Maple Creme Whipped Coffee

Re: not so White Russian style coffee (sans liquor as there is no need to waste empty calories on the alcohol version…save them for pecan pie)

Taste: irrefutably delicious and comforting

Ingredients: coffee, maple sugar (keto version: maple extract), whipped coconut creme (or full fat milk of choice)

Directions: simmer equal parts water and maple sugar in a pot until reduced in half, brew coffee, and whip creme (via blender or whisk). To a generously poured cup of robust coffee, add reduced maple sugar (or a few drops of maple extract), and slowly whisk in creme.

Wishing you good health, much happiness, and many blessings in the New Year!

Danika

Gingerbread Cookies

A classic treat with an abundance of timeless recipes to boot.

Whether it is candied or in a cookie, curry, or eaten adjacent to sushi, I love ginger. And, there is no secret to my gingerbread latte obsession to spread some holiday cheer (add a gingerbread cookie to the mix and Christmas carols will be imminently humming). I always preferred my gingerbread cookies slightly crunchy on the outside and a bit chewy on the inside, dense enough to hold its own on a platter of cookies (can you tell I was the kid who always went for the black licorice in the candy dish?).

This recipe is a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The warmth from the ginger provides the extra special kick to let you know that it is indeed, first and foremost, a ginger cookie.

So without further ado, I present my favorite version of a keto-friendly, gluten free Gingerbread Cookie recipe:

138 carbs (or 114 net) for the whole batch

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!

Danika

Keto Sourdough Bread

On a bitterly cold and arid winter day, a stout middle-aged young man peers up from his hearth and beckons to his other half (in a cockney accent), “would yer like a wee spot of but-uh for yor bred?”

Whereas the Mrs. replies, “only if yer have the sour kind and wiv the ghee please.”

I don’t know about you but, sourdough bread always conjures up images of Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf in one of my all time beloved cities: San Francisco. Simply typing the word sourdough brings back the smells emanating from local bakeries. The unfortunate part however, is the fact that I haven’t touched an actual piece of the sacred bread in years since going gluten free and now, keto.

I attempted creating my own recipe from homemade gluten free sourdough starter using sprouted brown rice flour and failed miserably (my jaw still hurts from chewing the rock hard bread). After a week of culturing, I threw in the towel and then used the only resource available to me 24/7. The internet.

This recipe for Keto Sourdough Bread is hands down the best (note, I substituted keto creamer in place of buttermilk). The recipe is officially approved by my 8 year old and is now her go to daily staple (toasted and smeared with a heaping slab of ghee, no less). These babies can be used to make croutons, stuffing, pizza crust, as a toasty base for caprese or brushcetta, carved into a bread bowl for clam chowder – really, the possibilities are endless!

Gluten free, keto, high in dietary fiber (44 grams which comes out to 22 net carbs for the WHOLE loaf – it’s okay to scream), and simply delicious. I hope you will make yourself a loaf (or two) and enjoy a toasted slice with your next meal.

Danika

Zucchini Tots

I am growing tired of my same old veggie rotation. Broccoli, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, more broccoli, some brussel sprouts if they are in season (or at the minimum, on sale), and repeat. Whether it’s roasted, steamed, au gratin, sauteed, or loaded in a dip, I need some variety in life.

Cue: the tot

Specifically, zucchini tots*

You can adapt this tot recipe to any veggie you have on hand. Some of my favorites are cauliflower + parm + gruyere (with a dash of nutmeg, of course), broccoli + cheddar, and spinach + artichoke + parm.

What’s wonderful about this recipe is the fact that these tots are excellent to prep in bulk and stash in the freezer for an easy weeknight meal or snack. They go great with either ketchup or tomato sauce (Rao’s is my favorite).

Great for busy holidays when dinner should be quick, nutritious, and delicious.

Enjoy!

Danika

*sub 1/2 cup bacon bread crumbs & 1/2 cup almond flour in place of seasoned bread crumbs and add a dash of italian seasoning if you so choose. Really this recipe is super versatile. Or, for a truly pure keto experience, sub parm and bacon panko only (omit almond flour).

Fried Rice

Measuring in at 22.5 carbs per 1/4 cup (not including 4g of dietary fiber), fried rice has recently become our go to staple be it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Loaded with plenty of protein and veggies (and easy on the wallet), what’s not to love about this quick and easy dish.

One of my favorite rice varieties besides Jasmine is Sweet Brown. It’s a short grain sticky rice that has a mild nutty flavor. I used a mix of short grain black and sweet brown rice, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand. It’s a quick and easy way to have dinner on the table in no time and shared smiles all around. The key to authentic fried rice whether it’s Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, or Indonesian, is to use day old, straight out of the fridge cold rice.

So, raise your chopsticks and enjoy a bowl of this delicious comfort food: fried rice.

Enjoy!

Danika

Chocolate Drizzle Caramel Popcorn

This recipe is from one of my favorite artisan chocolate confectionery in Berkeley, California: TCHO. With delectable culinary concoctions such as: Mokaccino (made with sensational Blue Bottle Coffee),

Mint Chip Gelato, Hazelnut Chunk, Toasted Cornflake, and Pretzel Crunch, it’s no wonder why this craft, bean-to-bar chocolate is sinfully delicious. I tried one of their recipes for “TchoMunch” Caramel Chocolate Popcorn last week and had to share (of course, I applied my usual swaps: 1/2 the coconut sugar in place of brown sugar, replaced the corn syrup with brown rice syrup, and omitted the dried cranberries). It’s pure delight at first crunch!

The only note of caution is to stay close to the oven to keep an eye (and your nose) ready to ensure the roasting caramelized corn doesn’t burn. Enlist the kids and have them take part in drizzling the melted chocolate on the finished popcorn. They will enjoy licking the spatula clean.

It’s a satisfying treat that will satiate your sweet cravings.

Enjoy!

Danika

Is it really Pumpkin Season?

Have you noticed all of the pumpkin spice options lately? From lattes to donuts, like it or not, pumpkin season has been upon us since mid-August already. Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of pumpkin (we all need some comforting these days). I still however, would like to enjoy the last few weeks of summer before the air gets crisp and my jacket has to be permanently stationed next to my front door.

Which brings me to another issue that has been bothering me since the quarantine. How is it that playgrounds and libraries were closed here in Rhode Island, but liquor stores remained open? Evidently, along with grocery stores, banks, and the post office, libations are an integral part of the American obsession. And while liquor stores continue to be open for business, libraries continue to have accessibility restrictions. It’s indicative of what our society values. But I digress, I recently discovered a library in a neighboring city that is partially open, and I was giddy! For, it is here where I found this A18powKKZfL._AC_UL320_awesome cookbook: Bakerita. The pages are filled with scrumptious recipes that are both easy on the waist and delicious. One of my favorites is the Butternut Squash Pie. It is divine.

So I encourage you to keep reading and growing and enjoy some of the comforting fall recipes to kick off the upcoming season (the Pecan Pie Blondies is another favorite) with friends and family, outdoors if possible.

So thank you Rachel Connors for an awesome book! I will try my best to not get coconut oil, cinnamon, and cacao powder stains on it.

Happy (soon to be) Fall!

Danika

Lychee Granita

Don’t get me wrong, I had more than my fair share of canned soda beverages in almost every flavor when I was growing up. Add in an abundance of Cool Ranch Doritos and aluminum foil cloaked Ding Dongs and I’ve summed up a majority of my 80’s youth junk food menu. I still recall trips to my local drug store (remember hand scooped cylindrical ice-cream from Thrifty’s?) and another one of my childhood spots, the video arcade for flavored ice slush puppies (aka slurpees).Lychee Granita

Enter: The Lychee Granita

This sophisticated take on one of my favorite childhood chilled beverages is refreshing and utterly delicious (void of artificial sweeteners and dyes). Lychees are delicate aromatic fruit with floral notes that are similar in texture to grapes. The short harvest season

lychee-fruit

Fresh Lychees

for this sweet fragrant fruit is May to June so if you can find fresh ones, all the more better. However, canned lychees are just as delicious (plus much less laborious to peel and de-seed).

Enjoy this refreshing treat before the summer days are behind us!

Danika

Fa Mulan

Prepare the Dumplings…for, Mulan will be released on September 4th on Disney+.

And yes, it is a live action flick!

It’s refreshing to see an asian heroine on the main screen (now coming to your personal television in the comfort of your own home no less). Despite all of the challenges with the Disney brand, it’s encouraging to know that Disney has decided to release the much anticipated flick.

I am already planning my viewing menu of marinated meats, dumplings (one of my all-time favorites), sesame balls, and if you are daring, noodles (yes, I have eaten stir fried flat noodles in a movie theater before – indeed, one of my proud moments).

 

There are so many wonderful movies that pair well with food (Julia & Julia comes to mind). Other films that are a perfect accompaniment to this menu are: Enter the Dragon, Karate Kid, Joy Luck Club, Crazy Rich Asian, Always be my Baby, Big Trouble in Little China, Kung Fu Panda, and of course, the soon to be released Mulan may now be added to the list.

And yes, I will be devouring and enjoying the dumplings and noodles while watching.

Xiè xiè,

Danika

(Sneak peek: Next week, we will be making a refreshing aromatic fruit slushy to compliment your viewing experience.)

 

Spinach Artichoke Pizza on an Ugly Crust

My new favorite pizza crust is Ugly’s Gluten Free Bakery Sourdough.

With a balanced texture of both chewy yet crunchy and authentic sourdough flavor, this crust is pure perfection. You will doubt this hand-made crust is vegan and gluten, soy, and nut free. It’s that good. And the best news of all, you can get this delivered right to your door.

Brush it with avocado oil or ghee, pop it in the oven, and then cut it in strips to dip in pesto or top with bruschetta (you can even sprinkle some herbs such as rosemary and enjoy it as is – it’s that tasty). Or add garlicky spinach artichoke dip as a topping or my favorite jarred tomato sauce Rao’s, top with cheese or not, pop it in the oven, and enjoy savory bliss!

With a name so bold it’s far from ugly.

Mangia Mangia!

Danika