As turkey recipes abound, I’m just like everyone else. I only cook a turkey once a year, so I watch all the cooking shows, and read the latest news on turkey cooking. When Michael Symon draped his turkey in a cheesecloth on the Chew a few years ago, and said “this bird will not need basting,” I knew I was in.

I didn’t use his Greek flavor profile, choosing my own, so feel free to adjust the recipe according to your favorite seasonings.  I used oranges, thyme, sage, rosemary and shallots to season the bird and I made my own turkey stock.

What Kind of Cheesecloth.

You can get your cheesecloth here. It’s cooking grade and comes to your door from Amazon.

The seasonings and spices are not as important as the technique. I think you could use chicken stock, salt and pepper and still come out a winner. But, I know you’ll fuss with your favorite herbs just like I do.

To Brine or Not to Brine Your Cheesecloth Roasted Turkey

I’m in good company with all the major chefs like Bobby Flay and Micheal Symon who don’t brine their turkey. Bobby Flay says that brining is for folks who overcook their turkey. A fresh turkey should not need brining.

However, there is something called a dry brine, which is the secret to my roast chicken. You simply salt the turkey the day before, wrap in plastic, not unlike the way I roast a chicken.

What kind of turkey should you use to make turkey roasted with cheesecloth technique?

I think this is of paramount importance if you want a good tasting, healthy turkey.

I always buy a fresh turkey from a reliable source. I don’t think you need to spend $100 on a turkey, but I don’t recommend looking for a bargain. Do your homework. Dismiss hormone laden turkeys that don’t ever cook, and buy the best turkey you can find within reason. Having said that, even the $100 turkey can be a disaster if it’s cooked to death.

This is a tested recipe using a turkey which was humanely raised and vegetarian fed, free of antibiotics and growth hormones. It was absolutely perfect. Get my turkey gravy recipe here.

Temperature and Roasting Times for Roast Turkey

Turkey that is fresh, defrosting takes approximately 13 minutes per pound. Many ovens comes with a probe, which will release once the turkey (at the thigh) reaches the temperature you set, which should be 165° F. If you don’t have a built-in probe, use an instant read meat thermometer. Measure at the thigh, away from the bone. You may also want to check the temperature of your oven with this oven thermostat.

Tell me, do you watch cooking shows and use the recipes for your Thanksgiving dinner?

My Best Thanksgiving Recipes from Spinach Tiger

Click here or on this picture for over 60 of my tested Thanksgiving Recipes. I have made most of these recipes several times, and they are winners!

• Corn Bread Dressing
• Sage Sausage Apple Stuffing
• Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Pennsylvania Dutch Corn Pudding
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• No Lump Mashed Potatoes
• Sweet Potatoes Biscuits
• Pear Cranberry Sauce
• Pumpkin Cream Cheese Tart
• Gluten Free Sweet Potato Biscuits
• Gluten Free (keto friendly) Sweet Potato Bread

Check out the Thanksgiving Food Pinterest Board for some great recipes by top bloggers. 

If you’re looking for sides and desserts, I have you covered in my Holiday Recipes Category. Don’t forget to check out my Turkey Leftovers post below. For fun, I’ll be cooking/baking lots of dishes on instagram stories, so please follow me there.

What to do with Turkey Leftovers

Leftovers

We Have You Covered for Healthy Thanksgiving

If you want a Keto Friendly, Gluten Free Thanksgiving go here.

No matter what your needs are for Thanksgiving, we can help you make it delicious and we are grateful you are here. If you’re a Nashville local needing keto or diabetic friendly bakes, I have a keto bakery and we are taking orders for the holidays now. 

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No Baste Holiday Turkey, Roasted with Cheesecloth Technique

Cheesecloth no baste turkey adapted from Michael Symon, turkey stock adapted from Guy Fieri. Perfectly moist, golden brown turkey with no opening oven to baste.

Course Entree

Cuisine American

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 3 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours

Servings 10

Author Angela Roberts

Ingredients

• 1 12-15 pound turkey adjust amount of turkey stock for larger turkey
• salt
• 2 oranges quartered
• 4 large shallots peeled
• 3 sprigs thyme
• 1 sprig rosemary
• bunch of fresh sage leaves
• 2 celery sticks cut into thirds
• cheesecloth large enough for triple layer over turkey
• Turkey stock Recipe follows (can use a chicken stock, chicken broth)
• TURKEY STOCK INGREDIENTS
• 1 turkey neck
• 1 chicken back or chicken necks can use turkey wings
• 2 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 onions quartered
• 2 carrots chopped in thirds
• 3 stalks celery chopped in thirds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon pepper
• 6 fresh sage leaves

Kitchen Tools Needed

• Organic Unbleached Cheesecloth order here
• Turkey Roasting Pan order here
• Turkey boat order here
• Turkey Platter order here
• Carving Knife order here
• Turkey Lifter order here

Instructions

• Clean turkey, removing everything inside. Check all cavities to remove included gizzards, liver, turkey neck, etc.
• Salt turkey generously, wrap in plastic, refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to roast, Wash salt off. Pat Dry. Allow to sit at room temperature 1 hour.
• Use warm/cool stock. Heat up first if taking out of refrigerator. Allow to cool.
• Preheat oven to 425.
• Pat inside of turkey dry. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stuff turkey with celery, oranges and sage, thyme, shallots, rosemary.
• If desired, place a few sage leaves in between breast flesh and breast skin.
• Place turkey in roasting pan, over a rack.
• Cover entire turkey with cheesecloth. Pour all of the turkey stock over the cheesecloth.
• Roast for 45 minutes at 425 degrees F..
• Lower to 350 degrees, and roast until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches a minimum 165.
• Allow to rest 30 minutes before carving.
• TURKEY STOCK INSTRUCTIONS
• Roast turkey and chicken parts in oven for 45 minutes at 350.
• Add chopped vegetables. Turn meat over and place over vegetables.
• Continue to roast for 35 minutes.
• Add turkey and vegetables and all pan drippings into 4 quarts of boiling water. Bring to simmer, and simmer for 2 hours on low heat.
• Cool. Skim fat. Use immediately or make day before, refrigerate.

The post No Baste Holiday Turkey, Cheesecloth Technique, with Video appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

Thanks to bloggers and restaurants, the last 20 years has brussels sprouts into a star side. If you’re still not making them at home, hopefully, this post helps you change that.

Let’s Start with Some Favorite Brussel Sprouts Recipes

• Garlic Roasted Brussel Sprouts
• Brussels with Figs and Bacon
• Brussels Sprouts with Almonds, Dried Cherries

Brussels Sprouts Recipes (Salads)

Brussels sprouts, raw and shredded, nbv 67t65

• Shaved Brussels Salad withe Pecorino
• Kale Winter Salad with Brussels
• Apple, Brussels Sprout Salad

Brussels Sprouts Recipe for Frittata, Pizza and Flash Fried

• Brussels Frittata – Keep some brussels sprouts uncooked to make this over the weekend.
• Pizza with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
• Flash Fried Brussels Sprouts (like a restaurant)
• Brussels Sprouts with Red Quinoa – This is a meal, takes a bit of preparation but is divine.

The Brussels Sprouts Recipe to Consider

Brussels Sprouts with Butternut Squash

This is not the best picture because it’s a very old recipe, but trust me, it’s fantastic and has a secret ingredient. It’s made with sage leaves and a small amount of toasted bread cubes, but delivers umami satisfaction.

Now that you have a few brussels sprouts recipes to choose from, let me know what you make.

More Ideas for Brussels Sprouts

• Penne Pasta with Brussels Sprouts, Lemon, Breadcrumbs.
• Green Bean Casserole with Brussels and Bacon
• Brussels Sprouts Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter

Don’t be stressed out by Thanksgiving. I have a great turkey recipe that requires very little from you and always comes out. It’s covered with cheesecloth and needs no basting.

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Thanksgiving Turkey

If you feel the stress of holiday cooking, this turkey recipe I make year after year is a winner. You cover the entire turkey with a cheesecloth soaked in broth. You end up with a self-basted crispy skinned, tender turkey.

RECIPE HERE

The post Brussels Sprouts Recipes You Will Love appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

He told me to cut them up and roast them as they sweet and delicious. He was right. You might be wondering what exactly is a carnival squash? Me too.

What is a Carnival Squash?

A carnival squash is small, pretty and a cross between a sweet dumpling and an acorn squash. It has bursts of color and is why it’s often used decorativley.

They are hard to cut through, and you might want to microwave a bit to soften. I just used a very sharp knife, carefully. Cut lengthwise and keep cutting until you have pieces. Scrape off seeds, but do not peel. The skin is edible.

This is my version with parmesan.

How to Roast Carnival Squash

I put the pieces (with skin) on roasting pan and brushed with melted butter. You could use olive oil also. It took about 20 minutes at 400 Degrees F. I turned over at 10 minutes.

This is my version with maple syrup.

Variations for Carnival Squash

• Brush with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Brush with melted butter (flavored with a bit of maple syrup or extact).
• Brush with butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Brush with olive oil, seasoned with chili oil or whatever heat you like.
• Wrap with a little prosciutto for a quick appetizer bite.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this squash. It’s nutty, buttery and slightly sweet. Enjoy!

Similar Recipes from Spinach Tiger

• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
• Festive Kale Salad with Butternut Squash
• Roasted Acorn Squash
• Butternut Squash with Brussels Sprouts and Secret Ingredient
• How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

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Roast Carnival Squash

Beautiful Carnival Squash, cut roasted with skin and several variations.

Course Side

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Variation 1

• 1 Carnival Squash
• 2 tablespoons Melted Butter
• 1/4 teaspoon Maple Syrup or extract
• Salt
• Pepper

Variation 2

• 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
• 2 tablespoons Melted Butter
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

• Cut on the natural lines of the squash and cut into thinner pieces as needs.
  
• Remove all seeds.
• Brush with either melted butter or olive oil. if using variation 1 add the maple syrup to the butter and brush. If using variation 2, brush with either butter or olive oil. Add the Parmesan during last five minutes of roasting. Season both with salt and pepper.
  
• Roast on baking sheet for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees F. Turn over at then minutes. You may need a few more minutes. Should be fork tender.

The post Roast Carnival Squash, Not Just a Decoration appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

What if you can have a Keto Thanksgiving Feast and stay on your keto diet or just simply enjoy eating lots of food without repercussions?

This might sound crazy but cutting out the bloated feeling and the effects of over-eating is wonderful. I have already dreaded thanksgiving for most of my life because it’s never been the food that makes me feel good, as its  the dinner of hundreds of carbs at once.

Can you go ahead and have a cheat meal on keto? I’ll tell you what I do. I think about the Monday after Thanksgiving, and how that weekend makes us feel and then I rewrite the traditions in such a way no one notices.

I make most of the starchy things keto-friendly, grain free, sugar free. We will probably still eat more than we should, but here’s the thing, friends. We won’t be spiking blood sugar, getting sucked back into food addictions and feeling bad from food. We WILL be eating a most delicious keto Thanksgiving dinner, including my favorite stuffing and Doug’s favorite sweet potato biscuits.

Even if we over-indulge, the food is still nutritious and won’t take us into the holiday plus 8 pounds dilemma. It will be easier to ease back into Monday morning, because there will still be six “holiday eating” weeks left, and I want to start 2020 feeling great!

If you still look forward to stepping off the keto train for the weekend, step off with fresh fruits and starchier vegetables you’ve been avoiding and eat the carbs that still love you back. It will be an easier reset for you the following week.

Starters for a Keto Thanksgiving

Sausage balls are a Southern tradition, new to me, and very easily made grain free. Serve with ultra thin slices of apples.

Sausage Balls, grain free recipe here. 

Italian Sausage Balls with Almond Flour – a unique take on the southern sausage ball.

Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs recipe here.

These pimento cheese deviled eggs are 100% keto, and have a little kick to them.

The Turkey is the Star of a Keto Thanksgiving

My Legendary Roasted Turkey with Cheesecloth

Every year I think I’m going to try a different method, but I chicken out because this is so moist and delicious using the cheesecloth. It’s EASY and there’s a Video.

Sides for a Delicious Keto Thanksgiving

Kale Salad –  This is more of a paleo choice with figs and butternut squash, but it’s one of the ways to stretch the diet and eat some healthy fruits you might be missing. This is the way to celebrate with food!

Potluck Kale Salad with Sweet Potatoes  

The nice thing about this salad is that it’s made ahead and I promise you not one bite will be left. It’s my most popular potluck dish ever!Shuck the candied sweets for a salad with apples, pecans, and a few roasted diced sweet potatoes. This is not the food that made anyone fat ever! Replace Maple syrup in vinaigrette with this maple extract.

There is no way I’m not having cranberry sauce. Made with Swerve (the better choice in sweetners), it’s sugar free.

Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce

I’ve served this as mashed potatoes in the past and no one knew the difference! It’s that good! We always make regular mashed as an alternative for guests. The no-lump real potato recipe is here.

Mashed Cauliflower

We love the roasted turnips. You will too.

Roasted Turnips

You can roast, saute or eat raw, but this quick five minute flash would be a great appetizer.

Five Minute Flash Fried Brussels Sprouts

What’s a table without squash at Thanksgiving? While 1/4 cup is about 4 net carbs, remember this is nutritious food. If you plan on eating extra carbs this weekend, make it carbs that give you nutrition, not food addiction.

Roasted Acorn Squash

This green bean casserole is 5 stars in my book. It’s fresh. It’s umami. It’s low carb. It’s divine and you can put away that nasty carb laden yuck green bean casserole of the past!

Low Carb Green Beans Casserole with Bacon and and Brussels

Here’s an easier green bean dish that may tickle your fancy.

Fresh Green Beans Almondine

How to Cook Brussels Sprouts Ten Ways

Biscuits and Stuffing Recipes for a Delicious Keto Thanksgiving

My husband loves sweet potato biscuits and the day I came up with a grain free option (with video), he asked me to marry him again. I like to use these also to make a quick stuffing that due to the sweetness can remind you of corn bread stuffing.

Grain Free Sweet Potato Biscuits

Everyone has the one thing they HAVE TO HAVE at Thanksgiving. For me, it’s stuffing and was I ever thrilled when my idea worked. I use my grain free biscuits. I’m right smack in the middle of a new recipe test to try and make this even easier for you, so stay tuned and subscribe here to get that. Also, watch my instagram stories where all the kitchen testing is displayed.

Grain Free Sausage Stuffing

Keto Friendly Desserts for A Delicious Keto Thanksgiving

Of course, there will be desserts. Of course, we will tap into all the Fall flavors such as pumpkin, apple, pecans, etc.

These keto maple pecan cheesecake bars are beyond words in how good they are. It’s hard to eat one bite of this one.

Keto Maple Pecan Cheesecake Bars 

There’s pumpkin pie and there pumpkin cheesecake. We all run to the pumpkin pie cheesecake that tastes like a sugar free grain free version of the Cheesecake factory pumpkin. Serve with my stabilized whipped cream and have a happy day.

Keto Pumpkin Pie

Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake

If you don’t want to mess with any crust, these pumpkin pie jars are the easiest thing to make and amazing.

Keto Crustless Pumpkin Jars with Pecan Streusel Topping

For my bakers who have to turn that oven on a few days ahead of Thanksgiving, you will charm your guests with an upside down apple cake. This could also double as breakfast cake at the holidays.

Keto Apple Crumb Cake

There are times I have to have cake (haha). I do this cake in mini version for my keto home bakery and people love it so much. I have to use a glaze for the bakery, but you can really go all out and make pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting.

Keto Pumpkin Spice Cake with Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting

These are the mini cakes I was talking about. You can use this recipe for cupcakes.

Keto Pumpkin Mini Cakes (or Cupcakes) with Maple Glaze

I’m in love with almond tarts and there are many version of this here at Spinach Tiger. This is my apple sugar free, low-carb version.

Apple Almond Tart

Pecan Tassies – This is my favorite holiday cookie and this low-carb version is just as good as the ones from childhood.

Chocolate Lovers

You should always have at least one chocolate dessert at Thanksgiving. Here are twenty keto chocolate dessert recipes in one place.

Keto Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe

I’m almost more excited for the weekend after Thanksgiving to make this hash.

Turkey Stuffing Hash 

What do we do with all this left over turkey. I never throw out food. I am extravagant at the grocery store and extremely frugal with those purchases

Here is one way to repurpose the turkey easily.

Turkey Cauliflower Fried Rice

By this point, you might be over comfort food. Save some turkey and make this the following week. Just change the chicken our for the turkey. Don’t forget to save some gravy.

Grain Free Chicken and Biscuits Pot Pie (Use your turkey for this recipe)

I do hope you get into the kitchen this Thanksgiving and show your friends and family there is a way to enjoy this outstanding American tradition with joyful food!

The kitchen is a busy place and you should have only the kitchen equipment you absolutely need.

The post Most Delicious Keto Thanksgiving (Gluten free, Paleo) appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

You can use turkey, stuffing, left over corn pudding, a little bit of mashed potatoes and some brussels sprouts. Eat this with cranberry sauce. It’s so good.

The cutest ever turkey cookie cutter will bring a smile to everyone’s face.

We know this wonderful cheesecloth roasted turkey is carved and mostly gobbled, but you still have leftovers.

We have a tradition that goes back before I was born. Every Thanksgiving we make Baked  Pennsylvania Dutch Corn Pudding, which is an Amish tradition that influenced much of Pennsylvania. I cream my own corn in a Vitamix, but you can use creamed corn mixed with regular corn. I add buttermilk (you can use milk) and eggs to bake this iconic dish.

The Key to pulling this together is use to your left over stuffing. Luckily I have six recipes for that.

This is the best way to fuel up for Black Friday or just sit on the couch and order from Amazon. I have my own store divided into categories of all my favorite purchases that I love and use here. (Amazon is an affilate and I earn a small commission. Prices are not affected).

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It’s all mixed in the baking dish until it feels right, (very thickened cream corn) and baked until it looks done. This leftover corn pudding made this turkey, mashed potato pie taste amazing. This is truly a down home, American comfort food, that promises to conjure up good memories of home.

Since your leftovers are not my leftovers,you will have to just trust yourself on a winning combination, but I can share with you some basic tips and mistakes to avoid.

• Keep some of the celery and onions that you chop for dressing. (or use fresh, but be sure to saute them before adding them to the pie. You may not need if you have lots of stuffing.
• Keep some (not a lot) of gravy.
• Use your side dish for leftovers, except green beans casserole.
• Only use pastry crust for the top. You can purchase puff pastry.
• Mashed potatoes are a must and will hold everything together.
• Add fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme and sage.
• You can use some stuffing or dressing at the bottom of the pie. Pre-bake at bottom rack for ten minutes. Then add mixture and proceed with recipe.

I make my turkey pie cut-outs while I’m baking pies and freeze these for Black Friday.

Happy Shopping Everyone. Have a Great Weekend and welcome to the Holiday Season.

Please connect with me on Instagram to get all the stories in advance. I also have ALL my recipes on one Pinterest Board. Find the Spinach Tiger Recipe Pin Board here.

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Turkey Pie Reinvented

A creative way to use Thanksgiving leftovers in one pie.

Course Entree

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Angela Roberts

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 large onion minced
• 2-4 stalks of celery diced with leaves (you can leave out, if you have in stuffing).
• 2 cups turkey cubed
• 2 cups mashed potatoes or any amount
• 1-2 cups corn pudding or 1 can creamed corn
• handful of parsley chopped
• 1/2 cup turkey gravy optional

Pie Doug for Cut Outs

• salt and pepper
• Pie Dough recipe below
• cranberry relish
• 6 tablespoons butter

Pie Dough (or store bought dough or puff pastry)

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 stick ice cold butter cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2-4 tablespoons ice cold water
• 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

• Saute onion in butter for three minutes. Add celery. When both are softened (about 5 to 8 minutes, add turkey, corn, mashed potatoes, parsley and gravy. Cook until warmed through.
• Spread into a pie plate. Smooth the top. Cut pastry into turkey shapes or any other shape with cookie cutter. Leaves, Christmas Trees, etc. are good ideas. Brush pastry with egg wash or cream.
• Bake at 350 for one hour, or until pastry is golden brown.
• Serve hot with cranberry relish on the side.

Pie Dough for Cut Outs

• Mix salt and flour together. Freeze for a few minutes.
• Cut butter into small pieces. Freeze for a few minutes, as butter softens immediately upon cutting. If using food processor, put flour mixture in bowl.
• Lay small pieces of butter evenly over flour and mix for 20 seconds at a time, stopping as soon as dough is shaggy.
• Stream in cold water one tablespoon at a time. ( If using kitchen aid type mixer, use paddle attachment on low setting for one minute max. Stream in cold water on sides of bowl. Mix on low, just until incorporated.)
• Form into disc , wrap in plastic at least one hour.
• Roll out and cut pastry shapes.
• Put cut outs on pie.
• Brush cut outs with milk.
• Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes or until golden and crisp.

The post Thanksgiving Leftovers: Turkey Pie Reinvented appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

However, I have to have some healthy sides and salads to balance out the meal.

These are a collection of unexpected healthy thanksgiving sides that will add some brightness to a heavy meal and are great to take along as a guest.

Salads: Unexpected Healthy Thanksgiving Sides

• Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples.
• Festive Kale Salad, Butternut Squash, Honey Rosemary Vinaigrette
• Kale and Apple Salad with Golden Raisins, Maple Vinaigrette
• Paleo Bacon and Broccoli Salad, Honey Mustard Dressing

Greens: Unexpected Healthy Thanksgiving Sides

• Sauteed Swiss Chard. – Not only colorful, but a great unexpected green.
• Green Beans Almondine – An easy, great side anytime of year.
• Low Carb Green Beans and Brussels Casserole – A splendid remake.
• Roasted Golden Beet Carpaccio – Thinly sliced with orange walnut vinaigrette.
• Cauliflower Mash – Not a green a but a good sub for mashed potatoes.

Just in case you are looking for the most loved side of the decade, Brussels Sprouts, I have several options and these are the favorite. Remember do NOT OVERCOOK.

Brussels Sprouts – An Expected Side at Thanksgiving

• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Veggies (Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Broccoli)
• Five Minute Flash Fried Brussels Sprouts – The way restaurants make them.
• Butternut Squash with Brussels Sprouts and a Secret Ingredient
• Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Parmesan

The left are flash fried. If that’s too much, the right are garlic roasted.

Go Here to Find My Entire List of Low-Carb Thanksgiving Recipes

Cheers to a healthy, happy Thanksgiving this season. As I strive to count my blessings, I pray to be a blessing to my family, my community, my country.

The post Unexpected Healthy Thanksgiving Sides and Salads appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

This is the best recipe for a crowd and the whipped cream can be made in advance.

Enjoy these with a Pumpkin Spice Latte (Sugar Free)

No Crust Pumpkin Pie Streusel Jars – You can’t believe how good these are. Eat as is, or dollop with a bit of whipped cream.

Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Appetizer

Please try this at least once during the holidays. It’s great as a starter or served alongside roast chicken.

Keto Pumpkin Bundt Cake – A simple cake that is easy to dress up and impress. Made with almond flour, coconut flour, pumpkin puree, this is keto friendly and paleo.

Runners Up

• Keto Pumpkin Biscuits
• Pumpkin Soup
• Keto Pumpkin Cookies
• Keto Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

Make this Thanksgiving a Keto Thanksgiving , Gluten Free, Grain Free.

The post The Five Keto Pumpkin Recipes You Will Love appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

While I have a good low-carb, traditional sausage ball recipe here, made with breakfast sausage and cheddar, this stands out above the norm. When a reader recently commented how these sausage balls turned out, I thought I’d try a different take and make these Italian style.

I had to add pepperoni for zing and of course use Italian sausage and mozzarella.

Italian Sausage Balls Ingredients

• Loose Italian sausage
• pepperoni
• almond flour
• egg
• mozzarella cheese

I actually made two different kinds to see which I would like better. One batch was made with cream cheese, and one batch with eggs.

Egg Free Option

The recipe with eggs was more tender, easier to make and all around better. However, you wanted an egg free sausage ball, mix in 4 tablespoons cream cheese in place of the eggs.

Macros

You should be able to get about 24 to 26 sausage balls at 1 carb each, making this the perfect low-carb appetizer, but delicious enough for anyone and great for folks needing a gluten free option.

Italian Sausage Balls Cooking Process

• Bring all ingredients together, but try not compact the sausage, which can make the balls tough.
• Roll into balls
• Bake at 350 degrees F, 180 C. for about 15 minutes.
• Cool on paper towels.

The best thing about these is that you can freeze these uncooked ahead and always have an appetizer ready to go in 15 minutes.

Freezing Process

• Roll out onto a tray. Freeze UNCOOKED.
• Once frozen, place in plastic freezer bag.
• Bake frozen 15-20 minutes.

You may or may not want to serve with pizza sauce. We like them just by themselves, but a dipping tomato sauce could be good too.

Optional Pizza Sauce

You can serve these with my pizza sauce if desired.

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Italian Sausage Balls Appetizer

Delicious appetizer or brunch item, keto friendly, gluten free, grain free, Italian sausage with mozzarella, almond flour, pepperoni.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Italian sausage, sausage balls

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 24 sausage balls

Calories 72kcal

Ingredients

• 1 pound Mild Italian Sausage
• 1 cup almond flour or 1 1/3 cups regular flour
• 2 small eggs beaten
• 2 cups whole milk mozzarella cheese shredded
• 10 pieces pepperoni, chopped (about 1/2 cup loosely packed)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, 180 C
• Mix by hand all Ingredients.
• Using small sized scoop, roll out 24-26 sausage balls.
• Place on baking sheet. Bake for 13-15 minutes.

To Freeze

• Arrange UNCOOKED on tray and freeze. Once frozen, place In freezer ziplock bag.
• When ready to bake, bake frozen, 15 to 20 minutes. Check at 15.

Nutrition

Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: -16g

The post Italian Sausage Balls Appetizer Made with Almond Flour appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

You get the best of everything and it’s all in individual servings. Every year I do my best to come with new pumpkin desserts and recently put them all in one place here. You’ll find a mix of sweets, including some gluten free and low-carb options.

I’ve used Swerve granulated powdered erythritol in this recipe, but you could use sugar. I’m doing my best to create low-carb recipes and you all seem to love them so much.  If you’re new here you’ll find plenty of regular desserts and those with alternative flours and sweeteners.

My low-carb recipes are excellent, usually paleo and keto friendly. Before I started baking low-carb and grain-free, I was quite good at desserts in general. I  know what to look for and how things should taste.

Crustless Pumpkin Pie Cups were kitchen tested three times.

Every dessert gets kitchen tested until I feel it’s right.  You can see that process on stories at Instagram. I do hope you join me to there, so you can be the first to see what’s coming.

This recipe was tested three times. The second version was worse than the first version, but the third version (the one I’m sharing today) is excellent. In the first two versions I only added pecans, but it just wasn’t the right mouthful.

I made a streusel with almond flour, Swerve’s brown sugar and chopped pecans and it gave me more of that special pumpkin pie with a twist taste and texture I was looking for.

You Can Choose to Add More Pecans for a Pecan Streusel

I made two versions one with more pecans, which might be more to your liking. You can decide this by adding more pecans to the top.

Almond Flour Streusel Tops the Crustless Pumpkin Pie Jars

If you take anything away from this post, make this streusel. It’s so easy and you can top a lot of different desserts with it. I have a fruit crumble coming that was a huge hit with recent guests.

Almond flour, cinnamon, butter, Swerve and chopped pecans are heated in a pan while stirring. Top desserts and bake until golden. So simple and it has my mind spinning for all the possibilities.

The Baking Process for Low Carb Crustless Pumpkin Pie Cups

When I develop a recipe, it usually begins with the season I’m in and from there I begin to address my own personal cravings. The funny thing about my recipe developing is I often conjure them up in my head while I’m at the gym.

I envision taste, texture and then try to imagine how to get there in a big fat healthy way.

I wanted this to taste just like the best pumpkin pie, but I didn’t want that eggy custard mouth feel. Skipping eggs and replacing with cream cheese worked well. Instead of the usual evaporated milk which is heavy on carbs, I replaced with one cup of Fair Life high protein, low-carb whole milk. You can use almond milk or coconut milk also.

Is Pumpkin Low Carb?

You may be wondering if pumpkin is okay on a low-carb diet. This article discusses that and all the benefits of pumpkin, so eat up. Each serving has 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, which is 3.5 net carbs.

Nutrition Values

Each serving of this dessert is 5 net carbs and 103 calories.  One slice of regular pumpkin pie is 46 carbs.

More Low Carb Pumpkin Recipes

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Crustless Pumpkin Pie Cups

Pumpkin pie cups with pecan streusel topping, perfect for individual servings and can be frozen.

Course Low Carb Recipe

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Angela Roberts

Ingredients

Ingredients for Filling

• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cups Swerve Granulated
• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup milk your choice I use Fairlife whole milk
• 1 teaspoon maple or vanilla extract
• dash salt
• baking spray

Ingredients for Pecan Streusel

• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 2 teaspoons melted butter
• 1 tablespoon Swerve brown sugar Order Here
• 1 cup Stabilized Whipped Cream optional Recipe Here

Kitchen Tools

• small ramikens
• small jars

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 180 C.
• Whip cream cheese to make sure it’s very softened. Add in pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, milk, salt.
• Mix well. I like to use a blender.

Make Pecan Streusel

• Heat small frying pan. Melt butter.
• Add brown sugar, almond flour, pecans.
• Mix together, allowing some of the almond flour to clump to make a little to make streusel.

Assemble

• You can do this two ways. You can put the streusel on the bottom or put the streusel on top. When you put it on bottom, it’s more like a pumpkin pie. On top, it’s more like a pumpkin streusel.
• Bake at 350 Degrees f. (180 C.) for 20 to 25 minutes. Check at 15 minutes. Cover with foil if already golden.

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Fiber: 1g

The post Low Carb Crustless Pumpkin Pie Cups, Pecan Streusel Topping appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

You can absolutely trust my culinary view and opinion, as I only collaborate with brands and products I love, and I’m happy to share these products with you. I made this salad last year for Spectrum Foods and am republishing because it’s so beautiful for the holidays.

I have made this colorful, vibrant Festive Kale Salad most recently for a dinner party. Everyone loved it, but I especially received compliments on the vinaigrette made with Spectrum® Rosemary Olive Oil, honey and apple cider vinegar.

Spectrum® has been producing high quality olive oils for thirty years and has recently come up with a culinary line of infused olive oils such as rosemary, cayenne, garlic and chili sesame and more.  These can be used for dressings, sauces, a light sauté and as finishing oils.

I’ve enjoyed many Spectrum® products while developing recipes, as they make oils for various cooking needs, including more than 30 varieties of seed, nut and plant oils, including coconut oil, apple cider vinegar (which I used here), and avocado oil. I also use the Spectrum® olive oil baking spray.

The extra virgin olive oils come from Spain and Tunisia, each estate grown and produced in small batches, using no chemicals and expeller pressed to ensure the highest quality.

I hope you know by now that Spinach Tiger strives to bring you the freshest food using ingredients that are better for you and this is why I stand by the Spectrum® brand. I use organic ingredients as much as possible, so naturally want to use an organic olive oil.

I can feel confident that this gorgeous salad is getting adorned with an olive oil I can trust.

Festive Kale Salad with Honey Rosemary Vinaigrette Screams Merry, Happy, Joyful Food

There is so much beauty in this festive kale salad which is packed with various textures, sweet, salty and holiday flavors. It is the one salad you can take to a gathering to wow the guests or make a splash at your next dinner party.

There are a lot of components to this salad, such as apples, figs, oranges, and pomegranates, because these come to mind during the holidays and are readily available. This can be the “fruit you have on hand salad” but don’t leave out the butternut squash, which we’ve made the star of the show. You can switch apples for pears or use both. You can also add in dried cranberries for pomegranates.

Roasting Butternut Squash for the Festive Kale Salad

Butternut Squash often perplexes cooks, because it’s difficult to cut into. I suggest microwaving for two to three minutes to slightly soften, and peel with a potato peeler. Once peeled, slicing into discs is fairly easy. The smaller end will have the most seeds, but you should be able to get a good amount of discs without seeds. Roast these for twenty minutes, brushing lightly with oil. Once cooled, you can use a cookie cutter to cut them into stars.

Honey Rosemary Vinaigrette with Spectrum® Organic Rosemary Olive Oil

Just as Spectrum® tests their oils with their own internal quality team to meet high standards for any and all type of cooking, I tested this dressing at least three times to get the right oil with the right vinegar to make sure your salad will taste its best.

We all agreed that for this Festive Kale salad, the Organic Rosemary Olive Oil won hands down for bringing a winter holiday flavor profile, and it pairs perfectly with Spectrum’s apple cider vinegar.  The rosemary flavor is well balanced and does not overpower the greens, yet delivers a nice herbal lift.

I will be making a second recipe, a Spicy Italian Soup with Sausage using Spectrum^® Extra Virgin Cayenne Olive Oil. You will want to come back for that one. Do please follow me on Instagram as many of my process pictures end on stories.

Much love during the upcoming happiest time of the year.

This Honey Rosemary Vinaigrette would be a great choice for any of these additional kale salads from Spinach Tiger.

Tuscan Kale Salad

Autumn Potluck Kale Salad

Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Almonds

More Butternut Squash Recipes

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash with Brussels Sprouts

Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut Squash Stacks with Crispy Quinoa Pancake

Butternut Squash Cocktail

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Festive Kale Salad with Butternut Squash, Honey Rosemary Vinaigrette

Festive Kale sale with Butternut Squash, Figs, Prosciutto, Pomegranate, Nut with a Rosemary Olive Oil Vinaigrette.

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Angela Roberts

Ingredients

• 2 bunches lacinato kale see notes
• 1 to 2 cups or handfuls arugula
• 1/2 navel orange peeled
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
• 4 figs cut in halves or quarters
• 6 slices proscuitto sliced thinly, torn into pieces
• 1 medium sized butternut squash
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1 to 2 gala apples or mix of apple and pear
• Honey Rosemary Vinaigrette
• 3 to 6 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 6 tablespoons Spectrum® Rosemary Olive Oil

Instructions

• Microwave butternut squash for 2 to 3 minutes to slightly soften.
• Peel butternut squash with a potato peeler. Cut into 1/2 inch discs crosswise and remove seeds.
• Brush lightly with olive oil and roast at 400 degrees F. for 20 to 30 minutes until softened.Turn over at 15 minutes.
• Roast walnuts for 4 to 5 minutes at 400 degrees F.
• Cool Squash. Then cut into stars with cookie cutter. There will be some left over you can use for another recipe or add into the salad.
• Roast
• Peel orange, cut into bite sized pieces, making sure to remove pith.
• Slice apple and or pears with skin on, thinly or if you prefer, you can dice.
• Remove arils from pomegranate.
• Chop kale into small bite sized pieces, less an inch.
• Toss kale with vinaigrette, just enough to wet leaves.
• You can add more later if needed. (recipe below). Let kale sit in vinaigrette for 20 minutes if you have time.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add arugula to the kale.
• Arrange on large platter or large bowl.
• Add, oranges, sliced apples. Toss until combined. You may leave some sliced fruit on side if serving at party. You can choose to keep figs and prosciutto on side of platter, instead of in the salad.
• When ready to serve, add prosciutto and figs.
• Top with walnuts, pomegranate seeds.
• Top with butternut squash.
• Season again with sea salt and black pepper.
• Taste to see if you need to add more vinaigrette.
• Instructions for Vinaigrette
• Mix vinegar with honey until well incorporated. I do this in a jar.
• Add olive oll. Mix well.
• Taste for acid. You may need to add more vinegar if not acidic enough or more olive oil. This will depend on your own taste. We like kale salad with a lot of acid. Add salt and pepper before you add more vinegar, as that affects flavor.

Notes

Lacinato kale also known as dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale is the long leaves with thick ribs. Remove the ribs before chopping. You can use a curly kale, but I always prefer this kale as a better option for salads.

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