Getting Ready for the Holidays--Mini Strawberry Cheesecake "Martinis"

Whew am I tired! Thanksgiving was great. I got to spend it with my oldest son and daughter-in-law. We shared the cooking. It was weird to be in a big kitchen. Mine is so desperately tiny. Having two or more in one culinary space was awesome.  We had a wonderful meal and time together.

Then it was my birthday yesterday. I had a gourmet burger...Thai style. I may try duplicating that one here at home. But not tonight. Being the end of the month, I had to get the Diner News out. I was still creating this evening, but it got mailed out in time. We have had such dreary weather for more than a week. No sun. Terrible time taking photos. Add to that that it is almost dark by the time I get home from school, and getting this issue out has been a real challenge. I submit tonight's dessert anyway. Despite the dark, it was so good. You will just have to forgive me for the photo quality and judge on taste instead.

One page of the Diner News for December is devoted to mini desserts. That way, guests can have variety of tastes to choose from. These are perfect for Christmas parties, and guests love them. If you are frugal like me, you will be collecting all the plastic shooters and fancy cups to wash and use again. But if one gets lost in the trash, no huge problem, after all, they are inexpensive. I am creating some links to. I am featuring dessert shooters in the Amazon Store. (See right) If you would like to make these, please consider purchasing your cups through my store. Every little bit helps since my husband is out of work. They are under serveware.

Tonight my middle son came over for our regular Monday night dinner. I served these Mini Cheesecake Martinis. He ate two and licked them clean. Last week, he sampled the Honey Roasted Peanut Shooters. Thumbs up on both. He is so skinny now, I find myself trying to feed him more! One small one is good for me, though! We meant to decorate the Christmas tree, but ran out of time. That's life around here. So much to do...

If you like cheesecake, you will like these. Super easy. Of course, you don't have to settle for just the tiny portions of a mini dessert. Go ahead and make the recipe for 4 rather than 8 if you like. That should be right for a standard martini glass, I think. Not sure, I don't know that I have ever had a true martini. Around here, no one has a huge sweet tooth either. In fact, after eating his two desserts, Pearson went in and got another helping of the Southwestern Beef I had served for dinner. Funny how we can not end on sweet. I noticed his big brother doing that at Thanksgiving too. Dessert lover or not, you will like this.

Strawberry Cheesecake Martinis

8 oz Neufchatel cheese

8 oz sour cream

1/4 cup cashew milk, unsweetened

3/4 cup erythritol /stevia blend

2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries

3 tbsp erythritol /stevia blend

2 tbsp water

In a medium mixing bowl, combine Neufchatel, sour cream,  and cashew milk. Beat with hand mixer until smooth. Stir in sweetener and vanilla. Transfer to martini glasses.

In a medium saucepan, combine strawberries, sweetener and water. Cook on low heat until berries are tender. Mash them with a fork. Distribute berry sauce over the cheesecake mixture.

Serves 8:  141 calories  5 net g carb

Isn't that a pretty cake plate? It was a birthday gift from my sweet mom. She knows I have a thing for red glass, and anything with a pedestal. I have to limit my collection of cake plates, but got this one anyway. I can't wait to see it in good light! If you are going high fat, feel free to use cream cheese and whipping cream in place of the cashew milk.

The Diner News is out. I am tired, but I wanted to give you a peek into what you are getting this month. Good things await for a splendid holiday season.

Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake

Honey Roasted Peanut Shooters

Celestial Wassail

Red Velvet Cakes

Gingerbread Spice Crockpot Punch

Italian Sausage Balls

Red Velvet Cake Shooters

German Chocolate Fudge

Red Velvet Meringues

Heaven's Cloud Eggnog

Roasted Asparagus with Ham

Cranberry Ginger Ale

Maple Peanut Butter Fudge

Snickers Dessert Shots

Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

That is not even all that I have crammed into this holiday issue. Don't you think you should order the Diner News?     http://www.247lowcarbdiner.com/html/newsletter.html

And don't forget to check out what is going on over on the Among Friends pages.

https://www.facebook.com/LowCarbingAmongFriends/

and

https://www.facebook.com/LowCarbHitParade/

Order our book series! Here. We have a sale going on now. Be sure to own every volume before the holiday season is over! 

Pumpkin Recipe Round-Up

This time of year you can never get enough pumpkin! Never that is unless it is those sugary treats that taunt us low carbers from every direction. Forget the lattes, pies, and yes, even Oreos!  I have gathered some of my favorite people in the world--my Low Carbing Among Friends team-- to give you a quick tour of the best pumpkin recipes that will have you celebrating Pumpkin Spice Season. Just as good as the sugary treats, but guaranteed not to add on the pounds or raise your blood sugar!

Let's start with sweet treats. Pumpkin Spice is in the air!

Pumpkin Pies are ever popular. Custard, Chiffon or Cheesecake, start making them now so you can try them all!

 Spiced Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake from Jennifer Eloff at Splendid Low Carbing

Pumpkin Pie Dessert Pizza  from Stacey at Beauty and the Foodie

 

Sour Cream Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars  another treat from Jennifer Eloff  at Splendid Low Carbing

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie  from Ginny at Ginny's Low Carb Kitchen

Low Carb Pumpkin Praline Pie  from George Stella at Low Carb and Lovin' It

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan-Chia-Flax Crust from Peggy at Buttoni's Low Carb Recipes

  

 Pumpkin Cheese Pie from Jennifer Eloff at Splendid Low Carbing

Move over Pies! Not everything that is sweet and spicy and  "pumpkiny" is a pie.

Pumpkin Fudge Mini Doughnuts  by me! 

Pumpkin Coconut Ice Cream by Peggy at Buttoni's Low Carb Recipes

 

Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Shots from the Diner

Pumpkin Coconut Fudge  from here at the Diner

Don't think everything that has pumpkin is sweet. Here are some delicious ways to get your pumpkin without the dessert!

Thai Chicken Pumpkin Soup  from Peggy at Buttoni's Low Carb Recipes

Pumpkin Lasagna from the Diner

Low Carb Pumpkin Bagels  from Stacey at Beauty and the Foodie

Cauliflower with Pumpkin Cheddar Cheese Sauce  a new Diner favorite!

Hearty Pumpkin Soup from Jennifer at Splendid Low Carbing

I love pumpkin so much...there are just too many recipes to list! In fact, this October, the entire issue of the 24/7 Low Carb Diner News is devoted to pumpkin recipes!  Here are some more you can get if you order a year of newsletters. 

 http://www.247lowcarbdiner.com/html/newsletter.html

Pumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting with Caramel

Pumpkin Enchiladas

Pumpkin Sloppy Joes on Savory Pumpkin Quickbread

Pumpkin Cheddar Cauliflower Mash

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Sugarfree Pumpkin Butter

Pumpkin Doughnuts with Maple Glaze

Butterscotch Pumpkin Custard

Pumpkin, Chicken and Mushroom Stew

Pumpkin, Tomato and Bacon Soup

Pumpkin Cheesecake Protein Shake

Now, go get yourself some pumpkin. Get the Diner News here.

Get more great  low carb recipes at Low Carbing Among Friends.

 https://www.facebook.com/LowCarbingAmongFriends

 Order any of our great cookbooks at  http://amongfriends.us/24-7-LCD.php

Order my original e-book or the latest version for couples and singles, A Table for Two here. 

So Long Summer Lemon Blueberry Cake

I am a girl that loves fall. Seriously loves it. But then, this is that special time when we still have summer produce and freshness that we just don't have all year round. This cake is perfect for summer. It is light, sweet and tart. Not heavy and spicy like all the pumpkin spice treats abounding. Since I just produced an entire newsletter of pumpkin spice, I have to admit that ardent lover of all things Autumn that I am, this was perfect today.

I found the adorable little dessert pan on sale at Kohls yesterday. It was 60% off and I got another 30% off over that. For that price, I couldn't resist adding another baking pan to my arsenal of pans. I am so bad. I really have a problem hoarding kitchen gadgets. They even all pass the test of do I love them, and use them? The answer is yes. They make me smile. I just do need a bigger kitchen. This pan is meant for mini pies with an indentation for a scoop of ice cream. I immediately saw it as a cake pan with a little hollow for some berries. It would work both ways. Hint: It is on sale online if you want one.

The Lemon cake without topping

I had friends over for lunch today. Actually Linner. It is Sunday. We eat it that way. A big meal right smack dab in the center of the day, then just a snack at night. If there can be an official Brunch, then Linner deserves a place too. After a meal of Pork loin roast, a side dish of a squash, rutabaga and turnip bake, some old fashioned green beans and rolls, we had this for dessert. Before you flip, the rolls are from a recipe I created for my Diabetic Directions Cookbook which will hopefully be released by the physicians group soon.


The interesting thing about this meal, is that it was a special family we shared with. These dear people have several serious health issues, diabetes and lupus included. The dad is newly diagnosed with diabetes and is not overly enthusiastic about the dietary changes that need to happen. I am still not sure this meal has him convinced, but I am doing my part to help. It is crazy how many people ignore the power of the foods they put into their bodies. (They ignore the destruction bad foods cause too.) Having fed my youngest son through some very serious digestive issues, I know how time consuming special diets can be. But we waste so much time doing stupid things, taking time to prepare good food seems like an obvious choice. I wish.

On to this recipe. Light, delicious and easy to make in any cake pan. Just prettier in mine.

Lemon Blueberry Cake

1/2 cup coconut flour
1/3 cup erythritol blend or equivalent sweetener
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup almond milk, unsweetened vanilla or plain
2 eggs
1 egg white
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp liquid coconut oil or MCT oil
1 tsp lemon extract

Topping:
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp erythritol blend or equivalent sweetener
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp lemon zest

In a medium bowl, mix dry ingredients: coconut flour, sweetener and baking powder. In a separate small bowl, combine eggs, lemon juice, oil and extract. Add wet to dry and stir well. Prepare pans with oil.  Spoon into cupcake liners, a small round cake pan or baking dish. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes for individual servings, 20-22 for one pan. Let cool 5 minutes before removing from pan.

While cake is baking or cooling, prepare topping. In a small saucepan, combine berries, water, sweetener, juice and zest. Cook over low heat until berries are soft. (5-7 minutes) Mash them with a spoon to release the contents and thicken the sauce. Pour the sauce over servings of the cake.

Serves 4-6

4:  157  calories  8 net g carb
6:  105  calories  6 net g carb

We had such a nice visit between the families. Unfortunately, they had to leave early because our sweet Miss Em is suffering from her Intracranial Hypertension again. I introduced you to her a long while back, when she was first diagnosed. We now know that is a complication of Lupus. She is scheduled for another brain surgery in just a couple of weeks. Please keep this brave young woman in your prayers. She was feeling too nauseous to eat this dessert tonight. She even has a recipe named after her in the Low Carbing Among Friends Cookbooks. Miss Emily's Cinnamon Tea. It is the perfect time of year for that--especially for those of you who are not tired of pumpkin spice yet.

Get more great  low carb recipes at Low Carbing Among Friends.

 https://www.facebook.com/LowCarbingAmongFriends

 Order any of our great cookbooks at  http://amongfriends.us/24-7-LCD.php

Order my original e-book or the latest version for couples and singles, A Table for Two here.