Hey Ladies,
So I just bought the South Beach book and was happy to find there were many recipes in it. Then I was given the South Beach Cookbook as a gift and I was very very happy to find in my opinion BETTER recipes and ofcourse the very useful condiment recipes. Now I know there is yet ANOTHER SB cookbook I think called 30 minute easy recipes. Has anyone tried this book yet? If so how did you like it and what kind of goodies can I expect if I buy it?

Well I just ordered it, and it should be coming soon. Once I get it I'll let you know!

Stephie!

I have both of the cookbooks, and I really like and use the last one - 30 minute recipes, the best. It uses ingredients that you usually have already on hand, and the recipes are easy to make and good. The only one we didn't care much for was the one for Cauliflower Soup, it was too bland, but you could spice it up more to suit your taste. Let us know what recipes you try, and how you like them!

Yes, I have the Quick & Easy cookbook, and I have enjoyed most of the recipes I have tried out of there so far. The recipes don't typically involve many ingredients and are very fast and easy to prepare. My favorite recipes in there are the Turkey Parmesan and Baked Pesto Chicken. I recommend this book!

I think that one may be more like what I am looking for. I mean I do not happen to have balsamic or malt vinegar just on hand. My first shopping trip to support this diet is going to be expensive!!!! Thank goodness my DH is doing it to or he would flip lol!

I cook out of both cookbooks all the time. I'm slowly exploring the books and am trying new phase 1 recipes since I went back to phase 1 after Christmas. Here are some I have tried and liked from the Quick and Easy Cookbook:

Halibut with Tapenade in Parchment - I used Grilled Vegetable tapenade and put it over diced tomatoes and shoestring zucchini. I thought it would be hard to make but it was quick and easy. I found the tapenade near the spaghetti sauces. It is good served over rice on p2 or cabbage in p1.

Cod chowder - good and easy but I like the clam chowder I posted in the p2 soups better.

crab and avocado salad - I bought fresh cilantro for this and used it for other recipes like the Indian Tomato Soup.

Chicken Quesadillas - Fast and easy and yummy

Turkey noodle soup - I made it with leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and it was great. Or use the cutlets like it calls for.

South Beach Classic Burger - good with overnight slaw.

Thai Grilled Beef and String Beans - This also used the leftover cilantro from the other recipes. The fish sauce and chili paste were in the oriental section of the grocery store. I cooked the fresh green beans in the microwave and also cooked a pound of asparagus and served it all together. This is a good recipe if you have a kid or spouse who might not like the sauce since it is tossed together at the end so you can serve the meat and veggies separate. It is wonderful together though.

Beef with Asparagus and Mushrooms - this is a favorite that we make often. I use red onion with it and sometimes add a little beef broth if necessary.

Chipotle Beef Burrito - All of us like this including my 8 year old. The chipotle chilies in adobo are in the Mexican section of the grocery. I use a little less so it isn't too spicy for Brian and the DH adds extra chilis to his for extra heat.

Spinach with garlic and pine nuts - this side dish was easy and yummy.

Creamy Dreamy Strawberry Vanilla Shake - This dessert is also good if you use a 6oz plain yogurt and a 6 oz lite strawberry yogurt. You can also add in a banana.

Here are our favorites for the original South Beach Diet Cookbook:

Indian Tomato soup - I had a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes so I used that and increased the rest of the stuff to match (used 3 cans of vegetable broth). This was easy and wonderful. Good leftover too.

Creole Gumbo - this is wonderful and easy to make.

Pork and Pepper Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette - I paired this with the Indian tomato soup. DH mixed the two but I ate them separate. I left out the green pepper and used 1 red and 1 yellow instead. I used extra cabbage too. I made this with pork loin since it was on sale and it was still really good.

Overnight slaw - Lots of people like this who are not on the diet. You can use prechopped coleslaw mix to make it easier. I buy frozen chives and keep them in the freezer and it works well with this.

Sesame Ginger Asparagus - I make this all the time. I normally don't use the sesame oil or sesame seeds and it is still wonderful. It is also good with fresh green beans but you have to cook them a little longer. I normally cook the veggies in the microwave and then just add them to the skillet with the sauce.

Five Spice Salmon - Good and easy. Since my George Foreman cooks on both sides, this only takes about 6 minutes to cook (plus 30 min to marinade).

Chicken Capri - good. Make sure chicken doesn't overcook.

Five Spice Chicken - I made this often. It is so fast and easy since it cooks in the microwave. If you don't thicken the sauce with the cornstarch then you can eat it on phase 1.

Ginger Chicken - Great. You can use chicken tenders and reduce the time.

Souffle Stuffed Chicken - I really like this. I used thin cut breasts this last time and didn't pound the chicken. Even Brian ate it. I served it with oven roasted vegetables.

Beef Kebabs with Peanut dipping sauce - The marinade was great but we weren't thrilled with the peanut sauce.

Meatballs with tomato and zucchini medley - I often add mushrooms in place of one of the zucchini. I double the meatball amount and then freeze half the meatballs after browing them. This reduces the cooking time the second time I make it. Just take them from the freezer, defrost and add them to the last step where they cook for 20 minutes.

Sage and Rosemary Pork - This is good as it is or you can take the filling ingredients and top tenderloin with it if you don't need a full loin.

Garlic and Soy Grilled Pork chops - Good.

Whole Wheat Vegetable lasagna - This is wonderful. Non- South Beachers love this too. I mix the spinach and zucchini in with the cheese mixture so it is faster to apply. Sometimes I add lean ground meat to all or part of the lasagna. I may do all veggie on half and meat with less veggies on the other half if I am serving for big meat eaters. I may even do a corner of it without the veggies for my son.

These are some of our favorites. I also cook from many of the recipes in our recipe section here. Things like Taco Bake, Wendy's Chili (cooks in crockpot) and ham Jambalaya and shrimp creole are some of our non-cookbook favorites. You can look for some of the recipes I have posted for some of our other favorites. Brian loves the Ham Zucchini Asparagus Pasta (cream sauce is made with evaporated milk).

Thank you so much, Barb! You are my hero on a busy weekend around here and IRL too!

I got the new cookbook for Christmas and have made 3 things out of it so far. I really like this cookbook as the recipes are quicker and easier. I also use the other cookbook

I like both books but the 30 minute one is great. Try the Kale and Cauliflower bake. It's delish! The pesto chicken is good too and the indian chicken.