Cauliflower Breadsticks

To be honest I was a little skeptical as to whether this was a viable thing, after all you see these recipes on pinterest and you wonder if its actually going to work or end up looking like something from nailed it and be a complete flop.

I had made homemade chili and thought this would be a good time to try them after all it isn't an entree so if it failed we still had the chili.

This was the recipe I followed

1 head of cauliflower, I used a bag of riced cauliflower which it said was also an option
2 eggs
cheese, I mean who really follows the amounts when it comes to shredded cheese, basically you need some to mix in and some to top it with, so about a cup and a half .
1 tsp of Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
pinch of salt
Marinara sauce for dipping

So cut up the cauliflower and separate into florets and put into a processor to rice it up, or if using riced cauliflower, place either into a ovenproof  dish and bake for 20 minutes on 375

Once that's done take out of the oven and let it cool a little, put the cauliflower into a tea/linen towel and twist so that all the liquid is squeezed out

Increase oven temp to 450

Once all the liquid is squeezed out, put it in a bowl and ad the eggs, half the cheese, seasonings and mix together.

Transfer this mixture to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, I would also spray the paper.
shape with your hands, flatten into a rectangle but not too thin about 1/4 inch thick.

Bake for 18 minutes, remove from oven and top with remaining cheese, bake for a further 5 minutes until the cheese is browning and melty.

Cut into bread sticks, I used a pizza cutter. and serve with marinara.

If you want a lighter version do not top with cheese.

My only problem with this recipe was that mine stuck to the paper which is why I suggest spraying the paper first.

It doesn't make a whole lot so if making for more than 2 I suggest doubling the recipe.

But despite the sticking, it has a great texture and very bread like, with good flavor. could easily be made into more baguette like shapes also.

Chicken Bacon Wraps

Because of my love for bacon and not having eaten it in a long time due to dietary issues, I wanted to try this recipe.
It reminded me of bacon wrapped smokies , you know those deliciously sweet morsels that someone always brings to potlucks and that fill the staff lounge and due to doors opening and closing, almost the entire school with the sweet bbq smell.

Is your mouth watering? I imagine it is as mine always is when I talk about bacon. But the smokies have too much salt for me, so this was ideal and kept the protein a decent amount which I need.

However, the dressing, coating, whatever wasn't going to be possible for me, I cannot have sugar and this recipe in this entry uses brown sugar along with spices. So I decided to go for the naked version for me and I did the coated version for Jerry. I mean really bacon doesn't need an enhancement in my opinion anyway.

If you want the full recipe here is the link

https://bellyfull.net/2011/03/31/sweet-chicken-bacon-wraps/

I cut 3 chicken breasts into inch pieces, the bacon I cut into half, the original calls for it to be thirds but that's less bacon per piece right!? so yeah no, halves it was.

I wrapped one chicken breast chunks in each piece of bacon, secured with a toothpick, placed on a baking tray. That's it , mine was ready for the oven.

The other two I did likewise.

In a bowl I mixed
2/3 cup of brown sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/8 tsp of cayenne pepper

Because I only had chili powder hot, I reduced the amount slightly as I didn't want to ruin the taste of the bacon, plus I didn't want to blow Jerry's head off.

Once the chicken and bacon is secured with a toothpick, I dredged them through the sugar mixture making sure they were covered. Then put them on a baking tray.

Cook for 30 - 35 minutes.

I used this pan so that the excess fat drained away from the bacon.

The verdict was , Jerry said that they had great flavor, he loved them, and of course I did too.

Eggplant lasagna without Noodles

This is another great recipe that I tried this weekend that I was able to eat. Noodle free is good for me, and Jerry liked it too. It was hard to tell that it didn't have noodles in it..

1 tsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
1 1/2 lbs of ground beef - I used 2lbs
1 1/2 cup marinara sauce
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper

1 medium Eggplant - I recommend using 2 - slice lengthwise
2 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and pepper

8oz of ricotta cheese
1/2 cup of parmesan
1 egg

2 cups of mozzarella

Cook the ground beef, garlic in the oil add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste, put aside.

As you can see from the picture I added mushrooms.

Slice the eggplant and brush with the oil both sides and put in a sheet pan and cook for 15 mins on 400 degrees

Mix the ricotta cheese and Parmesan and egg together

In a 9x13 glass dish put a layer of eggplant, then meat sauce and then the cheese mix, repeat layers, top with mozzarella and cook in the oven until the cheese is melty.

There is lots of flavor and very filling and the pan made enough for two meals for me and Jerry.
It has 30g of protein wow I know right.

This is definitely one for a remake.


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Low Carb Eggplant Pizza Bites

Ive wanted to try this recipe for a while and as I cant have very many carbs this was a great way to make pizza without the crust.
Jerry is always willing to try new things and this was a really easy and quick recipe to make.

1 Large Eggplant, cut into 1/4 inch slies
I Tbsp Salt
3 cloves of garlic
I Tbsp of Olive oil
1 Tsp Italian seasoning
1 Cup of pizza sauce
1 Cup of Mozzarella

1 Sprinkle the eggplant with the salt and let sit on paper towels for 10-15 minutes and wipe dry

2. Preheat oven to 400F. In a small bowl combine the crushed garlic, olive oil and italian seasoning. Brush the mixture onto both sides of the eggplant slices and bake for 15 minutes.

3. Remove eggplant from oven and flip eggplant slices, top each slice with pizza sauce and a sprinkle of cheese. Return to the oven and bake for a further 15 minutes.

I actually used coconut oil and not olive oil and also I buy garlic in a tube which I find lasts longer.

Spread the oil mixture on both sides. Once cooked add your marinara sauce and whatever toppings you want.

Jerry had mushrooms and pepperoni with cheese, and had a salad with his. Mine was ground chicken crumbles and low fat mozerella.

This recipe was quick and easy. Could easily be vegetarian with minimal fuss. Lots of possibilities with different toppings.

Highly recommend