The Sweet Magnolias Cookbook (48 page)

SERVES 20

Chocolate Amaretto Cake
(no sugar added)

CAKE

TOPPING

After the cake layers come out of the oven, scatter the almonds on a baking sheet, and bake at 350°F about 8 minutes, until lightly browned and almonds begin to smell toasted. Set aside to cool. In a medium mixing bowl, combine whipping cream, Splenda and almond extract. Beat on high speed until firm peaks hold.

TO SERVE

Cut cake layers into wedges or chunks. Place cake on dessert plates. Top with the whipped cream and toasted almonds.

SERVES 12

Vidalia Onion Vinaigrette

When Maddie was going through her divorce, tensions were running pretty high among the Sweet Magnolias. I'd been divorced from Ronnie for a while, but I knew better than anyone that what Maddie really needed was a challenge. Not that being a single mom to three children isn't difficult enough, but Helen and I knew Maddie needed to get her legs back under her. What she needed most of all was a boost to her self-esteem.

 

And what we all needed was a pleasant place to exercise. I mean, it's not as if a one of us could work up any enthusiasm for the treadmill in the first place, but at least it needed to be located someplace that wasn't a dump. Dexter's gym was all Serenity had, and sweet as he is, Dexter had let the place get so run-down, only the desperate would go there for a workout.

What Serenity needed—or at least what the women in town needed—was a place not only to get fit but to be pampered too. The minute the idea came to me and Helen, we were all over it, but Maddie took a whole lot of convincing, especially since she had only sweat equity to contribute. I think once she realized how difficult it was going to be to create a business plan, deal with renovations and get the doors open, she started feeling a whole lot better about her contribution. She was, after all, putting in the hard work. All Helen and I did was give her a budget to work with. She made The Corner Spa the success it is today, and she did it practically single-handedly, which not only assured us a healthy bottom line but also gave her self-esteem just the boost it needed.

Despite all the credit that belongs to Maddie, I'd like to think at least part of The Corner Spa's success is due to the little café we created so women could take a break after working out or getting a massage or mani-pedi. Of course, the menu had to be healthy. And since we weren't going to have a kitchen on the premises, it had to be simple, special things that could be prepared fresh at Sullivan's each day or easily blended right on the premises.

Our smoothies are one of the most popular items we serve. Who wouldn't enjoy sitting under a big ol' shade tree on our brick patio with a tropical fruit smoothie after a hard workout? Or how about a bowl of spicy, chilled gazpacho? Talk about refreshing!

Because every woman tends to feel incredibly virtuous after an hour or so of exercise, there's no reason to spoil that mood with something heavy. Our low-fat chunky apple muffins with a glass of tea seem faintly decadent, but they won't break the calorie bank.

My personal favorite for the woman who needs to grab something quick on the go after using her lunch hour to work out is our chicken Caesar salad wrap. It's low-calorie and filling but light enough that it won't ruin that high that comes from putting in some time on the treadmill.

In fact, that's what all the recipes in this section are about: healthy eating, whether it's after a workout or just an alternative on a hot summer evening. And these just go to prove that tasty doesn't have to be loaded down with fat!

Corner Spa Tortilla Soup (low-fat)

SLOW COOKER

Combine all ingredients except the tortillas in a 4-quart slow cooker. Cover, and cook on high 6–8 hours.

STOVETOP

Combine all ingredients except the tortillas in a Dutch oven, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 hour minimum.

SERVES 8–10

Summer Gazpacho