Low Carb Antipasto Salad (Lean & Green)

One of my favorite salads is an antipasto, and this
 one did not disappoint ~ The entire family loved it!

Ingredients:

2 cups butter leaf or Romaine lettuce

1/4 cup pepperoncini or pickled sliced banana peppers

1/4 cup cherry or grape tomato halves

2 1/2 ounces turkey pepperoni**

2 1/2 ounces part skim mozzarella cheese, grated**

2 tablespoons Walden Farms Balsamic Vinaigrette (or dressing of choice) 

Method:

Tear the lettuce into bite sized pieces and arrange on a diner plate. Top with the peppers, tomatoes, pepperoni and cheese. Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad. Makes one serving.

Equals: 1 lean, 3 green & 1 1/2 condiments

Nutritional info: 301 calories ~ 8.5 grams fat ~ 10.9 grams carbs ~ 7.5 grams net carbs ~ 46.65 grams protein

**If you are not following a lowfat meal plan, you may substitute regular pepperoni (or salami) and full fat mozzarella cheese.

Note:  When my husband asked to share his favorite pizza with my godparents and our visiting nephew, I decided to prepare the accompanying salad. (I didn't like the choices the restaurant offered. All three generations (ages 21 to 97) loved the salad!

My nephew & husband ready for pizza & antipasto salad.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies

Delicious Comfort food for all ages.

Ingredients: 

1 cup shortening

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1/4 milk or cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt 

additional granulated sugar

grape jelly

Method:

Preheat oven to 350*. Beat shortening and peanut butter in a large bowl until well blended. Add sugar and brown sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs, milk and vanilla. Beat well. Sift together flour, soda and salt. Gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. Shape dough into 2 inch balls. Roll in additional sugar and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. 

Use a 1 1/2 inch flat circle surface to create an indentation in the center of each cookie.

I used the flat end of my rolling pin to make
the indentations in the center of each cookie.

Fill each indentation with 1 1/2 teaspoons of grape jelly.

Bake for 5 minutes. remove from oven, rotate the baking sheet and return to the oven for another 5 minutes, or until the edges of the cookie are lightly browned. Remove cookies to cooling rack. Cool completely. Makes 4 dozen. Store in an airtight container with layers of waxed paper in between layers of cookies.

Note: These cookies are a family favorite ~ When I asked my brother-in-law what he wanted for his birthday, he asked for these cookies.

Low Carb Spinach & Bacon Crustless Quiche (Lean & Green)

A simple & tasty quiche!

 Ingredients:

10 inch deep dish pie pan

olive, avocado or coconut oil cooking spray

1 tablespoon dried minced onion

1 1/2 tablespoons hot water

3 cups coarsely chopped or torn fresh baby spinach leaves

1/2 cup chopped green onions (just the green part), or chives

8 mini Babybel light cheese circles, grated

8 slices (3 ounces) cooked turkey bacon, chopped or torn into small pieces

3/4 cup nonfat cottage cheese

3/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt

4 whole eggs

1 1/2 cups liquid egg whites

1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red chiles (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 350*. Place the dried minced onion in a small bowl and stir in the hot water. Set aside. Spray the bottom and sides of the pie pan with your choice of cooking oil spray. Place the pie pan on a baking sheet with sides. Layer the spinach evenly in the pie pan. Sprinkle the green onion over the spinach. Sprinkle the dried onion over the fresh vegetables. Layer the bacon pieces evenly over the ingredients in the pie pan. Top with the grated cheese.

Place the remaining ingredients into a blender container and process until all are well mixed. Pour over the ingredients in the pie pan to cover.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a knife inserted half way between the center and the outer edge comes out clean. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before slicing. Cut into 6 equal sized portions. Serves 6.

Nutritional info per slice, approximately: 252 calories ~ 11.4 grams fat ~ 10.5 grams carbs ~ 7.9 grams net carbs ~ 27.2 grams protein

Note: To make a complete Lean & Green meal serve with a small salad. Suggestion:  1 1/3 cups lettuce and 1/2 cup chopped cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes or slice radishes. Drizzle 2 tablespoons Walden Farms Zero Calorie Salad Dressing over the top.

Lean & Green Calculations for quiche: 1 Lean, 2/3 Green & 1 Condiment (with optional red pepper added = 2 condiments)

Lean & Green Calculations for quiche with salad: 1 Lean, 3 Green & 2 Condiments (with optional red pepper added = 3 condiments)

Fresh Peach Sweet Tea (With Sugar Free Option)

Refreshing & Delicious!

Ingredients: 

2 cups of peeled & chopped fresh ripe peaches

8 cups water

1 cup honey, sugar or Lakanto Baking sweetener**

4 black tea bags

7 peach slices (optional garnish)

Method:

Combine the peaches and 1 1/2  cups on the water in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a slow boil and simmer until until the peaches are very soft. Cover and turn off the heat. Let sit for 20 minutes. Carefully pour into a blender container and puree. Set aside.

 Add the honey, (sugar or sweetener) and 1 cup of the water to the saucepan. Heat and stir until the honey is dissolved. Set aside.

Bring the remaining water to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the tea bags.  Allow to steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool.

Add the peach puree, dissolved honey and cooled to a pitcher. Stir well to mix and serve over ice. Makes 7 servings.

**For the sugar free option, you may use the sweetener of your choice. I like the Lakanto Monk fruit Baking sweetener because of it's finer texture and because it doesn't have an unpleasant aftertaste. If I don't have the baking sweetener in my pantry, I put the Classic Monk fruit sweetener in a food processor to create the finer texture.

Lakanto Classic, Golden & Powdered Sweeteners can be found at some Walmarts and grocery stores as well as Whole Foods, Costco and Sprouts. They also can be found online. (I stock up on the sweeteners when they are on sale, so that I always have them on hand.)

Notes: I created this recipe for my father-in-law. because he enjoys flavored teas and can only eat a diet of soft foods. This tea is delicious and the pureed peaches add flavor plus nutrition. He loved it and so did my husband and neighbors!