Showing posts sorted by relevance for query bread. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query bread. Sort by date Show all posts

Sunday, October 9, 2022

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Here's My Mom's Stuffing Recipe

moms stuffing recipe

For those who don't know, it's Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend.

Growing up, early October was always a time when we planned to be together as a family.

For me, heading to my mom and dad's house with the kids was a wonderful weekend: Time with my brothers and their families, as well as a great time with mom and dad.

Since mom and dad are both passed on now (I still can't believe I'm typing that!) I miss and treasure those memories to the core of my being.

I must say, I'm looking forward to dinner tomorrow with the kids. Unfortunately, it won't be with all the kids, as I have seven (4 sons, 2 stepsons, and a stepdaughter). I only use the word "Step" to respect their mom. My stepkids have been a part of my life for 40 years - I consider them my kids, but I hold back on that declaration out of respect for their mom. Being a mom myself, I understand that 'feeling.' - the feeling of being 'the mom.'

Anyway, I digress!

So in honor of Canadian Thanksgiving, I wanted to share my mother's turkey stuffing recipe. It has long since been my recipe; I just made it today for our Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

My Mother's Turkey Stuffing Recipe:

Ingredients for My Mom's Stuffing Recipe:

  • Celery
  • Onion
  • Stuffing Bread OR
  • Regular Bread Cut-Up with Spices
  • Spices if adding on your own: Sage, Poultry Seasoning,
  • Sausage (I use breakfast sausage)
  • 3 Tablespoons of Rice (Basically a handful)
How to Prepare Mom's Stuffing:

1) In a bowl, add cut the bread up into chewable cubes (sometimes you can get stuffing bread already cut up)

2) If you don't have cut-up stuffing bread and need to make your own stuffing bread, here's what to do:
  • In a large mixing bowl, cut bread (any bread that is your favorite, although heavier bread is better) into cubes
  • Add Sage - be liberal with the Sage - I add about two or so tablespoons, depending on how big the turkey is and how much stuffing there is
  • Add Poultry Seasoning - probably about 2 tablespoons
3) Fry the sausage separately - I buy breakfast sausage - and, after cooked, cut the breakfast sausage into bite-sized pieces

4) In a Frying Pan, in Butter:
  • Fry one chopped onion
  • Add one entire stock of celery (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
5) Add the celery/onion fried mixture and the cut-up sausages to the bread/sage/poultry seasoning bread mixture

6) Add the rice to the bread mixture

Mix it all together until it sticks together nicely. 

It should look 'wet' and be compacted together.

By the way, what's the secret ingredient to stuffing that makes it stuffing - it's the Sage! But that's been a flavor I've been used to my entire life when it comes to stuffing!

If you've never added Sage, give it a try - by the way, that's ground sage! You can find it in the spice aisle of your local grocer.

NOTE:

I prepare this the night before, put it in a ziplock bag, keep it in the fridge, then stuff the turkey in the morning <---- Mom taught me that trick too.

My number three son, Joshua, loves this recipe as much as I do, and that alone makes me so happy! Thank you, Joshie, for being a kindred stuffing lover!

Happy Thanksgiving to all - These times haven't been easy, so it's essential to live in the moment and enjoy spending time with the ones you love.



Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Friday, July 10, 2020

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven With Loop Handles

Cast Iron Dutch Oven and Lid Skillet
When fellow contributor, Dawn Rae, started tempting me with homemade bread recipes, I decided I needed a dutch oven.  My husband loves homemade bread and I enjoy cooking, so it was time to test my bread baking skills again.

It has been years since I have baked bread other than my banana bread.  I used to bake bread every week, but I got out of that habit when I let my sour dough starter ruin.  I would love to find another really good sour dough starter.  Until then, Dawn's Artisan Bread Recipe is great!  Actually, it is faster and easier than the sour dough bread I used to make and my family seems to be just as happy with Dawn's Artisan Bread. 

There are a lot of dutch ovens available, but I wanted the cast iron version.


The Versatility of Cast Iron


 Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven on Gas StoveI have cooked with a cast iron skillet my entire life.  It is heavy compared to other skillets, but you can't beat it when frying fish, frying pork chops, or baking cornbread.  

You can use cast iron on a stove top, electric or gas, as long as it has range burner elements (not recommended by some glass stove top manufacturers for a flat surface glass stove top).  
Update: Contributor Sam Monaco comments below that he uses his cast iron skillet on his glass stove top all of the time.

Cast Iron will also go in the oven, which is how my mother, my grandmother, my great grandmother and I have all baked cornbread.  That is why I wanted the cast iron dutch oven.  I knew it would be most excellent for baking!

Cast Iron can also be used on a open flame, like a campfire.  I have been known to fish which is rather ironic since I don't eat trout or catfish.  However, when you come from a family with 4 brothers and a mother who loves catfish, you better fish or you are left behind counting the hours.  Besides, I love quietly floating down the river in a boat, soaking in the sun and the beauty of nature surrounding me.  

One year, Dad hired a guide.  We caught our limit by midday, but didn't have any desire to stop fishing.  So, we pulled to shore, built a campfire and cooked our fish in a cast iron skillet along with some potatoes the guide provided.  After lunch, we fished a few more hours and brought home fish for dinner.  That is how I discovered a cast iron skillet could be used over a open campfire!


My Cast Iron Dutch Oven


 Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven With Loop Handles, 5 qtCheck PriceI purchased a 5 qt. Lodge brand cast iron dutch oven and I have be thrilled with it for several reasons.

  • The lid doubles as a skillet
  • I really like the handles on both the lid & the dutch oven
  • It is just the right size for the oven
  • Perfection in cooking due to even heating 
  • Easy to wash, dry & re-season* 
  • I know it will outlast me, which means I will never have to buy again
  • Lodge is a trusted name in cast iron.  Over 100 years in business

*Seasoning cast iron is simply rubbing it lightly with vegetable oil after washing while it is still warm from the hot water wash or you can place it back in a warm oven after applying the oil.

I chose the basic cast iron dutch oven mainly because I loved the dual purpose lid.  I knew I could flip the lid and bake cornbread on top while a roast baked below it in the dutch oven.  The top would not only be a lid for the roast, but also a skillet for the cornbread.  

One note about using the lid on the dutch oven.  In the photo, you see the lid and dutch oven handles are evenly aligned.  I prefer to offset them slightly so lifting the hot lid is much easier.

Dawn Rae chose an enameled cast iron dutch oven which should be fine for cooking on a flat, glass stove top.  You can read her review here: Enameled Cast Iron - Pricey But Worth It 


You too can Bake Dawn's Easy No-Knead Dutch Oven Artisan Bread! 
To make my bread in the intro photo, I used Dawn's recipe. 
I added 3/4 cup cranberries, 3/4 cup walnuts & 1T honey.
Simply click the image below for her recipe. 

crunchy-no-knead-round-loaf-bread





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Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Monday, May 2, 2022

Reviewing Why I Make and Recommend Bannock

Bannock, a type of bread that is made in a skillet or pan on the stovetop or open fire, has been something I have made off and on over the years. But recently, Bannock has been in the forefront. Between being an integral part of a book series I've just read and being what I'm making for breakfast this morning, I thought I'd share with you.



What is Bannock?

After a Google search, it seems that Bannock (with a variety of spellings) was a Gaelic word meaning "morsel" and is believed to have originated in Scotland. It is a flat, unleavened bread and it is thought to have been introduced to North America by Scottish immigrants. 

You'll hear the words fry bread and bannock use interchangeably at times. The Indigenous people of North America make an unleavened fry bread. I believe that the original Scottish bannock used oatmeal and the North American fry bread originated with meal made of corn or nuts. At some point in time, both versions began using flour.

For my personal use and definition, Bannock is a yeastless bread that is made of flour, baking powder, and a liquid and is cooked on an almost dry skillet.  Fry bread is similar but "fried" with a larger amount of oil. I am sure others have their definitions, but this is mine. Bannock is something that hikers, campers, and hunters can easily make while on the trail.

Bannock for Breakfast

Today has turned cold and stormy. Thunder claps and lightning had me rushing to check on the outside animals before crawling back under the blankets. I felt too lazy to make breakfast but I was hungry. When I finally got up and moving, I made bannocks and scrambled eggs with sausage crumbles. 



During the moving process from the apartment to my land, my best friend was helping at one point and made a crack that I had "several" cans of baking powder. When I told him that I planned to be able to make Bannock if I get snowed in on the mountain he understood completely. He is an avid outdoorsman who has also made bannock while camping.

I started making bannock when I was camping in "The Shack" on my land. With only 4 ingredients, it was an easy thing to have on hand in off-grid conditions. As the house build began, I camped in the little shed and conditions were more austere. The shed was such a very small space for camping and storing supplies. But I could make bannock on my single camp stove burner.

I use the version by Liz Thomson. The ingredients are:

  • 1 c flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 TB olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 c warm water
  • herbs such as rosemary are optional (I use the most minuscule shake of Mrs. Dash)
I use this version because it is the smallest recipe and makes 3-4 small biscuits. I found that olive oil kept well in my off-grid camping situations. There are versions that use butter, lard, bacon grease, and so on. While those version often have more flavor, those ingredients were more difficult for me to make sure I had on hand. 

Not only did I make bannock while I was camping I also made bannock at the apartment. During quarantine and supply chain situations, I sometimes made bannock in lieu of bread. I also made homemade bread that required yeast and time to rise - because I had that time. But bannock is much more quick and easy to make. It was great to have with a can of soup. And as I told my friend, I made sure to buy some (okay, many) cans of baking powder ahead. Now that I've moved to a rural area (a mountain ridge in West Virginia) I could easily be snowed in for a long period of time. Bannock is something that I can make in a pan on top of my woodstove if I am without electricity. So I'm set in that regard.

I highly recommend that people try making bannock in the event they want or need an easy-to-make bread at home or on the trail.

Bannock in the Books


I mentioned that I just read about bannock in a fictional series I was reading. I love to read. It takes my mind off of the issues at work. But I don't have much spare time, focus, or energy. So I need the story to grab me and keep me immersed. 

I am so glad that I read a series that was reviewed by Sylvestermouse Cynthia here on Review This! The series is the Tales from the Highlands series. Book 3 in that series written by Martha Keyes is The Innkeeper and the Fugitive. Ana MacMorran flees her home and an arranged marriage. She does not want to marry the villainous laird of Benleith. During her criminal escape from this contract, she finds herself at Glengour Inn. There she secretly assumes an identity of another in order to try to hide.

At Glengour Inn, travelers stop for a bit of bannock and drink before continuing on their travels.

I enjoyed the Tales from the Highlands series immensely. If you'd like to know more about the series, check out Cynthia's book reviews:








Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Sunday, January 16, 2022

A Bread Box Review and Recommendation

A Five Star Review - Bread Box

I've needed a new bread box for a long time. I searched on amazon for at least three months before finally taking the plunge and making the purchase.

Features That Were Important to Me:

  1. I wanted a roll-top bread box
  2. It needed to have two shelves inside
  3. Each shelf had to be deep enough and high enough to hold several loaves of bread
  4. There had to be room between the cupboard and top of the bread box so I could place things on top if necessary
  5. I wanted to spend less than $100
  6. It had to look attractive
  7. It could be chrome or wood
  8. I preferred it be pre-assembled
  9. I didn't want a glass door (I figured the glass would eventually break)
  10. Bamboo wood was preferred
This Bread Box Met 9 out of the 10 Criteria Items:

Bamboo Bread Box


Which One of the 10 Criteria Items Did Not Get Met?

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find one that met all of our needs that was pre-assembled. 

However, like most of my sons, my husband is very good at assembling products, so I knew I could safely forfeit this preference.

After reading the reviews, a few comments expressed their dissatisfaction with the assembly process. But I have to say, my husband had absolutely no problem putting it together, but as I mentioned, he's good at such things. 

If I had to personally assemble it, I would not have purchased any item that required putting it together --- only because I suck at that stuff! Fortunately, hubby handled that.

The Interior Has Two Shelves With Plenty of Room
Has Two Roomy Shelves

There is Plenty of Room On Top
There's Room to Place Items on Top

The Only Fix We Had To Make

When the roll-top door is closed (without care), it makes a loud noise. Since so many people live in our home, I knew I couldn't police that behavior, so we solved the problem by putting two tiny velcro tabs on the bottom. The tabs prevent the door from hitting the base, and it's much quieter.

We Placed Velcro Tabs to Reduce the Door Closing Noise

We Purchased the Bread Box From Amazon

We purchased it from Amazon.ca (Canada) at this link.

When typing this, I noticed that this specific bread box wasn't appearing on the USA site. But here's a link to a similar one (from what I could tell)... Both of them are the same size ... 15" by 9.8" by 14.2"

Five stars. Recommended.




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Quick, Easy & Delicious Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins — Low Carb Recipe

I posted a photo of these quick & easy Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins on social media recently and many people commented asking me for the recipe. So, by popular demand, I'm sharing and reviewing my quick and easy recipe for these mouthwatering, keto-friendly, low carb Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins. 

My husband loved these so much he couldn't wait for me to make them again!

Cheddar cheese corn dog muffins

I wanted a quick and easy recipe for weeknights, so I used Good Dee's Corn Free Bread Mix, which is excellent and has clean, wholesome, healthy ingredients.

However, you could easily make this recipe with your favorite low carb or conventional cornbread or corn muffin recipe instead of the prepared Good Dee's Corn Free Bread Mix, if you prefer. You can also substitute another favorite shredded cheese for the cheddar. See Recipe Variations, below, for more information and variations.

Enjoy!

Recommended Tools and Equipment

I like to use reusable silicone baking cups AKA muffin tin liners lightly sprayed with avocado or olive oil for these cheddar corn dog muffins. Baked goods are released from these cups very easily, and they help keep leftover muffins or cupcakes fresher during storage. These silicone liners are also very easy to clean, especially if you spray them lightly with oil before adding the batter.

The silicone liners I use for this recipe (I have two types) are the GIR: Get It Right Premium Silicone Cupcake Liners Reusable Non-stick Baking Cups, which have a slightly larger capacity than my heavy-duty standard silicone baking cups and also have helpful tabs for lifting muffins or cupcakes in or out of the pan without accidentally touching or marring the tops. The set I have is in the Strawberry Swirl colorway (shades of red, pink, and pale gray), but they also come in a pretty Frosty Mint colorway (shades of dark and pale blue and green).

muffin batter in silicone baking liners
The handy tabs on the large GIR silicone baking cups make it easy to lift the filled liners in and out of the muffin pan.

I prefer to use these silicone baking cups as liners in a nonstick muffin pan, which helps distribute the heat evenly and helps keep the muffins shaped nicely, while the nonstick pan finish helps prevent any stray bits of batter or cheese from sticking. Chicago Metallic is an excellent brand; I have a couple of specialty (jumbo and mini) muffin pans from them and they're great. Since my standard nonstick cupcake pans are getting a bit long in the tooth, when it's time to replace them I'll be buying the Chicago Metallic Commercial II Non-Stick 12-Cup Muffin Pan.

I use a three-tablespoon scoop to measure out the batter, using one rounded scoop of batter for each muffin cup. I have a set of Norpro stainless steel measuring scoops that I love and use all the time, and the 50MM (3 Tablespoons) Norpro Stainless Steel Scoop is perfect for this recipe.

Ingredients for low carb cheddar corn dog muffins
I use Good Dee's Corn Free Bread Mix along with eggs, butter, apple cider vinegar, cornbread flavoring, cheddar cheese, hot dogs, and avocado oil spray in this recipe, but you can also substitute other ingredients (see Recipe Variations). 

Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins Recipe

Low carb cheddar corn dog muffins

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Servings: 12 (one muffin per serving)

Ingredients

For the Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins: For the optional dipping sauce:

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Lightly grease 12 silicone muffin cup liners and place in a muffin tin.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, vinegar, and cornbread flavoring or sweet corn extract. Stir in the Good Dee’s Corn Free Bread Mix until well combined.
  3. Reserve 4 Tablespoons (1/2 cup) of the grated cheese and mix the remaining cheese into the batter.
  4. Divide the batter evenly among the greased muffin tin liners.
  5. Slice each hot dog into four sections. Place one section on end in the center of each batter-filled muffin cup, then sprinkle each muffin with 1 teaspoon of the reserved shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Bake until lightly golden, approximately 18 minutes. Do not overbake or the muffins will be dry.
  7. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove the silicone muffin cup liners and serve, with or without optional dipping sauce.

Optional dipping sauce:

Mix the sugar-free ketchup (Primal Kitchen), sugar-free raspberry jam (ChocZero) and Dijon mustard. Serve 1.25 teaspoons of dipping sauce with each cheddar corn dog muffin.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: one Cheddar Corn Dog Muffin (without optional dipping sauce)

Calories: 189

Fat: 16.3 g

    Sat. Fat: 5 g

    Cholesterol: 70.3 mg

Total Carbs: 6.3 g

    Net Carbs: 1.3 g

    Fiber: 5 g

    Sugars: 0 g

        Added Sugars: 0 g

    Sugar Alcohols: 0 g

Protein: 8.6 g

Recipe Variations

  • If you want some hot dog in every bite, consider dicing the hot dogs and mixing them into the batter instead of inserting 1/4 hot dog into the center of each muffin.
  • If you're not a fan of cheddar, consider substituting another cheese such as shredded Swiss, provolone, or gouda.
  • If you want to make this low carb cheddar corn dog muffins recipe entirely from scratch instead of using a mix, try the Keto Corn Dog Bites recipe from All Day I Dream About Food but mix in the shredded cheddar before scooping the batter and add the shredded cheese topping before baking.
  • Alternatively, you could substitute a conventional corn muffin mix or recipe for the corn dog batter if you aren't watching your carbs.
Plate of freshly baked low carb cheddar corn dog muffins
Cheddar corn dog muffins, fresh from the oven!

Quick, Easy & Delicious Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins — Low Carb Recipe by Margaret Schindel


Posts About My Keto Diet Journey

My First Year on The Keto Diet

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part One

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part Two

Low Carb Muffins & Cupcakes: Treats to Enjoy on a Keto Diet

Low Carb Keto Chocolate Yogurt Granola Chip Pudding Recipe

Good Dee’s Keto Cookie Low Carb Baking Mix Review

Hamama Microgreens Growing Kit Review & Success Tips

My Favorite Hamama Microgreens Seed Quilt Accessories

Keto Cheddar Cheese Biscuits With Chives Recipe

The Ultimate Keto Hot Chocolate Recipe

The Best Low Carb Keto Gift Ideas: Keto Gift Guide

The Best Low Carb Keto Cinnamon Muffins

Wholesome Yum Keto Bread Mix and Yeast Bread Recipe

The Good Chocolate 100% Organic No Sugar Dark Chocolate Review

The Best Advice to Maintain Your Keto Diet Weight Loss

My New Irresistibly Delicious Keto Cheese Crackers Recipe

Luscious Low Carb Keto Triple Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Quick & Easy Livlo Blueberry Scones Keto Baking Mix Review

Snack Better With The Best Healthy Keto Cookie Dough Bites

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe

Comparing the Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads - No Added Sugars

The Best Low Carb Keto Sandwich and Burger Buns Mix

Blueberry Biscuit Scones — New, Easy, Low Carb Keto Recipe

The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs

An Unusual, Delicious Strawberry Chocolate Tea With 0 Calories

Delicious Sugar-Free Keto Cookies That OREO Fans Will Love

Healthy Pistachio Cherry Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cereal Treats Recipe

Easy, Decadent, High Protein, Sugar-Free Rocky Road Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

The Best Quick & Easy Low Carb Sausage and Ricotta Calzones

How to Make Refreshing Vanilla Italian Soda (With or Without Cream)

Quick, Easy & Delicious Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins — Low Carb Recipe


Reviews of the Keto Diet by Barbara C. (aka Brite-Ideas)

My Personal Keto Testimonial

How I Stayed Committed to the Ketogenic Way of Eating


Read More Recipe Reviews by Our Review This Reviews Contributors

Read More Food Reviews by Our Review This Reviews Contributors

Read More Reviews About Health and Wellness by Our Review This Reviews Contributors






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Friday, September 3, 2021

Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Countertop Toaster Oven Reviewed

Countertop Oven Review
When my oven went out for the second time in a year, I knew I needed an alternative so I searched for the best countertop oven for baking. Discovering the Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Countertop Toaster Oven has been like finding a riverbed of gold!

Not having a working oven in our home is a major inconvenience. It has taken months to get the circuit board parts for repairing our built-in double ovens (twice). I understand there is a backlog and some parts are simply not available at this time. However, cooking dinner for my family can't wait for months, or that proverbial "slow boat".  

Of course I cook on the stove, in my Instant Pot, in my Crockpot and in the microwave. However, we love pizza, lasagna, manicotti, chicken enchiladas, roast, salmon, casserole style dinners, plus various breads, baked sides & desserts, which require an oven. I use my oven for something almost every day.  Therefore, this time, I had to find a separate countertop oven to carry us through until my double ovens are fixed.  

At the time of writing this article, my double ovens are still waiting for repair and I have been using my Calphalon Cool Touch Countertop (Convection option) Oven multiple times each day for weeks now. I am here to tell you, this little countertop oven is fabulous!  I have decided it actually does a better job of baking bread than my large convection oven. Therefore, even after my ovens are repaired again, I will continue to use this magnificent work-horse appliance.


Why Choose the Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Countertop Toaster Oven

Countertop Toaster Oven Review
Previously, I did not want a countertop oven because I was warned that they get really hot on the outside.  Plus, most have small interiors and are very limited on what they can cook well.  It seemed like it would be a waste of counter space.

When desperation forced me to reconsider and research countertop ovens, I chose the Calphalon Cool Touch Countertop Oven simply because it is "cool touch".  The outside of the oven doesn't get hot! Plus, I read that the interior cooking space was a little over 12" x 12", which is large enough for a variety of pans. Even though I have needed to purchase smaller cookie sheets and a casserole dish without handles separately, I would like to note that the oven did come with a 12" pizza pan and a baking pan that fit the oven. That allowed me to start cooking immediately.

My first baking experiment for the "little oven" was my banana bread.  My standard loaf pan fit in the oven without any problem.  You can imagine my surprise when I pulled out a beautifully browned loaf of bread, followed by the real test of cutting into it to find it was fully baked with no under-cooked center spots.

Calphalon Cool Touch Countertop Toaster Oven
I was beyond excited to serve it to my family for breakfast.  I admit, that was the best ever banana bread and I've been baking banana bread for decades. Next, we baked biscuits and they were also cooked to perfection.

Then we tried pizza and it was perfect!  Followed by broiled beef sausages.  Admittedly, my husband prefers a charred skin on his beef sausage, but I thought the beef sausages were better than usual because the skin wasn't burnt.  Then came the clincher, the one meal that sold me on believing this convection countertop oven is better than my built-in ovens. I baked my lasagna and it was cooked perfectly.

In the midst of a stressful major appliance outage, this little oven has delivered peace and perfection! 

I give the Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Countertop Toaster Oven my highest recommendation.

 

Features of the Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Countertop Toaster Oven

 Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Countertop Toaster OvenCheck Price
  • Cool Touch Exterior
  • Large Interior Capacity
  • Convection or Standard Oven Settings
  • Oven Light
  • Non-stick Interior
  • Easy to Select & Set Cooking Options
  • Easy to Set Timer
  • Preheats Really Fast
  • Preset cooking functions: Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, (Bread) Proof, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat, & Dehydrate 
  • Keep Warm & Defrost Buttons
  • Wire Cooking Rack with Optional Upper or Lower Position
  • Included Accessories: 12" Pizza Pan, Baking Pan, Dehydration Basket, & Crumb Tray
  • Does Not Heat Up the Kitchen like a Regular Oven
  • 3 Year Warranty - Product Registeration at Calphalon.com


A Few Placement Notes
  1. While the sides and top are cool touch, the bottom and back are hot, therefore I pull the "little oven" out about 4" from the wall when using
  2. The Electric Cord is on the right side of the back, not the center.  This keeps the cord away from the heat of the back, but might limit placement depending on where your electric outlet is installed
  3. The Cooling Vent is on the right side and should not be blocked.
  4. Rubber Feet on the Bottom create a 1½" separation between the counter and the bottom of the countertop oven
  5. Exterior Measurements:  19" wide x 12½" height x 17" depth (including handle)
  6. Do Not Place Hot Food on the Glass Oven Door  
  7. Print the User Guide Here

My New Lasagna/Casserole Dish That Fits This Countertop Oven

 HIC Oblong Rectangular Baking Dish Roasting Lasagna Pan, Fine White Porcelain,13 x 9Check Price

 




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House of Sylvestermouse






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Wednesday, November 22, 2023

An Awesome Low Carb Gourmet Gift Basket Everyone Will Love

Food gifts are always popular for the holidays. Unfortunately, traditional gourmet gift baskets aren't as popular as they once were. There is so much feasting between Thanksgiving and New Year's that a basket of typical high-calorie, starch- and sugar-laden holiday treats can be an unwelcome way to pack on even more unwanted pounds. Recipients may give away the high-calorie, high-carb items in the gift baskets they receive (or eat them and feel bad afterward).

Fortunately, as more and more people are choosing to eat low carb, savvy manufacturers are creating an ever-increasing array of delicious foods that consumers can indulge in without negatively affecting their health or piling on the pounds. A gourmet gift basket filled with tempting low carb treats they can indulge in guilt-free is a present everyone can enjoy.

You can customize the contents of each gift basket to suit the recipient's taste, preferences, and dietary restrictions by choosing sugar-free, keto-friendly, gluten-free, or dairy-free products.

Have fun picking out the perfect low carb goodies for your holiday gourmet gift baskets!

Fill a fabulous gourmet gift basket with luscious low carb treats

The first thing you'll need to do is to choose your low carb gourmet treats. Then, you'll pick a suitable basket or another container to fill with the items you've chosen.

From luscious chocolates and caramels to festive cookies, savory meat sticks, high-protein pasta, low-carb baking mixes, and more, you'll find recommendations here to delight everyone on your holiday gift list. 

Festive (and Guilt-Free) Sweet Treats

If your gift recipient has a sweet tooth, the holidays are the time to indulge!

Chocolates for Connoisseurs

My favorite low carb chocolates hands-down are made by ChocZero and The Good Chocolate. Both these companies have extremely high standards for quality, flavor, and mouthfeel. Everyone on your list, regardless of dietary requirements or preferences, will love these luxurious, gourmet chocolate treats!

The ChocZero Royal Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles are absolutely divine. Silky milk chocolate sweetened with monk fruit enrobes a hazelnut center and crushed gluten-free cookies. No one would ever believe there's no sugar in these fabulous truffles!

Each truffle is wrapped in elegant metallic gold foil and nestled into its own depression in the custom-molded inserts in the clear, hard plastic presentation box beautifully designed for gift-giving to even the most discerning recipient.

These are no-added-sugar masterpieces from a truly talented chocolatier. A perfect pick that's also gluten-free and keto-friendly.

(Bonus: They also contain healthy prebiotic fiber to support gut health and help you feel full longer!) I'm so excited that ChocZero will be introducing additional flavors of truffles in the coming months!

I wrote an in-depth product review of The Good Chocolate bars that explains in detail all the reasons I love this company's terrific chocolates.

Although their products aren't inexpensive, this is a luxury product that any chocolate connoisseur would appreciate.

They have an excellent variety of flavors including some unusual gourmet options, such as Dark Chocolate with Ginger and Dark Chocolate with Coconut & Turmeric (which sounds weird but is absolutely delicious!).

I also love their Signature Dark Chocolate, Salted Dark Chocolate with Roasted Almonds, Dark Chocolate with Himalayan & Sea Salt, and Milk Chocolate bars.

I highly recommend adding an assortment to your low carb gourmet gift baskets so your gift recipient can find his or her favorites. For example, The Good Chocolate Keto Chocolate Bar Variety Pack includes one bar of each of the above flavors except the Dark Chocolate with Coconut & Turmeric.

Another terrific option for people who love Snickers bars but not all the sugar they contain is the new ChocZero Rhea candy bars. These are positively decadent! I defy anyone who tries them to guess that they don't contain any added sugars.

This is a real, good old-fashioned candy bar that tastes like that famous childhood favorite but contains no added sugars.

Each Rhea bar is yummy nougat topped with loads of chopped peanuts embedded in gooey caramel, and then the whole bar is enrobed in a coating of decadent milk chocolate.

An interesting tidbit: The Rhea in the name is ChocZero's wonderful Chief Growth Officer, who not only leads the brand's excellent marketing (which is both principled and transparent) but also is actively engaged with customers.

I really love this company, its products, and its people! It's no wonder they are growing so quickly and have such a loyal following.

ChocZero Chocolate Keto Bark is one of the brand's most popular products, and for good reason. It comes in a wide range of delicious flavor choices, with new flavors introduced from time to time and some occasionally retired. My husband and I really love these delicious squares of rich, luscious chocolate either filled or studded with flavorful additions.

Some of our favorites include Dark Chocolate Peppermint, White Chocolate Cookies & Cream, and Milk Chocolate Almond.

They are all sweetened with monk fruit and are the perfect size to satisfy a sweet tooth without overindulging.

They are available in bags and, new this year, in large, collectible gift tins that also bring down the cost per piece. We always have a good selection of flavors on hand at our house!

Chewy Caramels

Another of this year's sweet innovations is ChocZero's Soft Sea Salt Caramels. These soft, chewy candies have that yummy salted caramel flavor that is deservedly popular among foodies.

Sweetened with monk fruit and salted with fine Celtic sea salt, these individually wrapped, kettle-cooked, classic caramels will remind you of old-fashioned homemade caramel candies. These sugar-free treats contain no sugar alcohols or corn syrup.

A serving of three of these yummy caramels has just 100 calories, 0 grams of sugar, and 2 net carbs.

Bonus: You can also melt these down to make a luxurious sugar-free caramel sauce!

Marshmallows

Another exceptional sugar-free treat from ChocZero is their marshmallows. 

They make regular marshmallows, mini marshmallows, marshmallows in fun seasonal shapes, twisted rainbow Unicorn marshmallows, and freeze-dried mini marshmallows like the ones in many popular kids' cereals.

I haven't been able to stop eating them since they launched earlier this year! They're perfect for floating in hot cocoa, snacking, and using in recipes.

For someone who loves Rice Krispie Treats, consider including a bag of ChocZero Marshmallows and a copy of my recipe for Healthy Pistachio Cherry Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cereal Treats.

Low Carb Cookies

There are a lot of commercial keto and low carb cookies on the market. Frankly, very few of them are worth eating. Here are some noteworthy exceptions.

ChocZero Premium Butter Cookies look just like the wonderful Danish butter cookies we all know and love, right down to the round blue collectible tin, but minus the added sugars. They are crisp, sweet, buttery, and delicious!

They would make a great addition to your low carb gourmet gift baskets!

HighKey Snacks is best known for its delicious, bite-sized mini cookies.

HighKey Mini Cookies come in a wide variety of flavors, including Double Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, Vanilla Wafers, Vanilla Shortbread, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Lemon, and Ginger Spice.

The Ginger Spice are definitely a holiday favorite and are great crushed to make a flavorful cheesecake crust. (I love them as a crust for pumpkin cheesecake!)

The Classic Variety 3-Pack includes one bag each of Double Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Chip, and Snickerdoodle mini cookies, so your gift recipient can try a few flavors.

I've also written an in-depth product review of HighKey Sugar-Free Sandwich Cookies, which are my favorite Oreo alternative and a gift any Oreo lover who's trying to cut back on sugar would appreciate.

The newest HighKey cookie offering is also a winner and might be my favorite cookie from this brand!

HighKey Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies are very large, soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies packed with a whopping 14 grams of protein per cookie.

They're individually wrapped to keep them soft and fresh, and they're as nutritious as they are delicious.

I love bringing these along in my purse or carry-on bag in case I need something to stave off hunger pains on the go.

I really hope HighKey decides to make these in additional flavors. They're a terrific addition to their product line!

Savory Goodies

If your gift recipients prefer savory to sweet, here are some tasty picks they're sure to enjoy.

High-Quality Meat Sticks

Meat sticks are a convenient low carb snack. They're high in protein, low in calories, and great to tuck in a purse or carry-on bag for a satisfying protein boost on the go.

My favorites are PaleoValley 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sticks. According to the manufacturer's website, "Paleovalley 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sticks are the only beef sticks in the USA made from 100% grass-fed/grass-finished beef and organic spices that are naturally fermented." These delicious, individually wrapped, grass-fed beef sticks come in several tasty flavors: regular Summer Sausage, Garlic Summer Sausage (my personal favorite), Jalapeno, Teriyaki, and Original.

All the flavors except Teriyaki have 6 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, and 70 calories; the Teriyaki beef sticks have 80 calories. They are non-GMO, gluten-free, grain-free, corn-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. 

I also love PaleoValley 100% Pasture-Raised Maple Bacon Pork SticksThese are made primarily from pasture-raised pork with organic spices and a touch of sweetness from organic maple syrup. They are naturally fermented to make them shelf-stable without the use of preservatives.

Each delicious maple bacon pork stick has 80 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 2 net carbs. They're gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, with no added sugar, no artificial nitrates, or nitrites.

The PaleoValley beef and pork sticks are soft and moist. If your gift recipient prefers a firmer, chewier, beef jerky-style meat stick, I highly recommend the CHOMPS Grass-Fed Beef Sticks.

These individually wrapped, jerky-style sticks are made from grass-fed and grass-finished beef. They come in your choice of Original, Habanero, Jalapeño, Italian Style, Sea Salt, and Taco Beef flavors.

Each CHOMPS beef jerky stick has 9 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, 90 calories, and no gluten, soy, or dairy.

The flavors range from extra-mild to medium spicy to suit the recipient's preferred spice/heat level.

Pasta and Sauce

A low carb lifestyle can include pasta, as long as you choose the right kind.

Although low carb pasta doesn't have an identical taste or texture to conventional pasta, there are some satisfying options.

One of my favorites is Kaizen pasta made with high-protein lupin flour. It's available in a variety of popular pasta shapes including fusilli, ziti, cavatappi, and radiatori.

I recommend cooking it a bit longer than the package directions suggest, since otherwise, it can be a bit chewy.

Because the taste is a bit different than that of conventional pasta, I highly recommend pairing it with a robust low carb sauce. 

We really like Rao's Homemade Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce made with fresh basil.

It's more expensive than some other brands, but the taste is worth the premium price, and the ingredients are fresh and high quality, like those you would use to make your own marinara sauce at home.

Another good low carb option to try that's considerably less expensive is Yo Mama's Keto Marinara Sauce. It's a lesser-known brand that deserves more recognition.

Baking Mixes

I've reviewed several low carb and keto baking mixes here on Review This Reviews. Two of my favorite brands are Scotty's Everyday and Good Dee's.

Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix is a fantastic option for enjoying fresh, homemade pizza. It makes a delicious crust that has 80 calories, 2.5 grams of protein, and an amazing zero net carbs per slice.

We like baking ours on a pizza stone to get a thin, crispy crust. It's the closest thing to real pizza dough that's also keto-friendly!

Read my in-depth product review of The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs to learn more about why this baking mix is a winner.

I've reviewed Good Dee's Low Carb Cookie Baking Mixes here on Review This Reviews. We recently made a batch of my favorite (butter pecan cookies) and they were delicious!

I also love Good Dee's brownie mixes, cake mixes, and bread mixes. Good Dee's Corn-Free Bread Mix is a key ingredient in my Low Carb Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins recipe, which is delicious and one of my husband's favorite meals.

A package of the Corn Free Bread Mix along with a copy of my cheddar corn dog muffins recipe would make a great addition to a low carb gourmet gift basket.

This mix is the best alternative to cornbread for people who are avoiding corn and grains, especially when enhanced with additional corn flavoring, as I do in my low carb cheddar corn dog muffins recipe.

You really can't go wrong with any of the Good Dee's baking mixes. They also make sugar-free rainbow sprinkles that would be great paired with one of the cake mixes!

Livlō baking mixes are another great option. Livlo makes high-quality keto baking mixes, such as the biscuit and scone mixes I use in my yummy Low Carb Blueberry Biscuit Scones recipe. Check out my recipe to learn more about these excellent, easy-to-use mixes.

Another great addition to your low carb gourmet gift basket would be the Wholesome Yum Soft White Keto Bread Mix.

I've written a detailed review of this bread mix prepared both according to the package directions and according to the yeast bread recipe. Both methods make delicious loaves.

Read my Wholesome Yum Keto Bread Mix and Yeast Bread Recipe review and consider adding the bread mix and the yeast bread recipe instructions to your basket.

A good low carb pancake or waffle mix would also be a welcome treat. Scotty's Everyday, Wholesome Yum, Livlo, Good Dee's, and Nüsh Foods all make excellent ones.

Since my husband and I try to prioritize protein in our diets, especially first thing in the morning, we really like the Nüsh Protein Pancake & Waffle Mix, which packs a hefty 20 grams of protein and 8 net carbs per serving (three protein pancakes).

This protein pancake & waffle mix is gluten-free and high in flax fiber and Omega-3s. It's also quick and easy to prepare—just measure out the desired quantity of the mix and whisk in half as much water by volume (e.g., 2 Tbsp. water for 1/4 cup dry mix), and then cook on a greased, preheated pan.

Although Nüsh also makes a blueberry protein pancake & waffle mix, we prefer to add our own fresh berries to the prepared mix batter. A mixture of fresh raspberries and blueberries is a favorite in our household.

Don't forget to include a bottle of high-quality sugar-free maple syrup! We love Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Maple Syrup and ChocZero Maple Syrup

Crackers

A lot of low carb and keto crackers taste like cardboard. Fortunately, there is one brand I can recommend enthusiastically.

My favorite, far and away, is Real Phat Foods almond flour crackers. They're made with simple, clean ingredients "with no artificial anything ever." They're grain-free, gluten-free, yeast-free, soy-free, and GMO-free, and all flavors except cheddar are also dairy-free.

A 1-ounce serving has 150 calories and only 1–2 net carbs per serving.

I've tried and enjoyed all the flavors, which include Rosemary, Cracked Pepper, Original, Cheddar, and Sweet Cinnamon Crunch.

The cheddar and cinnamon are my top picks, but the Original flavor is great paired with your favorite cheese or jam.

I suggest getting the assortment with one bag of each flavor so your gift recipients can find their favorites to reorder.

Jams, Spreads, and Honey

This is another category where ChocZero has been knocking it out of the park. ChocZero jams are the best quality sugar-free jams on the market, in my opinion.

They're sweetened with monk fruit instead of unhealthy artificial sweeteners, chock-full of real fruit, and taste fantastic. They're also thick and jammy, not watery or gummy like some other sugar-free jams I've tried.

ChocZero Jams come in Grape, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Orange Marmalade flavors and the brand-new Black Cherry jam should be coming to Amazon soon. These are great for PB&J sandwiches, with crackers, to fill thumbprint cookies, and lots of other tasty uses.

For the Nutella lovers on your holiday gift list, both ChocZero and Livlō make excellent sugar-free chocolate hazelnut spreads. 

My favorite is the ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Spread, which is also vegan, but the closest to Nutella is the ChocZero Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (shown at the left) or the Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread.

ChocZero Cookie Spread is also fabulous!

Sugar-free honey is a relatively new invention. ChocZero Keto Honey Substitute is a vegan clover honey alternative that comes in an adorable bear-shaped bottle. It has only 1 net carb per serving and packs 18 grams of dietary fiber per serving. It's sweetened with monk fruit instead of artificial sweeteners and tastes delicious! It's a 1:1 replacement for honey in any recipe and is delicious in tea.

The other low carb honey we love is Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey Substitute.

This keto-friendly honey alternative is sweetened with monk fruit and allulose and has only 15 calories and 0 net carbs per tablespoon. It also has 6 grams of dietary fiber.

It has the same consistency as honey from the bees and, like ChocZero honey, is designed to be used in recipes as well as drizzled on pancakes or toast, stirred into tea, etc.

The most notable thing about Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey Substitute is that it comes in different flavors: original, cinnamon, jalapeno, turmeric ginger, and orange. Imagine using the orange honey in a glaze or marinade for chicken or the jalapeno honey to make hot honey chicken wings!

Any of these jams, spreads, or honey choices would be excellent paired with Wholesome Yum Bread Mix, Livlo biscuit or scone baking mix, Real Phat Foods almond flour crackers, or Nüsh protein pancake or waffle mix.

Baskets and Other Container Ideas

Whenever I receive a gift basket, I always save the container to repurpose. That's what I did to make the low carb gourmet gift basket pictured below.

Low carb treats in a gift basket
I repurposed the wicker basket from a gift I received, wrapped the handle with fancy ribbon and a decorative pick, and filled it with delicious sweet and savory low carb treats.

If you don't happen to have one on hand, Amazon has a huge selection of wicker baskets for gifts in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit your needs.

You could get creative and stow your gourmet treats in a crockpot or air fryer for a more extravagant gift.

The easiest approach of all would be to tuck your low carb goodies into a festive holiday gift bag. My friend and fellow Review This Reviews contributor Raintree Annie has some great suggestions for Reusable Christmas Gift Bags.

Alternatively, if you want to give mostly smaller treats, you might use them to stuff a beautiful Christmas stocking.

An Awesome Low Carb Gourmet Gift Basket Everyone Will Love by Margaret Schindel


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