Grilled artichokes is a family favorite, even the pickiest of my nieces and nephews love the prickly thistle when it’s steamed, marinated and grilled. I can never take the drive to our coastline in Monterey without stopping in Castro Valley for some artichokes. They even have Italy beat in their pricing. Most of the year you can find 10 artichokes for a dollar at the Castro Valley roadside stands. I love the bargain as much as I love eating them!
Planning and prepping are key to a successful Keto Diet. Really, it is key to any good eating plan. It’s the biggest mistake to wait until your starving, standing with the refrigerator door open, begging it to miraculously provide something delicious and nutritious and only then to figure out what your going to eat. This usually ends up with cookie dough from the freezer and someone’s leftover pizza being stuffed into your face while you stand over the kitchen sink.
This recipe I learned from my mother-in-law Lynn, she was the first to introduce us to the Keto Diet about a year ago. Back then I barely understood the concept, but she has persevered and lost a lot of weight on the Keto Diet. This past week we visited them and spent a week eating delicious Keto meals. From a Smoked Rib Dinner with all of the sides, to Beef Brisket, Jalapeño Poppers, Scallops, Hot Wings and much more. We never felt like we were dieting and still gathered around the table each night to nourish our tummies and hearts. It’s what family is all about, good conversation, good card games and enjoying time around the dinner table.
This is a great quick and easy recipe for a Keto lunch or light dinner. High in fiber and flavorful with tasty pesto, it will cure your pizza cravings! You can also change it up with a red tomato sauce and typical pizza toppings like pepperoni, black olives, bell peppers or sun dried tomatoes!
Wow! This is so easy I don’t even think I should write a blog about it. But it is also so good that I think everyone on Keto should know about it. My husband said it is what made his Keto turkey dinner so enjoyable. Of course, I’m sure my Cauliflower “mashed potatoes” and Turkey helped too!
The Classic American Turkey Dinner…comfort food at its best. a Turkey dinner can be a huge hurdle for Keto eaters because of the carb heavy side dishes like stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, candied yams and cranberry sauce. Basically it’s a hard “No” all around leaving you with a few pathetic slices of turkey sadly looking up at you totally void of his faithful side kicks.
So I am back home in California after living in Italy for a year and a half. We will only be home for three months, working and visiting with friends and family before we return to Italy again. As a side point I am enjoying such novelties as a good heater in my house, a powerful shower head in a roomy bathroom and a dryer to dry my clothes!
(with Keto, Vegetarian & Gluten free Versions)
Nothing warms the body like a steaming bowl of soup! We have been enjoying this French Onion Soup for years! Onion soups date back to ancient times and have always been a staple because onions are cheap and plentiful and you can always find one around even if you have nothing else! The French made this awesome by making it “gratinéed” this means with crusty bread and bubbling melted cheese on top!
How comforting it is to have a steaming bowl of soup on a cold November day. One of our favorite soups in my house is Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup. It’s like a party in a bowl and is a real crowd pleaser. I can’t even count how many countries I have made this soup in: America, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Japan…I have been making this Tortilla Soup for years now and it never disappoints.
Fudge Brownies are as much of a hit in Italy as they are in America. Who can resist that moist, deep chocolate flavor? I love this recipe because you just dump all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix it up. It’s easier than using a brownie box mix! Some things in life are just delicious and easy! This recipe is another treasure from that little blue vinyl cook book I copied years ago from my mother.
