Saturday, July 1, 2023

Keto Bacon and Cheese Dutch Baby Pancake

Keto Bacon and Cheese Dutch Baby Pancakes

This fluffy, puffy egg pancake is baked in the oven in a preheated, hot skillet. When it comes out of the oven, it is impressive! I use a 6-inch cast iron skillet, which imparts a higher rise and nice crust. Similar to a puffy omelet, but so much easier to make.

Keto Bacon and Cheese Dutch Baby Pancake
Makes 1 serving

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
6 inch heatproof skillet
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons almond flour (or 1 tablespoon coconut flour for nut free)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 slices cooked bacon, chopped
1 ounce cheddar cheese, shredded
Sugar free maple syrup (optional)

1. Placed the 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter into your skillet. Place the skillet into the oven and preheat to 400°F.

2. Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs, cream, water, almond flour, salt, and pepper. You can do this in a blender or food processor for an extra fluffy pancake.

3. When the oven and pan are preheated, swirl the melted butter all around the bottom and sides of the skillet. Pour the egg mixture into the hot skillet. Sprinkle the chopped bacon and cheese on top. Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 14 minutes until puffy and golden.

4. Remove the skillet from the oven and use a sharp knife to loosen the pancake from the sides of the pan. Transfer the pancake to a serving plate and drizzle sugar-free maple syrup on top, if desired. Eat it immediately. The pancake will deflate as it cools.

Cooked Keto Dutch Baby Pancake

Nutritional Information per serving (entire recipe): 618 calories, 2.5 g carbohydrate (0.9 g dietary fiber, 0.4 g sugars), 56.7 g total fat (27 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 491 mg cholesterol, 723 mg sodium, 270.4 mg calcium, 276 mg potassium, 2 mg iron, 480 IU Vit A, 26.8 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 1.6 grams

Recipe and photos by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2023
All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without the author’s permission. 

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Summer Vegetable Stir Fry

Summer Vegetable Stir Fry

This is a dish we make often in the summer, utilizing the myriad of local summer vegetables available in the Farmer’s Markets. It’s a quick and easy stir fry that is fresh and delicious!

Summer Vegetable Stir Fry
Makes 2-3 servings

Cooked bratwurst, kielbasa or other cooked sausage 
1 small yellow zucchini or yellow summer squash
1 small green zucchini
½ onion
1 small Roma tomato
2 ounces cheese (cheddar, Parmesan or whatever is on hand)
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Additions:
1-2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup heavy cream

1. Cut up the cooked sausage into cubes. Cube the yellow and green zucchini, onion, and tomato. Shred the cheese. Set aside.

2. Sauté the onions and sausage in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until the sausage begins to color and the onion is translucent and beginning to brown.

3. Add the zucchini and sauté, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften and pick up some color. Add some salt and pepper to season the vegetables.

4. At the very end of cooking, add the chopped tomatoes and shredded cheese. When you stir in the tomatoes, they released their juices, which mixes with melted cheese to make a light sauce. If you want a saucier dish, add the optional tomato paste and heavy cream; stir to incorporate.

5. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information per serving (1/3 of recipe, not including optional additions): 351 calories, 8.9 g carbohydrate (1.8 g dietary fiber, 4.1 g sugars), 27.9 g total fat (12.2 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 67 mg cholesterol, 1156 mg sodium, 151.2 mg calcium, 235 mg potassium, 107 IU Vit A, 15 mg Vit C, 15.3 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 7.1 grams.

Recipe and Photo by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2023
All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without the author’s permission. 

Monday, June 12, 2023

Keto Black and White Cookies

Keto Black and White Cookies

I’ve been trying for years to create an authentic, sugar free, Black and White cookie. Well, this is it! In this recipe, I start with raw macadamia nuts and process them in a food processor (or blender) to make smooth and creamy macadamia nut butter. This is the key to making these light, puffy, tender and cake-like cookies, which are the base of this iconic cookie. I chose macadamia nuts for the base of my cookie batter because they are the lowest carb and highest fat of all the nuts, mild in flavor, plus they’re much lower in oxalates, minimizing the need for almond flour. This cookie is a dream come true!

Keto Black and White Cookies
Makes 18 cookies

Cookies:
1½ cups raw macadamia nuts
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, very soft or melted
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract 
¾ cup powdered low carb sweetener (I used Confectioners LaKanto Monkfruit sweetener)
1/4 cup almond flour
1½ tablespoons oat fiber powder (not oat flour!)
2 tablespoons coconut flour
1 tablespoon unflavored whey protein powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
A pinch of salt
1-2 tablespoons water, only if needed!

Glaze:
1½ cups powdered low carb sweetener* (see note)
1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin or liquid allulose (it adds shine to the glaze, omit if you don’t have any)
¾ teaspoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract 
2-3 tablespoons water (or more, if needed)
1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
More water for chocolate glaze, as needed

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

2. In a food processor or powerful blender, process the macadamia nuts until a smooth nut butter forms, scraping down the sides occasionally. Add the eggs, softened butter, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Process until the mixture is completely smooth and no lumps remain.

3. Transfer the nut mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the powdered sweetener and, using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment (if you have one), mix until the sweetener is completely incorporated.

4. In a small bowl, combine the almond flour, oat fiber powder, coconut flour, whey protein powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. All at once, add the dry ingredients to the nut mixture and mix until the ingredients are well combined. Let the batter rest for a few minutes to allow the coconut flour to absorb the liquid, then mix again. What you’re looking for is a thick, but cohesive batter that is like a thick cake batter, slightly looser than a dough. (Only if needed, add water 1 teaspoon at a time until the proper consistency is reached.)

5. Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop (size 40), drop the cookie batter onto the lined cookie sheet about 1½ inches apart. The cookies will spread a bit as they bake.

6. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes (begin checking them at 12 minutes). Bake until they’re lightly golden and the tops are just firm and spring back slightly when touched in the center. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to remain on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Remove the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

7. To make the glaze, add the powdered sugar substitute, vegetable glycerin or liquid allulose, lemon juice, vanilla, and 2-3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl, and stir until smooth and easily spreadable. Then divide the glaze equally into two bowls. Add the cocoa powder to one and add just enough water until the consistency is the same as the vanilla glaze (adding 1 teaspoon of water at a time; it may take 3-6 teaspoons or more, judge by its consistency).

8. To ice the cookies, use the flat side (bottom) of the cookie and spread each half of the cookie with one of the icings, starting with the vanilla icing. Spread the vanilla on one half of all the cookies first, then coming back later after the vanilla has hardened, and adding chocolate icing to them on the remaining half, so you avoid the colors mixing.

9. Cookies can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days, or refrigerate for longer periods, but allow the cookies to come to room temperature before enjoying. If stacking cookies in a cookie jar or storage container, place parchment paper between layers to prevent the icing from sticking.

Spread vanilla frosting first, then spread chocolate frosting last

*Notes: You can use an erythritol-based powdered sweetener (best option), such as Confectioners LaKanto Monkfruit sweetener. But because of the slight cooling effect, some people put off by that sensation might wish to use powdered allulose for the glaze. Allulose doesn’t have a cooling affect or aftertaste. If you can’t find powdered allulose, you can powder it yourself in a food processor. But NOTE: Allulose doesn’t absorb liquid in the same way as erythritol. Use less liquid, if using allulose. Also, icing made with allulose really doesn’t set up. It remains soft and sticky. Tastes delicious, but if you want to store them on top of each other in a cookie jar, don’t use allulose. 

Nutritional Information per cookie (with glaze): 106 calories, 6.1 g carbohydrate (1.8 g dietary fiber, 0.6 g sugars, 2.4 g sugar alcohols), 10.2 g total fat (2.1 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 22 mg cholesterol, 87 mg sodium, 15.8 mg calcium, 71 mg potassium, 1 mg iron, 15 IU Vit A, 2 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 1.9 grams

Photos and recipe by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2023
All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without the author’s permission. 

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Keto Dairy Milk

Keto Dairy Milk

I love the taste of real dairy milk with a homemade keto cookie or slice of sugar free cake. I find the low carb, nut milk alternatives are just not appealing or satisfying for drinking. In the past, I have purchased and enjoyed some keto milk, but every company that has tried to introduce keto milk on the market has failed and quickly discontinue it. Regular cow’s milk is not an option, due to its high carb and sugar content (12g per cup). Fairlife brand is a lower carb option (6g per cup), but that’s still too high for me to drink by the glassful. So I decided I’d better try making my own low carb, real dairy milk and, after some experimentation, this recipe is the winner! It has enough real dairy in it to give it the taste of real milk, but without the carbs!! It’s a good source of calcium and great for drinking and cooking!

Keto Dairy Milk
Makes 1 pint (2 servings)

1 cup unsweetened nut milk of choice (I used homemade macadamia nut milk)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup heavy cream
½ cup Fairlife brand Whole Milk
A tiny pinch of salt
1-2 drops vanilla extract
1-2 drops monkfruit extract or stevia

Mix all of the ingredients together and stir to combine. Refrigerate in a glass container for up to a week. (This recipe can be doubled to make a quart.)

Fairlife Whole Milk

Nutritional Information per 1 cup: 166 calories, 2.1 g carbohydrate (0.3 g dietary fiber, 1.7 g sugars), 15 g total fat (8.7 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 48 mg cholesterol, 70 mg sodium, 103.4 mg calcium, 15 mg potassium, 158 IU Vit A, 3.6 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 1.8 grams

Recipe and photos by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2023
All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without the author’s permission.

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Keto Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème (No cook Chocolate Mousse)

Keto Dark Chocolate Pots de Creme

This impressive dessert may sound fancy, but it’s quick and easy to make! I love to make them for a crowd or a party because they can be made ahead of time. They’re so rich and decadent that their small size is just enough. It uses a combination of zero carb sweeteners for the best flavor and smooth texture when chilled. Instead of being overly sweet, this thick mousse is somewhere between bittersweet and semi-sweet, but you can adjust the sweetness to your own taste. This recipe makes ten, small shooter-size dessert cups.

Keto Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème (Chocolate Mousse)
Makes 10 servings

9 ounces 100% unsweetened chocolate chips (or baking chocolate, roughly chopped)
3 large eggs
20 drops monkfruit extract or stevia drops
¾ teaspoon stevia powder
2 tablespoons powdered erythritol sweetener 
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract 
A good pinch of sea salt
¾ cup almond milk, coconut milk or other low carb milk of choice
¾ cup heavy cream
½ cup allulose

1. Put milk, heavy cream, and allulose into a small saucepan and bring to a boil.

2. Meanwhile, placed the chocolate chips into a food processor or blender. Pulse to chop chocolate into small pieces.

3. Add eggs, monkfruit extract, stevia powder, powdered erythritol, vanilla and salt. Process on low until ingredients are combined.

4. While the blender or food processor is running, pour boiling hot milk mixture through the opening at the top. Process until mixture is completely smooth and all of the chocolate has melted. The hot liquid will cook the eggs.

5. Divide the chocolate mixture into individual small dishes or cups (I use shooter size dessert cups) and place in the refrigerator to cool completely, about 3-4 hours. The mixture will solidify into a rich, thick, mousse-like consistency. Serve cold, and top with whipped cream, if desired.

Shooter Size Dessert

Nutritional information per serving (no whipped topping): 218 calories, 8.2 g carbohydrate (4.5 g dietary fiber, 0.2 g sugars, 0.8 g sugar alcohols), 22.9 g total fat (14.2 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 83 mg cholesterol, 49 mg sodium, 18.7 mg calcium, 24 mg potassium, 95 IU Vit A, 5.9 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 3.7 grams.

Recipe and photos by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2023
All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without the author’s permission. 

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Low Carb Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mousse Pie in a Jar

Low Carb Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mousse Pie in a Jar
These grab-and-go dessert cups are the perfect size! They may look small, but they deliver BIG FLAVOR and are rich and decadent! And who doesn’t love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate?

Low Carb Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mousse Pie in a Jar
Makes 6 servings

Peanut Butter Crumb Crust (Bottom Layer):
¾ cup almond flour (or sunflower seed flour for lower oxalate)
2 tablespoons unsweetened peanut butter powder
1 tablespoon powdered erythritol sweetener (Confectioners sweetener)
A pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons refined coconut oil, melted (or unsalted butter)

Chocolate Cream Cheese Mousse (Middle Layer):
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature (use unsalted or salted, your preference)
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, no sugar added
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons powdered erythritol sweetener 
15 drops Monkfruit Extract (or ½ teaspoon liquid stevia), or to taste
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract 
½ cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons sugar free chocolate chips, chopped (Such as Lily’s brand)

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache (Top Layer):
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar free white chocolate chips 
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, no sugar added
4 drops Monkfruit Extract or stevia
½ teaspoon vanilla extract 

1. To make the Peanut Butter Crumb Crust: With a fork, mix together the almond flour, peanut butter powder, erythritol sweetener and salt in a medium bowl until no lumps remain (you may sift the mixture to easily remove lumps). Add the vanilla extract and melted coconut oil and stir with a fork until the mixture is coated and resembles coarse crumbs. Divide equally between six small jelly jars (4 oz) or serving dishes (about 2 generous tablespoons in each jar). Gently press down to create an even layer; set aside.

2. To make the Chocolate Cream Cheese Mousse: Add the room temperature cream cheese, butter, and peanut butter to a mixing bowl. With a hand-held or standing mixer, whip on high until the mixture is well combined and smooth. Add the cocoa powder, powdered sweetener, Monkfruit extract drops or stevia, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Beat until the mousse is quite fluffy and smooth. Taste and adjust sweetening, if needed. Fold in the chopped, sugar-free chocolate chips. Divide the mousse equally between the six jars or serving dishes. 

Layers of dessert cup
3. To make the White Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache: Microwave the heavy cream in a heat-proof measuring cup or bowl until hot and bubbly around the edges (about 20-30 seconds on high) or heat in a small saucepan over medium heat, if not using a microwave. Pour the hot cream over the white chocolate chips in a bowl and allow to stand for several minutes. Whisk until smooth. Add the 1/4 cup peanut butter, Monkfruit extract or stevia drops, and vanilla. Whisk until the peanut butter is melted and the ganache is smooth.

4. While warm, pour the ganache over the chocolate mousse layer, dividing the ganache evenly among the six containers. Place the dessert cups into the refrigerator to set for two hours before serving.

5. To serve, you may garnish with optional whip cream, chopped chocolate, or chopped peanuts. Enjoy!

See pie layers in a spoonful
Nutritional Information per serving: 457 calories, 9.7 g carbohydrate (4 g dietary fiber, 1.7 g sugars, 2 g sugar alcohols), 44.2 g total fat (21.1 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 79 mg cholesterol, 119 mg sodium, 24.8 mg calcium, 56 mg potassium, 228 IU Vit A, 1 mg iron, 8 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 5.7 grams

Recipe and photos by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2023
All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without the author’s permission.

Monday, January 30, 2023

Sugar Free Pink Grapefruit Marmalade (Low Carb, Keto)

Sugar Free Pink Grapefruit Marmalade
I am loving my sugar free jams and jellies! They are easy and fun to make. When you use naturally sweet ruby red grapefruit, this marmalade is not too tart and utterly refreshing. Winter is the best time for buying citrus fruits. They are in season and at their peak of sweetness! This grapefruit marmalade is delicious served on low carb bread, crackers and pancakes, but it’s also excellent mixed with sugar free BBQ sauce and used as a glaze on ribs, chicken or pork tenderloin. 

Sugar Free Pink Grapefruit Marmalade 
Makes 4-5 half-pint jars

5-6 large red grapefruit, supremed (all rind and membrane removed and discarded)
2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice
3 teaspoons calcium water (see Step #1)
1 cup allulose (or substitute ½ cup allulose-based honey + ½ cup granulated allulose)
4 teaspoons Pomona’s Universal Pectin powder (made especially for low to no sugar jams)

Grapefruit Marmalade on a keto biscuit
1. Before you begin, prepare the calcium water. To do this, combine ½ teaspoon calcium powder (in the small packet that comes in the box of Pomona’s Universal Pectin) with ½ cup water in a small jar with a lid. Shake well. (Extra calcium water can be stored in the refrigerator indefinitely for future use.)

Pomona’s Universal Pectin
2. Wash your canning jars, lids and bands. Place jars in a stock pot or canner, filled with water about 2/3 full, and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes to sterilize your jars. Turn off the heat, cover, and keep jars in the hot water until ready to use. Place lids and bands in water in a small saucepan, cover and heat to simmer. Turn off heat and keep lids in the hot water until ready to use.

3. Cut away the rind and section the grapefruit, discarding all of the membrane and rind. Break the grapefruit sections into chunks and place them in a large measuring cup; you will need 4 cups of grapefruit and any accumulated juices. Place the 4 cups of grapefruit pieces and accumulated juice in a large saucepan with the lemon juice and calcium water. Mix well. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the grapefruit from scorching. 

4. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix together the allulose and Pomona’s Universal Pectin powder, stirring to combine. (If you like the flavor of honey with your grapefruit, you can substitute ½ of the sweetener with sugar free allulose honey.)

5. Once the grapefruit mixture is boiling rapidly, slowly add the allulose and pectin mixture, stirring continuously until the sweetener and pectin have dissolved. Bring the mixture back up to a full boil, stirring constantly. Once the marmalade returns to a full boil, that cannot be stirred down, boil for one minute and remove move it from the heat. (If needed, skim any foam and discard.)

6. Fill hot, sterilized jars to 1/4” from the top. Wipe rims clean with a wet paper towel. Place a lid on each jar and then screw on a rim just until finger-tight. Put the filled jars into boiling water to cover. Boil for 10 minutes (add 1 more minute for every 1000 feet above sea level). Turn off heat and allow the jars to rest in the hot water for five minutes. (Note: if you don’t want to process the marmalade in a boiling water bath, you can put it in the refrigerator once it is cooled and it will keep for three weeks. You can also freeze the marmalade instead of canning it. For freezing, fill jars to 1/2 inch from top. To prevent the glass jars from cracking, freeze jars without a lid to allow for expansion, then screw on a lid once frozen. Defrost in the refrigerator before eating.)

7. Remove jars from hot water using a jar lifter tool and place them on a kitchen towel. Let the jars cool undisturbed on the kitchen counter for 12 to 24 hours. Check seals; lids should be sucked down and not move or click when pressed in the center. Properly sealed jars can be stored at room temperature for one year. Once opened, refrigerate and consume within three weeks. (Note: It is normal for this marmalade to separate as it cools. Simply stir before serving.)

Pink Grapefruit Marmalade Label
Nutritional Information per 1 tablespoon: 5 calories, 1.4 g carbohydrate (0.2 g dietary fiber, 0.9 g sugars), 0 g total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium, 1.6 mg calcium, 18 mg potassium, 35 IU Vit A, 5 mg Vit C, 0 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 1.2 grams

Recipe and photos by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2023
All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without the author’s permission.