Living a low-carb lifestyle doesn’t mean forgoing dessert. Really! Chef George Stella and his wife, Rachel, whip up a variety of tasty treats: NY ricotta cheesecake, double chocolate walnut brownies, and praline pumpkin pie with fresh whipped cream. Eating low carb has never been tastier.
Top 5 Tips
1. Sour cream is a great low carb choice for all of your cooking and baking needs.
2. When a recipe calls for you to "butter and flour" the pan, use non-stick cooking spray and a mix of wheat bran and soy flour instead.
3. Walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty oils, the same oils found in salmon which, when consumed in moderation, actually help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
4. You can create your own, carb-curbed desserts. Try substituting soy flour for white flour and sugar substitute for the real thing. Eggs and cream are low carb and help your baked goods rise, so don't eliminate them.
5. Reinvent the piecrust with a simple mixture of melted butter (approx. two tablespoons for one crust), some ground spices, and diced pecans.
It's another faceoff between the Italian Stallion, Michael Chiarello and the Ragin' Cajun, Jan Birnbaum. The challenge this time? We're going all American with a contest to make the best burgers ever. Gentlemen, start your grills!
GameplanDay Before Party:
Put 2 ½ cups of water in bowl, with salt, and lemon juice for Poached Peaches Della Nonna.
Cut vanilla beans in half for the boiling water.
Peel peaches and poach for 4 or 5 minutes.
Cut potatoes into 6 wedges for steak fries.
Put potatoes in cool water, with salt and bring to boil.
Remove peaches and let cool.
Put pint of raspberries and poaching liquid into a blender and puree. Strain.
Mix hamburger meat with olive oil, and pre-peeled roasted garlic pieces. Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge.
Toss potatoes into mix of olive oil and barbeque spice.
2 Hours Before Party:
On a pre-heated pan place potato wedges into a 450 degree oven for 20 minutes.
Cut up portabella mushrooms and put in pan with 6 tablespoons of olive oil.
Mix Dijon mustard, garlic paste, thyme, salt, pickle juice, pickles, and peppers for a condiment.
Add a ¼ cup of shallots, 2 tablespoons of sliced garlic, and two teaspoons of thyme, salt, and pepper. Add a cup of red wine.
Toss in a ½ cup of parsley.
Cut onions. Marinate with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and red wine.
Mix hamburger meat with tobassco sauce. Mold into patties.
At Party:
Put hamburgers and onions on grill. Baste hamburger with garlic oil.
Top burger with blue cheese.
Mix Wet n’ Slippery.
Top burger with condiment and sautéed mushrooms.
Top burger with onions.
Eat and Enjoy!