Taco Salad

 Super simple, but very satisfying and filling. Low carb, low fat.

Iceberg lettuce, chopped 2-3 cups pet serving

Chopped tomato 1/2 cup per serving

Chopped red onion 2 Tablespoons

Lean ground turkey, 93% 6-8 oz each serving

Pecante sauce, 2 Tablespoons

Queso Fresco cheese, 1 ounce crumbled per serving

Low fat, low carb ranch dressing 2 T ( I used Bolthouse southwest ranch)

1 small zero carb tortilla , cut in strips. Place in microwave 1.5 minutes ,they will crisp up so you can use them in your salad for some crunch ( optional)

Taco seasoning packet( low sodium)

Brown turkey and add taco seasoning and 2/3 cup water. Simmer until liquid is absorbed.

Build your salad in a bowl or plate with all of the veggies, cheese, and dressing. Add 6-8 oz of the turkey mixture on top.

Enjoy! 

Mac Burger Wraps

4 Lean Hamburger Patties

2 Slices of low fat American cheese cut in half

4 Large Lettuce Leaves, Romain, or Boston Bibb works well

1/4 cup dill pickle relish

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

2 thin slices of fresh tomato cut in half

Salt and Pepper to taste

Sauce:  In a bowl, mix the following.

1/4 Cup Dukes Mayonnaise

2 teaspoons sugar substitute (or sugar)

2 teaspoons no added sugar ketchup

2 teaspoons no sugar sweet relish

1 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

pinch of salt 

Build your burger:

Season and grill or broil your beef patties, Cut each one in half.

place half of a piece of cheese on each.

Place a pair of halves of the burger on each lettuce leaf.

Top with dill pickle relish, sliced onion , tomato, and a dollop of the sauce. 

Wrap like a burrito, enjoy!

                                                                       

  

Chayote

 

If you have ever wondered what these were, or seen them in the produce section, well me too. My husband and I are on a weight loss program. No sugar, limited carbs, low fat, and low caloric intake. We came across this Chayote Squash and it was on our list of allowed vegetables. ( tastes like a fruit)

I took a chance, peeled it, cut it in cubes and marinated it in Walden Farms Strawberry syrup. It's absolutely delish.  Eating it alone, it tastes like a mild apple with a hint of watermelon. It's so refreshing. 

I did a little research on this squash and found it is full of antioxidants, and has a ton of health benefits. They are sustainable and do not pose any threat to the environment or wildlife

Some people who are watching carbs and sugars slice them and add cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, "Swerve" brown granulated sugar and bake them. The result is a dish resembling apple pie filling. 

I hope you will give these a try. 

NOTE: Walden Farms makes sugar free products. They have improved over the years and are much tastier than years ago. They have salad dressings, syrups, fruit spreads and a number of other items, including mayonnaise. You can find these products at Sprouts Supermarket, Vita Cost, and some chain grocery stores. Amazon as well, but the price is terribly high on Amazon.

   

Egg Muffin Cups

 12 eggs. ( or equivalent in egg beaters)

1 bag Jimmy Dean Turkey sausage crumbles

1 bag shredded cheese of choice, cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, etc

1 bag real bacon bits

1 greased muffin tin ( 12 muffins)

Preheat oven to 350

In each cup put 1 beaten egg,  1 T turkey crumbles,  1 T cheese,  2 t bacon bits, mix each one until blended. 

Bake for 20 minutes checking for doneness with a knife inserted that comes out clean.This is a perfect low carb breakfast.

Reuben Cassreole

1 Can(16 oz) sauerkraut, undrained 

12 oz corned beef, canned or sliced, crumbled or torn into small pieces

2 Cups swiss cheese shredded 

1/2 cup Dukes mayo 

1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing

2 fresh tomatoes, sliced

2 tablespoons melted butter 

1/4 cup pumpernickle or rye bread crumbs 

Place sauerkraut in a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Top with a layer of beef, then cheese. Combine both dressing and mayo , spread over cheese. Top with tomato slices set aside. Combine butter and bread crumbs in a small bowl; sprinkle over tomato slices. Bake at 350 for 30  - 35 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. 

This is a low carb dish. 

Crack Slaw/ Eggroll in a Bowl

 1 lb ground beef  ( you can use lean ground chicken or lean ground pork)

1T.+1t olive oil
1t minced garlic
4 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 C chopped green onion
Salt and Pepper to taste

1 can of bean sprouts well drained * optional

Sauce:
1/2 t sugar free sweetener, granulated ( or 1 packet of splenda)
1/2 t ginger paste or fresh grated ginger
1 t white vinegar( or rice wine vinegar works)
2T soy sauce
1/2 t chili paste 

Directions:
In a large skillet, combine minced garlic with ground beef and brown over medium heat.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Meanwhile , combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl, mix.
Drain any fat from the beef and discard.Remove beef from pan and set aside.
In the same skillet heat olive oil over med. heat and add the cabbage and onion. Stir fry until cabbage is wilted and tender.
Stir in the sauce and add the meat, stir to combine. Serve hot. 

2 servings.

Tonight, I experimented with this recipe. Meat was very lean ground pork. I used low carb tortillas and filled them with the mix. Rolled them like an egg roll, sprayed tops with a little cooking spray, cooked on air fry 13 minutes at 425.

They turned out great and no grease! Crunchy and flavorful!