Quick and Easy Low Carb Creations

I'm always looking for something a little different than what I eat everyday to help me stay motivated and interested in my food.  In years past, I've tended to get a little bored eating the same things day in/day out for months.

So I'm looking for ideas please.  What are some of your favorite creations that you look forward to eating?

One of my favorites is Shredded Parmesean Crackers. 

Spread an ounce of parmesean on a plate and microwave for 1 minute.  Let cool and peel off the plate.

I've read where people spray the plate first but I don't do that because I don't want the taste of the spray.  It peels off easily anyhow because of the oil in the cheese.   I buy a big container of Shredded Parmesean Cheese at Costco so that I always have it around.

I remember doing the same thing with pepperoni chips in years gone by but haven't tried it in a few years. 

God Bless Paula Dean's Flourless PB cookies

1 c PB (I use cheap PB as it seems to have more oil)
1 c Splenda
1 egg
1 tbsp vanilla

Mix well. Make into small balls. Flatten with a fork. Sprinkle with more splenda.

Bake at 350 for 12 minutes. Let cool completely. Will be crumbly when warm. Do not overcook.

I make a double or triple batch and refrigerate the dough and only cook 3-4 cookies at a time because however many are cooked is how many I will eat!!

~Becky

Oh Yum!  Have you ever figured out the calories/carbs/protein in these cookies?  They sound delish.  I will probably need to wait until I'm further towards goal as I'm afraid a PB cookie might set off cravings.  I can so relate on eating as many as are cooked!  I'm that kinda girl.  :)

What a good idea Becky!!!...I have a bunch from the other day that's going to the bin. They are just to good to have around and I am the only one will eat them with the peanut butter.

Hugs

Donna

Meatza...AKA...Not my recipe!!!..LOL

Once it's made it is a quick snack or meal!!

1 ½ lb ground beef or ¾ lb ground beef mixed with
¾ lb Italian-style sausage
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning(optional)
8 oz pizza sauce
Parmesan or Romano cheese (optional)
8 oz shredded mozzarella
Toppings-you choose (peppers, onions, mushrooms, or whatever you like)
Olive oil (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl and with clean hands, combine the meat with the onion and garlic, and a teaspoon of oregano or Italian seasoning. Mix well.
3. Pat the meat mixture out in an even layer in a 9 x 12-inch baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
4. When the meat comes out, it will have shrunk a fair amount, because of the grease cooking off. Pour off the grease and spread the pizza sauce over the meat. Sprinkle the Parmesan on the sauce (if using), and then distribute the shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
5. Top with whatever you like: green peppers, banana peppers, mushrooms, olives. You could use meat toppings, such as sausage and pepperoni, but they seem a little redundant since the bottom layer is meat.
6. Drizzle the whole thing with a little olive oil.
7. Put your Meatza! 4 inches below a broiler set on High. Broil for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.


Hugs

Donna

This is an amazing recipe.  I can see this topped like nacho's as well. 

Here's a link to a thread from a while back that I like to refer to...

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/3978885/Good-substitut es-for-Carb-loaded-foods-Tell-us-your-fav/

Thanks for this great link Jean!

The parmesan chips also work well with cheddar or swiss cheese, if you're looking for a different flavor.

Deli meat and cheese roll-ups with cream cheese - I start with Boar's Head brand Lacy Swiss cheese because it's wider than most cheeses. Spread cream cheese (whipped spreads easiesl can also use the onion and chive flavored cream cheeseor add whatever spices you like to the plain whipped cream cheese, like garlic, onion powder, crushd red pepper for a little kick...) on the swiss, then layer whatever other meats and veggies you want (I like deli sliced turkey or chicken and fresh baby spinach), and then roll it up.

I've been making marinated chicken thighs. Sounds quite un-exciting, but even my non-low-carbing husband really enjoys them. I use boneless skinless chicken thighs (WAY cheaper than chicken breasts) and different dressings, marinate in a plastic bag in the fridge all day, and then bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. That would be sufficient, except that I LOVE cheese, so I then take out the pan, top each chicken thigh with whatever cheese compliments the marinade, and then pop back in for another 5 minutes to melt the cheese. They come out deliciously moist and tender. Italian dressing works well. I've also used an asiago cheese and garlic dressing I found, and it was pretty amazing. I've got some Asian flavored dressings in the pantry to try as well (though I probably won't top those ones with cheese!).

Bacon and cheese sandwiches using thicker slices of cheese in lieu of bread. Cram some mayo and bacon in between the cheese (and maybe some other cheeses as well), and voila!

I'm going to try some mozzarella sticks by using string cheeses cut in half (just to make them shorter), dip in egg, then roll in crushed pork rinds (possibly with Italian seasoing added) and fry in oil. I've heard ofdoing this but haven't tried it yet.

I like to make salads with basically no veggies. I do diced hard boiled egg, shredded cheese, chopped up chicken, crumbled bacon, sometimes some chopped nuts, and some sort of dressing or sauce (I really like a little light bbq sauce mixed with sour cream for this). You could add veggies if you so choose  :)

I've made basically homemade Chipotle burrito bols of just warm chopped up chicken, shredded cheddar, fresh salsa (not the watery kind in a jar, but the fresh kind they sell near the produce), some shredded lettuce, sour cream, and guacamole (Wholly Guacamole sells guac in 100-calorie packs, which is nice because my guac always turns brown before I use it all).