All posts by Rene Averett

Breakfast & Brunch, Recipes

Spicy Breakfast Eggs to Start the New Year

I wanted to squeeze one more recipe in before the start of 2014 and this one for Mexicali Baked Eggs is a great way to start off New Year’s morning. I love it when I read a recipe and it inspires me to come up with a new take on it. This is my variation of a recipe posted by Chef John on All Recipes.com His original recipe used Marinara sauce and was more Italian. If you’d like to try that, go to his recipe (and a video) for it. For the south of the border version, mine is right below.

Mexicali Baked Eggs

1/4 cup Green or Red Enchilada Sauce
2 ounces Mexican Chorizo
1/2 teaspoon Crushed Dried Peppers (optional)
1/2 low carb Tortilla, torn into pieces
1/8 teaspoon ground Cumin
Sprinkle of Mexican Oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried Cilantro (or 1 teaspoon fresh, cut)
2 tablespoon Queso Fresco, (Mexican white cheese) crumbled
2 tablespoon Cheddar Jack Cheese, shredded
2 Eggs
2 tablespoons of Heavy Cream
Salt and Pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small oven-proof baking dish or two single serving casseroles, spray the bottom with cooking spray, then tear the tortilla and layer the pieces on the bottom of the dish, (Split all ingredients if you are making in two small dishes.) Spoon the enchilada sauce over the tortillas, then sprinkle peppers and cumin on top.

In a small skillet, cook the chorizo until the sauce is melted. Separate into two mounds. Put each mound into the dish to form the base for the eggs. If using a single dish, space these at least three inches apart. Using the back of the spoon, make a well in the middle of the chorizo. Sprinkle a little cheese over the top.

I used a single serving dish to make mine using a green sauce.

Break an egg into a recipe bowl or small bowl being careful not to break the yolk. Carefully slide the egg into the well. It will probably overflow a little. Repeat with the second egg and slide it into the second well. Sprinkle oregano and cilantro, salt and pepper on top of the egg, then sprinkle the crumbled cheese over the top. Top with shredded cheddar jack cheese. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of heavy cream over the top.

You can’t always convince the egg to stay in the well.  I make mine with 1 egg, but feel free to add a second one.

Put the dish(es) on a baking pan and slide into the oven. Bake for about 12 to 14 minutes until the egg is set but still slightly runny in the middle, about like a soft boiled egg.

Remove and serve. Beak up the egg and mix it into the sauce and cheese to really mix the flavors.

To make this for more than a couple of people, you can easily double the recipe and use a larger baking dish.

Nutrition Info: 1 egg in half the sauce
Calories: 300 Fat: 23.5 g Net Carbs: 4.6 g Protein: 15.7 g

Posted on 12/30/2013

Breads, Recipes

Wheat Germ & Flax Bread Round

Steak sandwich using wheat germ and flax round for base.

A simple bread to make that is non-yeast and made with low carb flour options is this tasty flax bread.  I use CarbQuick for most of my baking, but you can also use Bob’s Red Mill or LC Foods baking mix or any of the flour options from LC Foods. Or you can avoid the flour substitute altogether and use a combination of almond flour, coconut flour or other nut flour with the flax meal. In fact, you can make it with just the flax meal for the flour options. It is much nuttier in flavor and flax is loaded with fiber, so it may affect your digestive system a bit.  Some people do not react well with flax, so you might want to ease into it sparingly if you haven’t tried it before.

Wheat Germ and Flax Bread Round

1 large Egg
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
1 teaspoon Onions, dehydrated flakes
1/2 cup Carbquick
1/4 cup flax meal, ground
1 tablespoon Wheat Germ
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
3 tablespoons Coconut Oil

Preheat oven to 365 degrees F. Prepare baking sheet and three 3″ cake molds or rings. (You can use tuna cans with both ends cut out for rings.) If using rings, cut parchment paper to fit the baking sheet or use a silicone mold. Spray with baking spray. If using 3″ round cake molds, spray the molds with baking spray.

In a mixing bowl, combine flours, salt and baking powder. Add Coconut oil, onion flakes and egg and mix well to make sure all the flour is moistened. Add a little water if you need more moisture.

Spoon evenly into three molds or rings and smooth the tops with the back of a spoon dipped in water.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. The bread should be lightly browned and firm. Let cool a few minutes before eating.

This roll can be completely cooled, sliced and used for sandwiches and it toasts well.

Nutrition Information for 1 roll:
Calories: 242.6 Fat: 21.4 g Net Carbs: 2.4 g Protein: 7.8 g

Posted on 9/26/2013

Desserts, Recipes

Amazing Chocolate Beet Cake!

This is quite possibly the most delicious and moist chocolate cake I’ve eaten even though it’s low carb. The beets completely disappear into the recipe, but leave behind subtle flavor and moisture. I’ve adapted the recipe by Jeanne Kelley for Fine Cooking to this low carb version. I make it as a single layer cake with a cocoa whipped cream icing. You could double the recipe for a double layer cake and cut smaller pieces.

Chocolate Beet Cake

Cake
1 medium Beet, fresh, (2″ dia)
1 teaspoon Canola Oil
1/2 cup Butter, unsalted
1/3 cup Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened
3/4 cup sugar substitute
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 cup Carbquick or other low carb flour *
1/4 cup Almond flour
1 tablespoon coconut flour

Icing
6 tablespoons whipped cream or Cool Whip
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar free powdered sugar **

* For gluten free cake, I would suggest using 3/4 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup coconut flour and 1 extra egg

** To make powdered sugar, put 1/4 cup Splenda or Ideal granulated sugar in a food processor and process until it is powdered, then measure it out.

Poke the beet with a knife a couple of times then wrap the beet in plastic wrap and microwave for about three to four minutes until a fork inserted goes in easily. Let cool, then peel. Cut into pieces, then process in a food processor until it is finely grated. Yes, it will try to dye everything red. This should make about 3/4 cup of grated or almost pureed beets.

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment and coat the parchment with cooking spray. Dust the pans with coconut flour, tapping out any excess.

Mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and a dash of salt in a medium bowl. Use a mixer to beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg, then mix in the grated beets and the vanilla. Use the low speed and gradually add half of the flour mixture, beating until it is fully mixed. Add 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon hot tap water and the remaining flour mixture. Mix on medium speed until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake the cake on the middle rack, rotating halfway through baking, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool the cake on a rack for 10 to 15 minutes and then turn it out onto a rack and peel off the parchment. Let the cake cool completely.

To ice, this is best done just before serving the cake. If you aren’t going to eat the whole cake, then only ice what you are serving. Since this is whipped cream, it will break down over time.

In a small bowl, mix together the whipped cream, cocoa powder and sugar free powdered sugar. Use a knife or small spatula to smooth over the top of the cake.
Serves 8.

Nutrition Info (without topping):
Calories: 175.8 Fat: 15.5 Net Carbs: 4.0 g Protein: 4.7 g
With topping
Calories: 188.3 Fat: 16.3 Net Carbs: 5.5 g Protein: 4.9 g

Posted on 11/16/2013

Desserts, Recipes

An EZ Low Carb Sponge Cake

 

sponge cake

This is a basic, but very tasty sponge cake recipe that I created for my Tiramisu. But the cake itself can be used for other recipes that require a sponge-type cake. So I wanted to put the recipe by itself so it is easy to refer to when it comes up in other recipes and easy to find on this blog.

Sponge Cake

4 Eggs, large
4 oz. Cream Cheese
2 tablespoons Coconut Flour
1 tablespoon Vanilla Whey Protein Powder*
1/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
1 tablespoon Splenda or liquid Sucralose
3 tablespoon Sugar Substitute

* Protein powder gives the finished cake a little more texture and flavor from the vanilla flavoring as well as adding protein. It isn’t required, but is worth the effort.

Preheat oven to 300 F. For easier removal, cut parchment paper to fit the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking pan, then spray it with butter flavored cooking spray.  Be sure to spray up the sides.

Separate the eggs and put whites into a grease free glass or metal bowl. Put the yolks in a separate bowl and set aside. Beat the egg whites until they are foamy, then add cream of tartar and continue to beat until they form stiff peaks.

To the egg yolks, add cream cheese and mix together. Add coconut flour, whey powder, sugar substitutes and almond extract. Mix well until smooth.

Fold the egg yolk mixture, one third at a time, into the whites, being careful to not break down the air in the whites. With a soft (rubber or silicone) spatula, fold just until blended, then spoon the batter into the prepared baking dish. Use the back of the spoon to smooth the top of the cake.

Batter spread into a baking dish. A more shallow cake pan might work better.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a golden brown. Cool, then turn out onto a bread board. Cut the cake in half through the middle to form two layers. Use a long serrated knife or a thread the width of the cake that you can just pull carefully throughthe middle. Try to get these are even as possible so the cake layers are equal.

Use to make a cream filled or low carb pudding filled cake.

Make this into 8 round puffs to make cream puffs.

Nutrition Info: (Whole Recipe – without whey powder)
Calories: 804 Fat: 100.4 g Net Carbs: 13.2 g Protein: 33.6 g

Nutrition Info: (1/8th Recipe – without whey powder)
Calories: 100.5 Fat: 12.6 g Net Carbs: 1.7 g Protein: 4.2 g

Posted on 12/14/2012 1:03 AM

Desserts, Recipes

Low Carb Pistachio Pound Cake

That sounds like a fantasy, doesn’t it? But it really is possible to make this moist, delicious pound cake and still be within your net carbs. This recipe was entirely inspired by the luscious pistachio muffins that came from the bakery of a local grocery store that I somehow miraculously managed not to eat, but I certainly coveted. Since I wanted one so much, I decided to come up with a pound cake recipe that would work to recreate the taste as closely as possible. Of course, I had to rely on someone who had actually eaten the muffin to tell me if it was close and she gave it the thumbs up!

The secret ingredient in this pound cake is the Pistachio sugar free pudding mix. I used Jell-o brand, but if any other brand is around 6 carbs per serving, it will work.

Pistachio Pound Cake with Pineapple Cream Icing

For the cake:
1 1/4 cups CarbQuick
3 tablespoons coconut flour
2 tablespoons vanilla whey powder (optional)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar substitute
1 package (1.4 oz.) sugar free pistachio pudding mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 large eggs
1 egg white (can use packaged egg whites)
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Prepare a small bread loaf tin (7.75 x 3.75 x 2.75) by spraying with baking spray and using 1 tablespoon of coconut flour to flour the inside of the pan. This will help prevent sticking.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the flours, whey powder, baking powder, salt and pistachio pudding mix together and mix well. In a larger bowl, add the butter and sugar and cream together with an electric mixer. Add the eggs, egg white, heavy cream and water and mix together. The pudding will make the batter a light green but if you would like it a little darker, add a couple of drops of green food coloring at this point.

Gradually add the flour mixture and oil, mixing in each addition. When all the flour is added, the mixture should be fairly thick and fluffy in appearance. Spoon into the bread pan and spread evenly.

Bake for about 50 to 55 minutes. When a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, it is done.

Let cool some although it is very good warm. Sprinkle powdered sugar substitute or granulated sugar substitute over the top if you’d like. Or you can serve it with Pineapple Cream Icing.

If you want to make muffins, prepare 12 to 14 muffin cups by spraying with baking spray and lightly flouring with coconut flour or use baking muffin papers. Put two tablespoons of batter into each muffin cup – should be about 2/3 of the way up the side. Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, check with a toothpick, looking for almost clean. Let cool for about five minutes, then remove from the muffin cups to a rack to cool.

Makes 1 loaf cake or 12 to 14 muffins.

Nutrition Info 14 slices or 14 muffins
Calories: 162 Fat: 14.8 g Net Carbs: 3 g Protein: 3.3 g

Pineapple Cream Icing

This is a simple, light and storable cream filling or icing that goes great with the Pistachio Pound Cake and also works with other cakes, breads, and anywhere you want a bit of tropical flavor added.

4 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
2 tablespoons sugar free pineapple syrup
2 tablespoons powdered sugar substitute
1/4 cup unsweetened fresh pineapple (optional)

In a small bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the cream cheese, sugar substitute and pineapple syrup together. Use a small food processor or chopper to crush the pineapple, then add it to the cream cheese mixture. The fresh pineapple is optional, but if you want to keep the carbs low, omit it. If you’re going to use this on a bread or another type of cake, you might want to add either 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or macadamia nuts or pecans to the mix.

Makes about 6 servings

Nutrition Info 1/6 of serving (without fresh pineapple)
Calories: 64.7 Fat: 4.5 g Net Carbs: 0.8 g Protein: 1.5 g

Nutrition Info 1/6 of serving (with fresh pineapple)
Calories: 67.8 g Fat: 6.6 g Net Carbs: 1.5 g Protein: 1.4 g

To make a quick layered cake serving with the Pistachio Pound Cake, cut a slice of the pound cake, then cut it in half. Spread a 1/4 inch layer of Pineapple Cream on one side and top with the other. Spread another layer on top and add a tablespoon of whipped cream or Cool Whip on top, if desired. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios to top it off.
Posted on 4/8/2014