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In the last few years, Atkins diet recipes have become one of the most sought after diet plans in America. Even though, the "no-carb" diet fad has taken on new heights and in some social circles, is a thing of the past. However, the Atkins diet recipes seemed to survive the "fad" and has become an "icon" in healthy eating.

As an avid seafood lover, I am a huge fan of seafood dinner diet recipes and Dr. Atkins' Quick & Easy New Diet Cookbook features a wealth of delicious diet recipes that are chunky of nutrition and are positive to please any crowd. My favorite recipes are the Shrimp Scampi and the Red Snapper with Tomato and Olives.

The Diminutive Scampi is a healthy twist to an old dinner approved. This Atkins diet recipe calls for novel garlic, lemon, white wine and is very tasty. The Red Snapper with Tomato and Olives Atkins diet recipe is a perfect combination of tomatoes, olives, onions and capers that will leave you wanting more after two helpings. This delightful Atkins recipe is ideal for those special dinner parties or if you objective want to impress friends without the extras carbs and calories.

Atkins Diet Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 large cloves garlic, minced

½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Juice of ½ lemon

½ cup of dry white wine

Pinch of dried hot red pepper flakes

Salt and shaded pepper to taste

1 pound large petite, shelled and deveined

Heat the butter and oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat until the foam subsides. Add the garlic, parsley, lemon juice, wine, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 3 minutes. Add the petite to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, until the petite are pink. Remove from heat. Place the shrimp on a serving plate and pour the sauce from the skillet over them. Serve immediately. Serves 2 and total carbohydrates are: 13.2 grams with 6.6 grams per serving.

The Exiguous Scampi Atkins diet recipe is reprinted from Dr. Atkins' Fast & Easy New Diet Cookbook by Robert C. Atkins, M.D., & Veronica Atkins.

Atkins Diet Recipe: Red Snapper with Tomato and Olives

1-tablespoon olive oil

½ minute onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

5 Greek black olives, pitted and chopped

¾ cup chopped tomatoes

2 tablespoons capers

½ cup dry red wine

Pinch of dried hot red pepper flakes (optional)

2 tablespoons butter

1 ½ pounds red snapper fillets

Heat the oil in a big skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the onion, garlic, and olives. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes, or until the onion is transparent. Add the tomatoes, capers, wine, and red pepper flakes, if using. Bring to boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the butter in another tall skillet over medium heat until the foam subsides. Cook the snapper for 2 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned. Transfer the snapper to the tomatoes mixture in skillet, cover, and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, or until the snapper just flakes. Serve immediately. Serves 2 and total carbohydrates: 16.3 grams with 8.2 grams per serving.

The Red Snapper with Tomato and Olives Atkins diet recipes is reprinted from Dr. Atkins's Rapid & Easy New Diet Cookbook by Robert C. Atkins, M.D., & Veronica Atkins.

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Most people decide to give up red wine once it gets hot out and switch to honest beer or white wine. There's no need to do that! There are many excellent reds that can be consumed even when it is 90 degrees out! It is recommended to chill down these wines slightly (10 minutes in an ice bath or 30 mins-1 hour in a refrigerator) before serving with your favorite BBQ, grilled meats, pasta salads and hot dogs!

1. 100% Grenache (preferably un-oaked) from the Languedoc of France or Spain. Grenache, when the vines are young and the wine fermented in stainless steel, are fruity, fresh, dry and very appropriate for the hot weather! Check shelf-talkers or ask your local shop for suggestions. Brands to look for: Le Drunk Rooster, Las Rocas, Higuerela, Cuvee de Pena.

2. Zweigelt or Blauer Zweigelt. Yes, hard to pronounce (zw-eye-gelt or blauw-er zw-eye-gelt) is a great Austrian red wine. Most bottles run around $15. Imagine your popular Pinot Noir, but a little lighter and a touch earthier. Chill it for an hour in the fridge before serving with your favorite grilled meats and you won't be disappointed. Brands to look for: Berger (a one-liter version) or Sattler.

3. French red blends. There are so many to choose from, but look for a Cotes du Rhone, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, the Cotes de Ventoux and the Languedoc regions. They have so much to offer. 2007 was an excellent vintage for the Rhone valley and the grapes ripened nicely, bringing well balanced fruit and integrated tannins. Peek for one based on Syrah or Grenache, which covers the majority of production.

4. New Zealand Pinot Noir. The southern hemisphere is truly gaining in popularity, not only for its quality but for its incredible values. Some come from Fresh Zealand, and the Pinot Noirs that the Kiwis produce are wonderful. Unfortunately, at an average price of over $15 a bottle, many would not be considered great values, but the quality is there. As most Pinots are grown in chilly climates within New Zealand, the ripening and resulting color in most cases is slightly lighter than what you would query from a California Pinot Noir. But, don't let this gather to you, as these wines have tons of flavor! These wines also tend to be better than average values on a well constructed wine list. Brands to peer for: Mud House, Spy Valley, Spinyback, Muddy Water, Alpha Domus.

5. California Merlot. This may be a controversial #5, but it needs mentioning since Merlot has fallen so much in popularity since the release of the movie Sideways. So many people say," I love all wine but Merlot"; "Give me anything but Merlot". Honestly, a young, fruity Merlot is perfect for summertime sipping. Support it under $12 and sustain an open mind, have it with some burgers and potato chips and you won't be disappointed. Many more expensive Merlots will be too full bodied for the weather!

Some other summer red wine options to possibly try: Beaujolais from France, Barbera D'Asti from Italy, Montepulciano from Italy, Washington State Syrah. It is worth trying any of the red wines mentioned above at your next cookout!

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My father loves to quote  Sophia Loren in 'Grumpier Old Men'  when we talk wine.  'I didn't know wine could near in a box!" she quips.  Well, it can and does.  And that's how I like to purchase my table wine.  

Oh clear if I want to imprint the school principal or parish priest, I'll befriend wine from a bottle (which I've decanted from my box!)
Folks somehow equate quality with bottle and cork.  But in all honesty, you can enjoy some very fine vino from the Vella, Franzia and Almaden box with a spigot.  

Why a box?   Well the benefits are many.  The most valuable is that it tastes delicious!   I am generally a red Merlot, Burgundy or Cabernet Sauvignon drinker.  Red wine is better for the blood.  I also like the white Chardonnay for a treat.  These are the more expensive of the boxed variety, being about $2 more than the sweeter chablis, house red or Zinfandels.  So I can speak better on these varieties.  

I have enjoyed the costlier varieties and the difference is in price only.  Now if I want the Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir I sometimes desire, well then I look t the bottle, as they aren't available in box.  But the  differnece is in the grape, region and variety not the packaging.

Next, the box stays fresh longer than a refrigerated half-bottle.  The spigot is attached to a plastic 'bladder' which is air-tight.  Second day bottled wine is pretty stale, so it's 'kill it in one sitting or toss the rest'.  

The cost is where the box really pulls ahead, though!  A 750ml bottle of modestly priced wine is $5-10.  The box at the same pricing and quality standards costs $12-$14 and holds 5 litres.  Calculating by the metric system, that equates to 5,000 ml or about 6.5  bottles of wine.  Even at $5 a bottle, that's $32.50 for the bottles.  So the difference in cost is $20 to $43!  

Try a box of Peter Vella, Almaden, or Franzia (my personal favorite) and see if you can find a difference, oh! except the 20 or so extra dollars in your pocketbook!  After all 'in vino veritas'!

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For all you wine enthusiast out there, it's almost impossible not to have a slip-of-the hand at some point in time and accidentally spill a glass of wine. It may be that cheap stuff or the high-end brand on that expensive blouse, your grandmother's heirloom, elegant, white linen tablecloth, or the special order carpet that you just had installed. Regardless of the cost or location, the spill needs to be taken care of Posthaste before it leaves a permanent stain!

When removing red wine stains several things need to be taken into consideration. What type of fabric the stain is in, the amount of time the stain has set in, and will a stain remover be needed. The type of fabric or location of a red wine stain is very important because of the resilience and durability of the material.

If the stain is in a delicate clothing fabric such as a silk blouse dry cleaning instructions need to be followed as no pretreatment should be used. If the stain is in a white linen tablecloth a quick blot of white wine can be a fast and temporary pretreatment. A red wine stain in carpets can easily end up being a complete disaster if it's not taken care of properly. There are a variety of different commercial stain remover's available. Dri Clean, Resolve and Wine Away are said to be the most popular three brands. Of these three brands, Wine Away is at the top of the list. Originally developed for the paint industry, Wine Away can be veteran specifically to remove red wine spills. It is a combination of fruit and vegetable extracts that can be used around children and pets. You can purchase this type of stain remover from a wine manufacture.

There are several steps that can be taken to accomplish the goal of getting that dreadful status out before it runs your item. Remember one thing – NEVER RUB A STAIN because doing this you risk setting the stain into the fabric and ruining it.

Here is a list of items you will need:
1. Clean white cloth
2. Small bowl/Wash Machine
3. Mild dish soap/laundry detergent
4. Salt/hydrogen peroxide/soda water
5. Stain remover (Dri Clean, Wine Away, Resolve)

Steps to follow when removing stains:
1. IMMEDIATELY blot the stain with a dry clean cloth (DO NOT RUB)
2. Combine 1 teaspoon of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl
3. Lightly blot area with mixture
4. Allow area to absorb the mixture and dry

The removal of red wine stains is no mystical secret. In actuality, all that is being done by these treatments is making the red coloring in the wine invisible. Coffee, tea and Kool-Aid can be removed by using the same technique.

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When I hear someone mention the term inexpensive red wine I normally sit up and assume interest. Partially due to my frugal nature but more because I really like red wine. Now, before we proceed let me warn you, I am not your typical well educated wine guru. I'm just an average, penny pinching schmoe who loves red wine enough to actually know something about it.

My consumption of wine has been slated as nothing short of bacchanal savagery and likened to a hunt weary horse at a trough. Uncomplimentary words like quaff, gulp and slurp are often used in dismay at my obvious enjoyment of the moment. What can I say, I really like red wine. Particularly low-cost red wine.

The next logical step would be to set what constitutes an affordable red wine. My uncle Fergus would say that anything coming in at under a 100 bucks is swill and worthless for anything but sprinkling on his fish and chips. Me, I reckon a red passing checkout at between $10 and $15 is worthy of the term.

So, now that the ground rules are set and my general lack of credibility established lets have a notice at 5 inexpensive red wines that are really worth quaffing.

Yellow Tail Merlot

Hailing from South Eastern Australia, this solid, down to earth, inexpensive red wine is a sure winner as an affordable, every day drink. I've always been partial to Merlots and this one is a magnificent example.

Softer than many and not inclined to suck your face into the back of your head, it's warm and pudgy with a deep claret color and distinctly plumy nose. The first hit as it goes down is a shrimp sweet, but not overpoweringly so. In the middle where all the fun starts there's a strong berry presence and a hint of vanilla and oak when it's all gone.

I've always been intrigued by the description of the "Aussie spice" that Cassela Wines put on the label. My precise, long suffering lab assistant Mark and I tried really hard to find these elusive spices, but after four bottles we gave up and just took their word for it!

Seriously though, this is a really valid, inexpensive red wine in true Aussie style. Sure to kick any red meat, pasta or spicy chicken dish up a notch without excavating the wallet. Yellow Tail Merlot retails between $8 and $10.

Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot

When you pull the bung on this inexpensive red wine the first thing that you notice is the nose. I have smelled plantation rums that were less fragrant. This wine has a big fruity nose that just begs for further attention. And attention it gets.

Again the first impression is an curious sweetness for a front cultivar know for a slightly acidic leaning. The middle is just as fruit driven as the Merlot with some raspberry (I think) and a caramel-vanilla bye-bye kiss. Nice, very nice. One can easily get used to this particular Cabernet blend.

At the end of the day, this red proves to be another reason why more wine fence sitters should start a romance with inexpensive red wines that are more generic in structure. They are not as harsh on the unsuspecting palette and affordable to boot.

All in all this Aussie Cabernet Merlot comes out top as an easy drinking, affordable accompaniment to good food and good company. This wine also retails for between $8 and $10.

2007 Bouwland Cabernet Merlot

This South African wine from the Stellenbosch-Simonsberg area promised to please as do most SA wines, so I got out my cork screw and beer mug and plugged away.

Although very warm and inviting this baby doesn't have the immediate impact on the nose that her sibling from down under has and a lickety-split swirl around the glass released a subtle but pleasing whiff of plum and currant. With the first swig you immediately know that this is a more worn wine than the Aussie runner.

With a strong current and coffee, I should have rinsed the mug first, overtone this one slides effortlessly off into a rustic, earthy finish. At one point Mark mentioned, with a slightly pie-eyed grin, that there was a hint of mushroom in there too. And they say I'm a savage! This Bordeaux style wine also has a perfect deep ruby color. Yummy.

As inexpensive red wines go this one is somewhat misplaced as it definitely rates up there with the more expensive examples. This frugal red wine would form a perfect foil for pastas and red meat. Very nice over all. Bouwland Cabernet Merlot retails at a very superb $12.

2008 Indaba Shiraz

Staying in sunny South Africa we look at another really nice, inexpensive red wine from the Cape wine route. I've always had a soft state for Shiraz varieties as they tend to be fun, unassuming wines that add zest to any occasion. Aged in French and American oak for 6 months prior to bottling, this example has a tantalizing berry and chocolate character with a touch of liquorice.

A light ruby color, fresh berry nose and challenging taste do this one a perfect accompaniment to anything from burgers to Fillet Mignon. Yummy again. The 2008 Indaba Shiraz retails at $11.

2007 La Peurta Malbec

One thing I've learned on my extended meanderings around the block is that one should avoid drinking things you can stare through or can't pronounce when you're still sober. So it was with some trepidation that I first tried out this South American tongue twister. Was I ever wrong?

Hailing from Argentina, this delightful Bordeaux varietal has a deep plum color and a spicy fresh nose. Throw it back and there's plum and an almost floral character to the first rush followed by a slightly sweet almost jammy presence when it's gone.

This is a real strong runner in the inexpensive red wine stakes and is just fruity acid enough to perfectly compliment any rare beef dish, and romps with Indian or Cajun fried chicken. La Peurta Malbec retails at $11 to $12.

So there you have it. Five of my common inexpensive red wines for which I have been so castigated. As I said before, a low-cost red wine makes for the stuff wine was invented for – FUN. No pinkie pointing nonsense, just plain good old fashioned camaraderie and good times. Contented drinking!

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Mirassou is very much a value-priced brand. In the case of Mirassou Pinot Noir, you may even say I am taking one for the team. Low-cost pinot noirs are always a challenge; very coarse cost pinot noirs even moreso. But let's see what we've got…

In the glass, Mirassou Pinot Noir is light/medium red with touches of pink and brick, quite pale at the edges. As you swirl the glass, however, gallant, bright cherry aromas do flood the room. They are fairly candy-like. On deeper sniffing, though, they bear a bit more weight and darkness. There's a touch of helium balloon in the aroma too.

On the palate, this pinot noir is juicy, sweet, round and quite palate-filling. A hint of darkness (oak? ) touches the bright cherries. The sweet, tangy flavor lingers. Not a lot of depth or complexity, but almost no offensive notes either.

Gosh, I will award this three stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale – that means I would come attend to it again someday. Please be advised, though, that this rating is for its pleasantness as a light-bodied, solid, easy-drinking red wine – NOT as a quintessential pinot noir.

At its low-end price point, a rating of three stars makes Mirassou Pinot Noir an outstanding value. One of the very few values you'll rep in this range of pinot noirs. Enjoy.

The 2003 Mirassou Merlot has more years of age on it than you would typically collect in a value-priced red wine.

In the glass the sample is deep ruby red with purple highlights. It gives off a prominent aroma of ripe plums coupled with oak and even sweaty socks. It suggests a deep experience for such a relatively inexpensive wine.

However, the palate is brighter with more fruit than expected, not unpleasant, but it hints of blueberry and blackberry and licorice, with an alcoholic bang in the middle. Fairly quick finish, but hey, what do you want for this price?!

Decent sipping wine, I'd have it once more, but I wouldn't sacrifice an evening to it. So let's call it three stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale.

Here's an even older specimen: Let's see how this slightly longer-aged 2002 version holds up.

In the glass, the 2002 Mirassou Merlot is transparent – mid-red with an orange sheen. The nose is sweaty fruit – not an interesting sweatiness… just sweaty.

On the palate, this is ripe fruit honest in the middle of the taste zone, with oak and acids on the modest finish. Wants to be finished right now, not stored any longer. Ok for this evening. But I wouldn't scrutinize for it again. So two stars out of five.

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When I hear someone mention the term inexpensive red wine I normally sit up and take interest. Partially due to my frugal nature but more because I really like red wine. Now, before we proceed let me warn you, I am not your typical well educated wine guru. I'm honest an average, penny pinching schmoe who loves red wine enough to actually know something about it.

My consumption of wine has been slated as nothing short of bacchanal savagery and likened to a hunt weary horse at a trough. Uncomplimentary words like quaff, gulp and slurp are often primitive in dismay at my obvious enjoyment of the moment. What can I say, I really like red wine. Particularly low-cost red wine.

The next logical step would be to establish what constitutes an affordable red wine. My uncle Fergus would say that anything coming in at under a 100 bucks is swill and worthless for anything but sprinkling on his fish and chips. Me, I reckon a red passing checkout at between $10 and $15 is worthy of the term.

So, now that the ground rules are set and my general lack of credibility established lets have a look at 5 inexpensive red wines that are really worth quaffing.

Yellow Tail Merlot

Hailing from South Eastern Australia, this solid, down to earth, inexpensive red wine is a positive winner as an affordable, every day drink. I've always been partial to Merlots and this one is a fine example.

Softer than many and not inclined to suck your face into the aid of your head, it's warm and beefy with a deep claret color and distinctly plumy nose. The first hit as it goes down is a little sweet, but not overpoweringly so. In the middle where all the fun starts there's a strong berry presence and a hint of vanilla and oak when it's all gone.

I've always been intrigued by the description of the "Aussie spice" that Cassela Wines put on the label. My trusty, long suffering lab assistant Mark and I tried really hard to find these elusive spices, but after four bottles we gave up and impartial took their word for it!

Seriously though, this is a really good, inexpensive red wine in true Aussie style. Sure to kick any red meat, pasta or spicy chicken dish up a notch without excavating the wallet. Yellow Tail Merlot retails between $8 and $10.

Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot

When you pull the bung on this inexpensive red wine the first thing that you notice is the nose. I have smelled plantation rums that were less fragrant. This wine has a big fruity nose that just begs for further attention. And attention it gets.

Again the first impression is an uncommon sweetness for a front cultivar know for a slightly acidic leaning. The middle is just as fruit driven as the Merlot with some raspberry (I think) and a caramel-vanilla bye-bye kiss. Nice, very nice. One can easily get used to this particular Cabernet blend.

At the kill of the day, this red proves to be another reason why more wine fence sitters should start a romance with inexpensive red wines that are more generic in structure. They are not as harsh on the unsuspecting palette and affordable to boot.

All in all this Aussie Cabernet Merlot comes out top as an easy drinking, affordable accompaniment to good food and good company. This wine also retails for between $8 and $10.

2007 Bouwland Cabernet Merlot

This South African wine from the Stellenbosch-Simonsberg area promised to please as do most SA wines, so I got out my cork screw and beer mug and plugged away.

Although very warm and inviting this baby doesn't have the immediate impact on the nose that her sibling from down under has and a fleet swirl around the glass released a subtle but resplendent whiff of plum and currant. With the first swig you immediately know that this is a more mature wine than the Aussie runner.

With a strong current and coffee, I should have rinsed the mug first, overtone this one slides effortlessly off into a rustic, earthy finish. At one point Designate mentioned, with a slightly pie-eyed grin, that there was a hint of mushroom in there too. And they say I'm a savage! This Bordeaux style wine also has a perfect deep ruby color. Yummy.

As inexpensive red wines go this one is somewhat misplaced as it definitely rates up there with the more expensive examples. This frugal red wine would make a perfect foil for pastas and red meat. Very nice over all. Bouwland Cabernet Merlot retails at a very reliable $12.

2008 Indaba Shiraz

Staying in sunny South Africa we look at another really nice, inexpensive red wine from the Cape wine route. I've always had a soft spot for Shiraz varieties as they tend to be fun, unassuming wines that add zest to any occasion. Aged in French and American oak for 6 months prior to bottling, this example has a tantalizing berry and chocolate character with a touch of liquorice.

A light ruby color, original berry nose and lively taste make this one a perfect accompaniment to anything from burgers to Fillet Mignon. Yummy again. The 2008 Indaba Shiraz retails at $11.

2007 La Peurta Malbec

One thing I've learned on my extended meanderings around the block is that one should avoid drinking things you can see through or can't pronounce when you're still sober. So it was with some trepidation that I first tried out this South American tongue twister. Was I ever wrong?

Hailing from Argentina, this delightful Bordeaux varietal has a deep plum color and a spicy fresh nose. Throw it back and there's plum and an almost floral character to the first rush followed by a slightly sweet almost jammy presence when it's gone.

This is a exact strong runner in the inexpensive red wine stakes and is honest fruity acid enough to perfectly compliment any rare beef dish, and romps with Indian or Cajun fried chicken. La Peurta Malbec retails at $11 to $12.

So there you have it. Five of my favorite inexpensive red wines for which I have been so castigated. As I said before, a low-cost red wine makes for the stuff wine was invented for – FUN. No pinkie pointing nonsense, just plain noble archaic fashioned camaraderie and good times. Happy drinking!

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Mirassou is very grand a value-priced brand. In the case of Mirassou Pinot Noir, you may even say I am taking one for the team. Low-cost pinot noirs are always a challenge; very low cost pinot noirs even moreso. But let's see what we've got…

In the glass, Mirassou Pinot Noir is light/medium red with touches of pink and brick, quite pale at the edges. As you swirl the glass, however, bold, incandescent cherry aromas do flood the room. They are fairly candy-like. On deeper sniffing, though, they bear a bit more weight and darkness. There's a touch of helium balloon in the aroma too.

On the palate, this pinot noir is juicy, sweet, round and quite palate-filling. A hint of darkness (oak? ) touches the bright cherries. The sweet, tangy flavor lingers. Not a lot of depth or complexity, but almost no offensive notes either.

Gosh, I will award this three stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale – that means I would come back to it again someday. Please be advised, though, that this rating is for its pleasantness as a light-bodied, solid, easy-drinking red wine – NOT as a quintessential pinot noir.

At its low-end price point, a rating of three stars makes Mirassou Pinot Noir an outstanding value. One of the very few values you'll accumulate in this range of pinot noirs. Enjoy.

The 2003 Mirassou Merlot has more years of age on it than you would typically find in a value-priced red wine.

In the glass the sample is deep ruby red with purple highlights. It gives off a prominent aroma of ripe plums coupled with oak and even sweaty socks. It suggests a deep experience for such a relatively inexpensive wine.

However, the palate is brighter with more fruit than expected, not unpleasant, but it hints of blueberry and blackberry and licorice, with an alcoholic bang in the middle. Fairly quick finish, but hey, what do you want for this price?!

Decent sipping wine, I'd have it once more, but I wouldn't sacrifice an evening to it. So let's call it three stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale.

Here's an even older specimen: Let's see how this slightly longer-aged 2002 version holds up.

In the glass, the 2002 Mirassou Merlot is transparent – mid-red with an orange sheen. The nose is sweaty fruit – not an interesting sweatiness… impartial sweaty.

On the palate, this is ripe fruit right in the middle of the taste zone, with oak and acids on the modest accomplish. Wants to be finished suitable now, not stored any longer. Ok for this evening. But I wouldn't look for it again. So two stars out of five.