De Ma Cuisine

Low Carb Archive

Friday

8

November 2019

0

COMMENTS

Breakfast Burritos

Written by , Posted in Beans, Breakfast, Brunch, Cheese, Dairy-Free, Eggs, Gluten Free, Herbs, Kid-Friendly, Low Carb, Lunch, Main Dishes, Quick and Easy, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Monday was a very bad day. Tuesday morning started out kinda the same. Remnants of the crappy yesterday had stuck around. I hadn’t been this angry about something in a while.

My response to crisis is usually food. Food is comfort. That can lead to mindless eating. But, sometimes it leads to a really good breakfast that makes for a better start to the day.

I had cereal for lunch with zero plans for dinner. But, at least breakfast was good.

I started it simply, with chopped bell pepper and some minced cayenne pepper from the garden. I don’t know why they didn’t turn red. But, the seed pack said cayenne, so that’s what they are.

You could add a million other things in there too. Leftover potatoes, chopped onions, broccoli, leftovers from last night’s dinner… pretty much any veggies you think would be great probably will be.

After the peppers cooked in some oil for a few minutes I added some beans. I had pinto on hand. Yum. Black beans would also be great. And if all you have are kidney, or cannellini, use them! Why not?!

After the beans got hot, I added some whisked eggs. To keep it vegan, add in some crumbled tofu. Easy.

I took a pic of the tortilla being topped. It looked not amazing. The eggs had turned a bit grey from being cooked with everything else. If you want them to look amazing and yellow, scramble them separately. And then wash that extra dish. Yeah. No thank you. Less dishes is always the best option.

I laid out the tortillas, topped them with a handful of cheese, then the bean mixture. I used a mixture of cheddar and monterey jack, but if you’re going vegan, my favorite is Violife (just like cheddar or just like mozzarella shreds are great!). They got rolled up and then, the best part. A clean skillet with hot oil, cook that burrito on all sides until it’s shatteringly crisp. Yes please!

For topping or dipping, I like avocado with a bit of salt, and some sour cream. Tim likes salsa. Some people might like cilantro or some diced tomatoes.

However you serve them, they’re pretty quick and easy and make for a great start to the day.

Happy Eating!

Breakfast Burritos

Yields 3 burritos

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil (I used grapeseed)
  • 1/2 of a medium-sized bell pepper, diced (could also use: onion, cooked potatoes, cubanelle pepper, broccoli… whatever you have on hand)
  • 1/2 of a small hot pepper (I used cayenne), ribs and seeds removed, minced
  • pinch of salt
  • 1-14 ounce can of beans (pinto or black), drained
  • 4 eggs or half a brick of firm tofu
  • a little more salt
  • sprinkle of chili powder
  • handful of shredded cheese for each burrito, vegan (I like Violife) or conventional (I like a mixture of cheddar and monterey jack)
  • 3 burrito-sized tortillas (whole wheat, white, or gluten-free)
  • topping options: salsa, sour cream, cilantro, avocado, diced tomato, Sir Kensington’s Chipotle or Sriracha Mayo
  • a bit more oil, for crisping

Directions

  1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, hot pepper, and any other veggies, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the veggies are tender, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the beans and cook until the beans are heated through, about 4 minutes.
  2. Whisk the eggs, or crumble the tofu, in either case, with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of chili powder. Add to the skillet with the beans and cook until eggs are set or tofu is hot (or you can cook the eggs separately if you want them to stay yellow – have fun washing that extra pan). Taste for seasoning.
  3. Top each tortilla with some cheese. Divide the bean filling between the tortillas and roll them up.
  4. In a clean skillet, add a bit of oil and crisp up the burritos, turning until they’re golden brown and delicious.
  5. Serve burritos cut in half with desired toppings.

Wednesday

17

February 2016

0

COMMENTS

Creamy Dreamy Scrambled Eggs

Written by , Posted in Breakfast, Brunch, Dairy-Free, Eggs, Gluten Free, Kid-Friendly, Low Carb, Lunch, Main Dishes, Quick and Easy, Sides, Vegetarian

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Eggs are a staple in our home. We can easily go through a dozen eggs in a week, just at mealtimes. My favorite way to enjoy them is fried in olive oil. They’re amazing atop an Egg and Cheese Sandwich, with an over-medium yolk dripping onto some lentils, or just on their own with a side of toasted and buttered homemade sourdough.

But sometimes, I just want them scrambled.

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I learned a while ago that the best way to cook perfect scrambled eggs is over low heat. Low and slow. That being said, it’s still a quick and easy meal that always satisfies.

These aren’t the scrambled eggs that you’ll see at a buffet. Cold, coagulated, overcooked, tough, and tinged with grey.

No.

I’m talking about velvety, creamy, warm deliciousness. I like to cook the eggs until they’re just barely set. You can cook them longer if you want. (Obviously.) Since I use a cast iron pan for my eggs the residual heat will keep cooking them for a while after I turn the burner off. I don’t want overcooked tough eggs, so this is key. I’m going for just a step beyond custard on a fork.

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It’s simple. A good skillet, a glug of oil, and low heat. I like to whisk the eggs up with a splash of water. Some prefer milk or cream. That’s cool too. Mom used water, so that’s what I do. After that all it takes is a little bit of standing by the stove, daydreaming, sliding the spatula across the pan from time to time.

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Toast some good bread that you can slather with butter and jam, and figure out if it’s a just eggs day, or if you want something else. Grated cheese melting overtop is always a good idea, a side of crispy bacon always wins, fresh herbs are divine. Usually though, all I need is a little bit of salt.

Happy Eating!

Creamy Scrambled Eggs

Creamy Scrambled Eggs

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • splash water
  • 1 t olive oil
  • to taste salt

Instructions

  1. Whisk the eggs and water together.
  2. Heat a skillet over low. Add olive oil. Pour in the eggs. Gently stir eggs with a metal spatula as they begin to set, pushing out from the middle, pulling in from the outside. Cook low and slow, stirring often. When they're almost set remove from heat and let them stand in the skillet for 1 minute. Season with salt.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/creamy-dreamy-scrambled-eggs/

Monday

19

October 2015

1

COMMENTS

Deviled Eggs with Parmesan Crisps and Fresh Herbs

Written by , Posted in Appetizers, Cheese, Eggs, Gluten Free, Herbs, Kid-Friendly, Low Carb, Lunch, Meat, Pork, Potlucks, Quick and Easy, Sides, Snacks, Vegetarian

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It’s taken me a while to get back into the swing of things since our trip. The first week we were back things were in a state of chaos. Half unpacked suitcases, piles of laundry, my brain still wanting to be with family. Then I was sick most of the next week, so I’m finally getting back into things today. What this meant was that I made mayonnaise. One step in the right direction of not eating quesadillas for every single meal. Tim asked if there were any leftovers to take for lunch today. Nope. Well, there are now: Deviled Eggs (minus the ones that I couldn’t resist), and the beans with rice and peas that was dinner. I feel better already.

I can’t remember the last time I made deviled eggs. If I’m hard boiling eggs, they don’t usually last long enough to be made into anything else. A sprinkle of salt is all they really need.

Until now.

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My youngest brother got married a month ago in Ontario, Canada (where I grew up). They were married at my mom and dad’s place, a picturesque country home with plenty of room for their grown kids to come and stay. But, their home isn’t just where they live. They have a commercial kitchen where mom cooks for groups and for their bakery & cafe. This kitchen is a little bit of heaven for me. I get to cook with family in a great big kitchen.

Josh and Karensa asked my brother Jake and I to take care of the appetizers for the wedding. One of those was Deviled Eggs with Bacon and Chives, that was dreamed up for Josh. I just knew he’d love them (and I was right).

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This recipe is a slight variation on the eggs that we made for Josh. Mostly because I have basil, not chives, and I don’t have any bacon. Oh, and I used 6 eggs rather than the 36 used for the wedding. I didn’t think I’d need thaaaaat many leftovers for lunches this week.

I boiled ’em. Simple. The way mom taught me. Boil water, add some vinegar (in case a shell cracks – it’s supposed to keep the whites from spreading too much), cook 15 minutes, cool, then peel. If you do it differently, that’s great. Do what works for you.

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I’ve heard that it’s best to peel the eggs right away. I did, and they were perfect. I didn’t lose any of the white part. I’ve also heard that you’re supposed to use older eggs for hard boiled. I didn’t. I just got these today. So, who knows about these things that “they” say.

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I try to keep homemade mayo on hand. Partly because I love it, partly because it’s so easy to make. Along with some paprika, basil, salt, and olive oil, it’s a fabulous mix-in for deviled eggs.

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I topped each one with a parmesan crisp and a tiny basil leaf. You could opt for bacon and chives, or switch it up and use dill and skip the bacon altogether. So far, no matter how they’ve been topped, these eggs are irresistible and they won’t last long before they’re snatched up by hungry guests (or by a hungry blogger who is about to go raid the fridge).

Happy Eating!

Deviled Eggs with Parmesan Crisps and Fresh Herbs

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 whole egg

Deviled Eggs with Parmesan Crisps and Fresh Herbs

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs
  • 1 T white vinegar
  • 1/4 C parmesan cheese, grated
  • (optional) 1 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 T fresh herbs (basil, chives, dill, tarragon), 12 left whole, remaining chopped
  • 1 t olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • 1/2 t paprika
  • 2 T mayonnaise
  • coarse salt

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350F.
  2. Boil water. Add vinegar. Add eggs and boil for 15 minutes. Cool under cold water or in an ice bath. Peel as soon as they are cool.
  3. If using bacon, cook, then drain on a paper towel lined plate. Crumble.
  4. Drop a pinch of parmesan on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat until all has been used up. (If you make too many, store in an air tight container in the fridge.) Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until crispy. Cool and remove from baking sheet.
  5. Halve eggs. Gently pop out the yolks and mash with the herbs through mayonnaise. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Return the yolk mixture to the whites (use two small spoons, a piping bag, or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off). Top each with one herb leaf, one parmesan crisp, and, if using, one small piece of bacon. Sprinkle with a bit of coarse salt.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/deviled-eggs/

Thursday

28

May 2015

0

COMMENTS

Customizable Panzanella Salad

Written by , Posted in Beans, Beef, Bread, Cheese, Condiments, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Eggs, Fish, Fruit, Gluten Free, Grains, Herbs, Legumes, Low Carb, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Nuts, Pork, Poultry, Quick and Easy, Quinoa, Salads, Sides, Toasting, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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There are so many things that this salad can be. It can be vegan, paleo, low-carb, gluten-free, high-protein… It all depends on what you add to it.

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I made some baguettes a few weeks ago that I wasn’t thrilled with. They’re prefect for croutons though. If you prefer to avoid bread, quinoa or tofu would be great bread replacers. Or, if you’re eating gluten-free, your best gluten-free bread will be just perfect.

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To make up the bulk of this salad, I opened this week’s Abundant Harvest Organics box then pulled a few things from the produce drawer. But this is where there are so many ways you can make this salad your own.

Beyond tons of veggie options, here are a few ways you could adapt this dish:

Protein a Plenty: Add beans, quinoa (instead of or alongside the bread), tofu, hard boiled eggs, meat (tuna, beef, chicken, turkey, pork), nuts, cheese.

Paleo: Add eggs, meat, and nuts instead of the bread.

Vegan: Leave as is, or add quinoa or tofu.

Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free bread, or swap out the bread for quinoa.

All the Veggies: I used nopales, onion, carrot, green beans, radish, and summer squash. You could also add: snap peas, greens, tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, eggplant, cucumber… or any other veggies that are in season and you think would taste great.

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I love the combination of a really good quality olive oil like Bari’s along with balsamic vinegar. But, a mixture of red wine vinegar and lemon juice, or balsamic and lemon juice would also be great. Customize it to make it your own!

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Riiiiiight before serving add the bread. Or to really avoid soggy bread, put the bread on the plate and top it with salad, letting the dressing soak in slowly. The lesson I learned today: only add as much bread as you’re going to eat. The leftovers will get way soggy (#freetofail).

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This is one of my favorite ways to welcome summer. But, come fall or winter, just trade the summer veggies for some roasted winter ones and you’ve got a winner all year round.

Happy Eating!

Customizable Panzanella Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 4

Customizable Panzanella Salad

Ingredients

  • 3-4 C stale bread (any kind - or could sub 2-3 C quinoa or tofu), cubed
  • 1 t olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1/4 to 1/2 C balsamic or red wine vinegar (or half vinegar half lemon juice)*
  • 1 1/2 t dijon mustard
  • pinch cayenne (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 2 T to 1/4 C olive oil*
  • 3-4 T fresh herbs (basil, parsley, chives, oregano, thyme), chopped
  • 4-6 C any of the following (cubed, chopped, grated, or torn): summer squash, nopales, snap peas, green beans, greens, radishes, tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, eggplant, cucumbers, red onions, nuts, hard boiled eggs, nuts, chicken, beef, tuna, pork, mozzarella, parmesan, cannellini beans, garbonzo beans)

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 400F. Toss bread with 1 t olive oil, salt, and pepper, Place on a baking sheet, bake for 10 minutes, flip, and bake for about 5 minutes more (or until they're golden and toasty).
  2. Whisk balsamic vinegar through pepper. Stream in oil as you whisk. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
  3. Toss salad contents (except bread, if using quinoa or tofu, add it now) with dressing. Add bread just before serving.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/customizable-panzanella-salad/

Monday

11

May 2015

0

COMMENTS

Nopales Wraps

Written by , Posted in Dairy-Free, Dinner, Eggs, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Low Carb, Lunch, Main Dishes, One Dish Dinners, Quick and Easy, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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It’s nopales time again! Who knew that cactus leaves could be so fun to eat?! Last week I made them into a relish. I also used them in Borscht. Today, I’ve sautéed them with onions, added scrambled eggs, and wrapped it all in a lettuce leaf.

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Nopales have an interesting taste. Kinda like if a green bell pepper was crossed with a green bean, okra, and a lemon. They’re bright, citrusy, and oh so slimy. You can boil them to take away the slime. Or, if you don’t care too much, just pop ’em in the pan. Totally up to you. I wanted to keep this one super quick and easy, so I didn’t bother with boiling.

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I really wanted eggs with this dish. But, you could totally make this a vegan dish by crumbling some tofu into the veggies.

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All there is to it is to crack the eggs, whisk them to combine, and add to the cooked veggies in the skillet.

We’re on our way to a super simple meal!

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I used lettuce for wrapping this time. But, of course tortillas would be a great option too, depending on what you’re craving. If you don’t have lettuce or tortillas, another large, sturdy green leaf will do (like chard or kale). Whether or not you will need a fork and knife will depend on the sturdiness of the wrapping device. With this lettuce picking it up wasn’t an option. The messiness factor was heightened by topping the wrap with Nopales and Tomato Relish, fresh tomatoes, and parsley, rather than adding them to the filling.

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A squeeze of lemon is one of my favorite ways to finish off a dish. And this one’s no different. Bright and citrusy, it’s a great way to complete an interesting and fun take on nopales.

Happy Eating!

Nopales Wraps

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 2

Nopales Wraps

Ingredients

  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1/2 to 1 C nopales (or bell pepper), chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • pinch cayenne
  • 2 eggs/person (or 7 oz. firm tofu, drained and crumbled)
  • pinch salt
  • 2-4 lettuce leaves, washed and dried (tortillas, chard, or kale could also be used)
  • 1 tomato, chopped, for topping
  • fresh parsley, chopped, for topping
  • Nopales Relish, for topping
  • lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet over medium-low. Add oil. Once oil is hot, add nopales through cayenne. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally.
  2. Turn heat to low. Whisk together eggs. Pour into skillet. Sprinkle with salt and stir gently until eggs are cooked and set (about 3-5 minutes).
  3. Divide filling between lettuce leaves. Secure with a toothpick. Top with relish, parsley, and a squeeze of lemon.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/nopales-wraps/