Grandma Mary's Ham and Beans

Click Here to watch Video!

     

     My Mother has had these Ham and Beans all her life on New Years Day.  It has been in her family for well over 100 years.  Not to mention it is my husbands favorite meal...mostly because it is served with fried Potatoes, Coleslaw and Cornbread...who would hate that!...no one, that's who!  This is definitely not my standard fare, but once a year seems to be just the right amount.  Do you have a New Years favorite!?  PS.  My mother in law told me that you have to eat at least one Bean on New Years Day for good luck all year long.  That seems simple enough to comply for guaranteed good fortune.

Ingredients~

1 pound bag Great Northern Beans

Water, enough to cover Beans twice

1 chopped Onion

1 stick Butter (I use Half a Stick)

1-2 Ham Hocks, (I use a Ham Shank, and also add a little extra cubed Ham that I get from the Deli counter, I prefer the Boars Head)

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

     Rinse bag of Beans in strainer, add beans to bowl and cover with water 3-4 inches overnight.  Drain Beans, add back to pot, along with remaining ingredients, then cover with water, simmer 2-3 hours til Beans softened.  Remove Hock, cool to touch, remove meat from bone and add back to soup.  (I add some extra diced Ham from the Deli Department, I prefer Boars Head).  Enjoy  :)

Brownie Muffins

                        

     If you enjoy a dense European style baked good then Brownie Muffins will be right up your alley.  These lean on the drier side, similar to what our friends on the east side of the pond prefer.  It is not always my preference, but I am open to diversity in my pastries now and again.  Each of these 6 Brownies, are only 263 calories, 27g carbs, 17g sugar alcohol, 6g fiber, 4g net carbs, 5.5g protein and 21g fat.  This might even be considered a breakfast food, I can't think of a better way to start your day!  ;)

Ingredients for 6 Brownie Muffins~

9oz bag Lily's Stevia Sweetened Chocolate Chips

1/4 cup/4 Tablespoons Butter

2 Extra Large Eggs, room temperature

1 Tablespoon Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount

1 Tablespoon Flour

1/4 teaspoon Salt

     Stir Chips and Butter together in a microwave safe bowl, heat for 20 seconds, stir and repeat if necessary til fully melted and incorporated.  Stir in remaining ingredients, feel free to use beaters if desired, drop by 1/4 cup in 6 silpat lined muffin tins.  Bake at 375 for 18 minutes, remove til room temperature, chill overnight before serving, store leftovers in fridge.  Enjoy  :)

Tomato Soup

     As I've gotten older, I have realized that my palate has changed.  I now long for a good bowl of soup, which wasn't really a part of my earlier years.  Spoons filled with Tomato Soup always hit the spot as of late.  So, if you are looking for a meatless yet filling meal, try this out with a nice Grilled Cheese (FYI...  I add a thin layer of Mayo on the inside of the Bread before grilling... #mindblowing).  You have nothing to lose by trying this for yourself!  You're welcome!

Ingredients~ 

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

1 chopped Onion

Dash Cayenne Pepper

Baby Carrots, peeled and diced~about a cup, more or less if desired

Half bunch sliced Celery

1 can Rotel

2 cups/16oz Half-n-Half

6oz can Tomato Paste

28oz can crushed Tomatoes 

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

     Add Oil, Garlic, Onions and Cayenne to skillet, cook on medium 2 minutes, then add Carrots and Celery til softened, keep stirring occasionally so doesn't scorch, let cool and add to blender with Rotel til smooth as possible, may have to do this in batches.  Return to skillet and stir in Cream, Paste, Tomatoes, and seasonings.  Simmer for 10 minutes on low.  Enjoy  :)

Peanut Butter Fudge

     This one hits all the high notes.  I love Chunky Peanut Butter straight out of the jar, ...but combine it with Stevia Sweetened Chocolate Chips and you have a real winner of a mouth full on your hands.  This may be one of my favorite recipes to date, not just for its amazing taste, but for its simplicity as well.  Each of the 12 pieces are 113 calories, 11.6g carbs, 6g fiber, 3.2g sugar alcohol, 2.4g net carbs, 3.2g protein and 9g fat.  Perfect to give or to keep, but be sure to stop, then take a moment to enjoy all the melt in your mouth flavors striking a symphony of excitement!

Ingredients for 9 pieces~

1/2 cup Chunky Peanut Butter, sub with smooth if desired

1 cup Lily's Stevia Sweetened Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips~sub with Dark Chocolate for Vegan and Dairy Free

Sea Salt Flakes

     Stir together Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips in a microwave safe bowl, heat for 30 seconds, stir til smooth, repeat in 10 second increments if necessary, pour into a wax or parchment line 5X7 dish, chill in fridge for 10 minutes, remove, sprinkle with Sea Salt, cut into 12 equal pieces, return to fridge to set completely, store in fridge.  Enjoy  :)

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

     When you are wanting smooth, chocolate, healthy and delish all in one bite, maybe you should give Chocolate Avocado Pudding a try!  The entire recipe is only 227 calories, 25.5g carbs, 13g fiber, 8g sugar alcohol, 4.5g net carbs, 12.6g protein and 14.5g fat.  This goes down easy, and will put a nice smile in your tummy.  Super for a mid morning, mid afternoon or after dinner treat!  :)

Ingredients for one dish~

1 small (3.5oz) ripe peeled Avocado, smashed

1/3cup (3oz) 0% Fage Greek Yogurt

1 Tablespoon Cocoa

1 heaping Tablespoon Lakanto Hot Chocolate Mix~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount, sub with Lakanto Classic Monk Fruit

    Add all ingredients to a dish and stir til creamy and smooth.  Garnish with a small Chocolate piece or Whipped Topped if desired, not included in macros.  Store in fridge.  Enjoy  :)

Creamy Fudge

     Everyone loves Fudge, but also knows it's a highly empty calorie food...but we still love it anyway!  It's a dilemma...until now that is.  I have created a Creamy Fudge recipe that is soft, delicious, and sugar free.  Perfect to give at the Holidays, or just have around for a sweet treat to enjoy yourself.  Each of the 12 pieces are only 87 calories, 9.3g carbs, 5.8g fiber, 3.2g sugar alcohol, .3g net carbs, 1.2g protein and 7.8g fat.  Can you believe only .3 net carbs...it's a Christmas miracle.  And, I would opt for this fudge over all others any day of the week...make that year!!!  :)

Ingredients~

1 cup Lily's Stevia Sweetened Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (sub with Dark Chocolate Chips for Vegan)

1/2 cup Coconut Cream (I used the solid white Cream on the top of a can of Thai Coconut Cream) 

Sea Salt Flakes, as desired

     Stir together Chips and Cream in a microwave safe container and heat for 30 seconds, stir til smooth, repeat in 10 second increments if necessary til fully melted.  Pour into wax or parchment lined 5X7 dish and chill in fridge for 10 minutes, remove, sprinkle with Salt, return to fridge til set to desired level of firm.  Slice into 12 equal pieces.  Store in fridge.  Enjoy  :)

Snicker Clusters

     Everybody loves Snickers Bars, but maybe don't love the load of empty calories.  Whelp, I have a fast easy solution to all of the above.  My Snicker Clusters whip together in a jif and each of the 9 are only 88 calories, 7.7g carbs, 2.7g fiber, 1.8g sugar alcohol, 3.2g net carbs, 2.9g protein and 7g fat.  This is definitely one to try and will certainly impress all your friends.  This has the best of all worlds combined into every single bite!!!  If you are a nut lover, this is a must.  :)

Ingredients for 9 Clusters~

2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter (I use Chunky)

1/4 cup Lily's Stevia Sweetened White Chocolate Chips

1/2 cup Peanuts 

2 Tablespoons Lily's Stevia Sweetened Milk Chocolate Chips

Sea Salt Flakes

     Add Peanut Butter and White Chips to a microwave safe bowl, stir and heat for 15 seconds, stir til smooth, repeat for 10 seconds if necessary.  Stir in Peanuts til fully coated, drop by Tablespoon on wax paper and chill in fridge til set.  When ready, add Chocolate Chips to baggie, microwave for 10 seconds (repeat if necessary), smash til softened and incorporated, snip corner and drizzle on Clusters, garnish with Sea Salt Flakes.  Store in fridge.  Enjoy  :)