Keto Loaded “Baked Potato” Soup

Thick, creamy, and a low-carb alternative to Baked Potato Soup!

Loaded baked potato soup is prime comfort food, but it’s also loaded with calories. My lightened-up version swaps the potatoes for cauliflower while keeping all of the comforting appeal. Roasting the cauliflower takes this soup to the next level. Topped with all your favorite fixings, there’s nothing potato soup can do that this soup can’t.

Ingredients

• 2 heads cauliflower, cut into florets
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 6 sprigs thyme, divided
• 4 slices bacon
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, diced 
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup Scout and Cellar Dove Hunt Dog Chardonnay
• 6 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp. sour cream
• crispy bacon, crumbled
• cheddar cheese
• sliced scallions or green onion

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°. 

Divide cauliflower between two large baking sheets. Drizzle each baking sheet with a tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and scatter 4 thyme sprigs on top.

Bake until cauliflower is golden and tender, about 20 minutes.

In a large pot (or dutch oven) over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain cooked bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate, reserving fat in the pot, then chop bacon into small pieces.

Add onion and celery to bacon fat and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute, then pour in wine. Cook until wine has mostly reduced down, about 2 minutes.

Add roasted cauliflower to the pot and pour over chicken broth. Add bay leaf, all seasonings and remaining thyme sprigs. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the cauliflower is falling apart, about 20 minutes. 

Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs from soup. Let the mixture cool slightly then carefully pour it into a blender. Cover that center opening with a towel, holding your hand over the towel, and process the soup mixture on low at first (gradually increasing the speed) until completely smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. 

Pour the smooth soup back into the Dutch oven on the stovetop. 

Whisk in the heavy cream and sour cream.

Set it over medium heat to let it warm through, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper, if needed

Serve warm with cheddar, chopped bacon, and chives.

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Keto Friendly Stuffed Pepper Soup

This Keto Friendly soup is made with basic ingredients like ground sausage, peppers, tomatoes and cauliflower rice. It’s a delicious soup everyone will love!

Keto stuffed pepper soup is packed with veggies and flavor plus it’s ready in 30 minutes! 

When you’re craving stuffed peppers but don’t want all the work of making them, this easy stuffed pepper soup recipe is your answer! It’s hearty, full of vegetables, and a cozy meal for cool nights.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 lb Ground Italian sausage 
• 3 medium Bell peppers (diced)
• 1 14.5-oz cans Diced tomatoes with green chiles (with liquid, do not drain)
• 1 14.5-oz cans Diced tomatoes with basil, oregano & garlic (with liquid, do not drain)
• 1 29-oz can Tomato sauce
• 4 cups Beef broth
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup red wine such as Scout and Cellar Bookbinder Apprentice Red Wine
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 12 oz Cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen) or white rice

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat, until shimmering. 

Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a spatula, for 8-10 minutes, until browned. Remove meat from the pot, adn set aside. 

Wipe the pot with a paper towel and add olive oil. 

Add the onion and minced garlic and saute for about a minute, until fragrant. Then add the paprika and red pepper flakes, stir and saute for another minute. 

Add the bell peppers and saute for about a minute, until fragrant.

Add sausage, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil.

Add the red wine and sugar, stirt. 

Reduce heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until the peppers are tender.

Add the cauliflower rice. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until cauliflower rice is tender.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Keto Friendly Taco Soup

Warm, cozy, easy winter soup that is rich with delicious Mexican flavors. 

This soup is the perfect way to enjoy tacos without the added carbs! 

I’m all about quick and easy one-bowl meals this time of year and this taco soup is at the top of the list. It’s made with my favorite taco ingredients and loaded with mildly spicy & zesty flavors that will keep you coming back for more.

It comes together quickly, with simple ingredients, and minimal effort. You will have a delicious dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. Oh and this meal is totally affordable… you can get everything for under $20. 

Looking for a wine pairing?

Scout & Cellar 2019 ETNICO CHARDONNAY will pair beautifully with this spicy and zest soup. ETNICO Chardonnay is bright and refreshing with lemon zest, underripe pear, and a touch of pineapple balanced by white flowers and a hint of herbs with a zesty texture.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef 
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (I used red but green works good too)
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes 
• 8 oz cream cheese (I used low fat and cut into fours, it helps it melt faster)
• 1 Taco seasoning packet
• Zest and juice of one medium sized lime
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups beef broth

Optional toppings:

sliced avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, freshly minced cilantro, jalapeno, and a drizzle of lime

Instructions

Add olive oil to a large pot, brown beef, remove meat from pot and discard liquid. 

In the same pot, saute onion, and garlic over medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes.

Add the bell pepper, diced tomatoes and saute until pepper and tomatoes are soft and tender.

Add the lime zest taco seasoning packet and stir to combine. 

Add lime juice and cream cheese, until cream cheese is melted and mixed through.

Add beef back to the pot and stir to combine. 

Pour in beef broth and reduce heat to low-medium. 

Simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala with Cauliflower rice

Perfect for weekend OR weeknight cooking, this is one chicken recipe you will make time and time again. This Chicken Marsala recipe is equally as good as what you’ll get at an Italian restaurant so it’s the perfect thing to make on your own, and of course a great dish to serve to guests. It’s a classic dish that does not disappoint!

It’s no wonder it’s one of the most ordered chicken dishes in restaurants! Made with golden, crispy, pan-fried chicken, crispy prosciutto, a mushroom-filled creamy Marsala wine sauce and a good kick of garlic, this Chicken Marsala recipe is next-level!

So let’s talk about wine pairings. You don’t want to go too big with this dish. A big red like a Cabernet will overwhelm not only the chicken, but the subtle sweetness of the Marsala sauce. You’re better off going with a full bodied white like Scout & Cellar Clean-Crafted™ Chardonnay, or Pinot Gris. Not a white wine fan? Go for a light to medium bodied red like Pinot Noir. 

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So there you have it, my easy and delicious Chicken Marsala recipe, and the wines that I recommend with it. Crack open a bottle of something awesome, and get cooking. 

INGREDIENTS 

For the chicken:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly grounded pepper
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Marsala sauce:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, as needed
• 4 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced and diced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, quartered
• 3 small shallots chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup dry Marsala wine
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• flat leaf parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 200°F. 

Mix the flour and salt in a small bowl and set aside.

Pound the chicken thin. Working with 1 chicken breast at a time, place inside a gallon zip-top bag and pound with the flat side of a meat mallet or rolling pin to an even 1/4-inch thickness. 

Set the flattened chicken breast aside and repeat with the remaining breasts.

Return the flattened breasts to the bag and add the flour mixture. Seal the bag and shake to coat.

Heat the oil in a 12-inch straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. 

Add the butter, followed by 2 of the chicken breasts. Fry until golden-brown on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. 

Remove the browned chicken to a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 2 chicken breasts. 

Cover the chicken with aluminum foil and place in the oven to keep warm.

Keep the heat on medium-high. If there isn’t grease left from frying the chicken, add up to 2 tablespoons more butter to the pan. Lower the heat to medium and add the prosciutto to the drippings in the pan, saute for 1 minute to render out some of the fat

Add the mushrooms and cook until their juices start to release, about 3 minutes.

Add the shallots and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. 

Add the Marsala and scrape the bottom of the pan to remove any browned pieces. Add the broth and simmer until reduced by half and starting to thicken, about 15 minutes.

Add the cream and return the chicken to the sauce. Cook until the sauce thickens and the chicken is well-coated, 3 to 5 minutes.

Plate the chicken, then top it with the mushrooms and sauce, and garnish with chopped parsley. Viola, fini! 

That was easy huh!? Why go to an Italian restaurant and pay $15-20 when it’s so easy to do at home?

http://www.scoutandcellar.com/whiskawaykitchen

Homemade Mac & Cheese

As many of you know, I joined the initiative #EducateYourself. I knew some but I am learning so much more. As a foodie, I wanted to learn more about the Black Culinary community, this is where I learned about James Hemings and his brother. 

The story of James Hemings is  fascinating, here’s a little taste. 

In the 18th century, James Hemings was one of America’s most accomplished chefs. He was also Thomas Jefferson’s slave. Hemings grew up as a household slave in Monticello, Jefferson’s Virginia estate. He could read and write and Jefferson trusted him. So when Jefferson sailed to France in 1784 to become America’s trade minister, he brought Hemings with him. While in Paris, Hemings was trained in the art of French cooking. He studied first with the caterer and restaurateur, Monsieur Combeaux, apprenticing with pastry chefs. After three years of study he became the head chef at the Hôtel de Langeac, Jefferson’s residence that functioned also as the American embassy. Here his dishes were served to international guests, statesmen, authors, scientists, and European aristocrats.

In 1796, James Hemings was freed by Jefferson on the condition that James would train his younger brother to replace him as chef in the Jefferson household. In 1802, Jefferson served a “macaroni pie” at a state dinner, more than likely prepared from a recipe by James and cooked by his brother. Since that time, the dish has been associated with the United States. Unfortunately, no written record of the Hemingway’s mac and cheese survives.

Enslaved chefs played a huge role in refining some of America’s current staple foods, like mac and cheese.

If you want to learn more about James Hemings. Check out: Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée: How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America written by Thomas J. Craughwell . There’s even a children’s picture book, My Name Is James Madison Hemings written by Jonah Winter. 

Here is my Mac & Cheese recipe, inspired by the 1824 cookbook “The Virginia Housewife” written by Mary Randolph. It is believed that  Randolph’s recipe may have been one of James Hemings creations.

Pair this Mac and Cheese with Scout & Cellar 2019 Fiddleneck Chardonnay, Lake County, California

INGREDIENTS

• Butter, to grease the dish
• 16 ounces large elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups Milk
• 2 cups Half and Half
• 2 cups Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 cups Italian cheese blend. shredded
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika 
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon mustard powder

Topping:

• 1 sleeve Ritz Crackers, crushed
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• ½ cup shredded cheese
• ¼ tsp Smoked paprika

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and butter a 3 qt baking dish (9×13″). Set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, add the dried pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package directs for al dente.  

While pasta is cooking, mix all 3 cheeses in a large bowl. Remove ½ cup of the mixed cheese and set aside, you will use this for the topping. 

Drain the pasta and drizzle olive oil over the pasta and combine to keep from sticking.

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to combine.  Mixture will look like very wet sand. Cook for approximately 1 minute, whisking often.  

Slowly pour in the 2 cups of the milk, while whisking constantly, until smooth.  

Next, slowly pour in the 2 cups of half and half, while whisking constantly, until combined and smooth.

Continue to heat over medium heat, whisking often, until thickened. 

Lower the heat and stir in seasonings and whisk together. 

Stir in 1 ½ cups of the cheeses, stirring to melt and combine.  

Stir in the rest of the cheese, and stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta with cheese sauce, stirring to combine fully.  

Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.  

For the topping, mix the 1/4 remaining cup melted butter, remaining cheese and crushed crackers together in a bowl; scatter the cracker mixture evenly over the macaroni.

Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown for about 15 minutes.  

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Zucchini Taco Boats

Looking for an alternative to your Taco Tuesday?

These Zucchini Taco boats are made with fresh zucchini stuffed with seasoned ground beef, bell peppers, and topped with cheese and salsa. But the filling could literally be anything, from chicken and corn, to meatballs with tomato sauce! 

They are low carb and keto diet friendly. 

Start with 3 or 4 small zucchini. 

I used a small cookie scoop to scoop out the middle of the zucchini, but you can also use a small spoon. I got a little close to the edge on one of them, but don’t worry about it. The meat filling will cover it up. I love using the insides of the zucchini I scooped out to add filler, so place the insides to the side.  

Pour 1/2 cup of your favorite salsa in a baking dish- I used Pace. Lay the boats on top of the salsa and sprinkle each with salt. 

Now it’s time to make the filling.  Heat a pan over medium-heat and cook the meat. You can use any ground meat, I used ground beef.  Once the meat is cooked, transfer to a bowl and set aside. Wipe out the same pan and add a drizzle of EVOO.

Sauté the insides of the zucchini. Make sure to cook it down to reduce the liquid. Then add bell peppers,- any color,  I used red and yellow. Sprinkle it with chili powder, cumin, and salt. Stir together and cook for about two minutes. Add the red onion and garlic. It should start to smell like it’s almost Taco time! 

Continue to cook until vegetables are softened and water has absorbed. Lastly, add the meat back to the pan, and stir together. Once it is combined, it’s time to fill up the boats. Go ahead and fill those babies up- don’t be shy! Let the meat spill over if you need to.

I love cheese and, what’s a taco if it doesn’t have any cheese on it? Cover the filled boats with shredded cheese. I used Cheddar but Monterrey Jack or a Mexican blend would work great, too. 

Place the baking dish in the 400°F preheated oven and cook for 20-25 minutes. 

This recipe  is great if you’re looking for a low-carb option for tacos, or need to get more veggies into your diet. Try them out for Taco Tuesday and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 Zucchini
• 1lb Ground Beef
• 1/2 cup Mixed Red & Yellow Bell Peppers, finely diced
• 1/2 cup Red Onion, diced
• 2 Cloves Garlic, minced  
• 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
• 2 teaspoons Cumin 
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 8 ounces Cheddar Cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Salsa

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400°F

Prepare your zucchini, cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Use a measuring spoon (teaspoon) to hollow out the zucchini forming a boat… save the insides and set aside. 

Pour salsa into a baking dish.

Place the zucchini boats in the same baking dish and sprinkle a small amount of salt over them.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Once cooked, transfer to a bowl. Wipe out the same pan and add a drizzle of EVOO.

Add the inside of the zucchini, water will release. Let it cook down to reduce the liquid, then add bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Stir together and cook for about two minutes. Then add the red onion and garlic.

Continue to cook until vegetables are softened and water has absorbed. Add the meat back to the pan, stir together. 

Once combined, fill each zucchini boat with the beef and vegetable mixture.

Top the zucchini boats with cheddar cheese.

Bake for 25 minutes or until zucchini has softened and cheese is melted.

Serve hot!