side dish | Musings of a Minister's Wife

Hands down, this is my husband’s favorite meal. And it’s healthy. He enjoyed the various textures and temperatures of this dish.

Buffalo Chicken

8 boneless skinless chicken breasts (can use thighs—keep in mind that in recipe land “1 breast” is usually about 4 ounces. So sometimes one chicken breast is actually two. Just cut it in half length-wise down the side. )
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 ounces cream cheese , softened
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup frank’s hot sauce (we don’t have Frank’s here so I used Louisiana Hot Sauce)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Here is the original recipe. The only thing I changed was the way I cooked it. Instead of baking it, I used my electric skillet. Worked out great!

Preheat electric skillet to 350°F.
Season chicken with salt and pepper.
Sauté in oil til browned.
Beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until very smooth, then beat in Ranch dressing and hot sauce. (This is the only way to avoid small lumps of cream cheese). Stir in shredded cheese.
Spread over chicken.
Cook chicken at 350°F for approximately 20-25 minutes.

Avocado Salsa

1 cup chopped plum tomato (about 2)
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 avocado, peeled and finely chopped

Recipe is found here. It’s served with a Cilantro-Lime Chicken. Yummy!

Directions: Cut everything up, and toss it! I also added about 1 Tblspn of olive oil over the mix. The only advice I have is that you might want to double this. My husband ate the whole thing by himself. Which is fine. I don’t like avocadoes or tomatoes.

Cucumber Slices

Just take two cucumbers, slice them, and salt and pepper them.

Dinner is served! Make sure to bless your food.

So I have been spending my Friday night composing this list of South Beach, low-carb, low-sugar recipes, gearing up for grocery shopping as soon as hubby’s check hits the bank. I actually prefer doing my Wal-mart shopping after midnight. More stockers, but less people. I’d rather be spending my Friday night having dinner on South Beach, but thems the breaks.

This is in no way a complete list, but it will give you some ideas and suggestions to jumpstart those New Year’s weight loss resolutions. As I find new recipes, I will add them in separate posts, maybe even with a review if I happen to be so motivated. The only off-the-wall ingredient that is in some of these recipes is flax seed, and I think most Wal-marts should carry that these days. Look in the flour isle or in the rice isle. I think it’s normally in a box.

As you learn to eat healthy, you will begin to modify your favorite recipes to be healthier. Yes, it can be hard sometimes to eat healthy, but you can do it and it so, so worth it! I chronicled My South Beach Diet Experience from two years ago earlier this week. Now, I’m starting it again : ) Just say ”No!” to the bread machine!

Breakfast

http://www.incredibleegg.org/recipes-and-more/recipes/microwave-coffee-cup-scramble

http://www.food.com/recipe/helens-high-protein-low-carb-pancakes-448497

http://www.food.com/recipe/quickest-south-beach-breakfast-140897

http://www.food.com/recipe/south-beach-diet-sausage-veggie-breakfast-muffins-310625

http://www.food.com/recipe/breakfast-mock-cinnabon-low-carb-103562

http://www.food.com/recipe/high-protein-and-fiber-breakfast-380740

http://www.food.com/recipe/south-beach-muffin-263983

Condiments

http://www.food.com/recipe/south-beach-barbecue-sauce-92857

http://www.food.com/recipe/sugar-free-ketchup-90673

http://www.food.com/recipe/confectioners-sugar-replacement-for-diabetics-sugar-free-54331

http://www.food.com/recipe/leighdears-buffalo-chicken-dip-goes-main-course-low-carb-228463

http://www.food.com/recipe/cilantro-mayonnaise-south-beach-diet-100387

Appetizers/Side Dishes

http://www.food.com/recipe/deviled-eggs-delight-atkins-friendly-low-carb-102694

http://www.food.com/recipe/oven-roasted-vegetables-south-beach-81585

http://www.food.com/recipe/ww-sweet-hot-marinated-cucumbers-0-points-302003 –

This recipe has 1 Tablespoon of sugar. 1 Tablespoon spread out through all the cucumbers should be fine : )

But you can always use Splenda.

http://www.food.com/recipe/avocado-boats-138602

(a variation we use: put jalapenos in the center, drizzle with lime juice and olive oil,

sprinkle with Tony Cachere’s Creole Seasoning. Hubby loves these!)

http://www.cookinglight.com/food/quick-healthy/easy-chicken-recipes-00412000068136/page48.html (Avocado Salsa for side dish)

http://www.cookinglight.com/food/quick-healthy/quick-easy-side-dish-recipes-00400000058734/page8.html

http://www.food.com/recipe/texas-pinto-beans-27786

http://www.food.com/recipe/tgi-fridays-black-bean-soup-102274

Desserts

http://www.food.com/recipe/south-beach-peanut-butter-cookies-185297

http://www.food.com/recipe/fat-free-sugar-free-hot-chocolate-mix-106899

http://www.food.com/recipe/sugar-free-gummy-worms-75525/review –

helpful review — I used 4.5 tsp of sugar free pectin for fruit jams/jellies instead of sugar free gelatin and it worked like a charm! They held together well & were very flavorful. I’ll definitely be making these again!

http://www.food.com/recipe/south-beach-milkshakes-143544

http://www.food.com/recipe/south-beach-diet-p1-peanut-butter-muffins-293500

http://www.food.com/recipe/the-south-beach-diet-cheesecake-81586/review

http://www.food.com/recipe/low-carb-lemon-cheesecake-bars-97486

http://www.food.com/recipe/low-carb-root-beer-float-67425