Raspberry Cream... a spin on cottage cheese and yogurt

Seriously tasty ladies... it's a good change from the run of the mill cottage cheese, though probably slightly less healthy due to the added sugar.

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN of the New York Times

This simple dessert is a perfect destination for frozen raspberries, which throw off a lot of juice when they thaw. Serve it as a dessert, a breakfast, a topping for toast or a snack.

1 12-ounce package frozen raspberries

1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (to taste)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon finely chopped lemon zest

1 1/2 cups low-fat or nonfat cottage cheese (I used nonfat)

1/3 cup plain low-fat or nonfat yogurt (I used nonfat greek yogurt)

1. Empty the frozen berries into a bowl. Toss with the sugar, and place in the refrigerator for several hours to thaw. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest, and stir together.

2. In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, blend the cottage cheese until smooth. Add the yogurt, and continue to blend until there is no graininess. Stir into the berries. Serve at once, or chill in a covered bowl in the refrigerator.

Yield: Makes 3 cups, about eight servings.

Advance preparation: This dish will keep for two or three days in the refrigerator.

Nutritional information per serving (using 2 percent low-fat cottage cheese): 77 calories; 1 gram fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 5 milligrams cholesterol; 11 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 147 milligrams sodium (does not include salt added during preparation); 6 grams protein

Nutritional information per serving (using fat-free cottage cheese): 71 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 2 milligrams cholesterol; 12 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 169 milligrams sodium (does not include salt added during preparation); 6 grams protein

Citrus Rice Salad

In case you haven't realized it yet, I'm a huge fan of Giada, of the Food Network. Here's another winner. The only thing I would change next time, is maybe reducing the olive oil to 1/3 cup instead... but that's really a minor thing. :) It's got a nice citrus kick (maybe serve it up with some orange glazed chicken, fish, or pork) and doesn't have too strong a cumin flavor for those who aren't as big of cumin fans as I.

Rice Salad:

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cups brown basmati rice, rinsed
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 medium orange, zested
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 cup thinly sliced green onions

Vinaigrette:

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

For the Rice Salad:

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely, about 15 minutes

In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock, salt and oil to a boil over medium-high heat Stir in the rice. Cover the saucepan, reduce the heat, and simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender, about 40 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Using a fork, fluff the rice and place in a large serving bowl. Add the parsley, orange zest, half of the lemon zest, green onions, and 1/4 cup of the almonds. Toss well.

For the Vinaigrette:

In a blender, combine the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and cumin. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Pour the vinaigrette over the rice mixture and stir well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with the remaining lemon zest and almonds.