Spinach Archives - LowCarbvana

Cheesy Eggplant Boats

July 24, 2024 Irma Crepps

Cheesy Eggplant Boats

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

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1

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!

Burgers, Dinner Entrees, Lunch

Great Greek Burgers

January 27, 2024 Irma Crepps

This Greek turkey burger is juicy and packed with incredible mouth-watering flavor. An easy and healthy weekday staple. Your family or guests will go back for seconds! Enjoy!

Great Greek Burgers

Print Recipe

15 Carbs (depends on the pita bread)

Course Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine Greek

Keyword Cucumber, Feta, Garlic, Greek Yogurt, Lemon, Oregano, Parsley, Pita Bread, Red Onion, Red Roasted Peppers, Spinach, Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Servings 4

Equipment

Board for Chopping
Large Skillet I prefer cast iron
Spatula
Sharp knife
Spoon
Mixing Bowl
1 Small bowl and plate

Ingredients

2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil evoo
1 1.2 Pounds Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage Ground turkey or remove meat from links.
1 Cup Red Onion, Diced Small, Divided
3/4 Cup Cooked Spinach, Chopped
3 Tbsp Fresh Garlic, Minced, Divided Or 1 ½ Tsp Dried Garlic
3 Tsp Fresh or Dried Oregano, Divided
2 Tsp Salt Or Grill Seasoning
1 Tsp Pepper
1 Cup Greek Yogurt Full Fat is usually very creamy with less carbs
½ Cup English Cucumber, Diced
2 Tbsp Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
½ Cup Roasted Red Peppers, Diced Jarred (or roast fresh in 425 F oven for 20 minutes.)
1 Cup Feta Cheese
½ Cup Kalamata Olives, Chopped Optional
½ Cup Fresh Parsley, Chopped Optional
1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, Cut in half

Instructions

Gather all your ingredients and "tools for the trade" which will really saves you time.
Burgers: In a mixing bowl combine ground turkey, ½ cup onion, spinach, 2 tbsp fresh garlic (or 2 tsp dried), 2 tsp oregano, and 1 tsp each of salt and pepper.
Form oblong patties to fit in half of a pita, around ½ inch in thickness.
Heat evoo in skillet on medium high. Add turkey burgers and brown for 3-4 minutes until golden.
Flip burgers and cook on medium heat for 4-5 minutes, or until internal temp is 165 degrees. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
Sauce: In a small bowl mix yogurt, cucumber and lemon juice. Season with remaining garlic, oregano, and salt.
Toppings: On a plate arrange red peppers, remaining onion, Feta cheese, olives, parsley, and tomatoes.
Cut pitas in half and toast. Fill pitas with burger, sauce and toppings. Kali Oreksi!! So easy and so tasty!

Holiday Favorites, Sides, Vegetable

Creamy Spinach with Pine Nuts

January 20, 2024January 29, 2024 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

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

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!

Appetizers, Avocado, Breads, Lunch, Sandwiches, Snacks

Triple-Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich

November 10, 2023November 10, 2023 Irma Crepps

This melt-in-your-mouth grilled cheese is what cheese lovers have been longing for! Try it with my Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup for true comfort food on a cold day.

Triple-Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Print Recipe

Approximately 26 Carbohydrates. May vary depending on the bread you like.

Course Bread, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword Cheddar Cheese, Grilled Cheese, Low-Carb Bread, Mayonnaise, Monterey Jack Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers, Spinach

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings 2

Equipment

Butter Knife
Non-Stick Frying Pan with Lid Or I prefer Cast Iron
Spatula
Toaster
cutting board
Sharp knife
Grill Press Optional

Ingredients

4 Slices of your favorite low-carb bread I like Dave's Killer Bread, 13 carbs per slice
3 Tbsp Mayonnaise
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese Grated
2 Slices of Sharp Cheddar Cheese
2 Slices of Monterey Jack Cheese
3 Tbsp Butter
1 Jarred Roasted Red Pepper Squeeze out excess water on a paper towel to prevent a soggy sandwich
½ Cup Fresh Spinach Leaves
Thinly Cut Avocado Slices Optional

Instructions

Gather all your ingredients and tools to save time.
Partially toast bread slices so they are slightly firm but not crispy.
Spread mayonnaise on one side of each toast. Sprinkle Parmesan on top of the mayonnaise and press down gently to adhere. Place 2 toasts on cutting board, Parmesan cheese side down.
Heat half of the butter in a fry pan on medium-high heat until butter is bubbling.
On cutting board, top the 2 toasts in this order: cheddar cheese, roasted red pepper slices, spinach leaves, Monterey Jack cheese, and second toast, with the Parmesan sides up. Option to include avocado slices.
Place gently in fry pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until golden with the lid on fry pan. Lift both sandwiches from the pan to a cutting board. Melt the remaining butter in the fry pan.
Gently flip sandwiches and return them to the pan.
Press gently with a grill press or cover with a lid to help the cheese melt. Cook on low-medium heat until golden on the second side.
Transfer to cutting board to cool slightly before cutting.
Enjoy with my Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup or Gazpacho. Dip away my friends!!

Breakfast, Lunch, Pie

Spinach and Sausage Quiche

May 24, 2023 Irma Crepps

This is a family fav that always satisfies a hungry crowd in the morning or afternoon. The delicious filling can easily be changed to your favorite ingredients. Enjoy warm straight from your oven or make ahead of time to serve at room temperature. The aroma in your kitchen will trigger any appetite.

Best Quiche Ever!

Print Recipe

10 carbohydrates per slice (8 slices)

Course Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword Almond flour, Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes, Eggs, Onion, Pie Crust, Piecrust, Spinach, Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage, Swiss Cheese

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 10

Servings 8

Equipment

Glass Pie Plate I prefer glass pie plates to see when the crust is golden.
Large Skillet I prefer cast iron, but your favorite frypan will work.
Spatula or Wooden Spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Chef's Knife
Chopping board
Rubber spatula
Whisk
Large mixing bowl
2 Medium Bowls
Cheese grater
Cookie sheet
Colander
Aluminum Foil

Ingredients

1 Lowcarbvana's Best All-Purpose Pie Crust or Buy 1 Pre-Made Pie Crust or Opt for No Crust Check out this recipe! Quick, yummy, super easy! Can make ahead and freeze.
Cooking Spray or Butter
3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
1 LBS Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage Ground or Links (casings removed)
½ Bell Pepper Green, Red, or Yellow, Diced
½ Onion Yellow or White, Diced
8 Large Eggs
2 Tsp Dijon Mustard
½ Cup Half & Half Or your milk of choice.
1 Tsp Fresh or Dried Dill
1 Tsp Each of salt and pepper
¼ Cup Roasted red pepper Chopped
½ Cup Chopped Frozen or Fresh Spinach Thaw and strain frozen spinach.
1 Cup Swiss or Gruyere Cheese A more intense cheesy flavor if you freshly grate it yourself, but pre shredded cheese is delicious too and saves prep time.
½ Cup Cheddar Cheese Grated or shredded.
1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley

Instructions

Preheat oven 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Gather all your equipment and ingredients to save you lots of time!
Coat sides and bottom of pie plate with cooking spray or butter.
Pick your pie crust option.
Dice pepper and onion.
In skillet, brown sausage in 2 Tbsp of EVOO on medium-high heat. Break up meat into small pieces in skillet and transfer to a medium bowl.
Loosen sausage pan drippings with a spatula and add 1 Tbsp of EVOO. On medium-high heat, add pepper and onion. Season with salt and pepper to taste and saute until soft.
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, mustard, Half & Half (or milk), and dill.
Stir in sausage, pepper, onion, sun dried tomatoes, and Swiss cheese.
Pour into prepared pie crust.
Sprinkle Cheddar cheese on top.
Place quiche on cookie sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes, until cheese is golden on top.
Cover with aluminum foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden.
Cool before slicing. Garnish with parsley and serve with cherry tomatoes, and/or avocado slices.