3 Minute Protein Bread (low carb, sugar free, dairy free*, paleo)

Just "baked" in the microwave

Made in a 6 inch corningware...perfect for a kid's (or grown-ups)
peanut butter and jelly!

Miss bread and biscuits? Like real, chewy bread that doesn't come out crumbly and doesn't require tons of starches that will up your blood sugar faster than you can say tapioca? I know I did...until I devised this versatile recipe that started out being cooked in the oven, but has since been relegated to the microwave and/or waffle iron to ensure good rise and perfect, bready density...not hockey puck-ish texture disguised as bread!

Please try this and let me know what you think. It is far superior to ANY gluten free (especially low carb) bread that I have tried, and we have tried a lot!


Coming soon...modifications to make restaurant quality butter-garlic rolls & cinnamon buns!

Need ingredients? Check Amazon...it will suck buying them the first time, but you will make this stuff again and again and you won't think twice when it's time to re-order - cross my heart! Another note, I use subscribe and save for almost all of my baking ingredients that I order online. This saves me 20%...which is huge. You can sign up for subscribe and save and cancel before you get your second order, if you decide you don't need anymore!

**If you use the links below and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission from Amazon through their affiliate program. It costs you nothing additional and I don't EVER recommend products that I don't purchase through Amazon myself...**



3 MINUTE BREAD!

1/3 c coconut flour
1/3 c whey OR egg white protein powder (use egg white only for dairy free)
1/3 c psyllium husks (powdered)


See...a real biscuit (note the biscuit balls that
are pre-made in the container, ready for the
fridge and fresh bread...in 3 MINUTES!

2 tsp baking powder (or 1 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tarter)1 tsp salt
1/2 c milk of choice (I usually use canned coconut milk, but have also used whole and goats)
1/4 c + 2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
4 extra large eggs
Butter/Coconut oil for greasing cooking dish


Mix all of the wet ingredients in a large bowl w/ a hand mixer, or use a high powered blender. Add the salt and baking powder and mix well. Add the protein, then the psyllium husks and finally the coconut flour, mixing well after each addition.


Once you have a dough like substance, let it hang out and thicken up for 3-5 minutes. Melt about 1/3 Tbsp butter in your microwave safe dish (I use small corningware or my glass pyrex) and then swirl it around to coat the bottom and about 1/2 inch up the sides. Divide your dough into approximately 7 1/4 c. balls. You are going to cook one at a time...you can save some in the fridge to have hot, fresh rolls in 3 minutes! 


When you are ready to make your bread, flatten your dough ball slightly into the prepared microwave container and then flip it over so their is butter/oil all over it. "Bake" it in your microwave, starting at about 1.5 minutes and adding 20 second increments until it is slightly firm in the middle. This make take a few attempts, but err on the side of under-done, as you can always re-nuke it. Once it's overcooked, it gets rubbery and hard around the edges.  For 1/4 c. dough in a 1 cup pyrex, in my 1200 watt microwave, it takes 2 minutes and 20 seconds to perfect bready, biscuit goodness. 1/3 cup (when I make larger rolls) takes 3 minutes. It's an art, this microwave baking...

Cranberry pot roast and cheesy cauliflower mash

Cranberry Thyme Pot Roast w/ Easy, Cheesy Cauliflower Mash...the utmost in comfort food!

So, with a little pre-planning, this can be assembled in about 3 minutes in the slowcooker and 5 minutes of hands on time with the microwave. It doesn't get any easier...or more yummy, especially when it's 14 degrees outside (seriously, that's what it is...no exaggeration here, unfortunately...)

So, pre-planning...as a busy Mom of two little ones, I don't have time to spend hours in the kitchen. I know, travesty, but that's life these days. Like many of you, we're busy people, work and play and kids and life all get in the way of the time that we have to prepare good, quality food for our families. Enter...pre-planning.  I'm going to be posting more recipes like this in the very near future, as they have become the crutch that I depend on to ensure there is always food in the fridge for lunches and on the table for dinner...yes, I could  order out, but we can't afford it and honestly, end up disappointed by the quality for the cost when we do succumb to the ease of restaurant take-out. Not to toot my own horn, but my food just tastes better, and I know exactly what I put in it...and it's not junk. Sooo...back to pre-planning.  For this to be SUPER easy, you have to have made some cranberry sauce before, and have doubled the recipe, and put about 2 cups in your freezer...remember that next Thanksgiving! (I usually make about 4 times the amount we need...that covers us for a few months!) That's all...not so tough, right? So, what about if you don't have cranberry sauce in the freezer? Well, my friend, this is your lucky day. It will take you approximately 30 minutes longer, but only about 3 of that is hands on...and next time you will have pre-planned and you'll have some there, won't you?

Ok, so assuming you have no cranberry sauce in your freezer...you need to make some. Rinse your 2 bags of cranberries (we're pre-planning for next time...remember?!?!) and put them in a saucepan. Add a cup of water (or cider beer if you are feeling adventurous), a couple squirts of citrus (your choice, I usually mix lemon and orange, about 1/3 cup), 1 chopped up apple or pear, a little cinnamon, 1 tsp of stevia glycerite (or 1 cup of sugar) and simmer it all until the cranberries pop and it thickens up a bit. Taste it...if it's still bitter, add a little more sweetener. It should take about 30 minutes...

Now, cool it a bit and portion it into 1 cup portions (this makes 4 portions-ish) and freeze all but 1 cup, for today's pot roast, of course...

Now, onto the Pot Roast...

2-3 lb chuck shoulder roast, boneless, thawed or frozen**

1 cup cranberry sauce, fresh or frozen**

1 1/2 cups brewed coffee, hot or cold

1 onion, sliced thinly

3-4 carrots, daikon, parsnip (peeled and cut into 2 inch sections)

Layer the veggies (if using) and onion into the bottom of your slow-cooker. Add the meat. Sprinkle liberally with salt, pepper, ground mustard and onion powder. Turn meat over and pour coffee and cranberry sauce over the meat. Season on bottom side with salt, pepper, mustard and onion powder.

Cook on high for approximately 8 hours or until the meat can be pulled apart with a fork.

**If you are using a frozen chunk of meat, add a couple additional hours. If you are using cranberry sauce from the freezer, add it to the top of the meat after you season it, instead of before. It can be like a cranberry ice cube...it will melt! :)

Cheesy Cauliflower Mash (one bowl and 24 minutes...)

1 head of cauliflower

3-4 Tbsp of butter, depending on the size of your cauliflower.

1/3 c. heavy whipping cream

4 ounces (approximately 1/3 block) Mediterranean Herb Cheese (I use Cracker Barrel)

Wash your cauliflower and take off all the green leaves. Cut out any brown spots. Chunk it up into smallish pieces, so that it will all fit in your microwave safe container (preferably glass) with a lid. I use Pyrex. DON'T ADD WATER!!! Cut your butter into 4-5 pats and lay it on top of the florets. Pour the cream over the top. Put on the lid and microwave that bad boy for 22 minutes. This is NOT a typo...it takes awhile.

If you think your microwave is super fast, feel free to check it at 15, 18, 20 and then finally 22, but make sure it is done...you want it super tender and even beginning to get little brown marks on some of the top florets.

Once you get at least a couple brown edges, remove from the microwave and top with the cheese (which you chopped into small chunks while the cauliflower was cooking) and put the lid on it for 1 minute to allow the cheese to melt. Use an immersion blender, regular blender or food processor to puree your cauliflower into the most beautiful, cheesy mash you've ever had.

On the off chance that you had a very small head of cauliflower and your mash seems too mushy or watery, simply put it back in the microwave for 4-5 minutes with the lid off. It should thicken right up.

Notes -

1. You can shred your cheese, I just hate grating cheese.

2. The meat it also really good with a healthy helping of thyme.

3.  For a sweeter meat, you can double the cranberry sauce.

4. This would probably work without the coffee, using a dry red wine or even beef stock instead, but it probably won't be as good.

5. Double down by making a double roast and use the leftovers the next night to make an easy Roasted Veggie Beef stew (recipe coming soon).

Low Carb Vanilla CheeseCake (w/ a nut free crust!)

Make this...just do it. I've perfected it by making it at least 10 times and it never lasts long. With my ingredients, I calculate 50 net grams of carbs for the whole cheese cake...that's less than than one piece at the cheesecake factory, and we typically get 12 GENEROUS slices out of this recipe. For an extra special treat, serve topped with a raspberry puree or a small portion of melted dark chocolate. (No one will know this is low carb...promise!)


Crust:
1/2 c pork rind flour (food processed until finely ground)
1 c. coconut flakes
2 Tbsp coconut flour
3 Tbsp coconut oil or melted butter
1 dropper full (approximately 20 drops) vanilla stevia


Add coconut flakes to a food processor or high powered blender first. Allow to run until coconut is ground finely, but not until it's coconut butter. Add remaining ingredients and process until well combined.  Press into the bottom of a springform pan (I use a 12 inch) and set aside.


Heat the oven to 425 and put about 1 inch of water in a pan that can hold your springform in the oven to preheat as well. (This is a water bath, for those of you who don't often make cheesecake. You can omit this step, but your cheesecake will crack on the top...it will still taste delicious, but may not look like it came from the Cheesecake Factory. Your call :) Prepare your filling as described below.


If your springform is not waterproof, or you aren't sure, wrap foil around it, going up over the top edge. It might take 2 pieces.


Filling:
1 cup full fat ricotta (read labels...mine has 2 g carb per 1/4 c serving)
24 oz full fat cream cheese (buy name brand...1 g carb per 1 oz serving)
4 large eggs
1/2 c + 2 Tbsp erythritol, or 1/2 c birch xylitol
5 droppers full (100 drops) English Toffee Stevia (NO SUBS...gives it the perfect carmel-ly flavor)
3 Tbsp canned, full fat coconut milk or heavy whipping cream
1/4 c vanilla extract*


Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender or food processor until well combined. Pour into prepared pan and drop a couple inches on the counter a couple times to get all the air bubbles out.


Place your cheesecake in your prepared water bath (or just in the oven) and turn the oven (which should be at 425) down to 325 and bake your cheesecake for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Turn the oven off and allow your cheesecake to remain in the warm oven for an hour or so. Remove and chill.


DON'T TAKE THE EDGE OFF OF YOUR PAN UNTIL IT'S COOL!!! It will collapse. I tell you this from experience. It's not pretty folks...but it sure does taste good! Waiting is hard, I know. If you must...just take a spoonful from the piece that will be yours. Don't ruin the whole cake because of your impatience :)


Second note...when you place this in the fridge make sure it's stable, preferably not balancing on a head of cabbage and a pyrex dish, because (again, from experience) if you accidently hit said head of cabbage and your cheesecake loses it's balance, it will come flying out of the fridge and land top side down on the floor. You will look slightly pathetic scooping it off the floor and then getting up the remainder with a spoon, however, I won't judge you...because I've been there...


Third note...this freezes beautifully, and will also keep in the fridge for about a week.


*I make my own vanilla by purchasing vanilla beans in bulk, cutting them in half lengthwise and sticking them in a cheap bottle of vodka or bourbon. Let them hang out for about a month, or longer and you have super affordable vanilla extract with no fillers :) I also made homemade vanilla as gifts one Christmas by buying airplane liquor bottles and putting one bean in each bottle - HUGE HIT!


(Lindsey Slattery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This costs you nothing, but if you purchase items that I recommend, I will receive a small percentage of the item's cost.)

FLAKY Pie Crust (Low Carb, gluten-free, nut-free, primal)

Soooo good. Flaky, like I remember back in my gluten eating day. As someone who doesn't tolerate nuts very well, I have been trying and trying to create a pie crust that would hold up like it's nutty and/or gluten filled counterparts, or at least as well as the delicious (high carb) ones that I used to make with tapioca starch and rice flour. I had come up empty until this past weekend when I made a Cheeseburger Pie.  It started off as a cheeseburger quiche, but I didn't add enough eggs. Much to my delight, it was better than expected, but the filling still needs some tweaking. However, the pie crust was definitely a home run. I can't wait to try it out in a few different iterations...next up, Chicken pot pie! :)


1/2 c. coconut flour
1/4 c. unsweetened (small) grated coconut/flakes
1/4 c. ground up pork rinds (measured after grinding)
1 egg
3 Tbsp butter, melted
2 Tbsp bacon fat, ideally not scalding hot out of a frying pan...


Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl and add the egg. Mix with your hands, trust me. Add the butter and bacon grease and mix until well combined. It will be a bit more delicate than a standard dough, but it should hold together nicely. Using 2 pieces of parchment paper, roll the dough into a disk large enough for your pie plate, then transfer it to said pie plate. Stick it in the fridge for at least 30-60 minutes so it chills and you get the gorgeous (gluten-y but not) flakes that everyone longs for in a pie crust...


Fill as desired and bake like you would any other crust. For no-bakes...I'm not sure yet, but if you try it, please let me know. I'm thinking 14-16 minutes at 350?


Enjoy!

Chocolate Coconut Butter (BONUS Recipe for sugar free, low carb coconut clusters)

2 c toasted coconut flakes (unsweetened)
2 c unsweetened coconut flakes
1/3 c coconut oil
3 droppers English toffee stevia
2 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/3 c raw cacao powder (or cocoa)
1/2 tsp stevia glycerite

In a powerful blender or food processor, process the coconut oil and coconut flakes until they are liquefied. Depending on your blending method this will take awhile.  Add remaining ingredients and process.

To make EASY Coconut Clusters - 
Mix equal parts of the chocolate coconut butter and unsweetened flakes coconut. Drop by rounded spoonfuls on a piece of parchment and freeze until set. Will keep in the fridge for a few weeks. May un-solidify if left out above 74 degrees.

Protein Blueberry Bread (nut free, low carb, sugar free)

Alright my friends...I have found something crazy. Pork rinds, ground up, create a pretty amazing flour substitute. (Be careful that your pork rinds don't have a lot of crap in them...you want them to have 2 ingredients...pork skin and salt. Nothing else. Nothing would ruin a blueberry bread like a BBQ flavored flour. Gross.)

I have been having a  blast playing with the ZERO carb flour...seriously, it's like a match made in heaven. It's tricky though...to much pork rind without another flour makes for a chewy (not in a good way), rubbery texture that is nothing to write home about. However, used in addition to other ingredients, it's pretty awesome. We really enjoyed this bread/cake. The batter can also be used to make "muffin tops", on a cookie sheet without a muffin top pan. Double score, right?


(Notes - if you use sugar and not a sugar substitute, this will no longer be low carb...)

Double Protein (Pork Rind) Blueberry Bread

1/2 c butter, softened

3/4 c erythritol (or 1/2 c. birch xylitol or white sugar)

1/2 tsp powdered stevia (or 1/2 c. brown sugar)

2 eggs

2 tsp baking powder (or 1 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tarter)

1 cup pork rind flour (simply food process or use a high speed blender until it's finely ground)

1/2 c. unflavored whey or egg white protein powder (I use NOW Whey - off Amazon) 

1/2 c. coconut flour

3/4 c. milk of choice (almond, coconut, dairy)

1 Tbsp unflavored gelatin

2.5 c. frozen blueberries (Wild Maine work best, because they are small)

Beat butter, sweeteners and eggs until well combined. Add milk, baking powder and gelatin & beat well.  Add flours and mix until just combined. Fold in frozen blueberries and pour into a parchment lined loaf pan (8x4)

Bake at 350 for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool, store in the fridge. For an extra special breakfast, toast in a frying pan that has been coated in melted butter...yum!

(Lindsey Slattery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This costs you nothing, but if you purchase items that I recommend, I will receive a small percentage of the item's cost.)

Pumpkin Bread Balls (low carb, no gluten, grains, or nuts)

These are so freakin good...and since it's fall and that means it's pumpkin season...GAME ON!

I love pumpkin...pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin muffins...you name it, I love it...sooo, since my old recipe had almond flour as a main ingredient, I needed to make some modifications. I'm so glad I did. These trump anything pumpkin-y that I've ever made. They are kind of like a cross between an old fashioned doughnut, pumpkin bread and a snickerdoodle cookie. They are delicious, and have only about 2 net carbs per "ball". They're pretty too, with the cinnamon/erythritol coating...


1 1/4 c coconut flour
1/4 c vanilla whey protein (Jay Robb)
1/4 c chia seeds
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp coarse kosher salt
2 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 c erythritol

2/3 c coconut milk
2/3 c + 3 Tbsp virgin coconut oil - melted
1 tsp stevia glycerite
6 eggs
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree

Coating -
6 Tbsp erythritol
2 Tbsp cinnamon

Whisk all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Ensure that everything is well mixed before you begin adding the wet ingredients.

Add all wet ingredients and use a hand mixer to get everything all mixed. Blend for 2-3 minutes or until well combined.

Preheat oven to 350 and allow dough to sit for 10 minutes or so to thicken up, while your oven heats up.

Mix erythritol and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Roll dough into balls, approximately 1 1/2 inches. Roll dough in cinnamon/erythritol mixture and place on parchment lined baking sheet. (They don't spread, so you can put them pretty close together). This amount of dough should make approximately 45-50 balls.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.


Update - I ran out of Jay Robb protein powder and couldn't justify it's cost. I now use an unflavored whey and/or egg white protein powder that I order via Subscribe and Save on Amazon. To compensate for the additional sweetness, I add about 1/4 tsp of liquid stevia (2 droppers) and a tsp of vanilla, while using the same amount of protein powder.


(Lindsey Slattery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This costs you nothing, but if you purchase items that I recommend, I will receive a small percentage of the item's cost.)

Gluten Free | Low Carb Pizza 2.0 (nut free, grain free)

Well, I didn't think my previous pizza crust could be improved on...but then I realized that I had a nut intolerance and even the 3 Tbsp of almond meal in my previous recipe could set off cramps and inflammation throughout my body! Soo...back to the drawing board and so glad that I did.  Today's concoction is gluten and grain free and only has about 15 carbs in the whole pizza crust...size x-large, I think I use a 15 inch pizza round pan. You could also make 2 smaller pizzas. Regardless, this makes a lot of pizza...at least 4 servings, maybe 6 if you aren't that hungry.  I use a no sugar added pizza sauce (Publix or Kroger brand) and shred my own mozzarella so it doesn't have added starches to keep the strands separate. But, you don't have to...if you have shredded mozzarella, be my guest!

Without further ado - a gluten free, grain free, nut free, primal (not paleo because of the parmesan) pizza crust -

1/3 c pork rind flour (pork rinds, ground up in the food processor, measured after ground)
1/3 c coconut flour
1/3 c grated parmesan cheese
1/2 Tbsp yeast (like the kind you use to make bread...optional)
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
4 eggs
5 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded + more for topping
1/4 c olive oil

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine all dry ingredients (except xanthan gum) in a food processor or high powered blender. Add xanthan gum while processor is running to ensure that it doesn't clump.  Add cheese and turn on motor. Add eggs one at a time while processor is running.  Once mixture is thoroughly combined, turn off processor and line your pan with parchment paper. I use a 15 inch round pizza pan.

Scrape dough out onto parchment lined pan. Flatten out into a disk, with your hands (it will be sticky.) Once it's about 6 inches across, pour the olive oil on the top and then use your hands to continue to push the dough out and flatten it into the pan. Dough should be about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, if you like.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove and add sauce, toppings and cheese.

Crust has approximately 15 net carbs...don't load it down with sugary sauce and you have an excellent, extremely low carb pizza!

Low Carb (gluten and grain free) Pancakes

An oopsie roll variation...refrigerates and reheats beautifully for breakfast on the go all week! Recipe makes about 24 pancakes, approximately 1 carb per pancake when made with Philadelphia cream cheese.

8 oz cream cheese, slightly softened
7 eggs, separated
1/4 c. almond or peanut butter
1 Tbsp cinnamon
4 droppers of NuNaturals stevia (I use 2 droppers of vanilla crème and 2 droppers of English toffee)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 c. blueberries (optional)

Separate eggs and beat egg whites until pretty stiff (usually about 3-4 minutes)

In another bowl combine remaining ingredients and (using same beaters) blend everything together but the egg whites. Make sure the cream cheese is well incorporated!

Add egg whites and blend on low until fully incorporated.

Fry over medium/low heat in coconut oil or butter, flipping when bubbles start to appear on first side and then cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes on 2nd side.

Notes: Add blueberries after you put on the skillet, 4-5 per pancake (if you are using them). Make them about 5-6 inches in diameter...if they break when you flip them, turn the heat down.

Serve with sugar free syrup (if you roll that way) or heavy whipped cream.

Kale Bread / Rolls / Pizza Dough / Tortillas

Yes, this comes out green...no you CANNOT taste the kale. It works nicely to eliminate the sweetness that so often comes about with coconut flour.

1/3 c + 1 Tbsp ground psyllium husks (I get mine from Now Foods on Amazon)
1 cup coconut flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp coarse, kosher salt
6 eggs
4 egg whites
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1.5 cups kale water (2.5 cups packed kale+1.5 cups water...food processed or well blended in high powered blender - I use a vitamix)

Mix all wet ingredients with a hand blender. Add psyllium and blend. Add coconut flour and blend.  Give dough a few minutes and you should be able to handle it like a ball of dough.

With this dough you can do a few things...
1. Make a loaf of bread - parchment line a large bread pan. Spread dough evenly. Bake at 375 for 90 minutes. Allow to cool before slicing. Freezes and toasts beautifully.

2. Make rolls - parchment line a baking sheet. Form rolls. bake at 375 for 1 hour 15 minutes. Allow to cool before using.

3. Make pizza dough - parchment line a baking sheet or pizza pan. Spread out dough. The easiest way to do this is to use another piece of parchment and basically massage it out to approximately 1/4-1/2 inch thick. The thinner the better. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes before adding toppings and cooking for another 20.

4. Make tortillas - roll out tortillas in between two sheets of parchment and then fry in a hot non-stick skillet with no oil for a couple minutes per side.

Easy, peasy lemon squeezey...get your green on.

Pepperoni Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

1 lbs of mushrooms, cleaned and de-stemmed.
6 oz. full fat cream cheese
25-30 pieces of pepperoni
1 cup shredded pepperjack cheese
2 heaping Tbsp pizza seasoning
1/2 Tbsp salt
1 tsp pepper

(Keep the stems, or chunk them...your call. No need for them in this recipe.)

Clean and de-stem the mushrooms. Place mushroom caps, open side down on a paper towel for at least an hour (the longer the better, unless you want to dry them).

Add remaining ingredients to a food processor, scraping down the sides until the pepperoni is finely chopped up and evenly distributed.

Fill mushrooms. It's easiest to do this with your fingers, the mixture is too thick for a piping bag, and really even a spoon. I usually roll a log-ish type roll in my hands and then break off pieces and push them down into the caps.

Bake at 375 for 40 minutes, or 350 for an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes (I prefer the longer cooking time, but the shorter one works in a pinch.)

Bring to any event and watch your plate get licked clean...or make them for dinner and prepare to Eat. Them. All.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Biscotti Cookies - Low carb, gluten and grain free, sugar free

Pumpkin Biscotti Cookies - Low carb, gluten and grain free, sugar free

2 ¼ cups almond flour

1/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 egg
1 Tbsp coconut flour

½ tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

60 drops of liquid stevia

Mix all of the dry ingredients in the food processor. Add the egg, stevia and pumpkin puree. Process until it all comes together.

Work the dough with your hands into 2 small loaves on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake at 325 for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes, or until they are set and cool enough to handle.

Cut biscotti pieces with a sharp, serrated knife and spread the pieces out on the parchment.

Return to oven for 10-12 minutes, turn oven off and leave in for a couple of hours or until they are dried out to your liking.

If serving within 24 hours, simply package in an airtight container and leave on the counter. If serving later, freeze them – they’re good both frozen and defrosted.

Delicious, both with coffee and without.

Cranberry Apple Cheesecake Crumble

Crust and topping
3 cups almond meal
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup Splenda granular
1½ teaspoons cinnamon
1.5 Tbsp molasses
1 vanilla bean (paste from) or 2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher sea salt

Topping only
1/2 cup pecans, whole
2 Tbsp heavy cream

Filling
24 (3 blocks) ounces cream cheese, softened
3 large eggs
5 droppers of vanilla stevia+20 drops regular stevia (or 1/2-3/4 sugar...depends on how sweet you like things)
1/2 c heavy cream
1 large Granny Smith apple (or 2 small)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups cranberry sauce (I used homemade cranberry apple...leftover from thanksgiving, of course!)

Preheat oven to 350° F.

In large bowl, combine almond meal, butter, Splenda, cinnamon, molasses, vanilla bean paste and salt. Mix until crumbly with your hands.

Dump approximately 1/3 of the crust mixture to form a thin bottom crust with your hands or spoon. Go up the sides about 1/2 an inch as well.

Add topping cream and pecans and mix.

In another bowl, use a hand mixer starting low and increasing to high speed until well blended, combine cream cheese, eggs, cream and stevia. Pour into crust.

Core apple and slice into very thin 1/2 circle sections. Arrange in circles around the edge of the cream cheese mixture, all the way to the middle. Sprinkle cinnamon over the apples. Spread the cranberry sauce over the apples.

Gently layer remaining crumble topping evenly over top. Bake for 45 minutes or until topping lightly browned and a sharp knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Gluten Free, Grain Free, Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookies (Soft and Chewy...)

Gluten Free, Grain Free, Low Carb (Soft and Chewy) Chocolate Chip Cookies


Well, another gluten free chocolate chip recipe...what's the big deal? Well, let me tell you...these are good, really really really good. Like pretty close to what I remember the gluten-y version being, although according to my Mom who still eats gluten, sometimes my memory fails me - which I don't necessarily think is a bad thing.

I hvae tried 5 or 6 other gluten free, some grain free and some lower carb cookies, and none of them can hold a candle to my newest recipe interation.  I think if you wanted them to be dairy free, you could use coconut oil instead of the butter, quite successfully, and if there are dairy free chocolate chips? (I don't know) you could use those too...or use cranberries, or raisens, or whatever cookie add-in you dearly miss!  The best part about these cookies is that they are soft on the inside and won't just crumble when you take a bite...plus the flavor, OMG the flavor. Delcious!

If you try these, please let me know what you think...becuase in my humble opinion, these are the best gluten free, grain free and low carb (they don't taste it...promise) chocolate chip cookies I have ever had. These are definitely going on our family Christmas cookie list...

Gluten & Grain Free, Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 stick of unsalted butter
1/3 c Splenda granular
1/4 tsp (40 drops) nunaturals liquid stevia (sugar equivalent to 1/3 cup)
1/2 tsp molasses (optional)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup+2 Tbsp almond flour
2 Tbsp coconut flour
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp kosher salt
2/3 cup dark chocolate chips (use sugar free, should you so choose, to make them entirely sugar free)
2/3 cup nuts, chopped (I used walnut)


Cream softened butter, stevia and Splenda. Add vanilla, molasses and eggs. Beat until combined. Add dry ingredients, except nuts and cups and blend well. Add nuts and chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy!

What a treat!

Cranberry Mustard Pork Roast (gluten free & low carb)

Cranberry mustard pork roast

Pork roast (I used a 5 lb sirloin roast)
1.5 c cranberry sauce ( I used homemade cranberry apple)
3/4 tbsp dry mustard or 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/3 c GF soy sauce
2 heaping tbsp minced garlic
1 onion, diced into small pieces
1 c dry white wine
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp coarse kosher salt (more to taste at the end)

Sear meat with salt and pepper. Add sauce. Roast in Dutch oven for 3-4 hours at 350 or crockpot for 8-10 hours. Shred and return to oven/crockpot for approximately 30 minutes. Can reduce sauce should you so desire.

The Perfect Gluten free (paleo) Pancake

Ok...let me tell you about these pancakes. They rock. They are the best that I have made...and we make pancakes almost every weekend. The subtle banana is awesome, almost like banana bread. The taste and texture are spot on. I have found my magic pancake recipe. The only problem (if you consider it a problem...and I don't) is that it makes a lot. Like 30.

On a high note, you can make normal size pancakes with this recipe and flip them without screwing them up. That's been a problem with lots of the other things I've tried...they all recommend 3 inch pancakes. Really??? Silver dollar pancakes were cool when I was 5...I don't want to have to eat 20 of the things to be full, plus that takes forever to cook them all. With this recipe, in my non-stick pan with no additional grease, oil or butter, I made 5-6 inh pancakes with little problem. (I am not a master flipper....you can do it too!! Promise!)

Yum. Eat. Enjoy!

1.5 c almond flour (I use Honeyville Farms (google it...its' the cheapest and the best you'll find.)
3/4 c coconut flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
8 eggs
2-3 Tbsp honey
2/3 c canned coconut milk (I use jfc or Thai kitchen)
1 banana

Put everything in a blender and run it until everything is smooth and well combined. Then run it for another 45 seconds.

Pour pancakes in a preheated skillet (I let mine heat up the entire time I'm making the batter, I have found this removes the crappy initial batch problem!)

Cook on first side until bubbles form in all areas of the pancake. For me, on med-low, it takes about 3 minutes. Flip. Cook for 1.5 to 2 minutes or until cooked through.

Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

Gluten Free, Low Carb Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

1 lb ground chicken
1 egg
1/4 cup almond flour
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp onion flakes
1 c grated carrots

Mix everything. Bake at 350 for 25 mins. Remove and add spaghetti sauce of choice and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and mozzarella. Return to oven for another 20 -30 mins until cooked through.

Waffles and brownie waffles(low carb and gluten free)

Almond and almond Brownie waffles

Waffles and brownie waffles

1.5 c almond flour
7 Tbsp full fat coconut milk(canned)
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
25 drops stevia liquid sweetener (flavored/ or 20 drops plain)
Pinch of salt
Scant tsp baking soda

Brownie:
Add in addition to above...
15 drops sweetener (instead of 25)
1/4 c truvia bakin blend
3 tsp cocoa powder

Put everything in blender. Blend.

Use waffle maker.

Eat, freeze, enjoy.

Chocolate Cake (the best so far!)

Based on this recipe: http://mariahealth.blogspot.com/2011/10/mocha-fudge-cake-and-converting-flours.html and modified only slightly! Can't wait to try the version with almond flour...

USING COCONUT FLOUR
1 1/2 c Kroger brown sugar sub
1/3 c coconut oil
6 eggs
3 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 heaping T cocoa
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cups coconut flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup hot coffee
1 1/2 tsp vanilla or chocolate extract
1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt

Pre-heat oven to 350˚. Beat sweetener and butter in a bowl until combined. Beat in eggs, then chocolate, then sour cream. Sift the coconut/almond flour and baking soda in a bowl; add to chocolate mixture. Beat in coffee, vanilla and salt until combined. Coat a 9" cake pan with coconut oil spray; pour in batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35 minutes. Makes 12 servings.

Coconut Flour Pizza Crust

By far our favorite when it has come to gluten free pizza crusts, and the fact that it's low carb to boot makes it a win win for our family. 

This is seriously great crust...and it's easy and there's no yeast, so there's no rise time! Plus, you can cut a real slice of pizza and actually hold it in your hand! When was the last time you could do that with a low carb crust? Enjoy!



Coconut Flour Pizza Crust

Look Mom, no fork!

1/3 c coconut flour

1/3 c grated parm (the cheap stuff in the green can)
3 T almond flour
4 eggs
Pinch of salt
½ tsp baking powder
2 T Italian seasoning (or pizza topping, if you can get it from the Amish Pantry in Clarksville)
1 cup shredded mozzarella
2 T grapeseed or olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp xanthan gum

 Add everything to a foodprocessor and process until smooth, a minute or so.

 Using wet (like from water) hands, spread the “dough” out onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. You may need to rewet your hands a couple of times.

Bake the crust at 375 for 15 minutes, then add toppings and bake for another 10-12

*You can also forego pizza and make this a flatbread by adding cheese to the top before the first baking.  We had it like this with pepperjack cheese with chili the other night and it was delicious!