Shrimp Pad Thai with Spaghetti Squash

This homemade Pad Thai with spicy shrimp, spaghetti squash, peanuts and cilantro for a low carb dish you will prepare again and again. It’s super easy to make, the entire dish can be ready in 15 minutes flat.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large Spaghetti Squash
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb. Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pint mushrooms, sliced
• 2 Eggs Beaten
• 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 Tablespoons Peanut butter
• 2 Tablespoons Rice vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
• 1 Tablespoon Sriracha
• 1 TablespoonSesame seed oil
• 1 Cup Bean Sprouts
• ½ Cup Dry Roasted Peanuts
• Juice of 2 limes
• ½ Cup Chopped fresh cilantro

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 

Cut squash in half and remove membrane and seeds. Then brush both sides with olive oil, inside and out. Bake on a foil lined baking sheet until tender (45 minutes) with the cut side down.

Once cooked, remove from the oven allow the squash to cool upright for 10 minutes. Using a fork, rake the inside of the squash and move the spaghetti to a bowl.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add in the shrimp and cook on each side until pink and no longer translucent.  Remove from the pan.

Add the onions to the pan and saute, about 3-5 minutes.  Push the onion to one side and add the mushrooms, saute until cooked. Mix the onion and mushrooms together, season with salt and pepper. Make well in between the vegetables, add the beaten egg.  Scramble the egg with a spatula, then combine with the vegetables.

Add in the garlic, peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce,sesame oil and Sriracha.  Stir until all combined and scrape any browned bits or egg from the bottom of the skillet.

Add in the cooked spaghetti squash, peanuts, and lime juice.  Toss with tongs until combined.  Top with the cilantro and shrimp and serve.

Advertisement

Taco Cauliflower Skillet

Dinner in under 30 minutes!

This Taco Cauliflower Rice Skillet is quick, easy, healthy, low carb and incredibly delicious. Loaded with ground chicken, vegetables, cauliflower and melted cheese. 

INGREDIENTS 

• 1 lb ground chicken 
• 1 head cauliflower, riced 
• 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced 
• 1 red pepper, thinly sliced 
• 1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced 
• 1 tablespoon Garlic powder 
• 1 packet Taco Seasoning 
• ½ cup shredded cheese
• Chopped cilantro 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium heat.

Sauté mushrooms until translucent. Then add in the peppers and garlic powder. Sauté until veggies are cooking through. Transfer to plate. 

Add the ground chicken to the skillet and cook while breaking up into small pieces until the chicken is cooked through. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

Add the cauliflower rice to the skillet with the cooked ground chicken. Stir to mix well. 

Bring to a simmer and then add the taco seasoning 

while stirring add ⅔ cup water. Simmer until the sauce is thickened, taste for seasonings. Add the cheese, stirring until melted. 

Serve with cilantro. 

Spicy Peanut Ground Chicken Stir Fry

Asian-inspired Stir Fry skillet, prepared in just one pan within minutes.

Enjoy this delicious meal to the fullest, because it’s keto friendly & low-carb plus perfect for meal prepping!

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1-3 tbsp red thai curry paste adjust to taste. 
• ¼ cup water
• 3 tbsp peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 bag Coleslaw
• peanuts, garnish optional
• cilantro, garnish optional

Instructions

In a large pan, heat the oil.

When the oil is hot, add the turkey and cook until it is about half way cooked. 

Add the curry paste, garlic, peanut butter, and soy sauce, and broth/water to the pan. 

Let it simmer and stir until the pork is fully cooked.

Add the slaw mix to the pan.

Cover and let simmer for 2-3 minutes until the veggies cook down to desired crunch level!

Remove from heat. 

Garnish with peanuts and cilantro.

Grapefruit Salad with a Citrus Cilantro Dressing

This salad is perfect for summer!

It is refreshing and tart, with arugula, sliced red onions and creamy goat cheese, all topped with a citrusy cilantro dressing. It’s great as a side salad or add some protein to make it an entrée! It is especially delicious served alongside salmon!

INGREDIENTS 

For the dressing:

• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, packed, stems mostly removed
• 1 medium-sized pink grapefruit, juiced
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½  tablespoon honey
• 1/2 tablespoon white wine vinegar

For the salad:

• 4–5 cups arugula
• 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 large pink grapefruit, sliced with skin on or peeled and split into wedges
• 1/2 medium-sized red onion, peeled and sliced thinly

INSTRUCTIONS

Make the dressing:

Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until well combined but bits of cilantro still remain.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Just shake or stir before adding to the salad.

Assemble the salad:

In a large bowl, add the arugula, goat cheese, grapefruit and onion. Add the desired amount of dressing and toss to combine.

Cheeseburger Stir Fry

Are you looking to cut out carbs but love burgers?

This recipe is for you! It’s packed with that burger flavor we all love minus the carbs!!

You can switch out the ground turkey for beef or even pork and feel free to add a drizzle of ketchup if you are not too worried about the carbs!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey 
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 bag coleslaw salad bag 
• ½ cup diced onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• ½ cup diced dill pickles
• ¼ cup diced pickled jalapeños 
• 3 tbsp Dijon mustard or your favorite mustard 
• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt & pepper 
• Fresh parsley for garnish 

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat the oil on medium heat.

Once hot, add the ground turkey and break it up to cook.

When turkey is no longer pink, add the garlic and onions, salt and pepper, and saute for 2 minutes.

Add the coleslaw bag, jalapeños and pickles. Put a lid on the skillet and let the coleslaw cook down for about 3 minutes – until cabbage is tender.

Once cooked down, stir in the mustard and water. Allow excess water to cook down, and if your mixture is really dry, add a tablespoon of water in.

Stir in the shredded cheese.

Garnish with parsley. 

Adapted from 

https://mealplanaddict.com/low-carb-cheeseburger-stir-fry/

Alfredo Squash & Zucchini No Noodle Lasagna

This delicious twist to a classic lasagna recipe will have your family and friends asking for more! It’s made with white Alfredo sauce, chicken, bacon, squash and zucchini slices. Layer it all together and bake for a creamy, cheesy and delicious low carb dinner.

Lasagna is one of my favorite comfort foods. It’s ideal for an easy homemade dinner since it uses simple ingredients (including store-bought Alfredo sauce), makes a lot, and is great for leftovers. This recipe is sure to be a favorite.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 pounds zucchini (about 3 large)
• 1 1/2 pounds yellow summer squash (about 3 large)
• 1 (15 ounce) container low-fat ricotta cheese
• 1 jar Alfredo sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 
• 1 teaspoon truffle olive oil, optional
• ½ cup bacon, crumbles
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper 
• 1 cup shredded chicken

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Grease a deep 9×13 inch baking pan.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, ½ cup mozzarella, Italian seasoning, bacon crumbles, salt/pepper and truffle olive oil until well combined.

To assemble lasagna, spread 1/2 of the Alfredo  sauce into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Then layer 1/2 the squash &  zucchini slices, 1/2 the ricotta mixture, followed by 1/2 the mozzarella cheese and ¼ of the chicken. Repeat by layering the remaining Alfredo sauce, squash & zucchini slices, ricotta mixture, chicken and mozzarella. Spread Parmesan cheese evenly over the top; cover with foil.

Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil; raise oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Taco Cauliflower Rice Casserole

The BEST Keto Taco Casserole is here!

This Keto Taco Casserole is loaded with cheesy taco goodness without any of the carbs. This low carb friendly dish really hits the spot.

I’m a big fan of casseroles because they allow for easy cleanup, and are great for meal prep. This keto taco casserole is sure to be a regular on your meal plan!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 cups cauliflower rice
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ½ onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• homemade taco seasoning, two tablespoons store brought
• ¼ cup water
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 1 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves
• 2 limes sliced into wedges

HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING

• 1 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

To make the homemade taco seasoning, add all ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until evenly mixed. Set aside. 

Add oil to a large pan or skillet and bring to medium-high heat. 

Add in cauliflower rice. 

Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender. Drain and place cauliflower into a bowl to set aside.

In the same pan, add garlic, onion, ground beef and bring to medium-high heat. 

Cook until ground beef has browned, crumbling the ground beef as you cook it. Drain out excess fat.

Sprinkle taco seasoning across ground beef. 

Stir in the black beans. 

Add ¼ cup water and diced tomatoes (including the liquid). Stir and cook on medium heat until everything is evenly mixed and the sauce has thickened.

Add the cauliflower rice back in and mix with the taco meat, cooking for a few minutes on medium heat. Drain any liquid from the pan. 

Add taco cauliflower rice into a 9 x 12 inch casserole pan. Sprinkle cheese across the surface. 

Bake in the oven at 350F for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Garnish with cilantro. 

Serve with lime wedges.

Beyond Burger Salad

I first tried the Beyond Meat Burger at Epcot’s Flower and Garden festival last year. I couldn’t believe how amazing it was! I immediately fell in love with it! I couldn’t wait to find it at my grocery store so I could create my own recipes. I’ve used the Beyond Meat as a substitution in several of my recipes. It’s that good!

Have you never heard of The Beyond Burger™? 

It is from the company, Beyond Meat, it’s a plant-based burger that looks, cooks and tastes like beef, but is made entirely from plants without ANY gluten, soy or GMOs. It’s good for you, the planet and delicious! 

Skip the meat and try this vegetarian alternative instead!

This Beyond Meat Burger salad is juicy and loaded with toppings like sautéed caramelized onions, red pepper, and mushrooms served over a bed of baby spinach and arugula. you can Seriously you jazz it up with any number of toppings to make it taste just like one of your favorite burgers.

Ingredients:

Burgers:

• 1 package Beyond Burger
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon each salt & pepper 

Caramelized Veggies

• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pint sliced mushrooms 
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tablespoon Liquid Aminos, or soy sauce 
• Handful of Arugula & Baby Spinach

Instructions:

For the Caramelized Veggies:

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and softened. 

Add the sliced mushrooms, cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until softened and fragrant. 

Add the red peppers, stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. 

Add chopped garlic and red pepper flakes, stir. 

Pour Liquid Aminos (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until coated and most of the liquid has cooked off. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Transfer to a bowl; cover to keep warm. 

For the Burgers: 

Preheat the grill pan and olive oil over medium high heat. 

Mix beyond burger meat with seasoning.

Make 5 patties. 

Add the patties and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned. Flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. 

Assemble Salad:

Place a handful of arugula and baby spinach on a plate.

Place the burger on top of greens and top with the Caramelized Veggies. 

Drizzle your favorite dressing & enjoy!

Keto Meatball Casserole

Juicy, flavorful meatballs cooked until golden and then covered with tomato sauce and cheese.

If you are looking for a new dinner this Keto Meatball Casserole should be it. 

I love this keto friendly meatball casserole because it’s really simple to make and delicious.  It’s also great for meal prep!

I took my grandparent’s meatball recipe, made a couple of changes to make these keto/low carb meatballs. They make epic leftovers… so great for meal prepping! 

The Meat

My personal favorite meat combo when it comes to meatballs is a fifty-fifty of ground beef and Italian sausage. 

The Breadcrumbs

As you know, meatballs traditionally call for breadcrumbs for the binder. It’s purpose is to add moisture and keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking and becoming tough. I used crushed pork rinds! They work surprisingly well in lieu of breadcrumbs and they really play up the flavors.

To Pan-fry or to bake?

This is a great debate between Italian cooks – whether meatballs should be baked or pan fried. 

I grew up watching my grandmother, Meme pan-fry her meatballs. So in this house, we pan fry! Pan frying meatballs produces superior caramelization and a flavorful outer crust. You really do get the best flavor. 

Having said that, you can definitely bake up these too. 

The Sauce

Nothing fancy here, just simple and delicious! One can of crushed tomatoes and ¼ cup of red wine, I recommend Scout & Cellar Gallivant Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The Cheese

You choose the shredded cheese… Mozzarella, Provolone, Monterrey Jack, Cheddar… I personally like a combination of Mozzarella and Provolone. 

Serve warm on top of zucchini noodles or your with a side of your favorite vegetable. 

Ingredients

Meatball Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 lb. Italian sausage
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ⅓ cup grated or shredded parmesan
• 2/3 cup crushed pork rinds
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp dried minced onion
• 2 tsp dried minced garlic
• 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp Salt and Pepper

Casserole Ingredients:

• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• ¼ cup Scout & Cellar Gallivant Cabernet Sauvignon 
• 1 ½ cup mozzarella and provolone shredded cheese

Instructions 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 

Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs and mix thoroughly. 

Make about 24 meatballs

Heat an oven safe skillet over medium heat. (I used my cast iron skillet)

Drizzle one tablespoon in the skillet. 

Place meatballs into the skillet and cook for two-three minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes. 

Place the skillet into the preheated oven and bake for ten minutes. 

Carefully remove the skillet from the oven, pour the crushed tomatoes and wine over the meatballs. Return the skillet to the oven and bake for another ten minutes. 

Once the sauce is bubbling, sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake for an additional 8 minutes until the cheese is melted. 

Optional: I broiled for 3-4 minutes at the end to toast the cheese. Watch it carefully if you put it under the broiler. The cheese can burn easily.

Bok Choy & Rice Noodle Soup

Did you know in China, soup is something that is always on the table, particularly at dinner. According to Chinese tradition, dinner should always include at least three dishes and one soup. Chinese soups are very easy to make and usually made with simple ingredients. And this recipe is no exception!

I absolutely LOVE the flavor and crunch bok choy brings to this fragrant garlicky ginger soup! If you can’t find Bok Choy, you can use any green, such as cabbage, spinach or other Asian greens.

This recipe also calls for one of my new favorite spices…Star Anise. I was first introduced to Star Anise by one of Gordon Ramsay’s recipes.The star-shaped pods look beautiful and have an exotic flavor you’ll fall in love with. It has earthy, subtly sweet spice that is perfect in savory dishes. Star Anise is also an ingredient in Chinese five spice, where it’s combined with fennel, cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns and cloves. So if you can not find Star Anise, you can use Chinese five spice.

Honestly this is one of my go to soups, it’s perfect in cold or even warm weather, who doesn’t love a nutritious, comforting, and flu-fighting soup! Get your grocery list together and let’s get cooking!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 shallots, chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped, green and white divided
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tbsp ginger, fresh, minced)
• 5 ½ cups chicken broth (or water)
• 2 whole star anise or ¼ teaspoon Chinese five spice season
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 10 oz crimini mushrooms, sliced
• 6 oz rice noodles
• 1.5 heads bok choy, roughly chopped
• sesame seeds (for topping)
• red pepper flakes (for topping)

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium-sized stockpot over medium heat.
Saute the shallots over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, or until the shallots turn translucent and start to soften. Stir often.
Add the white part of the green onions, garlic, and ginger to the shallots and mix.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1-2 minutes or until garlic and ginger is fragrant.
Carefully pour the chicken broth into the pot and bring to a simmer.
Add the star anise and soy sauce. Cover and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove the lid from the pot and carefully remove and discard each star anise from the soup.
Add the mushrooms, uncooked noodles, and bok choy to the pot and simmer for 5-8 minutes, or until noodles and bok choy are tender.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with sesame seeds, the green parts of green onions and red pepper flakes.