Comment Verification

My apologies to everyone as today I had to implement a comment verification that will make you have to type in one of those annoying word verification boxes before you can post a comment.  I tried to let it be open and easy for as long as possible but the spammers have gotten to a point that I'm getting approximately 50 spam comments a day and it's getting taxing to have to clean up so much and making my little hobby here not so fun. :(

Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin Pancakes

Oh these were good!  The batter made two large pancakes that were extremely filling.  I wasn't hungry for lunch after having these for breakfast.  Feel free to pour a little sugar free pancake syrup over them but I didn't think it was needed.  I just added a pat of butter to the top and thought they were great! *INDUCTION FRIENDLY*

5 STARS
1 serving
6.25 net carbs per serving

2 oz cream cheese, softened in microwave
2 eggs
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 TBSP golden flax meal
2 TBSP canned pure pumpkin puree
1 TBSP water
1 TBSP Splenda (or sweetener or choice)

Beat together thoroughly (NO LUMPS so make sure that cream cheese is very soft).  Pour on a cooking-sprayed skillet that has been pre-heated on medium.  Cook for about 4 minutes, or until underside is browned, then flip for another 1-2 minutes.

Lemon Coconut One Minute Cake

Lemon Coconut One Minute Cake

Oh how I love thee, One Minute Cake.  I'm not very good at planning my meals ahead (I know, I know, shame on me).  Sometimes I stand in the pantry, staring at all the junk food in there for my family of carb-etarians.  The junk whispers "eat me, I'm so good" or "one Oreo won't hurt".  (exactly the reasons why you should have a game plan and decide your low carb meals in advance!)  This is where the One Minute Cake becomes crucial.  I've made a couple of flavors (PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE ONE MINUTE CAKE, ONE MINUTE BREAD, and INDIVIDUAL MICROWAVE COBBLER) but I think this Lemon Coconut is my new favorite.  The ingredients mix is spot on to have a good cake texture, a bit moist and fluffy.  This was an amazing emergency dessert and I enjoyed every bite!

5 STARS
1 serving
4.5 net carbs per serving

1 TBSP coconut oil (in liquid form, put in microwave for a few seconds)
1 egg
1 tsp water
1/2 tsp lemon extract
2 TBSP granular Splenda (or your sweetener of choice)
2 TBSP almond flour
1 TBSP coconut flour
1 TBSP shredded unsweetened coconut
pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients in a mug with a fork until thoroughly combined.  Microwave for one minute (microwave ovens may vary).

Sauteed Mushrooms

Sauteed Mushrooms

I LOVE mushrooms.  However, my family doesn't so I don't make them very often.  Tonight I made them a carb-y side dish and made some yummy sauteed mushrooms just for myself.  They were easy to prepare and were very flavorful.  I think I ate more than one serving.  Shhhh.....don't tell.  I think I need to make them more often!

5 STARS
4 servings
3 net carbs per serving

2 TBSP butter
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
1/8 tsp seasoned salt (check labels as some brands add sugar)
1/2 tsp dried parsley
fresh pepper to taste

Melt butter over medium heat in a large saute pan.  Add all other ingredients and saute for 10-15 minutes, until the mushrooms are cooked to your desired tenderness.  Serve immediately as mushrooms generally do not re-heat well.

Ghost Poo aka Cream Cheese Clouds

Cream Cheese Clouds aka Frozen Cheesecake Bites

Ghost Poo (see what I did there since it's almost Halloween?!), aka Cream Cheese Clouds, aka Frozen Cheesecake Bites!  Fun and yummy and a great way to grab a little sweet dessert or snack.  I pulled this off of Linda's page as Cream Cheese Clouds.  My father (also a low carber!) came up with the Ghost Poo because he's funny like that.  I wrote the recipe below as basic Cream Cheese Clouds or Frozen Cheesecake Bites but if you'd like to swirl them to make them Ghost Poo, just spoon the mixture into a sandwich bag and then cut one of the end tips of the bag off to make a home pastry bag.  You can mix up the flavors by using different extracts or adding some unsweetened cocoa powder, a bit of pumpkin puree, etc.  Fun! *INDUCTION FRIENDLY*

5 STARS
24 clouds
1 net carb per cloud/serving

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granular Splenda (or sweetener of choice)
1/2 tsp vanilla (I used 1/4 tsp lemon and 1/4 tsp vanilla)

Beat everything with an electric mixer until fluffy.  Drop by bite-size spoonfuls onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet to make 24 clouds.  (or spoon into sandwich bag, cut the tip off to make a pastry bag)  Freeze until firm, at least 1 hour.  Store in the freezer and eat frozen.

Once frozen, these store in the refrigerator just fine.

Bangin Sauce

Bangin Sauce

I've written several times about the virtues of Bangin Sauce in my posts about BANGIN SHRIMP and DEEP FRIED CAULIFLOWER.  I made it for the um-teenth time recently and decided, d*mmit this sauce deserves it's own post!  It deserves to be put on a pedestal and admired.  Use it as dip for chicken nuggets, dip for veggies, slathered on eggs, as a sauce on burgers, sauteed with shrimp, etc.  It's great with EVERYTHING!

5 STARS
4 servings
2 net carbs per serving

3 TBSP mayonnaise
2 TBSP scallions, chopped fine
1 TBSP chili garlic sauce
1 TBSP sugar free imitation honey (can sub with 1/2 TBSP Splenda)
1/2 tsp Sriracha (aka Rooster Sauce)

Combine the mayo, scallions, chili garlic sauce, sugar free honey and Sriracha sauce in a small bowl.  Serve with anything!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Minute Cake

Peanut Butter Chocolate Minute Cake

I gotta say, I'm kind of in love with myself for coming up with this one.  I would enjoy this recipe even if I wasn't low carbing.  It's sinful, decadent, easy to throw together and cooks in one minute.  LOVE.  It's very good without the peanut butter if you feel like having just chocolate cake.

5 STARS
1 serving
7 net carbs per serving

1 tablespoon butter, softened
2 tablespoons granular Splenda (or sweetener of your choice)

1 egg
2 TBSP almond meal 
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch salt
1 TBSP golden flax meal (can replace with another TBSP of almond meal)
2 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder 
1 TBSP natural no sugar added peanut butter, softened

Mix all ingredients except peanut butter in a mug with a fork until well blended.  Scoop softened peanut butter on top of batter and blend lightly, just enough to swirl chocolate and peanut butter together but not thoroughly mix.  Microwave for one minute (time may need to be adjusted depending on your microwave but less is more with this recipe or it will become too dry).