The secret to happy dieting? Count the flavor, not the calories with fast and delicious fruit vinegars, caramelized veggies, a citrusy halibut salad, even a bit of rich zabaglione with strawberries. Heaven (not heavy)!
Gameplan
Day Before Dinner:
Prepare honey zabiglione for dessert
Reduce tomato juice for a broken vinaigrette
Make caramelized onion and mango sauces to be drizzled on zucchini batons for appetizer
Finish broken tomato vinaigrette dressing
Day of Dinner:
Wrap proscuitto around zucchini batons & saute them
Half Hour Before Dinner:
Make corn and fava bean salad for halibut
Makes dressing for corn & fava bean salad
Season and pre-saute the halibut
Saute zucchini batons with mango and caramelized onion dressings drizzled on top of the batons
Serve zucchini appetizers to guests
Dinner Party:
Finish halibut in the oven
Plate and serve dinner
Everyone has their weak moments. Chef George Stella reveals low carb secrets to satisfy the most urgent of cravings. His low carb vegetable and "mega-meat" pizzas made with a soy flour crust, "mock" fettuccini primavera using spaghetti squash, fresh fruit margaritas with blueberries, cantaloupe and strawberries, and the biggest one of all, cannoli parfaits with chocolate chip covered ricotta and whipped cream will get you through those tough times.
Top 5 Tips
1. Pre-made spaghetti and pizza sauces are discouraged due to their high sugar content, but tomato paste or sauce in a can without added sugar is allowed. Just remember to always read the labels!
2. Once the spaghetti squash starts to resemble strings, it is ready. Take out immediately and put in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. If not, you'll end up with squash squash, not spaghetti squash.
3. The spaghetti primavera has 8 net carbs per serving, but don't worry about the carbs. Spaghetti squash is full of fiber and everyone needs that!
4. Each cannoli serving is 7 net carbs, but you can always trim your carb count by dividing into six servings and then you'll have 5 net carbs per serving.
5. Fresh fruit is allowed on a low carb diet as long as you pick the right fruit. Honeydw, cantaloupe, strawberries, and blueberries are all great choices.
Surprise Mom, Dad or anyone you love with a sumptuous breakfast in bed, dressed up with Michael’s take on a silky Eggs Benedict, a savory potato tart and brioche with preserves made right on the spot!.
Gameplan
Day of Breakfast – 1 Hour Before:
Slice potatoes, mix olive oil coating and assemble Potato Torta with Olives.
Bake Potato Torta on stovetop then in oven until brown.
Melt butter and olive oil for Blender Hollandaise. Blend eggs, lemon juice and cream with warm butter and olive oil to emulsify sauce. Season and keep warm until service.
Remove Potato Torta from the oven and un-mold onto a plate. Slice into quarters and set aside.
Slice and grill brioche toast. Spread toast with butter. Wash and dry berries. Mashed Berries with Honey. Blend berries with honey. Roast berries and mash with a fork.
For Eggs Benedict: Butter ramekins and poach eggs in water bath. While eggs poach, grill prosciutto until crispy.
Oil and grill pita rounds. Assemble Eggs Benedict: Place one pita on plate, top with prosciutto and un-molded eggs. Top all with Hollandaise sauce and rosemary.
Plate brioche toast and mashed berries. Plate Potato Torta.
Mix Bellini.
Set up breakfast tray.
Eat and Enjoy!