Every time I see a commercial for pepperoni pizza on TV, I get that little craving, but in my mostly keto life, that has to be saved for the once in a blue moon times. However, now that I’ve discovered these keto pepperoni Mozzaralla snacks, I can enjoy the idea of pepperoni pizza much more frequently.

I’ve used both whole milk and skim milk shredded mozzarella and pepperoni. In place of pepperoni, you could use chopped salami, or cooked crumbled sausage.

I stick these in my toaster oven at 400 degrees for about 6 to 10 minutes. Check and see at 6. The cheese will still be ozzing and you might not think they are done. Notice the outside crispiness, which will tell you they are done. Give them five minutes to cool and the cheese will solidify.

I like Boar’s head pepperoni which is slightly spicy. You can use any brand you like.

Pin This

Why Do I Like Pepperoni Mozzarella Bites

• Easy to Make takes less than ten minutes.
• Satisfies a pizza craving without any dough.
• No Carbs. A snack that satisfies, doesn’t make you hungrier.

More Low Carb Ideas

• Olive Feta Salad
• How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
• Pimento Cheese Egg Salad Wraps
• Carnivore Waffles (eggs, mozzarella)

My Favorite Smart Toaster Oven

A snack like the pepperoni mozzarella can be made in minutes without heating your big oven.

The smart toaster oven I use is this Breville Model. It’s well worth it. You will use it everyday.

If you haven’t yet invested in a smart toaster oven, I hope to encourage you to consider this purchase. There are endless ways to use the smart oven because of all the modes, such as toast, roast, bake, airfry, reheat frozen, and so on.

Print

Keto Pizza Pepperoni Mozzarella Snack

Make Pepperoni Mozzarella Snack in less than ten minutes.

Course Healthy Snack

Cuisine Italian

Keyword pepperoni

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup mozzarella
• 9 slices pepperoni

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Arrange mozzarella in flat mounds on parchment paper. Add Pepperoni.
• Bake for 5-8 minutes until edges are browned. You may think it's not done, but cheese will solidify within a few minutes. You should be able to pick it up without it dropping.

The post Keto Pepperoni Mozzarella Snack appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

Italian sausage will find itself in appetizers, breakfast, lunch and dinner, but we especially love the Italian sausage meals we have come to love and I’ve added more sausage recipes here so there are more than 15.

Creamy Sausage Ragu

This is one of my newer recipes that I made for the twins’ lunch before they ventured a big bike ride. Not a bite left.

Stovetop Sausage and Peppers

Sausage Crusted Three Cheese Pizza (Low Carb Delish)

Baked Italian Sausage with Broccoli Rabe

This is one of the Italian Sausage Meals that my husband loves the most. Broccoli rabe marries the flavors of Italian Sausage so well, and you will see this repeated pairing in many recipes.

Italian Sausage Lentil Soup

Italian Sausage Ricotta Frittata

This is how we celebrate holiday mornings, but it’s also wonderful for lunch or dinner. Italian sausage, greens, and a dollop of ricotta.

No Beans Chili with Italian Sausage and Ground Beef

My husband makes the best chili and since I don’t eat beans, he developed a fantastic no-beans recipe just for me, and it has Italian Sausage.

Italian Sausage with Cauliflower and Spinach in Air Fryer

This is such a fun, easy, dinner that can be made in a sheet pan, fryer, or stir fried.

Orecchiete with Broccoli Rabe and Italian Sausage

This is a classic Italian dish made with a special shaped pasta and takes full advantage of this great pairing of flavors.

Italian Sausage, Mozzarella Stuffed Biscuits

This is the all in one delicious Italian sausage biscuit.

Spicy Italian Soup with Italian Sausage

I made this soup about every other month because it has all the good things like cabbage and tomato broth,  and especially the flavor driven from Italian sausage.

Italian Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sausage and Peppers

The one pot, Italian chicken dish only made better with links of Italian sausage.

One Pot Chicken and Italian Sausage with Greens and Beans

Beans, greens, broth, chicken, and of course, Italian sausage makes this one hearty meal.

Keto Sausage Crusted Pizza with Broccoli Rabe

This clever idea for no-dough pizza has made us both so happy, and is our new Friday night dinner.

Spaghetti Squash with Italian Sausage

Spaghetti Squash topped with Italian sausage, mushroom, cream, and sage is hearty, healthy and a bit umami.

Three Cheese Italian Lasagna

Oh my goodness, who wouldn’t love this dish? Filled with spaghetti squash, meat, cheese and a lovely quick tomato sauce.

Italian Eggplant Soup with Italian Sausage

Chicken with Italian Sausage and Muscadine Grapes

When Autumn rolls around, you will see muscadine grapes and now you know what to do with them.

Sheet Pan Pizza with Italian Sausage and Trader Joe’s Pre-Made Dough

You can now see just how versatile Italian sausage is. What’s your favorite way to eat it?

The post 15 Italian Sausage Meals Your Family Will Love 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.

Pin This

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.

This is a fathead keto bagels recipe, made with yeast for flavor and gelatin for stretchiness. You can use it like a bagel or think of it as a great sandwich option. It’s a superb roll, shaped like a bagel and holds together. It might be my favorite keto sandwich bread to date.

I came to this recipe from a bakery customer, Kate, who was a student in my keto bread baking class. She found it somewhere on web, adapted her own changes and sent it to me. I made more adaptations, reducing the amount of mozzarella and added a secret ingredient that improved the texture. I’m sure she loves her as much as I love mine.

This is made with a version of fathead dough and yeast.

I am usually not a fan of Fathead Dough. I make an exception here and adapted the recipe to my taste.

Fathead dough often uses more mozzarella cheese in the dough than I’m comfortable with. I only use 8 ounces of high quality mozzarella, which is one ounce per bagel. They are filling and one will be all you need.

Keto Bagel Dogs

You can warp the dough around uncooked hot dogs. Bake for 15-20 minutes. So good.

Macros

Calories: 275 Carbs: 4 Fiber: 4 Net Carbs: 0 Fat: 22 g Protein: 16 g

Pin This

The boys, who are major bagel lovers, liked these and thought they would be amazing for egg sandwiches.

Print

Fathead Keto Bagels

Keto Friendly Bagels made with yeast and gelatin. Easy to prepare, bake, toast and freeze.

Course keto bread

Cuisine American

Keyword gluten free, keto bagels, keto bread

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8 Bagels

Calories 275kcal

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoon yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar, honey or Inulin
• 2 tablespoons warm water 30 ml
• 8 ounces mozzarella
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• 170 grams almond flour 1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon
• 1 tablespoon gelatin powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 eggs 2 for dough, 1 for brushing
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• various toppings sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything bagel

Instructions

• Warm water to 110 F. (42 C.) to activate yeast. No higher or you kill yeast.
• Add yeast and sugar, honey or inulin to water. Allow to sit for 7 minutes. It should look foamy if it's alive.
• Gather all dry ingredients and whisk.
• Make a well in midst of dry ingredients and mix in yeast mixture with hands to form dough.
• Add 2 beaten eggs to dough and mix thoroughly.
• Microwave mozzarella 30 seconds at a time until melted. Add in cream cheese. Add to dough. Mix with hands thoroughly.
• Prepare baking sheet with parchment or silpat.
• Divide the dough evenly into 8 balls. Form bagels, by pressing a hold in each center. Do this on the baking sheet you are going to use, as the dough is sticky and hard to move. To maintain that hole, it should measure two inches or It will close up. If it closes up the bagels will still be fine.
  
• Set in a warm place to proof for about fifteen minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F. 180 C.
• Beat remaining egg beaten and brush on bagels. Top with your choice of sesame seeds, poppy seeds etc. We like adding Maldon Flaked Salt.
• Bake until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. You want them as brown as you can get them without burning them.
• Once bagels are placed in plastic bag, they will become more moist and will be eaten reheating in oven or toasting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 8 | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 22g | Fiber: 4g

The post Fathead Keto Bagels Recipe with Yeast appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

Athough it takes more time than just sticking sausage and peppers in the oven, it’s probably one of the best methods for tender yet caramelized sausage that feeds a crowd well and my friends would agree! Double or triple this recipe when the crowd comes over and serve it with my overnight focaccia (recipe coming this week).

Sausage, Peppers, Onions Stovetop Process

• Use multi-color bell peppers: two bell peppers, one onion to one pound sausage.
• Flavor the olive oil first with some garlic, which is removed once golden.
• Place sausage in large pan with water and steam until they are nearly done.
• Cool, peel and slice across diagonally.
• Slice onion and sautè until softened. Set aside.
• Sautè sausage with slivered pepper.
• Add in onions.
• Season with salt and pepper.

Why Peel the Sausage?

The sausage will be much better peeled and not have that rubbery texture on outside. Once you peel sausage, you will always want to do that whenever you’re adding bite-sized sausage to a dish.

I ended up having to use to two large frying pans for 4 pounds of sausage for a potluck. I’ll write the recipe for one pound of sausage, so increase the amount according to your needs.

Sausage and Peppers is Great for a Potluck, Party or Game Day

Potluck or Party: It’s a great “take to” dish, once cooked and covered with a lid. You can also serve with rolls for sandwiches. This is a dish that can be made ahead and reheated. Double the recipe for a crowd.

Tips

• Slice Peppers and Onions ahead of time. Cover with plastic wrap.
• Increase amount of peppers and onions according to your taste.
• Serve with pasta for a bigger meal.
• Serve with rolls or focaccia for sandwiches.
• Serve with a side salad.
• Serve with crispysmashed potatoes.

More Recipes with Italian Sausage

• Italian Sausage Lentil Soup
• Italian Sausage and Greens Stir Fry
• Creamy Sausage Ragu with Pasta
• Creamy Spaghetti Squash Sausage Casserole
• Broccoli Rabe with Italian Sausage
• Italian Sausage Stuffed Eggplant
• Italian Sausage Balls
• Low Carb Sausage Breakfast Casserole
• Spicy Italian Soup with Sausage

Pin This

Print

Stovetop Sausage and Peppers

Authentic Italian Sausage and Peppers

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian Sausage Links
• 2 bell peppers varied colors
• 1 large onion
• 1 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt
• pepper

Instructions

• Seed and cut bell peppers into 1/2 inch slivers. Set Aside
• Cut bell peppers into 1/2 inch slivers. Set Aside.
• Slice onion into slivers and sautè in olive oil on medium low heat until softened. Remove to a bowl.
  
• Place sausage in frying pan with 2 inches of water on medium heat until sausages are almost cooked. This steams the sausage.
• Cool. Peel. Cut across into bite sized pieces.
• Fry garlic cloves in oil in large frying pan until golden. Remove garlic cloves.
• Add sliced sausages to this pan. Sauté for a few minutes on medium heat.
• Add peppers to sausage. Once the peppers are softened, add the onion back in. Cook for a minute to warm the onion.
  
• Season with salt and pepper as needed.

The post Stovetop Sausage, Peppers and Onions for a Crowd appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

Made with passata (strained tomato sauce) heavy cream, white wine, the sauce is delicate and yet flavorful because of the sausage. This was something made for lunch on the fly and you will love it. It’s also really good left over.

We just returned from Italy, where we ate pasta almost every day. Actually, the boys who were with us (now 17) did eat pasta at least once and sometimes twice a day. These are the twins you’ve heard about here since the inception of this blog, born in 2007 and the blog born in early 2009. They’ve been along for the ride and in the kitchen for so many of the meals

Since we returned, I’ve been experimenting with new pasta dishes, because the boys eat lunch here about 4 times a week. .

You’ve probably heard that when people go to Italy, they can eat and pasta and bread without issue and weight gain. It’s true, but of course, take in mind, there is a lot of walking which probably helps the metabolism process the carbs. Also, there’s not a lot of junk food, snacks or sweets outside of gelato.

Even though most of my recipes are low-carb, you have families that don’t eat that way and sometimes you want to have some pasta too. You can make this sauce and serve it with spaghetti squash.

This dish, featuring a creamy sausage ragu takes less than an hour to make and it’s super easy, and satisfying.

Ingredients

• Hot Italian Sausage
• Carrot, Onion, Celery
• Jarred Passata (or tomato puree)
• Heavy Cream
• Pecorino Cheese
• White Wine
• Pasta AND Pasta Broth

Note on Pasta Broth: It’s a secret weapon for pasta dishes. It contains starch and will help thicken the sauce. It’s very important in this dish.

Choosing the Pasta

I used a small rigatoni, which has ridges and heft and works well with this sauce. This would work well with penne pasta, orecchiette, or gnocchi.

Process for Creamy Sausage Ragu

• Heat oil in pan.
• Chop celery, carrot, onion as small as possible, because you won’t have the several hours it takes to cook them down. If you only have onion that’s fine too.
• Crumble the sausage into the pot.
• When sausage is cooked through, add in white wine and cook for twenty minutes until the alcohol is cooked off. You can skip the wine, if you don’t have any.
• Add in just enough passata (puree) to cover the sausage. This is not a heavy tomato sauce. Heat through about ten minutes.
• Add any herbs you have like thyme, parsley, basil.
• Boil your pasta about 2 minutes before the directions. Save the pasta water. This is the best part.
• Add pasta water to the sausage, a ladle at a time. The starch helps to thicken the sauce. I eventually added three ladles. Add in about 1/2 cup heavy cream.
• Add a cup of grated pecorino cheese and serve more at the table.
• Season as you need with salt and pepper.

Pin this

Similar Recipes

• Spaghetti Squash, Ricotta, Bolognese
• Authentic Bolognese
• Bolognese with Pork and Peach
• How to Cook Pasta like an Italian

Print

Creamy Sausage Ragu

Easy, Fast Creamy Tomato Ragu, perfect for pasta, pizza, vegetables.

Course Entree

Cuisine Italian

Keyword edamame pasta, sausage bolognese, sausage ragu

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Pasta cooking time 8 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 onion small dice
• 2 medium carrots small dice
• 2 celery stalks small dice
• 1 pound loose Italian sausage
• 2 cups passata (tomato puree)
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup pasta water more if needed
• 2 cups pecorino cheese grated, divided

Pasta

• 1 pound pasta
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 large pot water

Instructions

• Heat oil in pan.
• Chop celery, carrot, onion as small as possible, because you won't have the several hours it takes to cook them down. If you only have onion that's fine too. Saute for five minutes.
• Crumble sausage into the frying pan.
• In meantime, boil water and cook pasta up to 2 minutes before done time. You'll finish cooking in the sauce.
• Add in just enough passata or tomato puree to cover the sausage. This is not a heavy tomato sauce. Heat through about ten minutes.
• Add any chopped herbs you have.
• Optional: Add white wine and continue cooking on low for about ten minutes or until alcohol is cooked off.
• Add heavy cream.
• When you are ready to add pasta to pan, add in a ladle of pasta water, as needed. The starch helps to thicken the sauce.I eventually added three ladles
• At this point you can decide if you need to add more tomato puree or more pasta water.
• Toss with 1 cup of grated pecorino cheese. Cook another minute stirring.
• Serve immediately with more pecorino cheese.
• NOTE: IF You use mild sausage, consider adding in some red chili flakes.

Pasta

• Large pot boiling water, salted. Do not add oil.
• Cook pasta 2 minutes less than directions.

The post Creamy Sausage Ragu with Pasta (made fast) appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

The keto crepes are made with almond flour, eggs, melted butter, sour cream, and almond milk. They do take a lot of patience, but once you have a batch, you can refrigerate or freeze for later use.

Cooking tip: Pour batter onto pan that is held up off stove. Swirl around and pour excess batter back into the bowl. If your batter is not thin enough for this, add more almond milk.

This batch worked well with my plans to use them as the lasagna noodle substitute. Layering ricotta cheese, mozzarella, tomato sauce with the crepes, this keto crepe lasagna will satisfy a craving keto or low carb folks get from time to time.

I did not add meat the first time I made this recipe because I made it for Good Friday (no meat), but the second time I used crumbled Italian sausage, which was great. You could also use crumbled paleo meat balls, or bolognese for an even more of a hearty meal.

Ingredients for Low Carb Crepe Lasagna

• 6-8 Keto Crepes
• 15 ounce ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chopped spinach or Variation: 1 cup crumbled Italian Sausage
• 1/2 cup pecorino romano, grated
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce (sugar free)

Ingredients for the Savory Keto Crepes

• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup almond milk, more if needed
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• dash salt
• avocado spray for crepe pan

MACROS: 9 Net Carbs per serving Calories: 530 Fat: 39 grams Protein: 32 Grams

Equipment Needed for this Recipe

• Crepe Pan
• 8 x 8 Baking Dish

Similar Keto Friendly Italian Recipes

• Chicken Parm
• Eggplant Parm
• Sausage Crust Pizza
• Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
• Eggplant Rollatini
• Italian Sausage Stuffed Eggplant
• Savory Ricotta Fritters

Pin This

Print

Keto Crepe Lasagna

Low Carb, Keto Crepe Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese, spinach or Italian sausage.

Course Entree

Cuisine Italian

Keyword crepe lasagna, keto lasagna

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Crepe Making Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 540kcal

Ingredients

• 15 ounce ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chopped spinach cooked or raw
• 1/2 cup pecorino romano cheese grated
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce sugar free
• 8 keto crepes

Keto Crepe Recipe

• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 2 eggs
• baking spray
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Use an 8×8 baking dish and cut crepes to fit the dish.
• Make sure to drain ricotta, by sitting on paper towel in colander. Some ricotta cheese is more moist than others.
• Mix ricotta with egg, spinach and pecorino romano. If not using spinach, add some chopped parsley or chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper.
  
• Layer the crepes with ricotta. You can cup the crepes to fit a square pan. Start with small amount of sauce, crepe, ricotta cheese, and so forth. Finish with sauce and mozzarella cheese.
  
• Bake at 350 F. for 20 minutes and turn up to 400 degrees for another five minutes. You may need more time if cheese isn't melted enough.
• If you don't want to use spinach, you can layer the very last layer with the cooked crumbled Italian Sausage.
  

Keto Crepes

• Mix almond flour with salt. Set aside.
• Mix eggs with almond milk, melted butter.
• Add dry mixture. Add a few teaspoons water if you need to thin down crepes.
• Heat crepe pan. I used a 7 inch crepe pan, which made 8 crepes. Whichever pan you use, follow the next instruction.
  
• Add baking spray. Hold crepe pan off the stove and add 1/4 crepe batter Or more if your pan is bigger. Swirl around to cover pan. Pour excess back into the batter. Put back on stove and cook for about 4 minutes on medium. Turn over for about 10 seconds.

  NOTE: Makes up to 10 crepes. If you are using a larger pan, you'll make less crepes and can cut them to fit your 8 x 8 baking dish.
  

Notes

Macros are for Spinach Version. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 4 | Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 39g | Fiber: 2g

The post Keto Crepe Lasagna appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

I once wrote on instagram that bread and water with people is better than a feast alone. People feed our soul just as much as food feeds our body.

At that time I invited a new couple from church to dinner to start the new year and to make a genuine connection. The man now comes to my husband’s men’s group and it’s been a very important relationship of support for both of them.

The New Testament reminds us that the second commandment is to love others as ourselves. If we live on-line, if we never have people into our home, if we never serve people, we aren’t doing that.

It’s funny, because on another New Year’s day, I went to a new church and met a lady named Chris, who invited me to the church’s faith sharing group for women before I even entered as we met at the door.

It’s a book club for Catholic women and that first book on the cardinal virtues was life changing. I had forgotten how important a focus on these virtues is, prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice.

A Great Book to Embrace in the New Year

The Art of Living: Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love by Edward Sri is a fantastic manual for connecting and living righteously and I highly recommend it.

That was in 2023 and several books later, I’m still part of the group. A handful of us go to lunch afterward and that’s where the relationships really take place. I often wonder about the ladies that have never joined us for lunch, because it’s at those lunches that I’ve learned their stories and truly have felt their love.

Maybe a goal for 2025 is fostering friendships. Start with some new year’s traditions.

New Year’s Food Traditions

• There are many food traditions for the new year all around the world. Here are a few:
• Pork: eaten as pigs root forward. 
• Black Eyed Peas: peas for pennies (prosperity). 
• Greens for Prosperity
• Cornbread for Gold 

Growing up in Pennsylvania, we always had pork and sauerkraut, as cabbage is considered one of the good luck foods. Here in the south, it’s all about the black eyed peas, greens and cornbread. 

 I decided to make carnitas (pork) with corn tortillas and our guests brought a delicious cabbage slaw.  Black eyed peas cowboy caviar was the perfect starter. We were covered with all the good luck foods in a non-traditional way. 

This dinner was so good that I think it will be our new year’s tradition from now on. 

What is Cowboy Caviar?

Typically cowboy caviar, also known as Texas caviar (sometimes Tennessee caviar) is a mixture of beans (maybe corn) onion, jalapeño, cilantro, oil, vinegar and meant to be eaten with tortilla chips as a dip. 

There are a hundred ways to make it and I chose to use black eyed peas and black beans. I skipped the corn because it’s winter and the only time I want to add corn is when I can grill it and cut it off the cob. Honestly, it’s not necessary, as we all thought this version cowboy caviar was just right. The four of us ate almost the entire bowl. 

Ingredients for Black Eyed Peas Cowboy Caviar

The main ingredients are black beans, black eyed peas, pickled red onion,  cilantro, lime juice. I added in a mixture of brightly colored bell peppers, because I just happened to have them left over from this pizza recipe. Avocado is an option and should be added right before serving. Salt is a must and you will need to taste for seasoning before serving. 

The secret to the brightness and flavor in the dip the pickled red onion and jalapenos. I am not a raw onion fan, but I do like pickled onion and thought that acid will give these beans what they need. I was right.

Pickled Red Onion in 30 minutes. 

I found a recipe from the Kitchn that was pretty easy to use.

• Slice red onion in half moons. Place in colander. 
• Pour two cups of boiling water over the onions. 
• Pour a cup of vinegar into jar. I used half cider vinegar, half balsamic.
• Add peppercorns, seasonings and a teaspoon of sugar. 
• Add onion. 
• Ready in 30 minutes. 

Make the pickled onion the night before so the flavors meld. The beans will not get mushy and will be absolutely delicious. I didn’t add any seasonings to the vinegar.

Tips for Black Eyed Peas Cowboy Caviar

• Make sure to rinse the beans in cold water to remove the sodium. 
• Make a day ahead for full flavor profile. 
• If you don’t use pickled onion, you will need to add vinegar to bring acid to the dish.
• Salt liberally. 
• Add avocado right before serving.

Playing around, in the summer, add some chopped tomato and grilled corn (off the cob). 

Print

Cowboy Caviar with Black Eyed Peas

A perfect starter for tacos, made with black beans, black eyed peas, pickled onion

Course Appetizer

Cuisine tex mex

Keyword black beans, black eyed peas, cowbow caviar

Prep Time 4 minutes minutes

Resting Time for Pickled Onion 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans
• 1 can black eyed peas
• 1 red bell pepper (or a mix of colors) small dice
• 3 tablespoons pickled onion small dice
• 1 jalapeno pepper or serrano
• 1 handful cilantro chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon vinegar, if needed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 avocado diced (optional)

Pickled Red Onion

• 1/2 red onion sliced into half moons
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar optional
• 1 tablespoon peppercorns or some black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic cut in half

Instructions

• Rinse beans in colander in cold water. Set aside.
• Dice peppers, onions in very small dice.
• Mix beans, peppers, onions.
• Toss with olive oil.
• The pickled onions may be enough vinegar. If not add a teaspoon or two.
• Add cilantro.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add avocado right before serving.

Pickled Onion

• Slice into thin half moons and place in colander.
• Pour boiling water over onion.
• Put vinegar in jar with sugar and peppercorns.
• Put onion in jar. Will be ready in 30 minutes. Dice fine for the bean dip.

The post Cowboy Caviar Recipe with Pickled Onion – New Year Tradition appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

Unlike his recipe, I skipped the flour, and added mozzarella cheese. Trying both ricotta fritters with and without the mozzarella, the added cheese won out, and serves as an extra binder, adding to the texture, and making this truly low-carb.

The tomato sauce is made quickly with one large can of Marzano Plum Tomatoes, which is ready when the fritters are done. This dish takes about 30 minutes active time, but does require a lot of patience, as the fritters are fried on the lowest setting.

What are Ricotta Fritters?

Savory ricotta fritters are fried dollops of ricotta cheese, mixed with egg, nutmeg, mozzarella and fried slowly on the stove. They can be eaten as is, or placed in a bed of fresh tomato sauce. They can be a main dish, a side dish or a starter.

Tips For Ricotta Fritters

• Remove the moisture from the ricotta. This will truly make all the difference in the world. Place your ricotta in a strainer lined with cheesecloth or paper towels. Place over a bowl. Cover with paper towel or cheesecloth and press out the extra liquid using a bowl on top. It is recommended to do this for 8 hours, but I only had one hour and used paper towels and was able to make these with no problem.
• Fry on very low. I used the lowest setting on my gas stove. Each fritter took about 8 minutes on one side and six minutes on the other side. It could even take longer, so be patient.
• While the fritters are frying, make the tomato sauce.
• Put tomato sauce in a baking dish. Place ricotta cheese on top of the sauce and keep warm in the oven until serving. You want the sauce to be hot. Sprinkle parmesan or pecorino romano on top right before serving.

Variations on Ricotta Fritters

• Top with Pepperoni
• Serve with Pesto
• Add Veggies, such shredded zucchini
• Go sweet, adding finely chopped apples with cinnamon and sweetener such as Swerve.

Pin This

More Keto Italian from Spinach Tiger

• Keto Eggplant Lasagna
• Eggs in Purgatory (Italian Shashuka)
• Italian Sausage Balls
• Keto Sausage Crusted Three Cheese Pizza
• Ricotta Stuffed Meatballs
• Chicken Parmesan with Pepperoni

Print

Savory Ricotta Fritters with Quick Tomato Sauce

Savory Ricotta Fritters (No flour) with Easy Tomato Sauce

Course Appetizer and Main

Cuisine Italian

Keyword ricotta cheese, ricotta fritters

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 8 fritters

Ingredients

Ricotta Fritters

• 330 grams ricotta cheese 1 1/4 cup
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1/4 cup pecorino romano or parmesan grated
• 1 small egg
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• salt and pepper

Fast Tomato Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 28 ounce can San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes
• 1/4 cup white wine optional
• salt and pepper

Instructions

Getting Liquid out of Ricotta (one hour to overnight)

• Use either cheesecloth or paper towels. I used paper towels and placed under and over the ricotta cheese in mesh strainer over a bowl. I placed another bowl over the ricotta to press out liquid. I only did this for one hour, but you can do this overnight also.

Tomato Sauce

• Heat oil in medium sauce pan that will fit the tomato sauce. Add garlic cloves and cook for a minute. If garlic burns, start over.
• Crush the tomatoes with your hand, retaining the pulp and allowing all the juice and puree to go into the pan. You CAN add in some of the pulp if desired.
• Add in white wine. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer on low for 30 minutes, while making the fritters.

Ricotta Fritters

• Mix ricotta, pecorino romano, parsley, mozzarella, nutmeg, egg, salt and pepper together.
• Heat a flat frying pan (I used a griddle) with a small amount of oil. Using a spoon, place each fritter in frying pan, keeping enough space between to be able to turn them easily. Cook each side 8 minutes and six minutes after flipping. BE PATIENT. They will brown, but this takes time. Keep the heat at its lowest setting.
• Once tomato sauce is done, place both sauce and then fritters in baking pan and warm up in oven if necessary. Serve when hot.

The post Savory Ricotta Fritters with Quick Tomato Sauce appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

I separate game day food into two categories.

• 1. You are hosting, which gives you a little more leeway in what to make and serve.
• 2. You are bringing a dish to a pot luck game day.

Hosting with Keto Game Day Food

If I’m hosting game day or game night, tacos are the easiest food to serve. You can have guests brings chips, cheese, sour cream, salsa, drinks, but you get to make the main course. To keep it keto or grain free make these tortillas ahead of time. You can have others brings traditional tortillas and everyone is happy.

• Carnitas (a winner all the time).
• Keto Taco Meat (made with bacon and so good).
• Skirt Steak (something you make while guests are there).
• Authentic Guacamole
• Pico de Gallo
• Cowboy Caviar
• Keto Tortillas
• Keto Taco Bowls
• Sausage Crusted Three Cheese Pizza

Keto Game Day Food to Take to Parties

Your host may ask you to bring game day snacks or appetizers, and these are winners.

• Italian Sausage Balls
• Party Caprese
• Loaded Deviled Eggs
• How to Make a Cheese Board
• Shrimp Avocado Salad
• Smoked Salmon Cheesecake
• Paleo Meatballs (everyone loves meatballs)
• Party Wedge Salad for a Crowd

Easy Keto Desserts to Take to a Party

• Keto Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake
• Keto Bacon Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
• Keto Texas Sheet Cake
• Keto Peanut Butter Frosting (Choc Cake)
• Classic Keto New York Cheesecake
• Sheet Pan Grain Free Brownies
• Keto White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies

Pin this…

The post Keto Game Day Food appeared first on Spinach Tiger.