I really didn't want to go to the grocery store today, so I stayed with my theme of inventing new recipes. Tonight is New Year's Eve and my family and guests will get to feast on these little beauties. I happen to adore honey mustard...especially with ham. I diced the leftover honey kissed ham we had from Christmas Eve dinner, and this is what I ended up with. While these have no honey, they definitely are "kissin" cousins.
Honey Kissed Ham Mini Quiches
2 cups chopped fully cooked ham
8 eggs
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup cream
1 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon hickory salt
1/4 cup prepared mustard
1/3 cup Splenda or equivalent sweetener
Dice the ham. I chopped mine coursely then used an immersion blender on the batter. You may choose simply to chop the ham finely.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend well. Spoon into mini muffin cups and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
These would be really good for breakfast too.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Chipotle Madness Barbeque Sauce
Confession time. With the holidays and my hubby's birthday, we have been bad this week. We got a gift card from Chili's. I went totally off plan and ordered chicken strips with Chipotle Barbeque sauce. They were fantastic, and I knew I had to recreate a low carb version of that sauce. After all, the chicken is totally low carb. Just a little of this sauce and I could be in pepper heaven any day. The total surprise is that he liked it too. Amazing that I just happened to get some Chipotle powder in my Christmas stocking.
Today I surfed a bit to see how others put their recipes. As ususal, I took what sounded good to me and left the rest. Here is the sauce I came up with using ingredients I had in the kitchen. Totally good, and it has only simmered 10 minutes.
Chipotle Madness Barbeque Sauce
This is one of the recipes included in my new cookbook project, Low Carbing Among Friends.
This recipe is available in the book, along with over 60 additional 24/7 Low Carb Diner recipes. By ordering the book, you get more than 300 favorite gluten free recipes from four other well known low carb cooking experts…Jennifer Eloff of Splendid Low Carbing cookbook fame, Kent Altena, the Atkins Diet Geek and You Tube star, nutritionist and author Maria Emmerich of Maria’s Nutritious and Delicious Journal, and popular blogger and food stylist, Carolyn Ketchum of All Day I Dream About Food. Unlike any other cookbook you may own, this one is a compilation of mini cookbooks featuring the talents of these well known low carbers. Think of it as a “best of” project.
Low Carbing Among Friends also features recipes from numerous other talented low carbing friends and recommendations from the medical community who recognize the health benefits of low carb, gluten free living. To preorder your copy, visit http://www.amongfriends.us The official release date is 11/11/11, so pre-order now for a discount.
To replicate the Chili's recipe, use the sauce to coat breaded chicken tenders. Or do as I seem to be doing and just taste the back of the spoon repeatedly until the sauce is gone!
We got a smoker/roaster for Christmas from my mom. We will be trying it out soon on a turkey. Come back to find out how that adventure goes. I'll bet this sauce will be fantastic on smoked turkey!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
More Cold Weather Food- "Stew-a-baga"
It is still below freezing here and a pot of soup sounded good. The name is odd, but the dish is pure comfort.
I hate trying to eat a good old fashioned beef stew without potatoes. This dish uses the much ignored and perhaps maligned RUTABAGA as a substitute. Is it ever good--maybe even better than the spud. These little chunks of root veggie hold their shape better after simmering on the stove all afternoon. My hubby thought he was going to have to eat around potatoes, and was so happy to find out this stew was legal for him. He still seems surprised that I do my best to make everything as normal as can be expected while keeping those blood sugars in range. In my book, cooking for someone is showing love.
Stew-a-baga
1 1/2 ground chuck
1 diced small onion
4 ribs celery
1 diced rutabaga
8 ounce tomato sauce
2 Tablespoons Sherry
14.5 ounces beef broth
1/2 teas. thyme
1/2 teas. salt
Brown burger with celery and onion. Drain fat.Combine all remaining ingredients in a pot and simmer until rutabaga is tender.
7 carbs for 6 servings, 10 carbs for 4 servings
Stay warm with low carb comfort food...and cook something for someone you love.
I hate trying to eat a good old fashioned beef stew without potatoes. This dish uses the much ignored and perhaps maligned RUTABAGA as a substitute. Is it ever good--maybe even better than the spud. These little chunks of root veggie hold their shape better after simmering on the stove all afternoon. My hubby thought he was going to have to eat around potatoes, and was so happy to find out this stew was legal for him. He still seems surprised that I do my best to make everything as normal as can be expected while keeping those blood sugars in range. In my book, cooking for someone is showing love.
Stew-a-baga
1 1/2 ground chuck
1 diced small onion
4 ribs celery
1 diced rutabaga
8 ounce tomato sauce
2 Tablespoons Sherry
14.5 ounces beef broth
1/2 teas. thyme
1/2 teas. salt
Brown burger with celery and onion. Drain fat.Combine all remaining ingredients in a pot and simmer until rutabaga is tender.
7 carbs for 6 servings, 10 carbs for 4 servings
Stay warm with low carb comfort food...and cook something for someone you love.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
COLD Weather favorite
It is cold outside today. My grandma used to say, "Colder than a well digger's hinie." 'Nuff said.
It is the kind of day for a warm crockpot meal. Here's what I had in mind.
Yankee Pot
3 pound beef chuck pot roast
Salt and black pepper
1 pound turnips, cut into chunks
1 medium onion, sliced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup beef broth
Season beef with salt and pepper. Combine vegetables, bay leaves, rosemary and thyme in slow cooker. Place beef over vegetables. Pour broth over beef. Cover; cook on low 8 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
Transfer beef to serving platter. Arrange vegetables around beef. Discard bay leaves.
To make gravy, remove one cup broth and it let stand 5 minutes. Skim off fat. Transfer remaining juices to a saucepan and heat to a boil. Mix 1 teaspoon xanthan gum with reserved broth until smooth. Stir this mixture into boiling juices, stirring constantly 1 minute or until thickened.
You might also want some carrots if you can afford the carbs.
It is the kind of day for a warm crockpot meal. Here's what I had in mind.
Yankee Pot
3 pound beef chuck pot roast
Salt and black pepper
1 pound turnips, cut into chunks
1 medium onion, sliced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup beef broth
Season beef with salt and pepper. Combine vegetables, bay leaves, rosemary and thyme in slow cooker. Place beef over vegetables. Pour broth over beef. Cover; cook on low 8 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
Transfer beef to serving platter. Arrange vegetables around beef. Discard bay leaves.
To make gravy, remove one cup broth and it let stand 5 minutes. Skim off fat. Transfer remaining juices to a saucepan and heat to a boil. Mix 1 teaspoon xanthan gum with reserved broth until smooth. Stir this mixture into boiling juices, stirring constantly 1 minute or until thickened.
You might also want some carrots if you can afford the carbs.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Cookies
I just completed a marathon cookie baking session. My poor hubby can't eat any of them. I had a dilemma. Do I send the college boys low carb cookies--full of pricey ingredients-- only to have them give them all away to friends? Heaven knows, those guys will eat most anything. OR, do I make my faithful hubby suffer through the sugar cookie scent wafting through the air?
I compromised. I baked all day for the finals care packages. Lots of sugar there. I hoped to be done before he got home from work. Then, John told me he was craving Pumpkin bread. So, I did a little research and found a low carb pumpkin pound cake made with almond flour. I had just enough. So, in the middle of cookie baking, I stopped and made pumpkin cake. Not bad--not Grandma's, but not bad. He was happy and fully contented until I made a batch of red velvet cookies. Sorry honey. The finals week care package got mailed this morning, so everything should go back to normal.
By the way, the pumpkin pound cake was on Linda's site:http://genaw.com/lowcarb/pumpkin_poundcake.html
I compromised. I baked all day for the finals care packages. Lots of sugar there. I hoped to be done before he got home from work. Then, John told me he was craving Pumpkin bread. So, I did a little research and found a low carb pumpkin pound cake made with almond flour. I had just enough. So, in the middle of cookie baking, I stopped and made pumpkin cake. Not bad--not Grandma's, but not bad. He was happy and fully contented until I made a batch of red velvet cookies. Sorry honey. The finals week care package got mailed this morning, so everything should go back to normal.
By the way, the pumpkin pound cake was on Linda's site:http://genaw.com/lowcarb/pumpkin_poundcake.html
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
George is a Verb, Part 2
Today, I have been baking for the finals week care packages I will be sending to my college boys. Dinner was not my priority! I did have a plan, though.
Chicken Cubes are a Freezer Favorite. Just a quick thaw, some veggies and a jar of alfredo sauce, a sprinkle of bacon bits, and California Chicken was bubbling in the oven. That is the other reason I love to George my chicken. It is great cut into cubes and frozen. Those little bite sized chunks are delish and they make great casseroles on busy, busy days!
Chicken Cubes are a Freezer Favorite. Just a quick thaw, some veggies and a jar of alfredo sauce, a sprinkle of bacon bits, and California Chicken was bubbling in the oven. That is the other reason I love to George my chicken. It is great cut into cubes and frozen. Those little bite sized chunks are delish and they make great casseroles on busy, busy days!
Monday, December 8, 2008
George is a Verb , part one
I got a new George Foreman grill for my birthday. This one is really big, so it will hold lots of chicken breasts. That makes life so easy when I am preparing Chicken cubes for the freezer or cooking a chicken Multiply Meal. How did our grandmothers live without these?
My favorite way to use George's grill is for Chicken a la George. I have 20 variations in the e-book. It is available here http://www.247lowcarbdiner.com/index.html
Here's how it works. Slap those frozen birdy breasts on the grill. Then decide your "decorations." Need something hearty? Add a few slices of bacon to the chicken on the grill. When it is done, top with cheese and you have the "Baconeater." Feeling sophisticated? Quickly saute some mushrooms in butter and a splash of cooking sherry. I call that the Shroom. May you yearn for something more exotic. While the chicken grills, mix together some yogurt, lemon juice, oregano and a good measure of feta cheese. Ooh, the Greek is to die for!
Just add a salad. (I know you prepped that on the weekend, so it is ready to go) Now you can dine in about 10 minutes time. Thanks, George.
I'll share some ideas for using the grill for Chicken cubes in my next post.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Puzzles and firetrucks
Well, I was supposed to be decorating the house for Christmas today, but not much got done.
I bought a puzzle last night at the "Keeping Christ in Christmas" workshop. Christian really wanted to start it today, so we did. I love those unstructured days when we can play.
Things were going well when he doorbell rang. Hmm. No one there. But there was this strange scent of smoke in the air. Not living in California, this is rare. Next thing we know, we see smoke billowing over the roof. My son runs to the back of the house. He returns exclaiming that our back yard is on fire. Just then, the firetrucks pull up, break down the neighbor's gate, and start hauling out hoses. So glad to say I wasn't even cooking! The cable guy did it. Really.
To calm down, we did a bit more puzzle time. Before I know it, my hubby walks through the door. So glad we are having Meatballs Roma tonight. Since the freezer is stocked, all I have to do is microwave the meatballs and grill some veggies on my brand new big Foreman grill. I love my kitchen system when life gets...well, lazy and unpredictable--both!
I bought a puzzle last night at the "Keeping Christ in Christmas" workshop. Christian really wanted to start it today, so we did. I love those unstructured days when we can play.
Things were going well when he doorbell rang. Hmm. No one there. But there was this strange scent of smoke in the air. Not living in California, this is rare. Next thing we know, we see smoke billowing over the roof. My son runs to the back of the house. He returns exclaiming that our back yard is on fire. Just then, the firetrucks pull up, break down the neighbor's gate, and start hauling out hoses. So glad to say I wasn't even cooking! The cable guy did it. Really.
To calm down, we did a bit more puzzle time. Before I know it, my hubby walks through the door. So glad we are having Meatballs Roma tonight. Since the freezer is stocked, all I have to do is microwave the meatballs and grill some veggies on my brand new big Foreman grill. I love my kitchen system when life gets...well, lazy and unpredictable--both!
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