Taco Potatoes

Baked potatoes traditionally are topped with butter, cheese, sour cream, and chives. My in-laws make a twist on the classic baked potato by adding standard taco ingredients. Taco Potatoes are a Murray family favorite, and not only are they easy to prepare, but they are very filling. Don't let your eyes get bigger than your stomach or be prepared for leftovers. :)

Taco Potatoes
~basically the baked potato is your "taco shell" and the other ingredients can be as few or many as you desire.

Baking potatoes, small to medium sized, 1 per person

• Bake potatoes thoroughly. To cut down on time I like to bake them in the microwave for about 4-8 minutes, (poke holes in them first) and then finish baking them in the oven or on the barbecue.

Toppings, enough for each potato: use as many as you like or get creative with your own list

• Ground meat (turkey or beef), browned with taco seasonings in a skillet
• Shredded cheese, we like Monterey Jack and Mild Cheddar
• Black olives, sliced
• Spring onions and/or red or white onions, chopped small
• Bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
• Sour cream
• Ground pepper
• Ortega peppers, chopped (1 small can should be enough for 4 potatoes)
• Tomato, chopped
• Lettuce, chopped fine, (use sparingly)
• Avocado, chopped
• Taco sauce, optional (mild to hot)

Some creative alternatives could be chicken, garlic, salsa, beans, broccoli...please share any ideas you typically enjoy on a taco, that would be a treat to this recipe.

Enjoy!

Chicken "Pizza"...hold the carbs

When my parents were on the Atkin's diet my mom tried to be creative with the low-carb, no-carb recipes for dinner. There is one I always have to remind myself to make, which is easy, aside from a little prep time. It doesn't have a specific recipe, and allows itself to several variations, depending on your tastes.

Chicken "Pizza"

~Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (enough for amount of people to be served), medium to small size, and pounded flat to about 1/2 inch thick. (The chicken is the "pizza dough.")

~Use pizza sauce, tomato sauce, pesto or garlic spread lightly over the chicken breast. I prefer to use melted butter with minced garlic, but you are the chef. Top "pizza" with any desired toppings similar to that of your favorite pizza. Here are some topping ideas:

• Mozzarella and tomato slices
• Variety of shredded cheeses
• Olives, green onions, bell peppers, white or red onion
• Sausage, salami, bacon (cut into bits), or pepperoni
• Mushrooms, pine nuts, artichokes
• Roasted garlic, basil or rosemary

Truly the options are limited to your taste. Be warned, it is very filling; you may find this a good meal to prepare in hopes of leftovers for lunch the next day.

When your "pizza" is prepared place on baking sheet (I like to line with tin foil) in a 350 degree oven for about 12-20 minutes, or until chicken breast is cooked through. Since the toppings will most likely already be cooked, you just need to make sure the raw chicken is thoroughly baked. Cooking times may vary depending on amount of toppings, as well as how thinly you flattened the chicken breast.

I suggest enjoying this feast with a fork and knife. :) It can stand alone if you prepare it with a variety of toppings, or serve as a main dish with vegetables.

Let me know how creative you get with your Chicken "Pizza."

Carb-smart Cocktail

Once again, I turned to my Low Carb Cookbook (see side panel), and I found a low-carb refreshment, suitable for even those low-carb skeptics, at least for the 21 and older crowd. :)

Bellini Spritzers...carb rating 8
yields 9, 1 cup servings

• 2 pounds fresh peaches, peeled and halved
• 1 bottle (750 ml) Champagne, chilled
• 2 cups sparkling mineral water, chilled
  

1. Place Peaches in a food processor; process until smooth
2. Combine puree, Champagne, and mineral water in a large pitcher, stir gently. Pour into chilled glasses. Serve immediately.

Substitutions:
4 cups frozen sliced peaches, thawed, if fresh peaches are not in season.
Reduce carb count by 1 when you substitute Champagne for 3 cups diet lemon-lime carbonated beverage, such as Diet 7-up, or Diet Sprite

Presentation:
Peach wedge on glass rim
Try blending with ice for thick consistency...try topping with real whip cream (no carbs!)??

Open to suggestions...enjoy, and as always, drink responsibly. (Especially if your low-carb diet is revealing a confident, sassy new you!)

Whole Wheat Banana Muffins

I found this recipe in The Complete Step-by-Step Low Carb Cookbook. With all the low carb diets out there this cookbook seemed the most practical, and yummy... :) there are some great recipes in it, varying from breakfast to snacks, to lunches, dinners, even desserts. If you are interested in following a low carb diet, the cookbook even has a diet plan-of-action, with suggested meal plans for each day.

To get your copy of The Complete Step-by-Step Low Carb Cookbook go to my link in the panel to the right and support our adoption plans by purchasing it here through Amazon.com. :)

Ok, here is a recipe I just love. If you're serious about a low carb diet, this recipe falls in the "phase two" part of the plan:

Whole Wheat Banana Muffins:

I left out the wheat germ and the recipe was still very good. It does sound yummy to leave it in, so I'll have to try it that way soon. :)

**The toasted wheat germ not only adds nutty flavor to the muffins, but also a dose of vitamin E, a vitamin that may prevent blood clots, strokes, and cancer.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt (or less)
• 1- 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas (about three large)
• 1/3 cup "measures like sugar" calorie free sweetener (actually, I just used white sugar since it's not that much per muffin in the long run)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Cooking spray, or Crisco to grease muffin tin

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with knife. Combine flours and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; make a well in the center of flour mixture. Combine banana and next 3 ingredients in a separate bowl; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moist.
3. Spoon mixture into muffin cups coated with cooking spray, filling two-thirds full. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes (or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted into center of muffins).

Great served warm, or next day. Great for on the go snacks or breakfast sides. Try a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg for a variation. :)

Enjoy!