Thursday, September 3, 2009

Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookies

Craving a cookie? Prepackaged "diet" products can be downright detrimental to your low carb lifestyle. You will find low fat, sugar free, etc. treats galore. But two of the main foes of low carbers -- white flour and sugar -- often are ingredients in these otherwise "acceptable" substitutes.

It's easy to bake low carb cookies, cakes, and more if you know what to use in place of sugar and flour. Splenda is the obvious sugar replacement but what about the flour? Low carb bakers use nut flours, soy flour, and Carbquik to achieve results that rival -- and at times, are better -- than the snacks we have all come to know and love.

These are a delicious low carb version of traditional Toll House cookies. The first time I made them was the first time I ever used almond flour for baking. I was surprised by the way it lent the cookies a subtle, nutty taste without giving them an overwhelming almond flavor. (I purchase almond flour at GNC. You may purchase it online or buy blanched almonds and finely grind them in your food processor.) Because of the high fiber content of the almonds, these cookies have less than two net grams of carbs each.

Preheat the oven to 375.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups Splenda (bulk, not packets)
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs, room temperature
2 1/4 cups almond flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
12 ounce bag of Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate Chips

Blend the butter and sugar. Add the vanilla and eggs and blend well. Add the remaining dry ingredients and blend them well. Add the chocolate chips last and mix well.

Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets.

Bake for 9-10 minutes. Let stand for two minutes before removing from cookie sheets and cooling on wire racks.

Makes about 3 1/2 dozen medium-sized cookies, less than two grams of net carbs each.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Chicken can be an easy, quick, and versatile dish to prepare. The process can be further simplified with products such as Perdue Perfect Portions boneless, skinless, all natural chicken breasts. If you're in the Pittsburgh area, you can find these at Wal-Mart. This recipe is for two portions. Please note that to keep this recipe truly low carb that you must use "real" mayonnaise, not "light" or "fat free" varieties. I also recommend that you purchase freshly grated Parmesan or a block that you can grate yourself -- not only does it taste better than the canned variety (which is actually a "topping") but it's usually not loaded with the same sorts of unhealthy additives.

Preheat oven to 425.

Place two Perdue Perfect Portions chicken breasts in a shallow baking dish that has been sprayed with Pam (I use butter flavored to give it some extra goodness).

Mix the following together until well-blended:
1/2 cup Hellmann's Mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 capful of Mrs. Dash, Tomato, Basil, Garlic flavor

Spread the mixture evenly over the two breasts.

Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until the topping is brown and crusty.

Serve with a tossed salad, spinach, broccoli, etc. for a low carb feast.

Less than one gram net carbs per piece.