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Sweet Potato and Zucchini Latkes
Smoked Trout Salad in Cherry Tomato Cups
Deviled Eggs
Salmon Mousse
Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
Sweet Potato-Feta Rounds
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Cannoli Tartlets
Raspberry-Ginger Fizzes
Party Game Plan
Up to 3 days before: Toast walnuts and sesame seeds for
strawberries.
Up to 2 days before: Hard-boil eggs.
Up to 1 day before: Make trout salad; make salmon mousse; cut up
zucchini sticks; prepare cheese mixture for sweet potatoes; make cannoli filling; make raspberry-ginger fizz base.
Day of: Dip strawberries; assemble deviled eggs; fill tomato cups
and cannoli tartlets; make latkes; bake sweet potato rounds and zucchini sticks; make fizzes
Sweet Potato and Zucchini Latkes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Our twist on this Hanukkah favorite yields a delightfully crispy and
slightly sweet pancake. Prepare the batter right before cooking to prevent excess liquid and soggy cakes; pour off any excess liquid
while cooking, if necessary. These lacey latkes are delicate, so don’t press down too hard on them once they are in the pan.
1 medium zucchini (1/2 pound), ends trimmed
1 large sweet potato (3/4 pound), peeled
1/4 cup minced onion
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons canola oil
Unsweetened applesauce (optional)
Slice zucchini lengthwise and remove seeds. Coarsely grate zucchini
and potato in a food processor or with a hand grater; transfer to a medium bowl. Add onion, egg, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over
medium-high heat. Working in two batches, add zucchini mixture by heaping tablespoons to skillet, gently flattening with the back of
the spoon as you go. Cook until the edges are golden, about 1 minute more (adjust heat if necessary to prevent burning). Drain on paper
towels.
Repeat with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and remaining zucchini
mixture. Serve latkes hot with applesauce of the side, if desired.
Makes 24 (2-inch) latkes
Nutrition at a Glance
Per 2 latkes: 100 calories, 1 g fat 0 g saturated fat, 4 g protein,
20 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 220 mg sodium
Make-Ahead: Latkes can be made up to 6 hours in advance and kept
covered at room temperature. Reheat on a baking sheet (preferably dark bottomed) at 375 F until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
Smoked Trout Salad in Cherry Tomato Cups
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rich, smoky trout in little tomato [UTF-8?]“cups” makes a festive,
easy-to-eat combination. You can use both red and yellow cherry tomatoes, if desired.
1/4
pound smoked trout (remove skin if necessary)
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
Freshly ground black pepper
30 large cherry tomatoes (1 pint)
Chopped fresh chives for garnish (optional)
Place trout in a medium bowl and break up into small pieces with a
fork. Add sour cream, lemon juice, and chives; stir to combine. Season generously with pepper.
Using a serrated knife, cut
1/8 inch off the stem end of each tomato and a tiny bit off the bottom so the tomatoes will stand. Remove the
seeds using a small melon baller. Fill each hollow tomato with a generous teaspoon of the trout salad. Sprinkle each with a few
chives, if using, and serve.
Makes 10 (3-piece) servings
Nutrition at a Glance
Per serving: 40 calories, 2 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 3 g protein,
3 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 75 mg sodium
Make-Ahead: Trout salad can be made up to 1 day in advance;
refrigerate in a covered container and bring to room temperature before using. Tomatoes can be hollowed out up to 1 hour before the
party; cover with plastic wrap but do not refrigerate. Fill shortly before serving.
Deviled Eggs
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
A throwback to the past, this egg style is still as devilishly
delicious today as it was in the 1950s and 1960s, when the special plates the little mouthfuls were served on were as much the rage as
the eggs themselves. We freshen up the classic recipe with a few
modern additions, like tangy capers, roasted peppers, and fresh chopped chives. Boiling the eggs for a short time and then letting
them sit gives the yolks a beautiful yellow color.
10 large eggs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers (from a jar)
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
2 teaspoons grainy Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Paprika
Place eggs in a large saucepan with cold water to cover. Partially
cover pan and bring water to a full boil. Reduce heat to low, cover completely, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let
stand, covered, for 20 minutes.
Drain eggs in a colander and then run cold water over the eggs to
cool. Place eggs in the refrigerator to cool completely, about 1 hour.
When cool, peel eggs and halve lengthwise. Carefully remove yolks
from eggs and place in a medium bowl. Add mayonnaise, red peppers, sour cream, capers, chives, mustard, salt, and black pepper to
taste; mash with a fork until well combined. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the yolk mixture into each egg white half. Sprinkle with paprika and
serve.
Makes 20 egg halves
Nutrition at a Glance
Per half: 60 calories, 4.5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 3 g protein, 1
g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 110 mg sodium
Make-Ahead: Eggs can be hard-boiled up to 2 days in advance, peeled,
and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can fill eggs up to 2 hours before the party; carefully cover and chill
until ready to serve. Garnish with paprika just before serving.
Salmon Mousse
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 12 hours or overnight
This lovely party favorite can be chilled in a decorative mold for
extra flair. If you serve the mousse with crackers, it becomes a Phase 2 recipe.
1 cup nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt
1/2 cup cold water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 (15-ounce) can pink salmon, drained
2/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 (6-ounce) jar prepared horseradish, drained and squeezed dry (about 1/4 cup)
3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or teaspoon dried dill, crumbled
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Chopped dill for garnish (optional)
60 cucumber slices or low-sodium whole-grain crackers
Place yogurt in a paper towel-lined mesh strainer and set over a
bowl. Let drain for 10 minutes.
Place water in a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over water, and
let soften 1 minute. Heat mixture over low heat, stirring, until gelatin dissolves, about 3 minutes. Do not let boil.
Put yogurt, gelatin mixture, salmon, sour cream, horseradish,
onion, dill, Worcestershire sauce, and paprika in a food processor.
Lightly coat a 1-quart fish mold, decorative bowl, terrine, or loaf
pan with cooking spray; spread mousse evenly in pan. Cover and refrigerate until set, at least 12 hours or overnight. Just before
serving, run a thin knife around edges of pan and invert mousse onto a platter. Sprinkle with chopped dill, if using, and surround with
cucumber slices or crackers. Serve.
Makes 20 (3-tablespoon) servings
Nutrition at a Glance
Per serving (with 3 cucumber slices): 50 calories, 2.5 g fat, 1 g
saturated fat, 5 g protein, 2 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 150 mg sodium
Per serving (with 3 crackers): 110 calories, 5 g fat, 1 g saturated
fat, 7 g protein, 11 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 170 mg sodium
Make-Ahead: Mousse can be made up to 1 day ahead. Keep chilled in
mold, covered with plastic wrap, until ready to serve.
Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
These delectable nibbles will remind guests of the fried zucchini or
stuffed zucchini blossoms often found at Italian feasts. Roasted, they are more healthful and every bit as good.
2 medium zucchini (about 1 pound)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Heat oven to
450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Cut zucchini lengthwise into quarters, then cut into 2-inch-long
sticks. Combine zucchini, oil, thyme, salt, black pepper, and pepper flakes in a medium bowl, and toss to coat. Transfer zucchini sticks
to baking sheet, with a flesh side facing down. Roast until just softened and golden, turning so other flesh side is up halfway
through, about 15 minutes.
Carefully turn pieces skin side down. Sprinkle evenly with cheese
and continue roasting until cheese has melted, about 2 minutes.
Serve warm.
Makes 10 (3-piece) servings
Nutrition at a Glance
Per serving: 35 calories, 2.5 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 2 g
protein, 2 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 70 mg sodium
Make-Ahead: Zucchini can be cut up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated
in a covered container until ready to use.
Sweet Potato-Feta Rounds
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
The sturdy texture of sweet potatoes makes them perfect for roasting
and using as colorful orange “cups” for tasty fillings like this one, made with feta, garlic, and chives.
3 long, thin sweet potatoes, peeled (about 1 pounds)
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
4 ounces reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled (3/4
cup)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Freshly ground black pepper
Heat oven to
450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Cut potatoes into 30
(3/4 inch-thick) rounds. With a melon baller,
carefully scoop a pocket into each potato piece, being careful not to scoop through bottoms; discard scooped-out portion.
Combine potato pieces, 1 tablespoon of the oil, and garlic in a
large bowl; toss to coat. Spread potatoes out on the baking sheet, scooped-out side up, and roast until potatoes are just tender and
edges are starting to brown, 18 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, mash feta, chives, and remaining 1 teaspoon oil together
in a small bowl. Season with pepper to taste.
Remove potatoes from oven and fill each pocket with a heaping
teaspoon cheese mixture. Return to oven and bake until heated through, about 5 minutes. Serve warm.
Makes 10 (3-piece) servings
Nutrition at a Glance
Per serving: 80 calories, 2.5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 3 g protein,
11 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 150 mg sodium
Make-Ahead: Cheese mixture can be prepared up to 1 day ahead;
refrigerate in a covered container until ready to use. Sweet potatoes can be roasted (without cheese mixture) up to 8 hours
before the party; cover and leave at room temperature. Fill with
cheese mixture and warm through just before serving.
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 15 minutes
Toasted sesame seeds add extra crunch and a tasty surprise to this
easy-to-eat dessert. Look for large strawberries with stems for the nicest presentation.
1/3
cup walnut pieces, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2 tablespoons fat-free half-and-half
20 large strawberries with stems (about 2 pints), rinsed and dried
Heat oven to
275°F. Spread walnuts on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
While nuts are toasting, place sesame seeds in a small skillet over
medium-low heat. Cook, gently shaking pan back and forth, until seeds are golden, about 5 minutes. Allow nuts and seeds to cool,
then mix together in a shallow bowl.
Heat chocolate and half-and-half in a small saucepan over medium-low
heat, whisking until chocolate is melted, about 3 minutes.
Line a baking pan with wax paper.
Dip strawberries into chocolate (about three-quarters of the way
in), then dip one side into nut and seed mixture, coating well. Place nut side up in baking pan. Refrigerate until chocolate is set,
about 15 minutes, and serve.
Makes 10 (2-piece) servings
Nutrition at a Glance
Per serving: 90 calories, 7 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 2 g protein, 8
g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 0 mg sodium
Make-Ahead: Walnuts and sesame seeds can be toasted up to 3 days
ahead. Strawberries can be dipped up to 8 hours ahead. Carefully cover berries and
refrigerate; do not freeze.
Cannoli Tartlets
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
A classic Italian favorite,
cannoli gets a light update here that’s as sweet as ever. You can find
pre-baked mini whole-wheat phyllo shells in the refrigerator section of most supermarkets.
2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup granular sugar substitute
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
Pinch of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 boxes mini whole-wheat phyllo shells (15 shells each)
1/4 cup finely chopped unsalted pistachio nuts
Stir together ricotta, sugar substitute, chocolate, cinnamon, and
vanilla in a medium bowl until well combined. Chill, covered, until ready to prepare tartlets.
No more than 2 hours before serving, fill mini phyllo shells with
about 1 tablespoon ricotta filling. Sprinkle each tartlet evenly with pistachios and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Makes 30 tartlets
Nutrition at a Glance
Per tartlet: 70 calories, 4.5 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 3 g
protein, 5 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 30 mg sodium
Make-Ahead: The ricotta filling can be made up to 1 day in advance
and refrigerated in a covered container. Tartlets can be filled up to 2 hours ahead of serving and refrigerated, lightly covered, until
ready to serve.
Raspberry-Ginger Fizzes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
The vibrant red color and sprightly flavor of this fresh-tasting
fruit and ginger drink will make homemade soda fans of all your friends.
1 (10-ounce) package frozen raspberries, thawed, with juices
1 (3/4 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled
2 tablespoons granular sugar substitute
1 (2-liter) bottle seltzer water, chilled
Ice cubes (optional)
To make the drink base: Pure raspberries and their juices, ginger,
and sugar substitute in a blender. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. For each drink, place 4 teaspoons of the base in an
8-ounce glass. Add cup seltzer and stir rapidly. Add a few ice cubes, if desired, and stir again. Serve.
Makes 10
(3/4 cup) drinks
Nutrition at a Glance
Per drink: 60 calories, 4.5 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 4 g protein,
2 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 25 mg sodium
Make-Ahead: Raspberry-ginger drink base can be made up to 1 day
ahead and refrigerated in a covered container until ready to use. Add seltzer water to drinks individually, just before serving.
*******************
Reprinted from:
The South Beach Diet Parties & Holidays Cookbook: Healthy Recipes for Entertaining Family And Friends by Arthur
Agatston, MD 2006 Arthur Agatston, M.D. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold or
directly from the publisher by calling at (800) 848-4735.
Preventive cardiologist Arthur Agatston, MD, is an associate
professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is the author of the best-selling books
The South Beach Diet, The South Beach Diet Cookbook, The South Beach Diet Quick &
Easy Cookbook, The South Beach Diet Good Fats/Good Carbs Guide, and
The South Beach Diet Dining Guide. Dr. Agatston is frequently quoted as an expert in cardiac health and diet in the media. He maintains a
private cardiology practice, focused on prevention, in Miami Beach, where he lives with his wife, Sari, and their two sons.
Visit
www.southbeachdiet.com for more info.
For
some great recipes for Chanukah from
The South Beach Diet Parties & Holidays Cookbook see
Going South
for the Holidays
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