Tag: Onion

Brunch, Dinner Entrees, Italian

Cheesy Eggplant Boats

Irma Crepps

Cheesy Eggplant Boats

Print Recipe
This Italian-vibe eggplant dinner is filled with deep, rich flavors ! Your tastebuds will be satisfied. It can be on your plate and palate in less than an hour, start to finish. You can make a vegetarian version by subbing out the meat with garbanzo beans. About 5 carbs per serving. Great with a fresh green salad. Enjoy!
Course Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword Basil, Cheddar Cheese, Eggplant, Garlic, Marinara Sauce, Onion, Oregano, Parmesian, Spinach, Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Rubber spatula
  • Chopping board
  • Large Bowl
  • Large Skillet I Prefer Cast Iron
  • Sheet pan Lined with Parchment Paper or Cooking Spray

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil evoo
  • 1 Tbsp Butter
  • 1 LB Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage
  • 2 Eggplants
  • ½ Diced Onion
  • 3 Garlic Cloves Minced or 2 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 Cup Chopped Frozen or Fresh Spinach
  • 24 Ounce Marinara or Pasta Sauce Victoria and Rao's brands are low in carbs
  • 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
  • ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese Grated
  • Fresh Basal Leaves and/or Chopped Parsley Garnish

Instructions

  • Gather all your tools and ingredients to save time! I'm sure you're hungry for this! Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • On med-high heat, add 2 tbsp evoo and 1 tbsp butter to skillet. Brown turkey sausage. Remove from heat into a large bowl.
  • Cut both eggplants lengthwise. Using a small knife, cut and score the flesh of the eggplant into small squares.
  • Leave about ½ inch rim around the edges, being careful not to puncture the skin. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon into the skillet on med-high heat.
  • Add an additional 2 tbsp evoo and 1 tbsp butter to the skillet. Saute eggplant, and chopped onions for about 4-5 minutes.
  • In the meantime, place eggplant skins (boats) on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or cooking spray. Rub evoo to the rims of the boats.
  • Once the onions are translucent, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Salt and pepper to flavor. Remove from heat and add to the sausage bowl.
  • Saute fresh spinach until wilted in skillet, or microwave frozen spinach to thaw. Drain water out of the spinach if it was frozen. Add to mixture.
  • Stir in sauce with the sausage. Fill boats with the mixture.
  • Top with the two cheeses and bake for 30 minutes. If cheese is golden within 20 minutes of baking, cover with foil to finish baking.
  • Enjoy with a fresh, crispy Romaine salad!
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To help simplify the low carbohydrate recipes, lowcarbvana.com provides only estimates in calculating carbohydrate contents. The accuracy of the nutritional information is an estimate only and not guaranteed. All users must independently calculate their own carbohydrate values and those of other nutritional components with their own ingredients. By interacting with this website you agree to this disclaimer.
Appetizers, Brunch, Dinner Entrees, Lunch, Soups

Rich Italian Soup

Irma Crepps

Looking for a healthy soup in less than an hour? Either on a cold day or whenever, this  is just the one you have been waiting to try!

Rich Italian Soup

Print Recipe
If you're under the weather, try this comfort soup. My sweet Italian girlfriend brought this to me when I was sick. You can add almost any veggies you have on hand. That's the beauty and ease of it. So use up your pantry items and try this Super low in carbs, Super high in flavor soup. I skip the pasta and instead I dip crusty buttered bread in it. YUMMMM!!
Course Appetizer, Brunch, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword Basil, Canned Beans, Carrot, Celery, Chicken Stock, Crushed Tomatoes, Diced Tomatoes, Garlic, Green Beans, Lemon, Onion, Oregano, Potatoes, Red Kidney Beans, Red Roasted Peppers, Thyme
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven Or Large Sauce Pan with Lid or Crock Pot
  • Sharp knife
  • Medium cutting board
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Wooden spoon
  • Fry Pan I Like Cast Iron

Ingredients

  • 1 LB Ground Beef
  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
  • 1 Yellow Onion, Chopped Or White Onion
  • 1 Diced green pepper
  • 3 Carrots, Chopped
  • 3 Celery Stalks, Chopped Add the leaves which are full of flavor!
  • 1 32oz Box Chicken Stock Or 4 Cups of Water and 1 Tbsp "Better Than Bouillon" Concentrate
  • 1 Cup Potatoes, Diced
  • 1 28oz Can Crushed Tomatoes Organic
  • 1 14.5oz Can Diced Tomatoes Organic
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 Jarred Roasted Red Pepper Chopped
  • 1 14 oz Canned Italian Green Beans Or Regular or Frozen Green Beans
  • 1 Can of Beans Kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans and chickpeas are all great for blood glucose control, as they are very high in fiber and contain protein. Include the water in the can if salt is not a problem for you. Otherwise drain the water before adding.
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh or Dried Oregano
  • 1 Tbsp Powdered Garlic
  • 1/2 Tbsp Dried Thyme Or 1 Tbsp Fresh Thyme
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Basil Divided and Chopped Save Half for Garnish
  • 1 Tbsp Kosher Salt More or Less To Your Taste
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper More or Less To Your Taste

Instructions

  • Gather all ingredients and tools to save you time.
  • Brown ground beef in EVOO in Dutch Oven (or skillet, if using a crock pot).
  • Add onion, green pepper, celery and onion to pot. Saute until veggies are soft.
  • Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer on low. How easy is that? Ladle out in bowls and garnish with fresh basil.
  • You can actually enjoy this right away, however, it is best after simmering for 30 minutes. It is super flavorful the next day. Enjoy!!
Holiday Favorites, Sides, Vegetable

Creamy Spinach with Pine Nuts

Irma Crepps

I’m all about quick side dishes on a busy week night. Somehow the combination of cream cheese and sour cream makes this simple spinach dish so good that your family will ask for again and again! Easy? Healthy? Yes and yes.

Creamy Spinach with Pinenuts

Print Recipe
Approximately 5 carbohydrates per serving
Course Easter, Side Dish, Vegetable
Cuisine American
Keyword Garlic, Pine Nuts, Shallot, Spinach
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula
  • Chef's Knife
  • cutting board
  • 1 Whisk

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil EVOO
  • 1 Tbsp Butter
  • ½ Cup Onion White or yellow, chopped
  • 2 Garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ Cup Cream cheese softened
  • ½ Cup Sour Cream Or Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 8 Cups Fresh Spinach Chopped
  • Salt and Pepper To Taste
  • ½ Tsp Nutmeg Grated. Enhances the flavor!
  • ⅓ Tsp Crushed Red Pepper Optional
  • ⅓ Cup Pine Nuts

Instructions

  • Gather all tools and ingredients for the recipe to save time!
  • Heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp evoo in skillet on med-high temp. Add chopped onion. Saute until soft and golden. Add minced garlic and cook about 1 minute to avoid burning the garlic.
  • Whisk in cream cheese and sour cream (or yogurt) until creamy, on medium-low heat.
  • Add spinach and seasonings to skillet. Stir well until spinach is wilted.
  • Sprinkle pine nuts on top and enjoy!
Tagged , , , , , ,
To help simplify the low carbohydrate recipes, lowcarbvana.com provides only estimates in calculating carbohydrate contents. The accuracy of the nutritional information is an estimate only and not guaranteed. All users must independently calculate their own carbohydrate values and those of other nutritional components with their own ingredients. By interacting with this website you agree to this disclaimer.