PHASE 2 & 3:

I have discovered the joys (and health benefits) of dark chocolate on this plan. Of course you must practice portion control with this food but what a fabulous dessert -- especially when enjoyed with a little red wine, which I plan to do on Valentine's Day. I now enjoy this made with toasted almonds instead of pistachio's but here's the simple, simple recipe (from the SB book):

1 box of Baker's UNSWEETENED dark chocolate
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/dressings-spreads-dips-snack-ideas/118-pistachio-bark.html
1/2 cup Splenda
1/2 cup chopped pistachio kernals -unsalted kind (or toasted almond slices)

Unwrap all of the chocolate squares and put them in a microwave bowl.
Microwave on high for ONE minute.
Take out of microwave and stir partially melted chocolate.
Microwave for ONE additional minute.
Take out of microwave and stir in Splenda and nuts
Spread out thinly and evenly onto a cookie sheet lined with wax or parchment paper.
Put in freezer for 30 minutes.
Take out and break up into bite size pieces (approximately 1&1/2 inch flat squares). 3 pieces constitutes one serving.

ENJOY!!!!!!

That sounds great for whenever you need a chocolate fix. I'll have to try it. I use to buy some sugar free chocolate covered almonds when I was doing Atkins. I can't find them anymore. But this recipe just might do the trick. I have some of the chocolate and I'll get some of the nuts when I go to the store later.

I just hope I can control my portion sizes.

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I made this recipe last night. I cut the recipe in half and I think I might have needed more sweetener. But it was still good and good for a chocolate fix when you just need something to get you through.

I'm wondering if next time I could just skip the nuts and add a few drops of peppermint extract.

Thanks for posting it, Mindy!

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I think you can add any legal food you want to make it your own. Like I changed from pistachios to toasted almonds. Bet the extract would be a nice touch! I think the bittersweet chocolate does take some getting used to and perhaps the sugar is a YMMV kind of thing (Your mileage may vary!). Glad you liked the test batch well enough to keep experimenting!!!!