OMG.  an even better recipe for Keto Fried Pickles.  

Tonight, Ed modified his Roasted Cauliflower Recipe and came up with an amazing Keto Fried Pickle Recipe.  I watched him make them and have tried to write down about how much he was putting in of everything but I will be honest. He didn't measure anything except for the garlic powder and pink salt.

Ed's Keto Fried Pickles

One 5 oz package of Macs regular pork rinds, ground into crumbs
1/4 cup Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pink salt
1 package shredded Parmesan Cheese, divided
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 jar of no sugar added pickle slices
1 pkg real bacon, bacon bits

Preheat the oven to 425.

First step is to grind up the pork rinds.  You should end up with about 2 cups of crumbs (depending on how many pork rinds you eat while grinding them!) 😂 Pour the ground up rinds into a gallon ziplock bag. 

Before he bought this electric chopper, he would put the pork rinds into a ziplock bag and grind them using a rolling pin.  That works, too but the electric chopper grinds them up much finer.

Next, he added the Italian Seasoning. He just heavily sprinkled the pork rinds with it, maybe about 1/4 cup.

Add 1/2 tsp of Garlic Powder and 1/2 tsp of Pink Salt. 

Then he added 3 pinches of the shredded Parmesan Cheese, Maybe about half the package.  Save the rest of the cheese for later.

Zip the bag shut and mix the contents until well blended.

Lay your zero sugar pickle chips in a single layer on a cutting board lined with paper towels.  Place more paper towels on top and blot them dry. Then place the pickles in a 2nd gallon sized ziplock bag.

Pour about 1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil over the pickles. 

Seal the bag and mix, trying to make sure each of the pickles get coated with the oil.

Once the pickles are well coated with oil, sprinkle the pork rind mixture over the pickles.  

Again, seal the bag and shake to coat the pickles with the pork rinds.

Line a baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with olive oil cooking spray.

Then spread the coated pickles in a single layer on the baking sheet.  

Sprinkle the pickles with the remaining shredded parmesan cheese.

Then top with the real bacon bits.

Bake at 425 for about 30 minutes.

As I said above, this recipe is much better than the recipe I posted the other day.  It does have more ingredients and requires a bit more work but the end result is worth it.  

Keto Fried Pickles!!

Ah!  So, that got  your attention, huh?

I just gotta say, this is probably the best tasting "Keto" Fried Pickle Recipe I've found so far.  (and yes, I have tired a few)  and it only takes 2 ingredients.  (3 if you count the cooking spray.)

I have tried making these with a few different cheeses.   Let me just say. use shredded.  Don't think that a cute little round slice of cheese the same size as your mini waffle iron will be ideal.  It was not.  It just didn't melt and burn the same.  You want to use shredded cheese - you want it to burn!

Also, don't try using Gordo's Cheese Dip.  I thought it would be perfect - they'd be like batter fried.  Wrong again!   Don't get me wrong, I do love Gordo's Cheese Dip - but it does not burn like shredded cheese.  Just use shredded cheese. 

You can buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself to cut back on the carbs.  Or just buy the already shredded cheese and count the carbs.

Also, make sure you grab 0 sugar pickles - check the carb count before you buy them.   Not all pickles are created equal.

The original recipe used a mini waffle iron, but we prefer using our regular waffle iron because the grates come out and it is way easier to clean up afterwards.   Plus, I was not satisfied with a single batch in the mini waffle iron, I ended up making several batches.  In the regular waffle iron one batch is more than enough.

I should also point out that while these Fried Pickles are made with Keto Friendly ingredients, the calories do add up.  It's not something I think we should eat every day - but as a once in a while treat, they are great.

Keto Fried Pickles

Shredded Cheese (I like to use Pepper Jack)
No Sugar Added Pickle Chips or Pickle Slices
Olive Oil Cooking Spray

While your waffle iron heats up, lay your pickle chips or pickle slices out on a paper towel and pat them dry.

Spray the hot waffle iron with the cooking spray, then put in a little shredded cheese.  Lay the dried pickle chips on top of the shredded cheese and top with a little more shredded cheese.  

You don't want to put too much cheese in or it will make a huge mess!   Just enough to almost line the bottom of the waffle iron.  Then close the lid and let the cheese melt and burn.  That's it!  Super Simple and oh so good!

I will admit that it could just be my love of burnt cheese that makes me think these are the best.   But I do encourage you to give them a try!

Nutrition Information

4 Carbs
32 Fat
24 Protein

(macros: 4/72/24)

Coffee for Breakfast!

Have you ever gotten tired of Eggs for breakfast?

I have.

So lately, I've just been drinking a Protein Shake in my coffee for breakfast.

My daughter got me started with this using a carmel protein shake.

Just pour an 11 ounce protein shake into a 30 oz Ozark Mountain Tumbler and then finish filling the tumbler with coffee.

Yesterday I decided to shop around and find the lowest carb shake I could. The Premier Protein Vanilla Shake only has 4 carbs.

That's TOTAL carbs, not net carbs!

And OMG is it ever delicious in coffee!

Until I am ready for eggs again, my plan is to try to keep breakfast interesting by switching it up.

I know there are other low-carb flavors that would probably taste great in coffee. If you find one super low in carbs that you think tastes amazing in coffee, please share!

Keto Friendly Mexican Dishes

We went out for lunch today at a local Mexican restaurant and I decided to try something new off the menu.  Well, something new to me, anyway.  I often get fajitas and just don't eat the shells or the rice and beans that come with it.

Today I ordered the Chori Pollo off the lunch menu.  It was a huge grilled chicken breast, smothered in Chorizo and cheese sauce.  It was supposed to come with beans and rice but I asked if they could substitute a salad with a side of Pico De Gallo for the beans and rice. The only thing I will do different next time is also request guacamole with the salad.

  

OMG it was delicious!  and I have enough left for my evening meal tonight.  

While we are talking about Mexican Food, this seems like the perfect time to finally get around to sharing this recipe.   

Ed and our daughter Rachel put their heads together and came up with their own version of one of our favorite dishes at our local Mexican Restaurant.  We've been enjoying this dish for probably a year or better now, and we still haven't come up with a catchy name for it.  We just call it  4 Meat Mexican Dish.

4 Meat Mexican Dish

1 package of Chorizo (read the label to make sure you are buying the 0 to 1 carb version)
1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 pound shaved thin ribeyes
5 oz of real bacon bacon bits (or 1 pound of bacon)
½ cup of diced frozen onions
1 package of frozen peppers and onions (or you can use fresh)
¼ cup of Worcestershire Sauce
2 to 3 TBS of Ed’s Keto Taco Seasoning (see recipe below)
½ cup water

Toppings:
Shredded cheese of your choice
Gordo’s Cheese Sauce
Sour Cream
Guacamole

Cook the Chorizo with the ½ cup of diced onions.  Then set it on back burner on low, stirring occasionally while you cook the Chicken.

Cut the chicken into thin strips and then while cooking cut it smaller, into bite size pieces.  Add the Keto Taco Seasoning and water.  Let simmer until the chicken is well cooked.  Then add the frozen peppers and onions,  bacon bits and the cooked Chorizo to the Chicken and again, let simmer, stirring occasionally while you cook the Ribeyes.

Cut the shaved Ribeyes into bite sized pieces and cook it in the Worcestershire Sauce.  Once it’s cooked, add it to the other three meats.  Mix well.

To serve, top with Shredded Cheese and Melted Gordo’s Cheese (yes, we use both)
You may also top with sour cream and guacamole, if desired.

450 Calories
7 Carbs
32 Fat
35 Protein

The above nutritional information is for the dish itself.  You will have to add Carbs, Fat and Protein for whichever toppings you put on yours.

As many times as we've eaten this, I can not believe this is the only photo I have of it.  I took this one at work yesterday.  I had to dump it out of the dish to heat it up so my toppings are all on the bottom.  Oh well, I guess this way they not hiding what the meal looks like before you add your toppings.

Keto Taco Seasoning

2 Tbsp chili powder

4 Tsp onion powder

2 Tsp cumin

2 Tsp garlic powder

2 Tsp paprika (we use smoked)

2 Tsp dried oregano

1 Tsp pink salt

Mix all together and store in an empty spice container.

1 teaspoon = about 1 ½ Carbs

 

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

 I feel like this post should have been made around Christmas.  That song came to my mind, anyway, when I just typed the title up there.

Today, I thought I'd do a blog about just a few of my favorite Keto quick and easy - low carb "snack" type foods.  I mean, let's face it.  Dieting or not dieting, we all just want a snack sometimes.  For me, crunchy, salty things are always a win.

Believe it or not, first on my list, is pickles!  I can not believe I lived 55 years before discovering these pickles.  OMG, they are the best.  I hate to admit it, but I ate an entire jar in about a week.  Just plain, out of the jar.  These are not just your average pickle.  These babies are crisp and crunchy, like no other.  I don't know, maybe it's just me.  They are kept in the cooler at your local Wal-mart, with the Deli Meats - and they are to be stored in your refrigerator, even before you open them.  Always Kept Cold - I guess that's the secret to keeping them so crisp.  Seriously, if you like pickles, like me, then you have got to check them out!  You won't be sorry. (Just 5 calories per serving and less than 1 carb!)

Another recent discovery, is Chorizo Strips.  If you like bacon and you like sausage, these Chorizo Strips are the best of both worlds.  As if just being yummy isn't enough, they also have great macros.  2 strips is 1 carb, 12 fat and 9 Protein (3/73/24)   You do have to fry them, but you can always fry up the entire package and just reheat as you eat them.  However, I personally think they are best fresh.

Pepperoni is another quick, salty, crunchy food.  Crunchy, that is, if you bake it!  There are 2 ways to do this.  One takes a little more time and is more work to clean up after, but they really are to die for.  

You line a cookie sheet with either foil or parchment paper.  Then place a cooling rack on it.  Place the Pepperoni Slices in a single layer, on the cooling rack and bake at 400 until Crispy  - If you are baking the large round ones they bake about 15 to 20 minutes.  If you are doing the smaller rounds ones (size of a quarter) they bake about 5 to 7 minutes.  

The other way, is to line a plate with a paper towel and microwave on high for about 5 minutes.  Much quicker and easier, just not quite as crispy.

You don't have to get this particular brand - this just happens to be the one we bought last week. But I'm posting this one to show the nutrition information, mostly. Be sure to check to nutrition label before you buy,  because not all pepperoni is made the same way.  Some add sugar and fillers and that increases your carb count.  You can get 0 carb pepperoni!

Beef Jerky Sticks.   Again, not all Beef Jerky is made the same, so be sure to check the label before you buy.   We like these because you get the beef jerky and a cheese stick, for just 1 carb.  They are individually wrapped and no refrigeration required, so they are easy to pack for a quick and easy on the go snack.  

Cheese,  I have often said I live on cheese.  While that may not be entirely true, I do probably eat more than I should.  We either buy the block cheese and cut it up so it's ready to grab.  Or, we buy the Cheese Slices and cut them into 4 squares.  The Cheese slices are best if you are wanting to bake them to make a Cheese-it type snack.  

To make these, just line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Place cheese squares in a single layer (you get crispier "crackers" if you buy ultra thin slices),  Bake at 300 for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how burnt you like them.  The above photo was baked Pepper Jack Cheese slices.  But you can bake your favorite cheese slice, too.

Of course, you don't have to bake it.  Cheese slices are good unbaked, too.  Especially when paired with Summer Sausage - the next snack on my list.

Like pepperoni, not all summer sausage is made the same, so please do check the label,  We bought 2 rolls recently - one had 0 carbs, the other has 2 carbs per serving.  Both were made by the same Company (Johnsonville) - I guess they just used different recipes.  Just like the block cheese - we cut up the log and place it in an air-tight container so it's ready to grab as needed.  I sometimes will just have cheese and summer sausage and a couple pickle slices for my lunch when I'm not at work. 

Well, I accidently hit "publish" on this, although I really wasn't done with it.  Guess I am for now, though.  Perhaps later I'll do a part 2 of more quick and easy low carb Keto Snacks!

What I Eat in a Day

 

Ok, So I’ve been back on Keto for about a week now and I’m down 8.2 pounds.  Granted, it is mostly just water.  I know this because I gained about 5 pounds while we were on our road-trip the week before last,  We spent 2 days driving there,  2 days exploring the area (more driving) and 2 days driving back home.  I got very few steps in and I wasn't selecting the best options for my meals or for road snacks. I knew I would be up when we got home.  And I was.

I also know that it's mostly water because I have even been getting up in the night (a couple times, at least) to go to the bathroom.  This is very unusual for me.  I am pretty sure I've about eliminated all the retained water now.  

Anyway, below is my weight-loss chart since I've been back on track, complete with my macros for each day.   I even included my calorie intake for each day, even though on Keto they say you do not have to count calories.  I decided to track it and see if it does make a difference.   

The day I ate the most calories (2024) I lost 1.4 pounds the next morning.  The day I gained 1.2 pounds I had only eaten 1318 calories the day before.  But I ate more carbs (6%, not 5%)  So, was the gain because of the extra carbs, or did it take a day for the excess calories to catch up to me? 

I know the weight loss will slow down now, since I have eliminated all my retained water,  And I'm not quite half-way to my goal yet.  How long will it take me to drop the remaining pounds?  Time will tell.

I still need to get myself back on the exercise bike - so far I have ZERO miles for the year.  What am I waiting for?  I think warmer weather.  I admit, I would much rather be riding my roadbike, not the stationary bike.  But eventually, I will get myself back into that routine.

Anyway, as promised, I will include my "What I ate in a day" food logs for this week.    I decided to do several days, not just a day, so you can get a better feel for this way of eating.  

Again, if you do not have it, I highly recommend you download MyFitnessPal so you can log your food - before - you eat it, to make sure it fits your macros.  And again, if any of you do download it and need help setting it up, just send me a private message and I will help you set it up.   Also, feel free to add me as a friend (grandmadebby1)  I have my food diary set up for sharing.  I don't know if the recipes are shared on it, but if you ever see a food I've logged and you want the recipe, feel free to PM me for that, as well. 

As I said the other day,  I do often eat the same thing.  The Enchilada Meatballs for example.  His recipe makes 63 meatballs.  With just the two of us eating them, it takes several days to get through them.

Anyway, I hope this blog was helpful and not just boring information.