Low Carb Cooking 101

When it's hot out (and it's been HOT out!) I don't feel like cooking. I don't feel like cleaning up afterward, either. But I have to eat, and my family has to eat, so I have to do something. And since they refuse to eat off the floor and with their fingers (picky people that they are), I have to come up with new ways to minimize the cleanup.

Chicken Alfredo With Zoodles was a grand experiment. I really wasn't sure if my family would like it, but the concept seemed sound so I gave it a whirl. It was a resounding success, everybody liked it, and my picky daughter got up early the next morning and polished off the leftovers before anyone else got up. (She's not into sharing when it comes to food.)

Tonight's meal has a special advantage: all the preparation work can be done the evening before. This makes it perfect for those nights when you know you're going to be getting home from work late, or when you know tomorrow is going to be incredibly hectic. (Are there any days that aren't hectic? If you have a calm, peaceful day occasionally, please let me know your secret!)

My house does not even remotely resemble "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." I was all set to share a new recipe with you, Chicken Alfredo With Zoodles, but it requires cooking and our downstairs air conditioner is on the fritz. It's about 90 degrees in my office, I'm slowly melting like the Wicked Witch of the West, and I cannot even think about cooking something. Typing it up is simply out of the question, so I'm going to share what we're going to have for dinner tonight: a Simple Shrimp Salad, some chilled fruit, and Peach Iced Tea. No cooking!

Tonight's menu serves a duel purpose because it can be served simply as either a family breakfast or dinner and it can also be expanded slightly to a terrific company brunch that you serve for your family and friends. My husband and I were served a variation of this meal when we were down in Florida visiting friends this January. Not only did I enjoy it, but so did Rod - and he is a high carb Philistine.

Garlic and Lemon Chicken Breasts are nicely seasoned, and will wake up your take buds without blowing them out of your mouth. And with this meal plan you prepare an entire 4-pound bag at one time, so there’s plenty for leftovers. You can eat the leftover chicken breasts either hot or cold, and I’ve also included several recipes that you can use them in, too. If you are serving the chicken breasts as your entree, I suggest steaming a vegetable to go with it. You can top your veggies with a pat of butter if you like.

All of these Low-Carb Holiday Dessert recipes are simple, and yet they will add the final touch to your holiday meal that most of us crave. They can all be made ahead of time, and several of them can be made in individual portions. If you are the lone low carber and are traveling to a family dinner, you can take just one portion of your dessert and won't have to lug the entire dessert along with you.

Tonight's meal is a nice change of pace, and proves once again that neither low carb food nor seafood has to be boring. Broiled Flounder with Zesty Lime Cream, Steamed Broccoli Spears, Romaine and Mushroom Salad with Lemony French Dressing.

This evening's meal, Chicken Caesar Salad, is the ultimate make-ahead dinner or lunch. Everything is prepared ahead of time, so that when it comes time to serve your meal all you have to do is toss it all on the plate. It's great for those evenings when everybody is going in different directions and no one is eating at the same time. With everything already prepared, everyone can fend for themselves. This is my kind of cooking!