Langostino Bisque

     The first time I had Lobster Bisque was on Nantucket 20 years ago.  It was rich beyond belief, flavor like I had never experienced.  In my quest to recreate that moment, I tried my hand at coming up with the perfectly balanced savory bowl of decadence.  It wasn't quite the same as that dark wood sea side cottage pub, but close enough...and my Hubby said he really liked it (#goodenoughforme).  Each of the six servings, (1.5 cups soup plus .5 cups Langostino Tails), are 399 calories, 13g carbs, 3.3g fiber, 9.7g net carbs, 16.5g protein and 29g fat.  If you are feeling the New England mood wash over you, give this a try and see if it makes you want to travel East.  :)

Ingredients for six bowls~
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 medium chopped Onion
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper, to taste
Dash Salt, to taste
Dash Pepper, to taste
4 stalks Celery, diced
2 large Carrot sticks (144 grams), shredded
6oz can Tomato Paste
15oz can petite diced Tomatoes
2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
3 cups Chicken Broth
1 pound Langostino Tails
Diced Parsley, for garnish, if desired

     Add Oil to skillet, along with Onions, Garlic, Cayenne, Salt and Pepper, saute til golden, add in Celery and Carrots til softened.  Stir in Tomato Paste til thoroughly combined, and then blend in the petite Tomatoes.  Add to blender and puree, and add to soup pot along with Cream, Broth and Langostino Tails, heat thru and serve.  Garnish with Parsley if desired.  Enjoy  :)  PS  I serve this with my Salt and Pepper Crackers.  https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2019/01/salt-and-pepper-crackers.html

Sweet Bacon Chicken Ranch Salad

     This may seem like a bit of a process, but believe me it will all be worth it in the end, ...I promise!  The crackers in this Salad are homemade, so you can always make those the day before, and streamline the process.  This high pitched flavorful bowl of decadence weighs in at 618 calories, 36.8g carbs, 6.5g fiber, 24g sugar alcohol, 6.3g net carbs, 52g protein and 43.6g fat.  If this is too much for your eating plan, feel free to cut the portions in half.  Or follow my path with Intermittent Fasting, and consider this your large meal of the day.  Either way, you simply can't go wrong with this wonder.  :)

Ingredients for four large servings~
1 cup Almond Flour
1/4 cup ground Flax Seed
1/4 cup Water
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Seasonings, optional (I added a Garlic Salt blend, but you could add any extra flavors you desire, but please know the simple Salt and Pepper are fabulous just by themselves, and I like them equally with the simple Seasoning)
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1 pounds Chicken Breast, diced into 32 pieces
12oz Center Cut Bacon (16slices), sliced in half to yield 32 pieces
1/2 cup Lakanto Golden Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
Dash Chili Powder, according to taste
Dash Garlic Powder, according to taste
Dash Cayenne Pepper, according to taste
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16oz 4% Cottage Cheese
1/3 cup Mayo
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 Packet Ranch
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8 cups Baby Spinach Leaves
Pepper for seasoning, if desired 

     Add first set of ingredients to a bowl and stir til completely combined.  Add to a large Silpat lined cookie sheet, cover with parchment paper and roll into a perfect rectangle, keeping inside the trim.  Use a pizza cutter to make 72-80 equal crackers.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, remove, cool, and break apart!  These stay nice for several days if you wish to make ahead. Next, with second set of ingredients, stir together Golden Monk Fruit, Chili Powder, Garlic and Pepper, set aside.  Roll each of the Chicken Breast pieces in the sweetener mixture, wrap Chicken in half piece of Bacon, roll again in sweetener mixture and lay wrapped side down on aluminum foil lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, remove, flip each piece over and bake another 15 minutes.  Meanwhile,  stir together third set of ingredients til well combined.  Chill leftovers for later use for Salad Dressing, as you will only be using a cup of this dip/dressing.  When ready to assemble, layer plate with 2 cups Spinach Leaves, 1/4 cup Cottage Cheese mixture, 8 pieces Chicken and a fourth of the Crackers.  Season with Pepper if desired.  Enjoy  :)

Pizza Muffins

     If you want to make Pizza even "funner", try Pizza Muffins on for size!  And if a low carb crust grabs your attention, you are in for even more good news.  Each of these 12 servings are only 85 calories, 1.2g carbs, .1g fiber, 1.1g net carbs, 13.4g protein and 3.5g fat.  Whether you are hosting a party, or just having a yummy meal at home, this is one to try out, and watch your taste buds come alive!

Ingredients for 12 servings~
1 pound Kroger 99% Lean Ground Turkey
1 Kroger Extra Large Egg
1/4 cup (2oz) Kroger Mozzarella (I shred my own, but you can buy it pre shredded)
Dash Salt
Dash Pepper
Dash Garlic Powder
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1/4 cup Simple Truth Organic Pizza Sauce
1/4 cup (2oz) Kroger Mozzarella (I shred my own, but you can buy it pre shredded)
12 slices Kroger Turkey Pepperoni, more if desired
36 slices Black Olives, more if desired, feel free to cut in half if desired
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Chopped Parsley, as garnish if desired

     Stir first set of ingredients together til well combined, divide equally into 1 5/8 ounces/ 45-46 grams (you will need a food scale, or come as close as you can to 12 equal pieces).  I have a simple trick to divide dough into two equal parts, then divide those halves into halves again.  Then all you have to do is divide each of the fourths into 3, it’s a lot less weighing, and of course feel free to just eye ball it if you prefer.  Pat into bottom of a 12 silpat lined cupcake tin, bake at 400 for 20 minutes.  Remove, add one teaspoon Sauce, one Pepperoni, one teaspoon shredded Mozzarella and 3 Black Olive slices.  Return to oven and bake til cheese melts, approximately 10 minutes, just keep an eye on it.  Garnish with Parsley if desired.  Enjoy  :)  PS  If you want a thinner "crust", then divide the "dough" in half and make 24 disc's.  

Chelsea Dip

     I'm all about simple...especially if it is healthy and delish.  This fits that bill perfectly, and is such a tasty little treat that I had to share.  This is actually a recipe my daughter came up with, which makes it a much loved post.  Each of the 10~1/4 cup servings are only 108 calories, 2.8g carbs, Zero fiber, 6.4g protein and 8.3g fat.  Add them to my Salt and Pepper Crackers and you will have the perfect mother daughter combination.  #familiesthatcooktogetherstaytogether

Ingredients for 10 servings~
16oz 4% Kroger Cottage Cheese
1/3 cup Kroger Mayo
1/2 cup Kroger shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 Packet Kroger Ranch
Chopped Parsley, for garnish if desired

     Stir together til well combined.  Chill any leftovers.  Enjoy  :)  PS  If this is too salty for you, then reduce the Ranch Seasoning.

Touch Down Chocolate Chips

     If you want your team to have the advantage, then feed them well...same goes for the cheering section!  Start it off right with sugar free gluten free treats that will keep you on your toes.  Even better news, each of these 12 servings are only 232 calories, 20g carbs, 5.5g fiber, 11.7g sugar alcohol, 2.8g net carbs, 5.3g protein and 21.4g fat.   Fueling the body right will keep your inner super fan charged up, and ready to go til the final whistle blows.

Ingredients for 12 servings~
1/2 cup Butter, softened
1/2 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
2 Extra Large Eggs, room temperature
1.5 cups Almond Flour
3/4 cup Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
Dash Salt
2 Tablespoon Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Tablespoon Cream Cheese
2 teaspoons Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount

     Stir together Butter, Monk Fruit, and Eggs til well incorporated.  Add Almond Flour, 1/2 cup Chips, Baking Powder, Cinnamon, Vanilla and Salt to wet ingredients and stir til thoroughly combined.  Pat into football shape on silpat lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, stir together remaining 1/4 cup Chips and Cream, microwave 10 seconds and stir til smooth, repeat if necessary.  Once cookie has cooled, spread Ganache into football shape on top of cookie, leaving an even border around perimeter.  Lastly, stir together Cream Cheese and Confectioners Monk Fruit til smooth, add to baggie, snip corner, and pipe football strings for a finishing touch.  Enjoy...and may the best team win!  ;)

Winning Brownies

     Football always brings out the best food, and Winning Brownies are no exception.  If you want to get the party started, ...and keep it going, then these will take their place front and center on the 50 yard line...or just the food table.  And everyone will be happy to hear that each of the 9 servings are only 225 calories, 22.4g carbs, 5.6g fiber, 13.3g sugar alcohol, 3.5g net carbs, 5.6g protein and 20.5g fat.  Whether your team wins or not, these will be scoring points all game long.

Ingredients for 9 servings~
1/2 cup Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips, divided
1/3 cup Coconut Oil
1/4 cup no sugar added Peanut Butter
1 Tablespoons De Caf Coffee Granules
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
1/2 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
2 Extra Large Eggs
1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
1/2 cup Almond Flour
Teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon

     Melt 1/4 cup Chocolate Chips, Oil, and Peanut Butter in microwave for 15 seconds, stir til combined, repeat if necessary.  Combine Coffee Granules and Vanilla til fully incorporated, and syrup like, add to Peanut Butter mixture, then stir in remaining ingredients, saving the remaining chips to stir in last.  Bake in a parchment lined 8X8 and bake at 350 for 22 minutes.  Enjoy  :)

Sweet Bacon Chicken

     A few appetizers never hurt no one.  For example, my Sweet Bacon Chicken will add happiness to your tummy, while smiles fill your belly.  Each of these eight hearty servings are only 138 calories, 12g carbs, Zero Fiber, 12g sugar alcohol, ZERO net carbs, 18g protein, and 9g fat.  Dip these babies in your favorite whole grain Mustard and experience all the feels.  Enjoy  :)

Ingredients for eight servings~
1 pounds Chicken Breast, diced into 32 pieces
12oz Center Cut Bacon, sliced in half to yield 32 pieces
1/2 cup Lakanto Golden Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
Dash Chili Powder, according to taste
Dash Garlic Powder, according to taste
Dash Cayenne Pepper, according to taste
Whole Grain Mustard for dipping, if desired, not included in macros

     Stir together Golden Monk Fruit, Chili Powder, Garlic and Pepper, set aside.  Roll each of the Chicken Breast pieces in the sweetener mixture, wrap Chicken in a piece of Bacon, roll again in sweetener mixture and lay wrapped side down on aluminum foil lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, remove, flip each piece over and bake another 15 minutes.  Skewer each piece with a toothpick.  Best enjoyed warm!  :)