Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Loaf

What a crazy week at my house. Between fall break, some unknown mystery flu, someone reporting my blog as a threat on Facebook (again), a trip to the ER, being admitted into the hospital and released within two hours... who has time to think about menu plans? Aaargh. Is your life like this too? Who could even think about eating healthy? (ok a couple of days in there, I could barely think about eating at all. I will spare you the details)

So, since I am now working double time on the November Diner News, the Thanksgiving edition, I am going to share a recipe from the October issue. This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Loaf lasted me many coffee breaks. I  made it to take to bible study when the rest of the ladies were eating doughnuts and cinnamon rolls. No deprivation at all. It is moist and chocolaty. A few fall spices just add to the deliciousness.

Granted, you need my baking mix to make this loaf. You should have that all the time. It makes muffins and cakes so much faster to put together. The combo of ingredients is so good. I remember my early days low carbing. Trying to cover the flavor of flax. Trying not to eat too many calories with almond flour treats. Never knowing the outcome with coconut flour or protein powder recipes. This blend works every time for me. Get the recipe here.

Ready to make this delicious fall treat? Just a couple details. You can use my home made chocolate chips. Recipe here. Or you can use those expensive sugarfree chips. Or you can decide to live with the possible intestinal effects of maltitol in the readily available Hershey's Sugarfree Chocolate Chips. If you tolerate them, these are the cheapest and easiest. You do what is best for you.  I left the bag on the counter and my son nibbled them out of the bag all evening. He never reported any tummy issues. But my husband and I have an embarrassing story to tell about the time we ate some sugarfree fudge at a Branson stageshow. Another story I will spare the details on.

On to the recipe:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

This bread is moist and gooey with the chocolate chips. We love the spice and chocolate combination!

 

4 eggs

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

2 tbsp coconut oil

1/2 cup Swerve or erythritol / stevia blend equal to sugar

1 cup Master Baking Mix (either blend)

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup sugarfree chocolate chips

Combine egg, pumpkin, coconut oil and sweetener. Stir in baking mix, baking powder and spice. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon into a parchment lined loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Test the center. When the center is set, remove from oven and let cool.

Cut into 12 slices. Each slice is 134 calories and 4 net g carb

 I promise now that I am feeling healthy again, I am cooking up a storm. Here it is 11 o 'clock on a Friday night and my house smells like smoked turkey and sweet and sour red cabbage. Having lost so many days this week, I have to miss my bible study girls tomorrow. Since I have to take photos when I have good lighting, I told them I was going on a turkey shoot.

You guys stay happy and healthy. The hectic holidays are coming. We got this!

Get more great recipes at the Low Carbing Among Friends Facebook Page:               https://www.facebook.com/LowCarbingAmongFriends

Maple Street Cookies

I love the sweet flavors of fall. Pumpkin spice is a given, but don't forget caramel apple,  maple and cranberry. This month's Diner News celebrates those kind of dishes that make us love this time of year. Comforting soups are back on the menu, along with hot sippers with fall flavors. Pumpkin recipes abound, but not necessarily sweet. Cranberries are perfect for salads. In my part of the world it is state fair time, so caramel apples are popular too. I have lots of recipes that will keep us low carbers from cheating or missing out on favorite fall treats.

These cookies are full of maple flavor. They are really easy to make too. One bite is really quite similar to that first taste of waffles topped in syrup. Yum. I wanted to make them pretty, but colored sugar sprinkles just won't do. I made a little tinted coconut milk powder mix to go on top. It worked well. Just enough seasonal prettiness.

Maple Street Cookies  

2 cups almond flour

1/3 cup erythritol/stevia blend

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg

2 1/2 tbsp butter, melted

¾ tsp vanilla extract

 ½ tsp maple flavoring

1/8 tsp stevia extract

2 tbsp dried coconut milk powder

1 tsp powdered erythritol / stevia blend

Combine almond flour, sweetener, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in egg, butter, vanilla extract , maple flavoring and stevia extract until dough comes together. Use a small cookie scoop to measure out a ball of dough. Roll into a ball. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and flatten each ball. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes. Remove to cooling rack. Combine coconut milk powder and powdered sweetener with a drop of yellow and drop or red food coloring. Sprinkle the top of each cookie with the tinted topping.

36 cookies.      A serving of 3:  143 calories     2 net g carb

Now check out the other great fall dishes in this month's Diner News. You know you can order the 2017 Diner News here.

Buffalo Chicken Soup

Close Your Eyes Caramel Apple Float

Pumpkin Pizza

Harvest Chicken Salad

Maple Roast Beef

Pumpkin Spice Sipper

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Pumpkin Smothered Pork Chops in Paper

Roasted Cranberry Apple Slaw

Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip

Skinny Pumpkin Chipotle Soup

Spaghetti Squash Chili

 

 

 

 

 

Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Shooter

Get more great recipes at the Low Carbing Among Friends Facebook Page:               https://www.facebook.com/LowCarbingAmongFriends

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

Pumpkin Cheddar Cauliflower Mash

 I just made my first two Thanksgiving side dishes. They are not for my family, but for a luncheon at school tomorrow. Not all of my students will have a nice big meal on Thursday. So we as the staff are providing some love in the form of food. I think it will be fun, and then we can play some games. Being a small school, we are a lot like family.

This pretty dish is from the October Diner News. That issue featured all things Pumpkin. This dish is tasty and easy to prepare. This is a rather light version, as I am a little calorie conscious these days. For a holiday feast, feel free to up the butter and cream cheese.

Pumpkin Cheddar    Cauliflower Mash

1 head cauliflower

1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree

1 oz cream cheese

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 tbsp butter

2 tsp salt

Steam cauliflower until tender. Drain very well and pat dry with paper towels. Mash lightly. Stir in pumpkin puree, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, butter and salt. Whip with an electric beater until smooth. Or, for extra smoothness, blend with an immersion blender.  Transfer to serving bowl and garnish with fresh or dried herbs.

Serves 8 : 148 calories  5 net g carb

This is a  nice alternative to mashed potatoes. With the addition of pumpkin--canned is fine--it is so pretty too. If you are still looking for Thanksgiving recipes, be sure to look in both the October and November issues of the Diner News. If you don't have s subscription, by all means get one now. If you want the November issue too, just drop me a line on the webpage after you make your order and I can arrange that. Need to see what's in each issue? Check the blog posts here and here. To order the Diner News, visit our webpage.

As you may know, my husband was recently laid off from his job of 27 years. I have always tried to keep this blog just about my efforts to keep my diabetic husband fed and healthy. Of course, I have promoted my own e-book and the Among Friends series. I do give so many recipes away for free, though. To earn a little money back, John and I decided to become Amazon Associates and open a 24/7 Low Carb Diner A-Store. Click on the link at the right and you will find products I use and find very helpful in my low carb kitchen. Any purchase you make there will help our family weather this tough time and offset the costs of the blog and online ordering system. Right now, I only have kitchen items listed, but I will be planning food and pantry items soon. 

If you want to know why I like each item, check the Things I Love page. 

But for now, I am off for more Thanksgiving cooking and getting the special Christmas issue of the Diner News ready for next week. I fed one of the party desserts to my son tonight and he loved it. Keep watching and check out that Diner A-Store. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you, my readers and so much more.

Skinny Chipotle Pumpkin Soup

My poor mama had to have three teeth pulled yesterday. She will be on soft foods for awhile. But that doesn't mean bland foods. We both love a little spicy heat, so I made this chipotle pumpkin soup. Now that is not an original idea, but I made this a skinny version. Just a touch of cream. I got added creaminess from Silk Cashew Milk instead. I am trying out a JUDDD style eating plan, limiting calories every other day. It seems to be working, albeit really slowly. This soup is really low calorie and lower fat, while still being low carb. It is very flavorful, though! We both just loved it. If you aren't cutting calories, feel free to substitute cream or half and half for the cashew milk, and add some cheese. (I added cheese for my mom)

My husband did not even try this--he just won't do much of anything with chipotle peppers. I left him on his own for lunch. It was odd having him home on Friday (our school has a job training program on Fridays so I don't teach). Unfortunately, he was laid off last week. The radio station he had worked at for over 25 years was sold, and now he has to start over. Prayers would be greatly appreciated! If he doesn't find another position, he and I plan to do some creative things with the blog and e-books while he draws unemployment. It is a little scary, but we have faith that God has a plan. I am so glad we have my part time teaching to help provide!

Skinny Chipotle Pumpkin Soup

1 small red onion
2 tsp coconut oil
14 oz can pumpkin puree
2 tbsp diced chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce
2 tsp granulated erythritol/sweetener blend
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp Adobo seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 quart chicken broth
1 cup unsweetened cashew milk
1/4 cup salsa (mild, medium or hot)
2 tbsp lime juice
6 tbsp cream
1 tsp Hormel Real Bacon Sprinkles
Optional garnish: shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Dice onion very finely. Saute in a non stick skillet with coconut oil. When onions are lightly browned, transfer to a soup pot or Dutch oven. Stir in pumpkin, sweetener and spices. Slowly stir in chicken broth a little at a time. Add cashew milk and salsa. Simmer for 20 minutes. Before serving, stir in lime juice. Top each bowl with a tablespoon of cream and bacon sprinkles.

Serves 6:  101 calories   8 net g carb

This was so tasty. Spicy enough to satisfy. I would suggest a salad alongside. Maybe a small chicken breast. Perfect low calorie, low carb, meal. You could go higher or lower in fat for the eating plan you follow. I understand that fat is not the enemy, I just don't need many calories these days. Sad but true. With this, I won't feel deprived at all!

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. 

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.