After the holiday edition of Grub For Guys that we presented you with, and after all of the holiday meals you no doubt indulged in, and on, you guys probably have a few extra pounds you want to shed this time of year. Well, I know I do. So I’m back on my favorite diet, the South Beach Diet. I’m a big proponent of this diet because it works, and because it’s easy for most guys. We get to eat lots of meat, cheese, nuts and veggies, as well as a few sugar free treats, and all in all it’s not that hard. Well, sometimes it is, because in today’s world, cutting out bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and anything with sugar can be a challenge. So I’m here to give you a few great low-carb options that make life a bit easier when trying to shrink that gut….
Mikey’s Cobb Salad
4-6 cups shredded lettuce
1 8 oz. strip steak
1 4-5 oz. boneless chicken breast
5-6 slices bacon
2 hard-boiled eggs
1 avocado
1 tomato
1/4 cup shredded or cubed cheddar cheese
1/4 cup green or black olives
1/4 cup pickled jalapeno peppers
Low carb dressing such as ranch or blue cheese
Salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS
Wash lettuce and shred into two large bowls. Sprinkle steak and chicken with salt and pepper, and grill over medium-high heat 5-10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and steak is to desired doneness. Remove from grill and keep on a plate covered with foil. Cook bacon until crisp (I use one of those microwave trays that cooks it perfectly every time). Cut avocado in half, remove pit and scoop out flesh. Slice and place on lettuce. Chop tomato and put that on lettuce. Slice egg and divide over salad. Add cheese, olives and jalapenos. Slice chicken and steak and place on salad. Crumble bacon on top. Serve with dressing (be careful – most popular dressings have sugar and/or high fructose corn syrup). Makes 2 servings, but you can double or triple as needed.
Grilled Buffalo Tenders
1 pound boneless chicken breast tenders
Salt and pepper
Cooking spray
1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce (Frank’s Red Hot is great and is very low in calories, fat, and carbs)
DIRECTIONS
Spray tenders lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour wing sauce into a large bowl. Grill tenders over medium high heat until no longer pink and slightly charred on the outside. Toss tenders in sauce and serve with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing if you like. P.S. Trust me, you won’t miss the deep fried version of wings one bit with this one.
Cheese/Peanut Butter Squares
If you like those crispy cheese/peanut butter crackers (and who doesnt?), I’m giving you a low-carb option that you’re going to love.
4 slices mild cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter
DIRECTIONS
Lay cheese slices on a plate or large cutting board. Spread peanut butter over two of the cheese slices, and top with other two slices. You should now have two large square “sandwiches.” Cut each of these into quarters and serve. Makes 8 squares, but you can easily double or triple this one as well.
Muffaletta Rolls
The best part of the Muffaletta is the olive salad and the meat, right? Well, it’s also the kickass giant Kaiser rolls they use. But we have to improvise here and this is as close as we can come.
10 slices deli ham or turkey, or both
1 cup pimento stuffed green olives
1/2 cup pickled cauliflower or other pickled vegetables
1 Tbsp. juice from olives
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. Red or white wine vinegar
1 tsp. dried oregano
Dash of salt and black pepper
DIRECTIONS
Separate meat slices on a large platter. Combine remaining ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until combined but still slightly chunky. Spread a bit of olive salad on each slice of meat, roll up and serve. (Note: you can also roll up in provolone cheese, or combine meat and cheese before rolling up).
Turkey Brat Bites
6-8 Smoked Turkey Bratwurst
Mustard
DIRECTIONS
Grill brats until glazed and with a few grill marks. Slice into chunks and serve with your favorite mustard for dipping.
