Dinner With the Family - An Easy Menu Mostly South Beach Diet Friendly

Saturday night we had the family (at least the ones who are in Toronto as opposed to being in Halifax or Chile or Whitby or Montreal, or Florida or Atlanta or up at the cottage....gee I forgot how disbursed we are) over for an easy BBQ dinner. We were nine altogether and I was intent on making this a South Beach Diet friendly dinner (at least Phase 2) that everyone else could enjoy as much as we would but not feel like they were forced to "diet" with us. By the way, we've each lost 14 pounds so far in under two months - yay us!

The other key consideration was the word "easy". I love to cook, I love to entertain, but I also like to do it without too much effort. So the menu was simple...

Grilled Cilantro Citrus Chicken (South Beach Phase 1)

Chickpea salad (South Beach Phase 2)

Basil tomatoes & goat cheese (South Beach Phase 1)

Thyme Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges (South Beach Phase 2)

Mixed Greens, Berries, Caramelized Walnuts & Balsamic Vinaigrette

(South Beach Phase 2 - occasionally

and as for the desserts, Phase 1 - look away and Phase 2 eat only as an occasional treat)

Ar's Sour Cherry Clafouti

(Martha Stewart inspired recipe - I found this one on her website, but I don't think it's the same one - Ar promises to make this again, send me the recipe and take a better photo - I'll update then). This is not my best photo, but my family - while very indulgent and patient with me BEFORE a meal, are usually (and this time was no exception) too ready for dessert to stop for photos.

Strawberries & Blueberries with Gabriella's Ginger Creme Anglaise

The recipe is simple - just cut the strawberries in half, toss with blueberries, sprinkle with 1/2 - 1 tsp of sugar to start the juices flowing. Let sit for about half an hour and spoon some of the most delicious creme anglaise you could ever imagine on top.

As you can see I'm starting to get submissions for Sugar High Friday - the deadline is next Sunday, May 28, so this is a reminder to those of you out there with great ginger recipes to send them in. I'll post the round up on Monday the 29th. That way those of you on the west coast can still meet the deadline and I don't have to stay up until 4 a.m.

Related links: Food and Drink recipes SHF South Beach Diet