THM - Shortbread

Afternoon tea is often a staple in an English household and I am no different.  I enjoy a nice hot cuppa with biscuits (cookies) - especially when it is cold outside.  After starting THM, biscuits appeared to be more difficult to incorporate.  For Christmas I was given some English shortbread - brought to me in the US by my parents when they came to visit.  The idea and the strong desire to create THM biscuits became stronger as I enjoyed my afternoon tea with the shortbread.  Yesterday afternoon I adapted a brown sugar shortbread recipe - successfully!  The best part, you can have as much as a 1/3 of the recipe - 12 cookies - and still stay within weight loss (YES WEIGHT LOSS) limits.  Enjoy....

What you need...

2 1/4 cups almond flour
1 cup butter (8oz)
1/2 cup brown sugar*

*I make my THM brown sugar by using 3/4 cup of erythritol and 1/2tsp blackstrap mallasses.  It really depends on what sweetener you use - some can do a 1:1 swap.

Directions...

Preheat oven to 325F
Soften the butter and add to mixer (if you are lazy like me - or you can do this by hand).
Make up your brown sugar - add the mallasses to your sweetener of choice and mix well with a fork.  Add the sugar to the butter and cream it.  Btw you can always test it at this point - butter and sugar yum!
Slowly add the almond flour until fully mixed.  Then knead (I still used the mixer) the "dough" until smooth
Place the dough on the counter and make into a rectangle.  Cut 1x2" slices and place each slice on a oven tray about 1" apart (place ungreased wax paper on the tray first).
If you want the "official" look you can prick it with a fork for the round holes you would get with the ones at a store.
Bake for about 25 mins or until the bottom is brown.
Remove and let cool 5 mins in the pan and then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.  Note - it will still be crumbly until fully cooled.
ENJOY...

THM - each batch has about 27g carbs in it and makes about 36 biscuits.  You can safely enjoy 1/3 (a dozen cookies) and stay within S limits.

Variation...

I added protein powder and chocolate chips to mine.  Whenever you have a snack it is good to have the protein - adding the protein powder, meant I could enjoy my biscuits as an S snack anytime.  The chocolate chips I had added 9g carb per 1tbsp.  This limits you to around 8/9 biscuits in one sitting!!!!!

Turkey Burgers

I am going through a LOT of recipes and making a recipe folder.  My biggest issue when it comes to what to prepare for dinner, is finding something my son will eat and is healthy or at least has some healthy aspect.  Last night we had turkey burgers and I have decided to post the recipe.  It was delicious - per my husband and I.  Skyler will eat it but with help.

What you need:

1/4 cup quinoa
1/2 cup water
1 garlic clove, crushed or 1tsp of minced garlic
1 pkg (20oz) ground turkey (beef will work too, I'd assume)
1 tbsp tomato paste (or ketchup)
1 tbsp hot pepper sauce (optional)
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 egg
salt
pepper
pureed butternut squash.

Directions

Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat.  Reduce heat to med-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, and the water has been absorbed - about 15 - 20 mins.   Mix all the ingredients - including the quinoa - in a large bowl.  Once it is all thoroughly mixed.  Shape the mixture into 6 turkey burgers and cook.  We cooked them in an electric skillet but you can grill them or do them on the stove.

Takes approx. 45 mins.

Makes 6 burgers.

Goes great with sweet potato fries!

Chocolate Sheet Cake

This one is very easy and one of my favourites.  It is low calorie and low fat and tastes awesome.  I made it for Skyler's birthday cake and I have since made it with a few more adaptations for people I work with (and of course myself).

What you need...

1 3/4 cups all purpose (plain) flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 large egg whites
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp butter (I use I can't believe it is not butter light version)
1 cup black coffee (hot)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup stevia (extract in the raw) (natural sugar substitute)
3/4 cup cocoa powder (I use hershey's dark chocolate cocoa)
1 1/2 cups fat free skim milk

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9- X 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, stevia, baking powder and salt; mix well with a fork to combine.
In another large mixing bowl, combine milk, egg whites, melted butter and vanilla. Using an electric mixer, mix on low speed until blended; gradually beat in boiling coffee.
Gradually add flour mixture to milk mixture and mix on low speed until blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool cake in pan, on a wire rack.  You can also pour the batter into a cupcake pan and add chocolate chips for a little more calories and tastiness but portion control!!!!  For a cupcake pan check after about 18 - 20 mins.  If you so desire you can also sprinkle powdered sugar on top for decoration and an added little bite of tasty!

The pictures are of Skyler's birthday cake - so a lot more calories added!

Cheap and easy to make.


Enjoy...

Rye Pizza Dough

Ok - here is my Rye Pizza Dough recipe.  It's quick and easy so enjoy...

What you need:

1 3/4 cups of rye flour
2 tbsp 100% untoasted wheat germ (might not need it)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp stevia (or sugar/sugar substitute)
1 tsp or packet of dry active yeast
2/3 cup water
1 tsp olive oil


Process flour, wheat germ, salt, stevia and yeast in a food processor until mixed.  combine water and olive oil either on the stove or in a microwavable glass measuring cup.  Warm up the liquid to between 120 and 130F.  With the processor on gradually pour the warm liquid through the feed tube - you might need a little more or a little less water so watch carefully.  Once the dough forms a ball, process for 1 minute to knead.  Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface or bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Let rest for 10 -15 minutes.  Great time to clean up the little mess and prepare what you want on your pizza.

Preheat over to 450F.  Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface.  This dough is usually fairly sticky and I have found it best to roll once, flip over and roll again etc until desired size and shape.  Once rolled out place on pizza pan and crimp edges.  Place in oven for 10 - 15 mins until crust is cooked but not crisp.  Add toppings as desired.  Place back in the oven for 10 mins until crust is crisp and toppings are cooked/melted etc.

Enjoy...

Pureed Vegetables

I included pureed cauliflower and butternut squash in my previous recipe.  I figured that I probably should include how I do that.

Cauliflower...

Take one head of cauliflower (or as many as you want) and steam until soft.  Once it is really soft - can be mashed with a fork - I transfer it to a food processor.  I then get sandwich bags and pour in 1/2 cup of cauliflower - 1 head usually makes around 5 portions.  These can be frozen until needed.  Either defrost naturally or you can dump the frozen portion into your dish - depending on what you add it to.

Butternut Squash...

Cut off the stem, cut the squash in half - lengthwise and scrape out seeds.  Roast the halves, flesh-side down at 400F for 45-50 mins.  Scoop out the flesh and puree in a food processor.  As with cauliflower use the sandwich bags and portion out 1/2 cup each.

Sweet Potatoes...

These can be done several ways.  I tend to do the following...  Peel the potatoes, wash them and cut them up.  Then I steam them until soft - like I do with the cauliflower.  Once soft and easily mashed with the fork - I transfer it to a food processor.

You can also use a blender if you don't have a food processor or prefer.  Personally, I find it easier to use, clean and scoop out portions in the food processor.

7 Layer Lasanga Casserole

A recipe that we enjoy as a family.  It isn't the healthiest of options but it isn't too bad!  Definitely cheap, easy and tasty - even our 2 1/2 year old will eat it!!!!!

What you will need...

1lb ground beef or turkey - we use turkey (leaner and healthier)
1 24oz jar of spaghetti sauce - could probably use 16oz, adapt as desired.
12oz noodles/pasta - whatever you like.  I use whatever I have on hand but egg-wide noodles is typical
1/2 cup softened cream cheese (low fat or fat free will make it a little healthier)
1/4 cup sour cream (again low fat or fat free will make it a little healthier - check sugar content though)
grated cheese - any works.  We use low-fat mozzarella

optional...
1/2 cup pureed cauliflower
1/2 cup pureed butternut squash

Directions...

In a skillet over medium heat, brown the meat, drain and stir in spaghetti sauce and butternut squash.  Cover and simmer for about 15 mins.
Mix together cream cheese, sour cream and cauliflower in a small bowl.
Cook noodles until tender, but not mushy.  Drain.
In a casserole dish - I use a deep, round dish - put a layer of noodles followed by cheese sauce, meat and then repeat.  Top with grated cheese.
Bake at 350F for 15 mins, cover and bake another 10 mins.

* can be put together ahead of time (even the night before) and put in the refrigerator.  Add an extra 10 - 15 mins to your cook time if refrigerated prior to cooking.

Makes about 6 - 8 portions depending on size of dish you use and portion size.

Goes great with a salad and garlic bread!  But then everything goes great with garlic bread - esp home-made - in my opinion!!!

Not the best looking picture but shows you the levels and gives an idea of amount.  This was after 2 meals worth for 2 1/2 people!