Keto Archives - Garlic & Olive Oil Veins

Cheesy Cauiflower Casserole

This cheesy cauliflower casserole is great for any side dish. Perfect for a holiday, party, or even just a regular week night! This recipe is actually made low carb. Really the only item that I used differently for a low carb option, was I used xanthan gum and almond vs white flour. You can easily omit that and use flour. Give this recipe a try! If you don’t love cauliflower, try making this…it will change your mind!

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Ingredients:
2 lbs fresh cauliflower, cut in bite sizes pieces (or smaller, depending on preference)
1 stick butter, melted
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 slices cooked bacon or 4 slices prosciutto crispy
2 t almond flour, or 2 T white flour
1 t xanthan gum
3 T Romano cheese, finely grated
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup, heavy cream/milk/half and half
1 T garlic & herb seasoning, (See Amazon link below for what I use)
1 t salt
1 t pepper
1/4 cup bacon or prosciutto (crispy), optional (for the topping)

Directions: Preheat oven 375°. Steam or blanch the cauliflower till fork tender. (Note: do not overcook the cauliflower or it will be mushy.) Once cauliflower is fork tender, drain it and add to a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, add in melted butter, onion, garlic, almond flour, xanthan gum and garlic and herb seasoning. Whisk together.

Add the butter mixture with the cauliflower and mix well, slowly pour in heavy cream. Fold in the Romano cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Add to an oven safe casserole dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until bubbling and edges are starting to brown. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Top with crispy bacon or prosciutto. Enjoy!

Note: If you don’t have garlic and herb seasoning you can substitute with 1 t garlic powder, 2 t parsley, 1 t dill. This recipe can easily be made ahead of time. You can make and refrigerate for a few hours or even over night. Just add an extra 15-20 minutes to the cook time.

October 25, 2020November 6, 2020

garlicandoliveoilveins

Crispy Skin Pan Seared Alaskan Salmon

Funny story about salmon is I just started eating it probably 2 months ago. I got some from an organic meats monthly membership and ever since then I’ve made it probably 8 times. I’ve been buying it when it’s on sale and just vacuum sealing it to freeze it. It thaws really quickly so you can take it out in the morning and have a healthy protein to cook up after work. I never liked salmon at all. To me it was always so fishy tasting and SMELLING. I completely stayed away from it. I’m loving it now. Maybe it’s just that my taste has changed, maybe I realized how good it was for me, maybe the way I prepare it just takes away the fish flavor…..I don’t know what it is, but I’m SO happy I tried it. It’s a much meater fish and I think that’s why I enjoy it.

Here’s what I do to make my Alaskan salmon with the crispy skin. I’ve yet to make skinless salmon. I’m not really sure I ever will. I want those nutrients and the flavor of a crispy salmon skin, is delicious. Wow, I never thought in a million years I’d be saying that.

So, if you like salmon, this is probably a simple recipe for you. If you don’t like salmon or are on the fence about the flavor just TRY it. The simplicity of this recipe just makes the taste that much better. I know that doesn’t mike sense. Haha!! But just give it a try!

Crispy Skin Alaskan Salmon

Ingredients:
4- 5-6 oz Alaskan Salmon portions, skin on
1/2 T dried parsley
2 t salt
2 t pepper
2 t garlic powder
4 T salted butter, cut in slices
1 lemon, juiced
3 T olive oil

Directions: Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel on both sides. Especially the skin side. (Note: A wet skin will not get crispy) Season both sides of the salmon with parsley, garlic powder and salt and pepper. (Add more seasonings to taste) Once pan is hot enough, add in olive oil and let heat 1-2 minutes.

Add salmon to the hot pan skin side down. I like to give it a little push to make sure the skin fully makes contact with the pan. Complete with all pieces of salmon. The cooking time is always going to depend on the thickness of your salmon. You are looking for an internal temperature of 145. You want the inside of the salmon to look translucent and pink at the same time. Lower the heat to medium.

I cook mine for about 10-12 minutes on skin side and about 7-8 minutes on the other side. The side with the skin should be cooked a little longer to make sure it’s done. You can use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature.

After you flip the salmon and have skin side up and after cooking for about 7 minutes you will want to add the butter and the juice from the lemon right into the pan. Make sure to not flip the salmon again or you’ll lose that crispy skin. Move the butter and lemon juice around to make sure it’s evenly coated on the bottom of the pan. Cook another 3-4 minutes. I like to brown the butter personally it give is a nice flavor. Watch to not burn it.

Once salmon is done, move to plates and drizzle a little lemon juice and any butter left from the pan over the salmon. Make sure it’s the side with no skin. Serve and enjoy! Let me know how you like this recipe!

Featured Amazon Favorites (Link Below) : Instant read thermometer
My Amazon Must Haves

October 27, 2019March 20, 2020

garlicandoliveoilveinsLeave a comment

Buttery Garlic Baked Drumsticks

Today I’m sharing a simple Buttery Garlic flavor drumsicks!

The good thing about drumsticks is you can usually find them at a very reasonable price. I’ve gotten for less than a dollar a pound at the big name box stores. Chicken drumsticks don’t have a ton of meat on them, so make sure to plan accordingly, an adult may need 2-3 drumsticks. Drumsticks only weigh about 4oz and only yield about 1-2 oz of actual meat.

I prefer to bake in the oven. The chicken always comes out super moist.

Buttery Garlic Baked Drumstick

Ingredients:
6 chicken drumsticks
1/2 (4T) stick salted butter, melted
4 T garlic, minced or grated
2 t dried parsley
2 t onion powder
1 t salt
1 t pepper

Direction: Preheat oven to 400°. Pat dry the drums. Try and pull the skin over to completely cover the drum. Sometimes the skin starts to slide off and does not cover completely.

In the bowl add melted butter, add in the garlic and parsley. Mix well and set aside. Grease the cooking pan with cooking spray. This will keep the chicken from sticking. Even if using the disposable pan, still spray it. It doesn’t hurt! Lay out the chicken on the baking pan and season with salt, pepper and onion powder.

Bake chicken in the oven for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush butter mixture on the drumsticks and place back in the oven for another 8-10 minutes. (Note: Cooking times will vary depending on oven temperatures and size of drumsticks.) The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temp of 165°. Remember, the drumstick is the dark meat so it won’t be white in color like a chicken breast. Let set a few minutes and then enjoy with your favorite sides or a salad.