chicken Cobb Salad

Chicken Cobb Salad

Rub 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or Thighs) with olive oil, salt and pepper. One a baking sheet, roast in a 400 degree oven till cooked, slightly cool then shred. Toss 1 head chopped romaine with 2 Tbs. each olive oil and vinegar, season with salt and pepper. Top with cut up hard boiled eggs and avocado, crumbled bacon and blue cheese and the chicken. 

Monterey Chicken

Monterey Chicken

4 chicken breasts
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup crumbled bacon
1 cup Colby and Jack cheese, shredded
1 14 oz can Rotel tomatoes w/ green chilies, drained
sliced green onions
pepper

Pre-heat oven to 400 F. Pound chicken flat. season with salt and pepper. grill chicken. cover baking seat with foil, place chicken on cookie sheet. top each chicken with BBQ sauce, cheese, tomatoes and green chilies, bacon and onions. Bake 5 - 7 minutes

Marinade Option: 30 minutes before grilling
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbs soy sauce
2 tsp. McCormick's Montreal Stake Seasoning

pic with no cheese

Sweet Glazed Chili Salmon

1 T Splenda
1 T salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
2 T olive oil
2 T cilantro, chopped
4 Salmon Stakes

Stir together in a small bowl, Splenda, salt, cumin, chili powder. Rub on Salmon Stakes (all sides). Cover and cook on med heat in frying pan with olive oil, flipping salmon every 4 minutes. Cooks in 12- 15 min or till fish flakes. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro!

Fish Night

Tilapia is one of my favorite fish, because its so fast to make, even if it's straight out of the freezer.
I pretty much make it the same way as Cod fish shown HERE.

Poach Tilapia in small amount of water with a little butter, sprinkled with Citrus Grill seasoning.
Whaaa-Laa!

Perfect Green Beans
recipe by. Mama T

Bring water to boil in sauce pan. Place fresh green beans (best from Costco) in pan and boil for 3-4 min. Drain water and rinse beans with cold water. in same sauce pan, med/high heat, place 1 T butter in pan, and return beans, add 1-2 minced garlic cloves. cook another 3-4 min. you can also add a few shakes of crushed red pepper. yum!

Mexican Lime Chicken Fajitas

Recipe inspired by Bro-in-Law, Kirk, who treated the whole family one night with his mad skills while were were in Mexico this Christmas! it was so good, we had him make it AGAIN! To make it Keto-Style, Instead of tortillas we place this goodness over a fresh bed of baby spinach!

Yum-O! 

Mexican Lime Chicken Fajitas

extra virgin olive oil

2-3 chicken breasts, cut into small pieces

1-2 cups bell peppers, (red, yellow, orange, green), sliced

white onion, sliced

salt and pepper

key limes

chili lime seasoning 

cilantro, finly chopped

baby spinach

Warm pan with 1 T olive oil, add cut chicken. season with salt and pepper, chili lime seasoning, and the juice of one key lime!! cook and transfer to plate for later. 

Add 1 T olive oil to same pan and add onions and peppers, season with juice of key lime, as well. 

Add chicken back to veggies and cook together. Add chopped cilantro, stir and serve over bed of baby spinach. 

you can add cheese and sour cream too. or make Amy's famous cheese 'taco shells' found HERE!  

Steak. Mmmm!

Is it just me, or does my dinner look happy?

Dinner tonight...
perfect tri tip steak
tomato and bacon salad
steamed broccoli

Here's my favorite steak seasoning... it's pretty much amazing. The Pampered Chef's Chili Lime Rub.

The Man Salad

mixed greens
turkey
tomatoes
bacon
avocado

Crustless Quiche Lorraine

8 slices of bacon, cooked

3 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

1 1/4 c heavy cream

1 c swiss cheese

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Preheat oven 357* and mix ingredients till well blended. Pour mixture into oven safe dish.

Bake quiche for 30 - 35 minutes, pull out and let stand for 15 minutes. When you pull quiche for it might still giggle... that's ok!! It will firm as it cools. Yum!!

Taco Shells

This is by far the coolest trick I learned through Pinterest. Lay a slice of Provolone cheese on a piece of parchment and place on a microwave safe dish. Microwave for 1 minute or until the cheese is golden brown, but not burnt. (On my microwave it took about 1 min 18 sec.) Take it out of the microwave and using the parchment paper for help hang the cheese over a butter knife for 30 seconds to create the shape of your taco shell. Then peel off the parchment paper. Viola! Taco Shell! The above photo is a picture of Kevin's second serving of tacos. He thought dinner was so cool he had to try it out for himself.

Feta Chicken Patties

My super awesome friend Angie sent me this recipe. I can't wait to try it.

1 lb Ground Chicken
2 T Golden Ground Flax
1 Egg
2 oz Feta Cheese
1/4-1/2 Green Pepper, diced and precooked
1 tsp Dry Ranch Seasoning
Salt and Pepper

Here is what she said about it.
"Mix all ingredients. (with hands) Pile into whoopie pie pan. I made 8. Cook at 350 for 35-40 minutes until chicken reaches 170 degrees with meat thermometer. That was it. I only used the green pepper because I had it left over and I didn't want to waste it. I think this would be yummy if you added mushrooms and any type of cheese. These are super easy to make and they are the perfect size for a flax bun."

Stats:
Calories 104
Carbs 1
Protein 13

Crunchy Ranch Chicken and Alfredo

This meal is one of my favorites! I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it really is. No joke.

For the Chicken:
6 Chicken Breasts
Ground flax seeds (1- 1 1/2 cups. I never really measure.)
1 Ranch Dressing Seasoning Packet

Mix ingredients together and dip your raw chicken in the mixture. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Yes! It's seriously that easy!

Tip: I like to cut my chicken breasts in half then dip them in the mixture. It's easier for portion control and my chicken bakes even.

Alfredo:
1/2 cup Butter
1 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 cup Heavy Cream
Parsley

Cook slowly on medium until all the cheese is melted and mixture has thickened a little bit. Stir often so you don't burn it. Serve over your favorite low carb veggies. My favorites are zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower.

Tip: In the photo I didn't have enough Parmesan so I used 1 cup of each of the ingredients so it's a bit thinner than I prefer. Good news it was still super awesome, plus lowered the carbs.

Makes about 6 servings: 511 calories, Carbs 2.2g!

The UNwhich

Eating out doesn't have to be hard on the Keto Diet. We've discovered a few places that will cater to your food needs while you are on the road or in a hurry!

Our recent favorite place to dine is Jimmy Johns! What you are looking at is called the "Unwich" this one in particular is the LuLu sandwich... Unwiched! (no bread for those low carb lovers!)

OR make it at home: This was my version of the Unwiched LuLu!

Turkey
bacon
provolone
tomato
mayo
lettuce leaves

... not as pretty but very delicious!

Keto Cart Salad

This is one of my favorite-go-to salads.

In September I took an afternoon to go visit my husband, Justin, at work. We decided to grab some lunch. He said he knew JUST the place. There was a darling old lady, with a lunch cart perched on the sidewalk of the busy streets of Denver. This was her Chicken Salad. I was in love! So simple, so fresh... and super easy to make at home! Hope you enjoy!

Mixed spring greens (large box found at Costco in refrigerated area)
Cherry Tomatoes
Grilled/baked chicken
Red onion
Feta Cheese

Dressing-- I prefer Ranch. Justin prefers Balsamic Vinaigrette... minus the Feta, of course!

Burger Night

Here's a fun idea for dinner. Bunless Burgers!

Beef burger,  cheddar cheese, bacon (you could even grill up some onions!)
Serve along side a spinach, avocado, tomato salad with Ranch Dressing!

<3 Delicious and totally satisfying!

Cafe Rio... low carb style

Pork
pork tenderloin
1 c. of favorite low carb tomato salsa
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. chopped cilantro

Place pork, water and salsa in crock pot cook on HIGH for 4 1/2 - 5 hours. Shred pork and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. let sit in crock pot juices for 30 minutes on low.


Creamy Cilantro Dressing
1 pkt. Hidden Valley Ranch Mix
8 oz. Salsa Verde Green Salsa (La Victoria Brand)
1/2 bunch of cilantro with the stems
2 cloves garlic
3/4 c. mayo
3/4 c. sour cream
juice and zest of 1 lime
1/8 tsp. hot sauce

Mix in Blender. i usually make this the day before we eat it, seasoned to perfection!


Cilantro Lime Rice
3 1/2 c. water
4 cubes/tsp. chicken bouillon
1 tsp. cumin
2 cloves garlic
6 Tbsp. butter, divided
6 sprigs cilantro, chopped
2 c. riced cauliflower**

Place riced cauliflower in pot and cook on med high with 3 tbs of butter, till slightly browned, 5 min. Add cumin, garlic, remaining butter, and chopped cilantro. Cook for another 1-2 min. add water and bouillon and bring to a boil. place lid on pot and turn temp down to low... simmer for 15 min. stir and continue cooking with lid off if there's still liquid in the 'rice'.

** click HERE to watch video on how to rice cauliflower


Guacamole
2 large ripe avocados
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1/4 of a red onion finally chopped
1/4 c. chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 c. juice of a lime
salt and pepper

combine all ingredients into a bowl and mash together until smooth. add additional lime and salt to taste. enjoy.

Salmon

This is pretty simple dinner but it's packed full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are an essential fatty acids that the body doesn't naturally make, the only way to get them is through your diet. there are many benefits to adding these fatty acids into your diet... prevention of heart disease, lower bad cholesterol, brain health, inflammation prevention. you can read details HERE.

Recipe:
Salmon stake brushed with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with dill
Bake 350 for 25 min
Serve with steamed brussel sprouts, spinach and avocado salad.

your choice of dressing:
fresh lemon juice
ranch
blue cheese
balsamic vinaigrette 

don't forget that tall glass of water ;)

Bacon Wrapped Chicken:

2 Chicken breast halves or 4 Tenderloins (double recipe to make more)
1/2  block of regular cream cheese
1 TBS garlic salt
Bacon
cheddar cheese(optional, i think it's better without this)

Directions:
In a small bowl i mix Cream cheese, garlic powder, and cheddar cheese. slice cooked chicken in half and place cream cheese in chicken and wrap bacon around chicken. place in oven safe dish, or fry in frying pan.

Take chicken and slice open on the side and spoon cream cheese mixture in chicken and wrap with bacon

place on cookie sheet and Bake 400 for 45 mins, turn halfway through. Then broil to make sure bacon is crispy!

Serve with garden salad! 

Tuna Wrap

So, i know this is not the most original idea, but it's pretty good and satisfying...

Tuna Wrap

Ingredients:

1/2 can Tuna (i prefer, solid white Albacore in water)
1-2 Tbs Mayo
2 Tbs chopped celery
2 tsp chopped green onions
salt and pepper to taste
Romaine lettuce leaves
Vine ripe tomatoes

Combine Tuna, mayo, celery, onions, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir. Place tuna mixture on washed and dried lettuce leaves, garnish with tomato and more salt and pepper, if desired. You could also add your choice of cheese. Delicious!

Favorite Low-Carb Chicken Stir Fry

Favorite Low-Carb Chicken Stir Fry

2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 8-10 chicken tenderloins), cute into small pieces
3 tbs soy sauce
1 med onion
1 c chopped broccoli
1/2 c chopped mushrooms

2-3 cups riced Cauliflower**
2 cloves garlic
4 tbs butter
3 eggs

In a frying pan, cook chicken in olive oil and soy sauce. add onion, broccoli and mushrooms and cook till soft and tender. add riced cauliflower, cook 5 min. add melted butter with garlic, stir and cook for a few more minutes. in a seperate pan scramble the eggs and cook. then roughly chop and add to the stir fry. stir. and serve warm. serves 4. Serve with Edemame! Mmm!

**click HERE to head over to Big Red Kitchen where Robin Sue shows you how to rice cauliflower while using your Vita-Mix! Super fast and easy!

You can also watch a video of her HERE making a simple stir fry! looks good!

Meat Balls

Meat Balls
Ingredients

2 lbs lean ground beef
2 eggs
2 tbs. Itilian Seasoning
1 med onion
1/2 cup chopped spinach
salt
pepper
few shakes of Worcestershire sauce

Combine ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Roll mixture into med size balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Make a large batch to last you all week or freeze 'em for later!