The BEST Keto Bread

I am about to start a new adventure in eating.  

I am not going to do some crazy assed trying to loose weight by drinking only shakes, blender drinks, or juicing.  I am going to try avoiding certain foods and seeing of the Keto Diet is the way for me.

Since I am over 400 pounds of fighting fury, I HAVE to do something...  right...  I made this "bread" and if you ask me, it is more like cake than bread.  But it does have a nice taste.

Ingredients

1 1/2 Cup Almond Flour

6 Large eggs Separated

4 tbsp Butter melted

3 tsp Baking powder

1/4 tsp Cream of Tartar

1 pinch salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 375.

Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Add Cream of Tartar to the whites and beat until soft peaks are achieved.

In a food processor combine the egg yolks, butter, almond flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until combined. This will be a lumpy thick dough until the whites are added. Combine in two parts to ensure thorough mixing.

Add 1/3 of the beaten egg whites to the almond flour mixture and process until mixed.

Add the remaining 2/3 of the egg whites and gently process until fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix as this is what gives the bread it's volume!

Pour mixture into a buttered 8x4 loaf pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Check with a toothpick to ensure the bread is cooked through. 

I created a video of me doing this new "bread".  Hope you enjoyed it.

Comments and suggestions are ALWAYS welcome.

Ketogenic WOE (Way Of Eating) SIMPLIFIED

Do you ever read about these dies and can't figure out, what I can and can't eat?  

I've broken it down so that it's easy for me (... and you) to understand.

There is no recipes here.  You can figure out if you are allowed to have it by looking at this blog.  

There is a simple summary at the very bottom.

Fats

EAT THIS!

Saturated fats including coconut oil, butter, and lard, all essential for a healthy immune system, dense bones, and proper testosterone levels.

Monounsaturated fats like olive oil, which boost heart health and provide vitamin E, important for vision and a strong immune system.

Polyunsaturated omega-3s such as wild-caught salmon, and sustainably harvested seafood, to prevent heart disease and stroke and reduce blood pressure.

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), fatty acids that are easily absorbed and used for energy. Linked to weight loss, MCTs increase satiety and rev up metabolism.

NOT THAT!

Refined fats and oils like sunflower, canola, soybean, grapeseed, and corn oils, which have been processed at high temperatures, creating free radicals that can damage cells.

Trans fats, such as margarine and other spreads, which contribute to weight gain, increase stroke risk.

Proteins

EAT THIS!

Meat (Beef, Pork, Chicken) it’s low in calories and contains vitamins like A and E along with tons of antioxidants.

Seafood, which is higher in omega-3 fatty acids and better for the environment than farmed fish.

Eggs, which contain higher levels of vitamin A and E, beta carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids.

NOT THAT!

Factory-farmed animal products and seafoods, which are lower in nutrients and often worse for the environment than their healthier counterparts; and processed sausages and hot dogs, which, more often than not, have preservatives called nitrates that have been linked to cancer.

Vegetables

EAT THIS!

Dark leafy greens, like spinach, kale, and lettuce.

Lower-carb veggies, like cucumber, celery, asparagus, squash, and zucchini; cruciferous veggies, like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts; nightshades, like eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers; root vegetables, like onion, garlic, and radishes, and sea veggies, like nori and kombu. The guide lines are simple: Focus on dark, leafy greens, then the stuff that grows above the ground, then root vegetables.

NOT THAT!

Starchy, high-carb vegetables, like potatoes, peas, corn, parsnips, beans, sweet potatoes, and legumes, their elevated carbs make them a no-go for achieving ketosis.

Dairy 

EAT THIS!

Full-fat dairy products, such as yogurt, cottage cheese, cream, sour cream, goat cheese, and other cheeses. 

Note: Dairy should be eaten sparingly, but when you do eat it, stick with full-fat, as it’s more filling and nutritious.

NOT THAT!

Milk—but not cheese—is off the list because it contains a lot of lactose, a form of sugar, which makes it high in carbohydrates. 

When cheese is made, all the sugar is eaten by bacteria and turned into lactic acid, cutting the carb content way down. Low-and reduced-fat dairy products are to be avoided as they’re overly processed, which strips out nutrients like the fatty acids that make you feel full. Plus, sugar is often added to make up for a loss of flavor and texture, so some actually have more sugar than full-fat dairy. 

Resist shredded cheese, too, as it contains a carby potato starch that keeps it from sticking together.

Nuts and Seeds

EAT THIS!

Macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts, almonds, flax seeds, and sunflower seeds. Be careful when eating nuts, as they’re calorie-dense and can easily put you over your carb limit for the day.

NOT THAT!

Cashews, pistachios, and chestnuts are on the higher end for carbs in nuts, and should be avoided.

Fruits

EAT THIS!

Avocados are low in carbs and have great fat and fiber content; berries are OK since their carb content is negligible; and 1 cup of tomatoes has just 6g of carbs.

NOT THAT!

Fruits in general, dried or otherwise, are forbidden since most have high sugar and carb content.

Drinks

DRINK THIS!

Water, sparkling water, seltzer, black coffee, unsweetened and herbal teas, unsweetened nut milks, wine, light beer, and liquor. Caffeine is fine for most people—just don't go pouring in sugar or milk; the same goes for tea and nut milk. Lower-carb alcohol in moderation is OK, especially if you’re at the point where you’re just trying to maintain weight.

NOT THAT!

Soft drinks, fruit juices, sweet wines, craft beers, and flavored liquor are filled with way too much sugar and/or carbs to be allowed if you’re serious about keto. Some people will drink diet, or “zero,” soft drinks, but avoid them if you can because the citric acid and aspartame often found in them may derail your trip to ketosis.

Sweets

EAT THIS!

Sweeteners like stevia can be made a part of your keto diet, but try to buy only the pure versions, as the powdered products usually have a small amount of sugar added as a bulking agent.

70% cocoa dark chocolate and cocoa powder are packed with antioxidants.

NOT THAT!

Sugar, high- fructose corn syrup, honey, and agave nectar need to be ditched. Even if honey and agave are healthy whole foods, sugar is still sugar and will bump you out of ketosis.

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So I am worried that I can't have stew (because of the flour) while on this diet.  Well, look what I found:

Xanthan Gum

THICKENS ANYTHING WITH A TINY AMOUNT


This strange substance is vastly used in molecular gastronomy (the science of physical and chemical changes of ingredients in cooking), but is also quite well known in the keto world too. Mainly used as a thickener, this (net) carb-free substance will last you a long time. Just a small amount will last you months and months. You use quantities that are ¼ teaspoon or less in most cases, and it’s well worth the money buying up-front. From thickening stews, to making ice cream, xanthan gum will be an irreplaceable ingredient in your low-carb kitchen.

The last word in Keto 101

On the yes-yes list
Berries, nuts and seeds, green veggies (stuff that grows above ground), eggs and dairy, oils and meat

On the no-no list

Bread, Pasta, Sugar, Milk, Corn, Beans, Potatoes and Rice

The BEST Corned Beef Hash with video

So every so often, I NEEEED to have some comfort food for breakfast.  If my Dr. knew that I was making this, he would likely fire me as a patient.  There is a lot of salt in corned beef, but none in this recipe.

Ingredients

1 can of Corned Beef
2 cups of small cut frozen Hash Brown potatoes
1 onion, cut up about the same size as the Hash Browns
4 or 5 table spoons of butter
Pepper to taste

Stuff you will need

Large Cast Iron Skillet
A few drops of olive oil for the cast iron skillet
A piece of paper towel
A spatula

Directions

Heat up the cast iron skillet on medium heat

Once you start to see smoke coming off the pan, rub a small amount of olive oil, using a folded paper towel, into the cast iron skillet.  Don't forget the sides.  This will polymerize the oil to the skillet and stop the food from sticking.

Add the butter, the onions and the pepper.  Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes.  Stiring often.  

Add the Hash Brown potatoes and continue to cook for another 4 to 5 minutes.  Again, stiring often.

Add the Corned Beef.  Continue to cook until desired brown has been achieved.  (See the picture above)

Serve immediately with toast and eggs.  

I personally put a helping of ketchup on my Corned Beef Hash.

Here is the video of me preparing the Corned Beef Hash.

Comments and suggestions are ALWAYS welcome.

Home Made Chicken Noodle Soup

How many times have you been under the weather and just wanted some chicken soup.

The recipe is easy and fast to make.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter 
1 chopped onion 
3 stalks chopped celery 
4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth 
1 (14.5 ounce) can vegetable broth 
1/2 pound chopped cooked chicken breast 
1 1/2 cups egg noodles 
4 sliced carrots 
1/2 teaspoon dried basil 
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Cook onion and celery in butter until just tender, 5 minutes. 

Pour in chicken and vegetable broths and stir in chicken, noodles, carrots, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. 

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes before serving.

To see me making the chicken noodle soup, click on the video.

Comments and suggestions are ALWAYS welcome

Scrumptious Chicken Gumbo

I have been cooking for a while now.  I've heard of Chicken Gumbo but really never gave it a lot of thought.

I have NO idea why I waited so long to make this.  It is FANTASTIC!

Ingredients

1 cup butter (preferred) or vegetable oil 
1 cup all-purpose flour 
1 large onion, chopped 
1 large green bell pepper, chopped 
2 celery stalks, chopped 
1 pound andouille or smoked sausage, sliced 1/4 inch thick 
4 cloves garlic, minced 
salt and pepper to taste 
Creole seasoning to taste 
6 cups chicken broth 
1 bay leaf 
1 rotisserie chicken, boned and shredded

Directions

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. When hot, whisk in flour. Continue whisking until the roux has cooked to the color of chocolate milk, 8 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn the roux. If you see black specks in the mixture, start over.

Stir onion, bell pepper, celery, and sausage into the roux; cook 5 minutes. 

Stir in the garlic and cook another 5 minutes. 

Season with salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning; blend thoroughly. 

Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. 

Stir in the chicken, and simmer 1 hour more. 

See my YouTube video and see if you can spot the hidden subliminal messages within the video.

Comments and suggestions are ALWAYS welcome.