Low Carb Chicken & Vegetable Alfredo Casserole

A tasty Chicken & Vegetable casserole
in a simple Alfredo sauce.

Ingredients:
avocado or olive oil cooking spray
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature**
2/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts (in water)
4 cups cooked chicken, cubed
6 slices of bacon, cooked & chopped
8 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

Method:
Preheat oven to 375*. Spray a 9 x 13 baking pan with cooking spray and set aside. 
Add the cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, mayonnaise, garlic, salt, pepper and paprika to a very large bowl. Mix together with a whisk or electric mixer. 
Drain the artichokes and chop. Add to the ingredients in the bowl. Add the chicken, bacon, spinach and parmesan. Stir until all of the ingredients are well mixed. Layer evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the mozzarella on top. Bake for 20 minutes.  Increase the heat to 400* and bake 5 minutes longer, or until the cheese is golden in color. 

Let stand for a few minutes, before serving. Cut into 6 portions. Serves 6.

Nutritional info per serving, approximately:
755.67 calories ~ 59 grams fat ~ 8.43 grams net carbs ~ 42.44 grams protein

**If the cream cheese is not at room temperature, it can be warmed in a microwave oven, by heating at 20 second intervals, until slightly softened.

Notes: I am not fond of Alfredo sauce and my husband does not like cooked spinach or artichoke hearts. So, it is surprising that we both loved this casserole! Very flavorful and satisfying.

SIMPLE Low Carb Chicken Fajita Stew (Not Spicy) Flavorful & DELICIOUS!!

No need to simmer this soup/stew for
hours ~ it is tasty and ready in just
30 to 60 minutes! 

Ingredients:
1 - 2 tablespoons of avocado or olive oil
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 - 5 cups chicken broth
2 pounds chicken, cooked and shredded**
2 tablespoons Keto Friendly taco seasoning***
1 teaspoon dried cilantro or 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
Garnishes:
sour cream
sliced garlic or jalapeno stuffed green olives

Method:
Add the oil to a large cooking pot or Dutch oven. Turn the burner to a medium low heat. Add the bell peppers and stir and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and onion. Continue to cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes more.
Add the tomatoes, broth and chicken to the pot. Stir in the taco seasoning and cilantro. When the broth begins to bubble, reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Simmer for 15 to 30 minutes. Makes 11 cups. If desired, garnish each serving with a tablespoon of sour cream and 1 large sliced green olive. Serves 6.

**Cooked chicken can easily be shredded with two forks, or place in a large mixing bowl and use an electric hand mixer to shred the meat.

***You can make your own Keto Friendly Taco Seasoning, by combining these spices:

2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper 

1/2  teaspoon sea salt (optional)

1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

½ teaspoon instant minced garlic (or garlic powder)

Nutritional info per serving (without garnishes), approximately: 

434.46 calories ~ 25.35 grams fat ~ 8.28 grams net carbs ~ 39.68 grams protein

Nutritional Info per serving (with garnishes), approximately:

440 calories ~ 25.9 grams fat ~ 8.39 grams net carbs ~ 39.75 grams protein

Notes: 

This is a thick stew or soup. If you desire a soup with more broth, more can be added.

My husband who never eats more than one serving of any dish, finished a second serving of this stew! He said it was the best soup he had ever tasted. When I reminded him that he said that about "The BEST Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Curry", he replied: That was the BEST curry ever and this is the BEST soup!

Maple Glazed Baked BACON ~ VERY LOW CARB

One tray of delicious maple glazed bacon.

Ingredients:
12 slices thick cut bacon
1/3 cup sugar free maple syrup**
1 1/2 teaspoons Lakanto Golden sweetener

Method:
Preheat oven to 400*. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a "cooling" rack on top of the prepared baking sheet.
Lay the slices of bacon, in a single layer, on top of the rack. (The bacon needs to be above the rack, so that they are not sitting in the drippings.)
In a small glass bowl, or measuring cup, stir together the syrup and golden sweetener. Heat in a microwave oven for 30 seconds. Stir. Brush half of the syrup mixture on top of the bacon. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn over the slices of bacon. Brush with the remaining syrup. Bake for another 15 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked to the level that you prefer. (Thinner slices may require a little less cooking time and thicker slices, a little more.  Makes 12 delicious slices

Nutritional info per slice, approximately:
61.55 calories ~4.2 grams fat ~ 0.42 grams net carbs ~ 4.1 grams protein

**I use Lakanto Maple Flavored Syrup, sweetened with Monkfruit, because I prefer the taste of Monkfruit over other sweeteners. (You may use the sugar free maple syrup of your choice.)

Notes: Very simple and tasty ~ my husband said it is the best bacon he has ever tasted! 

Keto Friendly Chocolate Pudding (Non Dairy & Sugar Free)

A delicious dairy free dessert with a
secret ingredient: avocados!

Ingredients:
1/3 cup canned coconut milk
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 large (or 6 small) ripe avocados (4 cups sliced)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
a pinch of pink Himalayan or sea salt
15 drops chocolate liquid monkfruit drops (optional)
1/3- 1/2 cup classic monkfruit granulated sweetener
Garnishes:
whipped cream or whipped coconut cream (optional)
4 - 6 tablespoons sugar free chocolate chips (optional)
shaved or grated sugar free chocolate bar (optional)

Method:
Add the coconut milk and cocoa to a food processor. Blend until the milk and cocoa are smooth and well blended. Add the avocados, vanilla, salt and sweeteners. Process until all of the ingredients are smooth and the avocado is completely blended in. (Occasionally, stop the food processor and scrape down the sides of the container.)  Makes 3 cups. (4 to 6 servings)
Portion evenly into six 1/2 cup serving containers. Chill for 30 minutes or longer. (The pudding thickens up a bit as it chills.) If desired, garnish with a whipped cream and grated chocolate or chocolate chips. 

One portion topped with cream & grated chocolate.

Store covered in an airtight container, or containers, for up to 3 days. 

Packaged for storage & giving.

Nutritional info for one 1/2 cup serving, without garnishes, approximately:
234.27 calories ~ 20.44 grams fats ~ 4.3 grams net carbs ~ 3.47 grams protein

Notes: 
I made this pudding for a cousin who cannot eat any dairy and he enjoyed it! It also is a very creamy and delicious way to add avocado to your daily meals.
For a variation, substitute banana extract for the vanilla extract.

Quick & Easy Jalapeno Popper & Chicken Soup (Low Carb)

A very delicious soup that tastes like
a stuffed jalapeno popper!

Ingredient:
8 slices bacon
2 - 3 teaspoons diced garlic
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
3 - 4 pickled jalapeno peppers, seeds removed and chopped
6 ounces room temperature cream cheese**
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried cilantro

Method:
Cook the bacon until crispy, but not burned. Transfer to a paper towel. Transfer 1 to 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease to a Dutch oven. Over a low heat, saute the garlic until fragrant and just golden brown. 
Add the broth, chicken, jalapenos and cream cheese. Cook and stir over medium/low heat
to mostly, but not completely melt the cream cheese. Stir in the cream.
Add the cheddar cheese and stir until mixed in and melted. Sprinkle the spices over the soup and stir to blend in. Continue to cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Crumble the bacon and stir into the soup before serving. Ladle into bowls. Makes 8 servings.

**If the cream cheese is cold, it can be softened slightly in the microwave oven by heating for 40 to 60 seconds.

Nutritional info per serving, approximately,
357 calories ~ 32 grams fat ~ 4.3 grams net carbs ~ 13.55 grams protein

Notes: 
This soup has just enough spice to create a wonderful flavor, without burning your mouth. 
The cream cheese does not need to be completely melted, because little bits add a creamy texture similar to the inside of a jalapeno popper.
If you desire a thicker soup, add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the broth.

Keto Friendly Cinnamon Sugar Baked Cake Donuts

Tasty Cake-like Donuts that Keto &
non-Keto eaters can enjoy.

Cake Ingredients:
donut baking pans (If you do not have donut pans, you can use a muffin pan ~ makes 6)
coconut oil cooking spray
1 cup finely ground almond flour
1/3 cup Lakanto Classic granulated Monkfruit sweetener
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon pink Himalayan or sea salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
Coating Ingredients:
1/2 cup Lakanto Classic granulated Monkfruit sweetener
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 - 3 tablespoons butter

Method:
Preheat oven to 350*. Coat 9 donut sections of a donut baking pans liberally with the coconut oil cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, with a large fork or whisk, stir together the flour, sweetener, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
Place the butter in a 2 cup glass measuring cup, or small bowl. Heat in a microwave oven, at 20 second intervals, until the butter is melted. Whisk in the milk, eggs and vanilla.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour the liquid ingredients into the well and stir with a fork, or whisk, just until all the ingredients are mixed.
Divide the batter evenly between the 9 prepared donut compartments. Bake for 22 - 28 minutes, or longer, or until fully cooked and golden brown.  Cool completely and then carefully remove from the baking pan. Transfer to a cooling rack placed on a foil lined cookie sheet
In a small bowl, stir together the Classic sweetener and cinnamon for the coating. Set aside.
Place the tablespoons of butter in a separate bowl and heat in a microwave oven at 10 second intervals until it is melted. Brush one side of a cooled donut with the melted butter and dip into the cinnamon mixture. Repeat with the other side of the donut and return to the cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining donuts. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, or in the frig. Makes 9 donuts.

Nutritional info per donut, approximately:
160 calories ~ 15.36 grams fat ~ 1.8 grams net carbs ~ 4.2 grams protein

Notes: Regular donuts taste best when fresh, but the flavor and texture of these donuts is greatly enhanced the next day.

P.F. Chang's Restaurant Style Chicken Lettuce Wraps (A Low Carb Copycat)

This is a delicious low carb version of a
popular dish that is served at
P.F. Chang's restaurants.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon avocado oil or bacon grease
1 tablespoon toasted coconut oil
1 pound of ground chicken or turkey
2 cups diced sweet yellow onion
1/3 cup homemade hoisin sauce**
1 tablespoon coconut vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons Asian Chili garlic sauce
3 - 4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
8 ounce can water chestnuts, drained & finely diced
3 teaspoons dried chives
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
romaine or butter lettuce leaves, rinsed and dried on paper towels***
1 cup toasted coconut****
sriracha sauce

Method:
Add the oils to a large skillet and heat over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, occasionally, until crumbly and fully cooked. Do not drain. 
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion, hoisin sauce, vinegar and chili garlic sauce. Stir to mix and cook, for 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and most of the liquid is absorbed into the meat.
Stir in the garlic and ginger and continue cooking for another minute or two. Add the water chestnuts, chives and salt & pepper. Cook until the water chestnuts become tender. 
Spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons of the seasoned meat onto a lettuce leaf. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of toasted coconut and if you desire more spice, dot with sriracha sauce. 
Makes approximately 4 cups. (16 to 20 servings)

**Store bought hoisin sauce is high in carbs, because it contains sugar. Please see the following recipe for an easy to make, homemade low carb sauce, that you can use instead:
https://carriekitchencreations.blogspot.com/2019/11/keto-friendly-hoisin-sauce-gluten-sugar.html

***Romaine leaves work best, but butter leaf lettuce can also be used.

****To make toasted coconut, preheat oven to 350*. Spread 1 cup of flaked coconut on a baking sheet. Bake for 4 minutes, or just until lightly golden. 
Store completely cooled toasted coconut in an airtight container. Use as a crunchy garnish on salads, desserts and more.

Nutritional info per 4 tablespoon serving on a romaine leaf, approximately:
93.4 calories ~  5.77 grams fat ~ 2.7 grams net carbs ~ 7.7 grams protein