Get The Weekend Holiday Dish Here - May 28 - 30

[Shalbrihil]

Saturday:
Recipe: Roasted Cherry Tomato and Feta Crisps


Looking for an elegant way to entertain that's also South Beach Diet™-friendly? Try this recipe, guaranteed to get rave reviews!

Topping
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
3 large black olives, or 10 small black olives, pitted and chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh rosemary leaves to garnish


Pita Crisps
1 1/2 whole-wheat pita rounds
1 medium garlic clove, smashed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste


Instructions
Preheat oven to 350° F, In medium bowl, toss tomatoes with oil, salt and pepper. Roast 10 to 15 minutes, until softened, shaking pan occasionally. Keep oven at 350° F. In small cup, stir smashed garlic into oil. No need to chop the garlic to flavor the pita; just smash the clove with the flat edge of your chef's knife and toss the whole thing in the olive oil. Cut 1 pita into 8 even double-layer triangles. Separate each triangle into 2 wedges. Repeat with half of another pita, for a total of 24 wedges. Place pitas, split-side up in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush with garlic oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake 7 minutes, until crisp and golden. Cool. Top crisps with tomatoes, feta and olives. Garnish with a rosemary leaf. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information:
22 calories
1.3 total fat (0.4 g sat)
180 mg cholesterol
2 g carbohydrate
0.7 g protein
0.3 g fiber
49.5 mg sodium

Sunday:

The "Whole Grain" Craze


Last year could have been labeled the year of the "low carb" craze. Now it seems that 2005 will soon become the year of the "whole grain" craze. While The South Beach Diet™ has always emphasized whole grains, manufacturers have now seized upon this new catchphrase to promote a sense of healthfulness among their products. But do these products really deliver all the benefits implied by the words "whole grain"?

It's true that many "whole grain" foods offer fiber, minerals, and antioxidants not found in refined-grain products. Still, you can't assume that just because a product is labeled "whole grain" that it's good for you. Many "whole grain" items (like cereals) contain loads of sugar that cancel out the benefits.

So the next time you reach for a "whole grain" food at the store, check the ingredients and nutrition panel. Make sure it's low in sugar and is free of trans fats.

Monday:

Memorial Day: The Perfect Picnic


Planning a picnic this Memorial Day? Packing too much, as well as not focusing enough on food safety, are the two most common mistakes you'll make when preparing for a picnic. Here are a few ways to pack only what you need in the safest way possible.

Start with the essentials. Plates, cups, silverware, napkins, and garbage bags are basic necessities when packing for a picnic — but don't forget a cutting board, knife, can opener/corkscrew, tablecloth, and insect repellent.

Divide portions into airtight containers. Not only will food keep better, you are more likely to bring no more than you actually need.

Separate supplies from food. To make setup easier, pack the paper goods in one bag and the nonperishable foods in another.

Pack your cooler in levels. If you plan to bring perishable food, it's essential that items stay as cool as possible. Pack the foods you intend to eat first on the very top and foods for later on the bottom.

Embrace the freezer pack. Freezer packs are vital for keeping food at the proper temperature until you get to your picnic area. If you don't own any freezer packs, try putting ice cubes in tight plastic bags and place the food around them.

[Shalbrihil]

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[stephanie34]

cool very informative..

[karlak85218]

Some people are so oganized. Thanks for the imformation. It sounds good to me.

Karla