Crustless Sausage and Ham Ricotta Quiche

I’ve made my quiches with ricotta cheese in them for years and find the addition is really good, no matter what other ingredients I put in with the eggs and cheese. This quiche features ham and sausage along with fresh spinach. I use pico de gallo for the tomatoes, onion and cilantro since the local grocery store has a lovely fresh version all ready to go. This is an especially good use for the pico de gallo when it is “on the verge” of becoming not so good.

6 large Eggs
3/4 cup of browned bulk Pork sausage
1/2 cup diced Ham
1/4 cup chopped Onions
1/4 cup chopped Tomatoes,
2 tbsp chopped Cilantro
1 cup fresh Spinach, fresh, torn or chopped
1/4 cup Heavy Whipping Cream,
1/2 cup Ricotta Cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh Chives
3/4 cup cheddar jack or Mexican four cheese mix
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon Garlic herb mix seasoning or other seasoning of choice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix together eggs, ricotta cheese, whipping cream and seasoning. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cheddar jack cheese and mix the rest with the remaining ingredients into the eggs.

Use a cooking spray to lightly coat an 8×8″ square pan or a deep dish pan plate. Pour the egg and meat mixture into the pan.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until eggs are set and lightly browned. Turn off oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese on top of the quiche and put back into the oven for another five minutes to allow the cheese to melt.

Cut and serve. Also reheats in the microwave easily. Just heat for 1 minute.

6 servings
1 serving equals calories: 268, Net Carbs 2.5 g and protein 19.1 g.

Original POST BY RENE AVERETT AT 9/21/2012 1:30 PM

Mah-velous LC Pumpkin Pancakes

When the cool of fall hits the air, it’s time for pumpkin pancakes at IHOP.  Sometimes I really miss those!  So I decided to do something about that desire for the wonderful taste of pumpkin, cinnamon, butter and maple syrup.  This recipe hits all the right buttons for me and I hope you find it as delicious as I do.  There are a few brands of sugar free pancake syrup available at various grocery stores and Wal-Mart, so look for one that is 0 carbs and 0 calories, like Mrs. Butterworth’s, Log Cabin and Smith’s brand.

Still can’t find one?  Use maple extract and mix about 1 teaspoon with 1/2 cup sugar substitute dissolved in 1/2 cup water and heated until just boiling.  Melt a tablespoon of butter into it and you have a wonderful quick maple syrup.

2/3 cup Carbquick
1/3 cup Almond flour
2 tablespoons Buttermilk
1 large Egg
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar Substitute
1 tablespoon Whey Protein Powder (optional)
1/2 stick Butter, melted
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/3 cup Pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ground Clove
1/4 cup Water

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl, then add the wet ingredients and hand mix until just combined. Don’t over-mix the ingredients. Add just enough water to make an easily spoon-able batter. Spray a large skillet or griddle with baking spray and heat to medium hot. A little water should skittle across the top when it is hot enough. Spoon about a 1 1/2 tablespoons of batter for each pancake and smooth it out. If using a skillet, cover it with a lid and cook it for about 2 minutes. Turn the pancakes and cook another two minutes until done.

Spread with butter and serve with sugar free, low carb syrup.

Makes 8 pancakes. Each pancake is 114 calories, 2.1 g net carbs, and 3.6 g protein. Two pancakes make a normal serving.

Original POST BY RENE AVERETT AT 9/28/2012 11:13 PM