Baked Pepperoni

     I had a rough day at work the other day and I came home feeling defeated.  Ed had dinner on the table and needless to say, I sat down and cleaned my plate.  Unfortunately, I didn't even take the time to snap a photo, but it really was a pretty picture.  He made a  Keto Cheesy Taco Skillet.  Very tasty.

     This is a dish that he used to make about once a week.  Leo and I kinda got burned out on it.  It hadn't made the list of menus for several months, so it was almost like a new dish again.  Maybe that's why it went over so well.  He topped mine with lettuce, sour cream and guacamole.  He had his with sour cream only and his dad had his plain.  I am sure all 3 versions were good!

Keto Cheesy Taco Skillet

1 pound hamburger

15 oz of frozen peppers and onion

2 to 3 Tablespoons of Keto Taco Seasoning, to taste

1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

2 cups of finely Shredded Cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, whatever!)

sour cream

guacamole

lettuce

Brown Hamburger. If needed, drain. (he uses 96% lean so there is nothing to drain.)

Add the frozen Peppers and Onions.  Sprinkle on the Keto Taco Seasoning, to taste. Cover and let simmer until the veggies are all cooked.

Add the cut-up Cherry Tomatoes, cover & let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.

Turn off the heat. Cover with Cheese. Replace lid and let sit until the cheese melts.

If needed (or desired) add more cheese.

Serve topped with lettuce, Sour Cream, salsa and guacamole, if desired. but don't forget to add the carbs in whatever you top it with.

Servings; 6

285 Calories

18 Fat

9 Carbs

23 protein

Keto Taco Seasoning

3 Tablespoons chili powder

6 teaspoons onion powder

3 teaspoons cumin

3 teaspoons garlic powder

3 teaspoons smoked paprika

3 teaspoons dried oregano

1 ½ tsp pink salt

Mix all together and store in a clean, empty spice jar or any air tight container.

Serving size = 1 tablespoon

22 Calories

1 Fat

4 Carbs

1 Protein

    As I said, I had a rough day and I was feeling defeated.  I was not hungry, but I wanted something to munch on.  Normally, this is when I would get into the Doritos.  Since we had no Doritos in the house, I asked Ed to bake some pepperoni.  (Another recipe tip from my daughter Rachel!)  What we had in the fridge was a package of the big pepperoni slices (intending to make some Panino's)  So he baked me some.  6 to start with. 

      OMG they were even better than Doritos!   They are crispy like chips and oh so tasty.  They were so good I asked him to bake some more.  Unfortunately, he cooked the rest of the package and there were none left by the end of the evening.  If you make these, I highly suggest you only bake the amount you want to consume.  Unless, of course, you have better will-power than I did.

Baked Pepperoni.

     Line a cookie sheet with either foil or parchment paper and place a wire cooling rack on it.   Lay the pepperoni on the cooling rack  and bake at 400 until crispy.  We had the Large pepperoni ; 3 = 100 calories and 1 carb.  If you are baking the large pepperoni, they bake for 15 minutes.  If you have the smaller ones, Rachel says she bakes hers for about 5 minutes.

     If you are wanting or needing or craving a crispy snack - this should do the trick.  But, like I said, only cook what you want because I could not stop until they were all gone.  This could be so dangerous.  

*edited to add.  my sister, Cindy, told me today that her husband, Rick (both of which are eating Keto)  tried the pepperoni in the microwave.  I am not sure this is a good thing!  Place them between two paper towels and microwave for 30 seconds.  Flip them over and go another 10 seconds.  FORTY seconds and you have a crispy, crunchy, tasty, dang near carb free snack!