birthday meal ideas anyone?

We have family dinner every month at my parent's house, to be honest it's been kind of a bust since I've had surgery.  There's a regular meal for everyone else and I just eat what I eat.  So February family dinner is coming up and because it's my birthday month, I get to plan the menu and everyone else does the work!  I was hoping that people would have some suggesstions for a main meal and a dessert that I could pass along for the chefs.   Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I'm trying to build up my wls recipe collection, thank you in advance!!!

I don't know what your families likes or dislikes, but I actually won a state recipe contest with this recipe....This is very easy and a quick fix for a family meal. It is very rich so it goes a long way.
My family likes it even better using chicken but you can also used pulled pork. I have added another idea below this using this recipe in it.

Okie's Beefy Fiesta Cheesecake
Serves 8

Pam Spray
1 8 oz.Package Cream Cheese softened
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1 Pkg. Taco Seasoning
2 Eggs
5 Corn tortilia's 
1 Cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 Cups cooked shredded beef ( Can use precooked roast or beef  tips)
1 Small  4 oz. can chopped green chilies( do not drain)
1 T. Chopped Jalapeno Peppers (from a jar pickled)
1/2 Cup chopped green onions

Garnish and topping
1/2 Cup Nacho flavored Dorito's crushed
1 Package Pre-packaged Guacamole or make fresh
Remaining 1/4 chopped green onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray the bottom and sides of a 9 inch pan. I used a 9 in spring form  round
pan, but any 9 in. pan will work. I have even put it in muffin tins for individual portions

Tear the corn tortilia's into pieces covering the bottom of the pan. Give 
the tortilia's a spray of Pam, to give a light coating.
Mix the cream cheese, 2 eggs, sour cream and package of taco  seasoning until
well blended and smooth.
Stir in 1/2 of the grated cheddar cheese reserving the remaining for  the
topping, shredded beef, chopped green chilies, and jalapeno peppers. Only  use
1/2  of the green onions into this mixture.  You  are reserving the remaining
for the garnish. Do not mix this step with  the mixer. Stir until well blended.

Bake for 45 min. to 50 min.  Mixutre will rise and turn a light tan and not giggle when done.
Remove cheesecake and while hot, sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over the 
top to melt. Sprinkle remaining green onions over the top. Followed by desired
garnish. I serve ours with the Crushed Dorito's  and 1 to 2 T.  Guacamole.

Let stand 15 min before cutting and serving.
Sprinkle crushed Dorito's over the top, followed by 1 or 2 T. of Guacamole. on each slice
The chips will soften if left on for a length of time, so I recommend 
putting them on before serving, as with the Guacamole.
`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have used that recipe as an enchilada filling by leaving the eggs out, add 1/2 can of cream of chicken soup and uping the cheddar cheese by another cup.  It is very high in protein and if you don't eat any of the tortilia which can be easily removed, then it should be fine for you.  I made a batch of 24 enchilada's last night with it and put up three small containers of just the filling fom myself,  for when I am able to have it.( I am pre-op). I heat four tortilia's at a time in the microwave for about 30 sec.,(all 4 at that time frame) then take them out, place a blob of filling on one end then roll up one at a time and place in a greased pan. I also sprinkle the top with more cheddar cheese and Green onions before pouring the following over them.

To make a pour over cheese sauce for Enchilada's. I add 
                                                              The other 1/2 Can of Cream of chicken soup.                                                               1/2 cup of sour cream                                                      
                                                              1/2 package Velveta
                                                              Thin this to the desired consistency by adding  some of the remaining chicken broth from cooking the chicken or used canned chic broth.
                                                              
Or  you could use one package of Velveta cheese and add a can of Rotel to it. I use the mild because of the Grand kids. This whole dish is a very mild heat but you could add more by adding jalapeno's

Pour over the enchilada's, cover  and bake about 30 min on 350. Since everything is cooked, all you need is for the cheese filling  to melt and the tortilias to soften.

Serve this with refried beans seasoned with a 1/2 can green enchilada sauce to thin out,  and for the family, you can make up 2 cups of minute rice, but use only use 1 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 can of Green chilie enchilada sauce, for a complete Mexican meal! 
Since I haven't had the surgery I THINK that only thing you could not have in these recipes is the rice,  the corn tortilias on the bottom of the cheese cake or the tortilia chips.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

First and foremost.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!


now girl..it's time for you to shine the low carb way...  spoil yourself....have fun with whaever topping you choose....

Baked Cheesecake just to spoil you…

Ingredients

5 packages of 8 oz cream cheese

4 large eggs

¾ cup Splenda

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup heavy cream

¼ tsp lemon zest

A dash of nutmeg

Directions

It also must be cooked completely or the texture will not be right.

Make sure that cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature (very important).

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Spray a spring form pan with a non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, mix eggs, cream, sweetener, and extract.

Add cream cheese in small chunks for easier beating.

Now is a good time to add the lemon zest.

Add the dash of nutmeg.

After all the lumps are gone pour into the pan and bake for 55 to 60 minutes.

Refrigerate, leave this in the fridge for no less than a full night!!!

Any type of Berry can be used for the topping. I love blueberries personally due to the fact they have such a punch of flavor and are full of great things that are healthy for you. I would also suggest a few sliced strawberries…. This thing is heavenly when done right. Take your time, follow the steps and let me know how it turns out for you!

4.5 grams carbs per serving.

For the main meal try this:

 

Dijon Balsamic Chops

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter

4 thick, center cut chops, each weighing approx 8-oz

2 tablespoons softened butter

2 tablespoons wine vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard

3 tablespoons heavy cream

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar to finish

Preparation:

Melt the butter in a heavy, non-stick skillet. Add the chops to the skillet and cook them over medium heat for approx. 10 minutes on each side or till done. In a tiny saucepan, heat the next 7 ingredients together, stirring frequently. Do not boil the mixture. When the chops are cooked, remove them to a heated platter. Pour off any excess fat that may have accumulated in the skillet and add the mustard mixture to the pan. Heat over a low flame to combine the mustard mixture with the pan juices. Pour the sauce over the chops and garnish with chopped parsley. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the Dijon sauce….this forms sweet and sour all in one...

Have fun!

T.

This sounds wonderful, can the cheesecake recipe used during the mushy stage?  My father and I share a birthday this month on the 15th and only going to be 3 wks post opt I thought I was going to have to sit by and watch everyone else eat.

You have any other ideas for main course at sft stage?  You always have the greatest sounding recipes, I can't wait to try them.

Thanks,

Kim

thanks for the suggestions!

i totally forgot that cream cheese isn't such a horrible option for us protein wise, i picked up some fat free this week!  thanks!!