Who says you can't have lasagna on the South Beach Diet
!?! Actually by the time you're in Phase II (after 2 weeks) you really can have whole wheat or multigrain pasta - just not every day. Phase I, on the other hand, is carbohydrate restrictive and NO pasta is allowed. So what is a girl to do when she's the host of Presto Pasta Nights. I managed to post for it even when I was in the middle of moving and all my kitchen stuff was packed. Naturally, there is no way that I am going to keep from writing something now.
My daughter, Joanna calls this dish of hers by another name, but for this week it's Eggplant Lasagna....Thin grilled slices of eggplant replace actual sheets of pasta and between the cheeses (low fat, of course), the fresh basil and tomato sauce. And you'd never know the difference.
That said, I'm looking forward to next week - real pasta here we come!!!
I also was invited to take part in a great food blogging event put on by the wonderful Abby of Eat the Right Stuff...it's to celebrate National Vegetarian Week in the UK. Okay, I don't live in the UK and I'm pretty far removed from being called a vegetarian, but every once in a while the stars align and tonight's "pasta" is vegetarian so it qualifies, I'm happy to say. And because I am occasionally looking for vegetarian meals, I can't wait for the roundup.
Plus, it's Shavuot which is one of my favorite Jewish holidays. Remember that in my world, all holidays, no matter what religion revolve around food and are all wonderful celebrations of life. This one is associated with the Spring harvest, so lots of fruit, veggies and the reaping of grains. It is primarily a celebration of dairy dishes (meaning cheeses, salads and fish but no meat). The other interesting thing about this holiday for me is that it focuses on The Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. And even cooler - Boaz! (That's my grandson's name).
The starring dish I usually prepare is Cheese Blintzes, a very traditional Shavuot meal for Ashkenazi Jews (roots in Eastern Europe). It's really a crepe filled with cheese, baked and then smothered in sour cream
and my Berry Berry Compote.
They're both in my cookbook. In fact, you could even think of it as a dessert pasta.
So what are you doing for Presto Pasta Night? It's easy and fun. Remember that ALL noodles dishes count as pasta and "presto" or "lento" (I think that means slow) are perfect. Find out how right here. In the meantime...Happy Pasta Eating and think of me when you do!!!
Food and Drink easy cooking pasta Food Blogging Event Presto Pasta Night
6 comments:
On my annual low carb diet I desperately substituted long slivers of cabbage for pasta. Tasty enough but it didn't fool me.
Presto means ready. Lente means slow... how that helps.
I am working with rice, pork, sage and truffles this week, so no pasta newly published. :(
Ruth that lasagne looks divine!
Ruth - I LOVE blintzes; they are a serious weakness of mine (I have too many food weaknesses, come to think of it). It is just as well I do not live nearby or else you would probably want Shavuot to pass quickly in order to stop me from scoffing the blintzes and to get me out of the house. The Berry Berry Compote, too, looks appropriately-themed for Shavuot, what with its abundance of antioxidents. Wonderful, wonderful food here, as always.
that lasagne sounds great ruth - coincidentally, we had something similar the other night but i managed to sneak some pasta sheets in as i'm not a south beacher. thanks for getting involved in vegetables, beautiful vegetables.
Judith, my daughter did make a great hot Asian coleslaw that was delicious, but I know what you mean...it's just not pasta!
Sara, thanks
Shaun, it's a long trip, but you're welcome any time.
Abby, we actually had some pasta last night. My daughter has had it with SBD, so I just ate a bit of the pasta part of the dish. Oh well, it's almost done anyway.
Thanks all for dropping by and chatting.
Great food. Would be a frequent visitor to your blog.
Post a Comment