 4 scallions, minced 2 tablespoons (28 ml) soy sauce teaspoon orange extract teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon Splenda cup (60 ml) oil 1 cup (240 ml) low-carb barbecue sauce (your choice from the Sauces and Seasonings chapter, or purchased) 1 cup (110 g) cranberries (These are strictly seasonal, but they freeze well.) cup (6 g) Splenda In a big mixing bowl, combine the turkey, eggs, and scallions.

In another bowl, mix together the soy sauce, orange extract, pepper, and 1 teaspoon Splenda and pour into the bowl with the turkey. Now use clean hands to smoosh it all together until it's very well blended. Make 1-inch (2.5-cm) meatb.a.l.l.s from the mixture.