Mashed (Protein) Potatos

I don't typically serve mashed potatoes at our house, but my husband loves them and, quite honestly, has been missing them.  I modified the traditional recipe to lower the glycemic index of this former staple and can now feel okay about offering them, especiall on special occasions, when it truely would be missed if they weren't there!

1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
water to cover them
2 scoops "Regular Flavored" whey protein
1/2 cup half and half
2 Tb. butter

Boil the potatoes in water until tender.  Meanwhile, mix the whey protein with the half and half until smooth.When potatoes are tender, drain. Add the milk mixture and the butter and mash by hand.  Add more half and half until desired consistency.

Herbed Green Beans

Company worthy!

3 Tb. butter
1 bag whole frozen green beans, thawed
1/4 c. diced celery
1/4 c. diced onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/4 tsp. dried rosemary
1/2 tsp. dried basil
salt

Melt the butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat.  Add the bean, celery, onion, and garlic to the skillet and saute until the beans are tender-crisp.  Stir in the rosemary and basil and saute another minute or so.  Add salt to taste and serve.

Corn Casserole

Corn usually gets a bad wrap because it is a high starch, high glycemic vegetable.  However, when eaten in moderation and balanced with protein, it can complement any low-glycemic/low carb lifestyle.

16 oz. frozen corn
5 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
2 eggs
1 packet Truvia
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3/4 c. grated cheddar cheese

Beat eggs until light and fluffy.  Add sugar.  Stir in corn, 3/4 of the bacon, salt, pepper and cheese.  Put into sprayed casserole dish and top with remaining bacon.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until set.

4 servings, each with approximately 5 carbs and 12 gms of protein.

Company Dinner "Rice"

I wasn't sure what my guests would think of this "rice" dish, but everyone raved over it!  I even had 2 people ask for the recipe.  Definately a keeper!

Company Dinner Rice
3 C. cauliflower rice (cooked cauliflower shredded like cheese in blender or food processor)
 1/4 c. wild rice
 3/4 c. water
Put the wild rice and water in a saucepan, cover, and set it over the lowest heat until all the water is gone - at least half and hour, maybe more.  Toss together with the cooked cauliflower rice.
**You can make this portion of the dish the day before.

1 small onion, chopped
1 stick butter, melted  (Next time I may try it with 1/2 a stick of butter.)
6 strips bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
 1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese

Saute the onion in the butter until it's golden and limp.  Toss the onion, bacon, salt, pepper and cheese with the cauliflower/wild rice mixture.  Serve.

Serves 8