Keto Hot Pockets

Monday nights are for football and soup and sandwiches.  Dave doesn't think soup is dinner so I add a sandwich to it and we have a casual dinner in front of the tv while we watch the Monday night game. And then I have left-over soup for lunch for the week.  We all win!

I hate the tv being on during dinner, but this is one exception I have compromised on, especially now that the kids are gone. My mom and dad listen to books on tape during their lunch.  I never understood why they would do that but I totally get it now, there just isn't that much new in my daily life, now that the kids are gone, and silent dinner isn't so fun.

This sandwich is like a hot pocket.  You could use regular dough like I do for stromboli, but I don't eat that anymore and for just Dave and I, I am only going to make one dough.  I use a fathead dough with coconut flour, roll it out and fill it with all kinds of things.  This week it was ham and some melty provolone cheese.  I paired it with a deconstructed cabbage roll soup and we had dinner.

Keto Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket

for the fat head dough:
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 oz. cream cheese
1 large egg, beaten
1/3 cup coconut flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder

to make hot pockets
1/4 cup spicy mustard
6 oz. lunchmeat of choice
4 slices cheese of choice

Preheat oven to 425°F.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt mozzarella and cream cheese until easily mixed.  Add egg, coconut flour and baking powder, kneed together until well incorporated.  Between two pieces of parchment paper, roll dough out to about 1/4 inch thick.  Cut into 4 rectangles.

Spread mustard on 1/2 of each rectangle, dividing 1/4 cup evenly between the 4 rectangles.  Place 1/4 of the lunchmeat and cheese on each rectangle, dividing evenly.  Fold into rectangle and seal edges.  Place on parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until dough is golden brown.
Serves 4

Deconstructed Cabbage Roll Soup

2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 onion, diced
2 Tbsp. butter
3 cloves garlic
1/2 medium head cabbage, chopped
1 lb. sausage, I like spicy sausage for this
1 15oz. can fire roasted tomatoes
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
4 cups beef bone broth

In a medium stock pot melt butter and sauté celery and onion until onion is soft and translucent.  Add garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add sausage and brown, breaking up big clumps, about 6-8 minutes.  Add cabbage, tomatoes, Italian seasoning and bone broth.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Serves 4.

3 years ago:  Apple Fritter Bread and Feeling Ashamed of Myself
5 years ago:  Christmas Lists and Rice Krispy Treats
7 years ago:  Coquito, Drink of the Week

December 11, 2019  Sunrise 10:40 am  Sunset 2:45 pm  Temp. H 14/ L 8°F

Meet Ezra, My New grandson

Ezra was born today.  A little over 7 pounds, lots of dark hair and healthy as can be.  Mom is doing fine after a c-section, it is a good thing her family is so close and can help while she recovers.  Gman is at his Nanna's house and I can't wait to see how he reacts when he meets his baby brother. 

We are beyond blessed to have another healthy grandchild.  I'm headed down the day after Christmas for a week to play with Gman and meet EZ.

Today is a wonderful day.

There is something so very special about
watching your child become a parent.

Happy birthday Ezra.

3 years ago:    One Tough Week
5 years ago:    Christmas Present Request
7 years ago:    Cranberry and Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

December 9, 2019  Sunrise 10:40 am  Sunset 2:45 pm  Temp. H 27/ L 20°F

Grandma's Naughty Dinosaurs

Gman and his dad showed up Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.  Gman's mom has to stay home because she is too far along in her pregnancy to fly.  I think it is very generous of her to let her family leave her for the 4 day weekend, but she says she is looking forward to the time home alone.  I sent her a big tub of flavored popcorn for her to snack on while she binge watches something on Netflix.

I had big plans on posting over the weekend with my Thanksgiving keto options, but once that little guy showed up all my attention was on him.  So, I'll post some holiday favorites after the Thanksgiving feast, but before Christmas when I'll be making most of these again.

While Gman was visiting, the naughty dinosaurs were at it again.  They snuck out of their little cage during the night and got into all kinds of mischief.

They got into the waffle mix, so we had to have waffles for breakfast...

One night they partied and opened the paper poppers...so we had to pop the rest of them in the morning.

This is the look my husband gives me when he thinks I'm
getting carried away with all this fun!

I guess I wasn't good with pictures because there were two more mornings, one morning they brought this giant egg that had all kinds of dino activities in it and one morning they had some Paw Patrol temporary tattoos Gman likes, so we put on tattoos.

I also didn't get around to posting my Thanksgiving cookies.  I made pumpkin spice sugar cookies and decorated some pumpkins and some slices of pumpkin pie to give to friends.  

Thanksgiving cookies for the decorating cookie challenge.

Pumpkin pie cookies ready for giving.

Cookie boxes for friends.

Each place at our table had a cookie name card.

And now we are full into the season of eating...I hope you had a filling Thanksgiving and have a peaceful holiday.

1 year ago:    Antipasta salad

3 years ago:  Oreo Cheesecake and Teasing the Baby Boy

5 years ago:  Easiest Roast Ever

December 6, 2019  Sunrise 10:32 am  Sunset 2:50 pm  Temp. H -10/L -11°F

Keto Cranberry Salad

One of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes is this cranberry salad.  I used to make it every year. Dave doesn't like cranberries so I would get the whole salad to myself.  Well, it has sugar and pineapple, not keto friendly ingredients, so I haven't had it the last couple of years.  This year I decided I wanted, no needed, that salad, so I set out to make it keto friendly.

The sugar substitution is easy, I just used swerve, but the pineapple was a little harder to manage.  I did buy pineapple extract and thought I could do something with that and it was perfect.

I followed the directions exactly the first time and realized the salad set up too tight because of the lack of extra moisture from the pineapple so the second time I added an extra 1/2 cup of water and more celery.

I do love this salad and I'll be eating it often now that I have a sugar free option.  When I put this recipe in Carb Manager with 8 servings (about 1/2 cup), it came to 5 carbs or 3 net carbs so definitely something that doesn't need to be in the treat category.  You're welcome.

Keto Cranberry Salad

1 Tbsp. plain gelatin
3 Tbsp. water
2 cups cranberries
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup sweetener, I use Swerve
1/2 - 1 tsp. pineapple extract
1 1/2 cups  diced celery
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Bloom gelatin in 3 Tbsp. water, set aside.  Cook cranberries and salt in 1 1/2 cups water until skins start to pop.  Add sweetener and cook for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and add bloomed gelatin and pineapple extract.  Stir until gelatin is completely melted and mixed.  Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Once cranberries are cooled, add celery and walnuts.  Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 
Serves 8

1 year ago:    Zucchini Chips and the New Food Dehydrator
3 years ago:  Orangesicle Champagne
5 years ago:  Peppermint Pretzels

December 4, 2019  Sunrise 10:27 am  Sunset 2:54 pm  Temp H -15/ L -21°F

Homemade Vanilla Extract

I made these cute little gift bags for everyone at work and handed them out before Thanksgiving.  I made some pancake mix, added a small bottle of pure maple syrup, and a bottle of homemade vanilla extract.  It didn't matter how hard dinner was to get together, breakfast was easy!

I thought I shared how to make homemade vanilla extract back in August, but it appears that I didn't.  You need about 3 months for it to fully develop, but it is so easy, cheaper than buying it, and makes a great gift.  Everyone always comments about how good it is.  I buy the Kirkland vodka from Costco and the B vanilla beans from Amazon and I'm in business.  I split the vanilla beans and drop them in the bottle of vodka, give it a shake every day for about a week, then sit it on a shelf in the pantry for three months.  You can tell when it's done because it smells like vanilla when you open it, not vodka.  Rule of thumb is about 4 split beans for every cup of vodka.

I usually use my beans twice.  For the first use I empty all but about a 1/4 of the bottle. Then I refill the bottle with more vodka, shake for a week, and then let it sit for 3-4 months.  I have found that a third try does not give me enough of a vanilla flavor so the second time I empty the bottle I cut the vanilla beans and stick a little piece in the gift bottle when I give it away.

Homemade Vanilla Extract
vanilla beans
vodka or bourbon
time

Split vanilla beans in half and place in vodka or bourbon, you need 4 beans for every cup.
Shake at least once a day for 1 week.  Let sit in a cool, dark place for 3 months (I like to shake once in a while).  Pour into small bottles for gifts and/or use in your own cooking.

1 year ago:    Keto Eggnog With and Without
3 years ago:  Oat, Seed and Nut Crackers
5 years ago:  Sometimes Homemade Bread is Love, Potato Loaf

December 2, 2019  Sunrise 10:21 am  Sunset 2:58 pm  Temp. H 15/ L 3°F

Apple Cider Mimosa

I love it when one of the DILs messages me.  It really makes my day knowing they think of me.  I wonder if I should worry that many times the message is about an adult beverage?  Last year the Blond DIL messaged me and asked what the drink of the week was going to be for Thanksgiving so she could copy it.   This year the Baby DIL messaged me a link for our Thanksgiving Drink of the Week, and it is perfect!

Now, I usually believe that juice is a waste of space in a mimosa, this is the exception.  The spiced apple cider adds so much to the champagne and it is a perfect drink to serve all your guests before or after dinner on Thanksgiving and during the holidays.

And, while apple cider is not keto friendly, I did find a keto alternative that works for me. So I can enjoy the drink of the week along with everyone else.

So Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy your family, friends or alone time.  Just add this in to the mix, it is perfect!

Apple Cider Mimosa

Champagne
Apple Cider
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. brown sugar
water or maple syrup

Dip rim of champagne flute in water or syrup, let excess drip off (syrup makes it stick much better). Turn right side up and fill half way with cider, top with champagne.  Enjoy


Keto Apple Cider Mimosa
Champagne
3 apple tea bags
1/2 tsp. apple extract
1-3 tsp. sweetener substitute, depending on taste, I use powdered swerve,
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp. brown sugar substitute
water or sugar free maple syrup

Make one cup of tea and steep the three tea bags (I made a small cup with my Keurig), add extract and sweetener, stir to mix completely.  Let cool in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.  Dip rim of champagne flute in water or syrup, let excess drip off.  Turn right side up and fill half way with tea and top with champagne.  Enjoy

5 years ago:  Crying in the Fitting Room and New Jeans
7 years ago:  Pretzel Turtles
8 years ago:  The Beginning

November 25, 2019  Sunrise 9:59am  Sunset 3:15 pm  Temp. H 15/ L -3°F

Shark Cookies

No, it's not Shark Week and we aren't about to watch Sharknado.  Gman loves sharks, so I made shark cookies for him and I mailed him some.

It was important work, and I did this while Dave was outside splitting and stacking 2 cords of wood, by himself.  Because I'm helpful like that.

So I hope the Gman enjoys eating his shark cookies and now I'm trying to decide on some Thanksgiving cookies to decorate just in case Dave gets more wood delivered.

1 year ago:    Dinosaurs

5 years ago:  Hot Spiced Rum Apple Cider

7 years ago:  Flourless Chocolate Cake with Nutella Buttercream

November 19, 2019  Sunrise 9:39 am  Sunset 3:31 pm  Temp H 14/ L 11°F

Raspberry Cream Martini

I got soap in my eye when I was washing my hair and looked like I had pink eye until about noon, I wore my shirt inside out for the whole day, I slipped and fell in the snow and bruised my elbow, and I had to clean up dog vomit.  I'm going to drink now.

Raspberry Cream Martini
2 oz. whipped cream vodka
1 oz. heavy cream
1 oz. raspberry puree, I used this
heavy cream to swirl on top

In a shaker full of ice, add all ingredients, shake until well mixed and very cold.  Strain into martini glass.  Garnish with fresh raspberry and/or swirl of heavy cream, if desired.

1 year ago:    Chocolate Cream Pie Martini and Gman Visits
3 years ago:  Chocolate Dipped Orange Spritz Cookies
5 years ago:  Versatile Sourdough Potato Bread

November 15, 2019  Sunrise 9:26 am  Sunset 3:43pm  Temp. H 8/ L 2˚F

Raspberry Clafoutis

We have gotten into the habit of making a big breakfast on Sunday.  Sometimes friends stop by and have brunch with us, drink a Bloody Mary and watch a little football, sometimes it is just Dave and me.  It doesn't matter, we always fix enough for the whole neighborhood!
Dave is all about the bacon, sausage, hash browns and eggs.  I usually bake something a little sweet to add to brunch. 

This past weekend I made a clafoutis.  It is basically a big pancake with some fruit in it.  Traditional clafoutis are made with cherries and flour, but cherries are a little too carby for me so I added raspberries and used coconut flour, and then topped it with a fresh raspberry sauce.   It was delicious! 

I was feeling pretty lucky that Dave and I were home alone this past weekend, I got to take a nap after my big breakfast, and then I had some of the clafoutis for my dessert.  This will be on the menu when Gman and his dad come for Thanksgiving.

Raspberry Clafoutis with Fresh Raspberry Sauce

For the Clafoutis
2 Tbsp. butter, melted and cooled
2 eggs
1/3 cup confectioner's sweetener
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 1/2 Tbsp. coconut flour
2 containers of raspberries, about 2 cups

Preheat oven to 350°.  Butter a pie plate or cake pan and set aside.
In a blender add eggs and pulse a couple of times to mix eggs.  Add butter, sweetener, vanilla, heavy cream and water.  Blend well.  Add baking powder and coconut flour, blend until well combined.  Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Distribute the raspberries evenly over the top of the batter.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
While the clafoutis is baking make the sauce.

For the Raspberry Sauce
2 cups raspberries
1/4 cup confectioner's sweetener
juice of 1/2 lemon, about 2 Tbsp.
1/4 tsp. glucomannam

Rinse raspberries well.  Add damp raspberries to medium saucepan over medium heat, add sweetener and lemon juice.  Bring to a boil and crush berries with a fork.  Let cook until juice reduces by about half, 15 minutes or so.  Remove from heat and press through a wire mesh strainer, pushing the liquid through and throwing away the seeds.  Sprinkle glucomannam over top and quickly whisk into berry sauce.  Pour warm sauce over clafoutis.

1 year ago:    Pumpkin Bread Trifle and Missing Suzanne
3 years ago:  The Season of Eating
5 years ago:  United Way Auction and Alaskan Cranberry Shortbread

November 12, 2019  Sunrise 9:15 am  Sunset 3:53 pm  Temp. H 15/ L 11°F

Dog Disasters and Rewards for being on Time

I always think I have 10 more minutes than I really have, or I think I can get something done 10 minutes faster than I really can.  The mornings are worst, I always try to sneak one more job in before I have to leave the house and then I am always running late.  Dave likes to call it "Toni Time."

Well, I had a foot dr. appointment at 8:30 so I could go on my way to work and, of course, I thought I could sneak one more thing in before I left.  I was doing o.k. on time when I went to kennel the big dogs and they wouldn't go into the kennel.

They usually are really good about that because I always give them a little treat once the kennel door is latched.  But today, they would not go in.  I walked over to the kennel, opened the door wide and was about to yell at them for not getting in when I saw the pile of dog vomit on the carpet.  I'm sure I cussed a little, grabbed the carpet and tossed it to the side, sprayed and wiped down the concrete floor and threw a clean piece of rug in the kennel, and the dogs ran in.  I gave them their treat and turned to the soiled rug to throw it away.  The pile of puke was a garden glove Mooree must have eaten and then threw up.  A. Garden. Glove.

I just can't.

Here is Mooree with a little fabric pumpkin he keeps trying
to eat.  I'm sure I'll be cleaning this out of the kennel
any day now.

I don't even know where he got it from.

Well, I am making a deal with myself about leaving the house on time in the mornings.  If I can NOT add one more thing to my list and leave the house so I don't have to hurry to work, I am going to reward myself with a treat that evening.  I am all about the treats. At first I thought I'd have a treat on Friday, but who am I kidding, I'm not going to wait until Friday and to start with I probably won't make it a whole week without running late.

So, in order to convince myself that the treat is worth all that effort, I made this delicious treat to encourage myself.  I made it in the evening so I wouldn't be trying to finish it before I left the house in the morning.

I love turtle candies so when I saw this sugar free recipe I knew I had to try it.  They are the perfect combination of chewy caramel and dark chocolate with the crunch of the pecans.  Dave, who doesn't have a sweet tooth but he does love caramel, said they were good.  Coming from him, that is high praise for some candy.

You can find the recipe at All Day I Dream About Food

1 year ago:    Pumpkin Mug Cake
3 years ago:  Sex on a Snowbank
5 years ago:  Stuffed Pork Loin


November 7, 2019  Sunrise 8:58 am  Sunset 4:09 pm  Temp H 24/ L 11°F

Chocolate Fudge and Bragging on my Husband

I have to brag just a little, I have the best husband ever!

Not only did he drive me to the airport at 4:00 am and help with with the dangerous moose encounter when I left for my last work trip, he picked me up at 11:00 pm when I got home.  I always took it for granted that he would do this but once a co-worker asked if Dave always picked me up and dropped me off because his wife needed to be at the airport at 4:00 am and he told her to take a cab.  So, while I was always grateful that he does this, I am more so after that.

So early morning drop-offs and late night pick-ups and when I got home the house was clean, the dogs were bathed, he poured me a glass of champagne and when the dogs settled down and we could go to bed, the sheets were washed and smelled like bleach...I LOVE the smell of bleach!

What a guy.

So, as a little thank you, I made plain fudge for him, his favorite and one of the very few sweet treats he enjoys.

And, because I am so thoughtful, I decided I needed a reward and made myself a treat too.  I made some keto fudge.  This fudge is from All Day I Dream About Food and so good, and easy! The only difference is that I added pecans, because I can. I whipped up a batch in the morning as I drank my coffee and popped it into the fridge to firm up while I was at work.  It is the perfect treat for after dinner and a great addition to a candy/cookie tray.  I'll be making this often.

Find this recipe at: All Day I Dream About Food, Keto Dair-Free Fudge.

Who knew making sweetened condensed milk could be so easy.
A can of coconut milk, some safe sweetener and a little time
is all you need.  Here it is at the beginning...

Here the condensed milk is ready! 
I see magic bars with this in my future!

So good!

1 year ago:    chocolate Pumpkin Pie Martini and Being Thankful
3 years ago:  Halloween Oreo Truffles and Falling Down the Stairs
5 years ago:  My Glimps of Raleigh, North Carolina

November 5, 2019  Sunrise 8:51 am  Sunset 4:15 pm  Temp H 24/ L 16°F