SIDE DISH ROUND-UP!

Sometimes a meal can be completely transformed by just the right side dish.  I mean you can have a plain chicken breast with a little seasoning and a plain vegetable or you can have a special side dish that really makes the meal a meal that you are still savoring after it's all finished.  Many times the side dish is what makes the meal.

This spicy pumpkin side dish is one of my favorites any time of the year. We had it again last night.  So good, either hot off the stove or cold the next day. I decided to post some of my favorite side dishes for you all as well as do a round up of other side dishes that I've found to share.

Zucchini Lime Salad - refreshingly good

Browned Butter Squash This one was incredible! Higher in carbs,  but good alongside some cooked turkey or chicen breast to really spice up your meal.

Smokey Cheese Cauli-mash Oh yes! Not just your ordinary faux-tatoes!

Mushroom Mozzarella Bake by Jennifer Eloff - mouth watering goodness.

Bacon Vinaigrette Marinated Asparagus (and a grill give away if you check it out today) by Karen from Living Low Carb One Day At A Time.

Miracle Cauli-Tabbouleh by DJ Foodie - Oh my yums!

Roasted Brussels Salad by Lisa from 24/7 Low-Carb Diner - that looks amazing even if you don't think you like Brussel Sprouts!

Jalapeno Popper Cauliflower Casserole by Mellissa from "I Breathe I'm Hungry" - making my eyes pop out!

Happy eating!!!

BREAKFAST LONG JOHN

I called this a Long John, because, well, it reminded me of a Long John that I used to eat fresh from the bakery.  I guess it's more of an "Oblong John" or a "Half circle John" since I make it in my GT Xpress and that's the shape it makes.  But whatever shape you make it in, it makes a great breakfast treat, without the grains, without the carbs, without the excess calories; and you can have it for your breakfast because it is nutritious, with protein and fiber, to start your day, instead of a huge dose of transfats, empty calories, and carbs that you have to try to recover from the rest of your day.

This is really versatile.  You can make it in the oven or in the microwave, or in your GT Xpress if you are so fortunate to have one.  I'm really loving mine for little treats like this.

But this little treat makes a full breakfast for me, for breakfast.  Some mornings I do add a couple strips of bacon.  I mean, everything is better with bacon, right?  There are also many variations you can do with this.  I've made a lemon bun with it.  Just do lemon juice in place of the liquid, and add 1/2 tsp lemon flavoring. If you really like it lemony, add some lemon juice to the coconut oil, for the topping.  You can make it a filled roll, which then would make it a "Bismark."  I used to love those too. You can make a chocolate ganache for the topping, or for the filling.  You can make a custard filling if you like and top it with a chocolate ganache.  Mind you, I haven't tried all these yet, but I have endless thoughts of the possibilities for this!  It's sort of an off-shoot of my "Donut Bun" recipe, only this is a bit different with almond flour and psyllium powder, instead of coconut flour.

                      

BREAKFAST LONG JOHN

                          

2 tablespoons  Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon  almond flour -- (Honeyville is what I prefer)

1 teaspoon  psyllium seed husk powder

1/4 teaspoon  baking powder

1 egg

1 tablespoon  buttermilk -- OR kefir, whey, yogurt, or club soda

1/4 cup  sweetener of your choice -- or equivalent (I use 1/4 tsp EZ Sweetz Stevia and Monk Fruit)

1 teaspoon  vanilla

Topping

1 teaspoon  coconut oil -- or butter

1/2 tbsp of your favorite powdered sweetener, such as Swerve or Truvia (I powder them in the coffee grinder)

Preheat GT Xpress oven adding 1/2 tsp coconut oil to the side using. (Or preheat oven at 350F and grease small oven proof bowl). In small bowl combine Parmesan cheese, almond flour, psyllium seed husk powder, and baking powder.  Wisk with wire wisk until blended well.

Add egg, buttermilk (OR substitutes), sweetener, and vanilla.  Mix until smooth. Pour into one side of GT Xpress, close, and bake for 12 minutes, (if using the oven, bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until it is well risen and tests done, lightly browned on top. If using microwave, cook on high for approximately 1 min. 40 sec. depending on your microwave).  Watch close and test!

Remove from GT Xpress and spread coconut oil over the top.  Sprinkle powdered Truvia over it and spread over with a knife.  

Optional: You can add cinnamon and nutmeg to the batter as well if desired to give it a doughnut like flavor.  

Other options for the topping: Some people do not like the taste of Truvia and get an aftertaste.  I don't get that and to me it tastes as close to sugar as you get, but if you don't care for it you can use xylitol or erythritol or Swerve, and powder them in a coffee grinder. Or glaze with your favorite low carb glaze or frosting.  Another option is to mix xylitol and cinnamon for a cinnamon-sugar topping. You could also make a chocolate ganache by heating some cream and sweetener and then melting chocolate in it, stirring until thickened and pour over.

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1 Serving/Per Serving: 233 Calories; 16g Fat (63.4% calories from fat); 12g Protein; 9g Carbohydrate; 5g Dietary Fiber (4g. net carbs)