I was playing around in the kitchen on St. Patricks day and got all inspired with a new recipe for Phase 2 of the HCG Diet. I created my Lemon Pepper Beef and Cabbage recipe for the HCG Diet Phase 2. Now I love the taste of fresh ground black pepper and I really wanted to capitalize on that amazing, peppery flavor. Any black pepper will do but I have to say, if you can, go get yourself some whole black peppercorns and a grinder. I promise that you won’t ever go back to a regular ol pepper shaker from the grocery store. There is a reason that my cookbooks are called the HCG Diet Gourmet Cookbook. At the end of the day I’m such a foodie and translated that love of food to Phase 2 of the HCG Diet.
Thought I would share this recipe with you today. It’s so delicious that I swear I could eat it every day. Now I made mine with lean ground beef (7% or less on Phase 2) but you could also make it with lean chunks of beef or even substitute chicken. The tangy, peppery flavors really help you feel like you’ve eaten something decadent. Decadent is a word not often used to describe the food choices on Phase 2 of the HCG Diet but I’d say they apply with this recipe.
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Directions:
Brown the ground beef with the onion. Pat off any excess oil carefully. Sprinkle spices on the meat and add beef broth, bay leaf, and lemon slices. Bring to a boil and add cabbage and water. Sprinkle liberally with fresh ground pepper and simmer until water is absorbed and the pan begins to brown. Add a little more water to deglaze the pan and continue cooking until cabbage is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed again. Remove lemon slices and bay leaf and serve hot. Garnish with a lemon wedge and additional black pepper.
Yum! I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. Enjoy the recipe and good luck to all of you with your diet!
What brand of beef broth do you use? Seems like all the beef broth in the store had one or more taboo ingredients. Help! I’m also curious on the chicken broth if you have a different recommendation. Thanks!
Well, the purist and best HCG Diet way is to make your own using approved vegetables like celery, cabbage, etc. Cuts of lean beef or chicken with water and spices. In a pinch I have used Trader Joes and Imagine. It’s near impossible to avoid the “taboo” ingredients all the time but we do our best and try to keep things as natural as possible. Sometimes I recommend substituting 1/2 water for broth to decrease the sodium.
Hi Tammy,
My girlfriend and I are preparing to go on the hCG diet on Feb 14 and we are doing some research beforehand to prepare ourselves. We are curious to know why mascara is not one of the cosmetics allowed. Also, some of your recipes online call for chicken or beef stock. We’re afraid to add anything that is not included in the protocol. Any advice?
Hi Jackie, Mascara is fine. It’s on your lashes so it shouldn’t be a problem. Mineral powder make up is what I use. The best broth to use in the protocol is homemade using approved vegetables and in fact the new P2 cookbook will have broth recipes. That said, organic, commercial broths can be used in a pinch and you just have to be vigilant that it doesn’t have sugar and MSG. Too much salt in commercial broths can also cause some water retention. Many people have used commercial broths and have not had any problems but homemade is preferred.
Tried this today – GREAT! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
So glad you liked it Hegira!