Recipes From The Chili Pepper Diet

Excerpted from
The Chili Pepper Diet: The Natural Way to Control Cravings, Boost Metabolism and Lose Weight
By Heidi Allison

GOAT CHEESE PIZZA WITH OLIVES

Makes: 1 serving

Pizza is one of those foods we love-and crave. Unfortunately, many of the frozen pies on the market don't measure up for a low-fat diet-both in taste and nutrition. This recipe raises the bar for low-fat pizza: it uses fresh (not frozen) Armenian pizza bread as a base and you add the toppings! Just be sure to accurately measure out the cheese to keep the fat grams low. You can find Armenian pizza bread (Spicy Onion and Tomato, Vegetable and Spicy Spinach) in the bread section of Costco, Whole Foods Market or in Middle Eastern markets.

1 Middle Eastern style low-fat thin crust spicy spinach pizza, fresh

3 pitted Kalamata olives, chopped

½ oz. goat cheese (about 1 crumbled tablespoon)

¼ tsp. red pepper flakes

1. Preheat toaster oven to 425 degrees.

2. Slice Canadian bacon into ¼-inch slices

4. Sprinkle sliced Canadian bacon over pizza bread. Top with chopped olives, cheese and red pepper flakes.

5. Place pizza on foil, and wrap foil over edges over dough. Heat for several minutes until cheese melts.

HOT HINTS: If you want a cheesier pie, try mixing a ½ serving of Lifetime's non-fat mozzarella cheese together or 1/3 cup Friendship's Whipped 1% Fat-Free Cottage Cheese together with the goat cheese.

CARIBBEAN JERK CHICKEN

Makes: 8 servings

This recipe was cherished in the diet study. A client served this dish at a party and everyone asked for the recipe. The "secret" to the success of this dish is using dark rum (molasses gives it a rich flavor) and fresh lime juice. Use left-overs in a chicken salad or sandwich the following day for a quick and easy lunch.

4 large chicken breasts with bone, skin left on

2 oz. Meyer's Dark Rum (don't substitute light rum)

juice of 6 fresh limes

1 jar Uncle Bums Hot Jamaican Marinade (12 oz.)

1. Pierce each breast with a fork 5 to 6 times (through the skin and into the meat).

2. In a small bowl, add rum and lime juice to marinade. Mix to blend.

3. Pour marinade over chicken and marinate for 2 hours (up to 24 hours).

4. Barbecue at 350 degree (skin side up) until juices run clear and meat is no longer pink-about 30 minutes. Remove the skin before eating.

Serving size: 3 ounces

CREAMY LIGHT CAESAR DRESSING

Makes: 8 servings

The best tasting low-fat Caesar salad dressing on the market still has 7 grams of fat per serving. This recipe has all the rich and tangy flavor that you crave, but at a faction of the fat! A favorite in the diet study.

2/3 cup light sour cream

5 drained anchovy fillets (oil patted off with towel)

2 Tbls. fresh lemon juice

1-2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp. black pepper, crushed

1 tbls. minced shallot

1. Put all ingredients in blender.

2. Blend until smooth.

Serving size: 2 tablespoons

SPICY GINGERED PEARS WITH LEMON CREAM

Makes: 2 servings

This fruit dessert tastes so elegant, it could be served in a fine French restaurant. The ginger, pineapple juice and molasses create a rich, sweet syrup that enhances the delicate flavor of the pears. Top with a generous dollop of lemon cream, and you won't miss the artery-clogging crème brulee! Be sure to reduce the fruit juice to a syrup to get the right intensity of flavor. This dish can be served warm or chilled.

1 cup pineapple juice

1 tbls dark molasses

1 pear, peeled, cored and sliced in half

½ tsp fresh minced ginger

½ tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 pinches cayenne chili pepper

1. Put all ingredients in a pot.

2. Simmer pear halves and sauce on medium-low heat until pears are tender but not mushy (about 3 to 4 minutes). Remove pears and transfer to a plate.

3. Continue cooking juice until a thick syrup is achieved (about 4 minutes more, you should reduce the juice to ¼ cup).

4. Strain syrup and let cool.

5. Place half a poached pear on a plate and pour sauce around the pear.

6. Top with 1 tablespoon lemon cream.

Lemon Cream

¼ cup ReddiWhip Fat-Free Dairy Topping

2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

1. Gently fold the lemon juice into the cool whip till the consistency of a thick cream.

2. Drizzle cream over pears.

Serving size: 2 tablespoons