Pepperoni Chips with Cream Cheese Dip

For anyone who has been on a low-carb plan for more than a few months, this recipe is one that you've probably already tried.  But there are some of you who are new to low-carb, or just simply love pepperoni and might like to try this recipe out.  This recipe is actually low-calorie as well (and you could cut the calories down even more if you used turkey pepperoni and/or fat-free cream cheese!  Everyone in my house LOVES these chips, even the kid!  Try them today!!!


Ingredients:

• 15 pepperoni slices (or 1 serving, according to your package of pepperoni)
• Dip: warmed cream cheese

Directions:

1.  Place 2 layers of paper towels on a large microwave-safe plate.
2.  Arrange the pepperoni slices in a circle around the edge of the plate.
3.  Microwave for 60-90 seconds, or until pepperonis are crisp.
4.  Remove from plate and serve with warmed cream cheese (or store in an airtight container for later).

Yields: 1 serving

*Nutritional Information (chips only, no dip):

*Nutritional information has been calculated using the MyFitnessPal app.

Egg Fast Recipe - Cottage Scramble

Scrambled eggs are another staple when Egg Fasting.  This is one way that I like to spruce up regular scrambled eggs in my hectic mornings.  It takes no extra time to prepare eggs this way over the "traditional" scrambled method.  It's probably one of the easiest egg fast recipes you can make (other than hard-boiled eggs, of course).  It certainly doesn't get any faster than this, either!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons cottage cheese
• salt & pepper, to taste
  

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
2. Scramble the eggs and cottage cheese together.
3. Pour mixture into heated skillet and cook until done (about 3 minutes), stirring often.

Yields: 1 serving

*Nutritional Information:

*Nutritional information has been calculated using the MyFitnessPal app.

Egg Fast Recipe - Egg Salad in Cheese Cups

Egg salad is an Egg Fast staple.  If you're like me, keeping things fresh and new is mandatory during an Egg Fast, if I'm going to stick to it.  So instead of the same ol' egg salad recipe, I kicked this one up a notch with a few additional ingredients, and placed it in a pretty little cheese cup for added flair.  The chives are optional of course, but they really add a new dimension to the egg salad!  I used the microwave to make the cheese cups, but you could easily use the oven if you prefer to do it that way.  I have also made these with Swiss cheese and replaced the chives with celery seed - YUM!  This recipe definitely makes my monotonous, humdrum egg salad seem like a real culinary treat!

Ingredients:

• 4 slices cheddar cheese (or your favorite sliced cheese)
• 6 eggs, hard-boiled
• 1/3 cup sugar-free mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 pinches Splenda (or equivalent sweetener)
• salt & pepper, to taste
  
• Garnish: finely chopped chives

Directions:

1. Chop hard-boiled eggs.  Add mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, Splenda, salt, and pepper.  Mix thoroughly and refrigerate until cold and ready to use.
2. Place 1 slice of cheese onto a piece of parchment paper.  Microwave for 30-60 seconds.
   
3. While cheese is still hot, flip parchment paper (cheese-side-down) onto an upside-down muffin tin or small ramekin.  Press edges down to shape cheese into a bowl.
   
4. Carefully remove parchment paper and blot with a paper towel to remove excess oil.
   
5. Chill for about 5 minutes in the refrigerator, or until ready to use.  
   
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for remaining slices of cheese.
7. To serve, scoop 1/4 of egg salad mixture into each cheese cup and garnish with chives, if desired.

Yields: 4 servings

*Nutritional Information:

*Nutritional information has been calculated using the MyFitnessPal app.

Low-Carb Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mousse

I love chocolate.  It is my favorite thing, like ever!  If it provided all the nutrition I needed, I could easily live on nothing but chocolate for the rest of my life.  And I'm not picky, either!  I like chocolate in ALL its forms.  I like chocolate milk, chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, chocolate wafers, chocolate plain (of course), and even chocolate wine!  Suddenly, I'm reminded of Bubba from Forrest Gump.  This is a super-duper-easy, low-carb, no-cook, chocolate mousse recipe that only calls for three ingredients.  The garnish is completely optional, but it sure does make it look pretty!  Obviously, since the garnish is optional, its stats are not included in the nutritional information.


*BONUS:  This stuff freezes really well!  It makes a crazy-creamy ice cream dish.  I divvy mine up among a few 1/2 cup containers and freeze it for single-serving ice cream.  :)



Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 packets Truvia (or other preferred sweetener)
• Garnish:  sugar-free baking chips
  

Directions:

1.  Combine the heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder, and Truvia.  Blend in a "traditional" blender, with a hand mixer, or with an immersion blender until thickened.

2.  Top with sugar-free chocolate chips, chunks, or shavings.

Yields: 4 servings (about 1/2 cup each)

*Nutritional Information:

*Nutritional information has been calculated using the MyFitnessPal app.