Simple French Fry Dipping Sauce

Ready to branch out from plain ketchup with your French fries? This creamy, lightly spicy French fry dipping sauce recipe is the best!

French Fry Dipping Sauce

French Fry Dipping Sauce

Course Condiment
Servings 2 tbsp
Calories 115 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp dill pickle juice
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp hot sauce

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together all ingredients until well combined.
  • Serve as a dipping sauce for french fries, appetizers or as a sandwich spread.
  • Hack:  Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
  • Hack:  Make this sauce your own by adding more hot sauce, substituting barbecue sauce for the ketchup, using a different mustard (brown or dijon, for example), or adding horseradish or Worcestershire sauce! 
Keyword burger sauce, chicken tenders, condiments, creamy salad dressing, dipping sauce, French dressing, french fries, golf sauce, ketchup, keto, low carb, Marie Rose, mayochup, mayonnaise, onion rings, pink sauce, red white, sandwich spread, sauce cocktail, vegetarian, yum yum sauce

What was the very first condiment?  Check out the history of condiments here!

Suggestion:  Not only does this taste great with oven-roasted french fries, you could also serve it with pan-fried chicken tenders or homemade pigs in a blanket!

Low Carb Chicken Pizza Crust

This low carb chicken pizza crust is incredibly easy to put together and will have your meal on the table in less than 30 minutes!

Low Carb Chicken Pizza Crust

Low Carb Chicken Pizza Crust

Course Main Course
Servings 2
Calories 270 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cups cooked chicken, finely shredded
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp onion powder, optional
  • ½ tsp garlic powder, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 500℉.
  • Place chicken into a bowl. Add cheese and egg. Stir to combine.
  • Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Shape into a 6”-8” circle.  The thinner, the crisper the crust.
  • Bake for 5-8 minutes until there are no wet spots on the crust.
  • Cover with desired toppings and cheese.  Bake for 8 more minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  • Hack:  You can substitute one 10 oz can of chicken for this recipe. Open and drain the canned chicken.  Spread it on a parchment-lined baking pan and bake at 350℉ for 10 minutes.  Cool and continue with the recipe.
Keyword chicken, crust, easy, easy meal, easy prep, fast and easy, healthy, high protein, keto, low calorie, low carb, pizza, quick and easy

Did you know?  Chicken is a great source of protein and has been linked to a variety of health benefits.

Suggestion:  This low carb cauliflower pizza crust is another great way to follow enjoy pizza on a keto meal plan!

Perfect Poached Chicken Breast

This simple and delicious perfect poached chicken breast is ready in less than 15 minutes and is great for use in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken!

Perfect Poached Chicken Breast

Perfect Poached Chicken Breast

Course Main Course
Servings 3
Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1-2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (¾ lb total)
  • 4 cups water (or enough to cover)
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary (½ tsp dried)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp)
  • 2 slices fresh onion
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Place chicken breast(s) in a saucepan and cover with water.  Add rosemary, salt, pepper, bay leaf, garlic, onion and lemon juice.  
  • Cover the saucepan with a lid and put it on the stovetop over medium heat.  Bring to a simmer and lower heat to medium-low.  Simmer until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160℉, about 6-10 minutes, depending on the size of the breast(s).
  • Remove chicken from water and allow it to cool.*  Cut it into thin slices.
  • Yield: 2.25 cups shredded or diced chicken
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months. 
  • Hack:  Although I have listed particular spices in this recipe, you may adjust this according to your individual taste.
Keyword boneless skinless, chicken, easy, fast and easy, healthy, low calorie, low fat, poached, quick and easy

Handle chicken with care!  Click here for some tips to avoid foodborne illnesses that can be associated with raw poultry.

Suggestion:  This recipe works well for any recipe that uses cooked chicken such as Fresh Mexican Avocado SaladEasy Homemade Ramen Noodles or Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad.

Oven Roasted Orange Glazed Carrots

Orange glazed carrots are a wonderful recipe that the whole family will enjoy. It’s fast and easy to prepare, low calorie, healthy and delicious!

Orange Glazed Carrots

Orange Glazed Carrots

Course Side Dish
Servings 4
Calories 166 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb carrots
  • 1 tbls olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp ground ginger

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400℉.  Line a 10”x13” baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Scrub carrots and peel, if desired.  Cut into ¼“ rounds.  Lay over the top of the parchment paper, and drizzle with olive oi., Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.  Toss to coat and spread evenly.
  • Using a microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, orange juice, honey and ginger. Heat in the microwave until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Pour glaze mixture over carrots and cover the pan with aluminum foil.  Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Remove foil and continue to bake for 10-15 minutes or until carrots are browned and cooked to the desired softness.  Recover the pan if the carrots begin to get too brown.  
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Hack: Frozen carrots can be used in this recipe.
Keyword carrots, easy, fast and easy, healthy, low calorie, low carb, orange juice, oven roasted, quick and easy, side dish, vegetable, vegetarian

Did you know? Carrots are rich in nutrients that promote your health!

Suggestion:  Serve these with teriyaki marinated pork chops for a super fast and easy meal!

Simple Homemade Marinara Sauce

This super easy simple homemade marinara sauce can be made in advance and frozen to have on hand for dipping goodies at your next get-together or game night!

Simple Homemade Marinara Sauce

Simple Homemade Marinara Sauce

Course Side Dish
Servings 4
Calories 168 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 dried Thai pepper, optional
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp)
  • 4 cups fresh tomatoes, cubed
  • 2 cups water
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tbsp sugar or to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat.  Add garlic and dried Thai pepper..
  • As soon as garlic sizzles (don’t let it brown) pour in tomatoes and water.  Add salt, basil and sugar.  
  • Turn heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for 1½ ro 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and sauce thickens.  Use a fork to break up tomatoes during cooking.
  • Remove Thai pepper and discard.
  • Use a blender or immersion blender to smooth the sauce if desired. Press sauce through a mesh colander to remove the seeds if desired.
  • Total yield: 2 cups sauce.
  • Hack:  2 15-oz cans of diced tomatoes can be substituted for fresh tomatoes.
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in serving-sized portions for up to 6 months.
  • Hack:  If you have leftover tomatoes that are becoming over-ripe and don't have time to cook, simply puree them in the blender and freeze the fresh puree in sealed freezer bags or containers to use in recipes at a later date.  No need to core, peel or seed ‘em...just toss ‘em right in.  Run the puree through a mesh colander if you want to remove the seeds.
Keyword appetizer, easy, homemade sauce, hors d'oeuvres, keto, low calorie, low carb, marinara, marinara sauce, simple, tomato sauce, vegan, vegetarian

Tomatoes are a nutritional powerhouse while being low in calories and carbs!  Check out the facts here!

Suggestion:  Serve this with easy cheesy sausage balls or Italian meatballs!

Easy Cheesy Sausage Balls

These cheesy sausage balls make great hors d’oeuvres or appetizers.  They would also be a welcome addition to any buffet table.  Use any leftovers for a tasty sandwich!

Cheesy Sausage Balls

Cheesy Sausage Balls

(Courtesy: Penny Jacques)
Course Appetizer
Servings 4 balls
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz breakfast sausage
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • ½ cup cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup coconut flour
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400℉.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Put all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.  Shape into 30 balls.
  • Bake the balls for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160℉.
  • Hack:  Mix things up by using maple or Italian flavored sausage.
  • Hack:  These balls can be made up in advance and stored, cooked or uncooked, for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Hack:  Lay sausage balls, cooked or uncooked, in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in freezer until solid.  Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Keyword appitizer, breakfast sausage, buffet, gluten-free, ground sausage, hors d'oeuvres, italian sausage, keto, low carb, maple sausage, meatball sandwich, meatballs

Did you know?  It’s likely that meatballs did not originate in Italy!  Click here for some fun facts about meatballs!

Suggestion:  Serve these sausage balls with fresh whole cranberry sauce or honey mustard dipping sauce.

Easy Parmesan Crusted Scallops

Parmesan crusted scallops are fast and easy to make. They fit nicely into a vegetarian, low-calorie, keto and/or gluten-free lifestyle. Round off this healthy meal with Asparagus with Caramelized Onions and Tomatoes!

Parmesan Crusted Scallops

Parmesan Crusted Scallops

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 people
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ lb sea scallops (about 18 medium)
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp dry white wine
  • ½ tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, divided
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½  tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp dried parsley
  • Dash cayenne pepper
  • Dash paprika

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉.
  • Rinse scallops and pat them dry.  Coat a baking pan with cooking spray and lay scallops out in a single layer.
  • In a small bowl, mix together butter, wine, lemon juice, 2 tbsp parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley and cayenne pepper.  Set aside until mixture thickens, about 10 minutes.
  • Divide the butter mixture evenly over the top of the scallops. 
  • Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake until scallops are opaque and have an internal temperature of 115℉.  This should take between 20 and 30 minutes depending on the size of the scallops.
  • Remove the pan from the oven and take off the aluminum foil.  Sprinkle scallops with remaining parmesan and paprika.
  • Turn the oven to broil and move the oven rack to the broiler position.  Place the baking pan back into the oven and broil until the cheese is browned, 2-3 minutes.
  • Hack:  Reheat leftovers in the oven for 5-15 minutes, depending on size.  Microwave reheating is not recommended.  
  • Hack: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or tightly wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months. 
Keyword baked seafood, gluten-free, keto, low calorie, parmesan cheese, scallops, seafood, vegetarian

Did you know?  Scallops are considered to be one of the healthiest kinds of seafood!

Summer Squash Sausage Skillet

This summer squash sausage skillet combines caramelized onions and summer squash with Italian sausage for an easy one-pan meal that’s low in carbs and calories!

Summer Squash Sausage Skillet
Summer Squash Sausage Skillet

Summer Squash Sausage Skillet

 

water

2 Italian sausage links (6 oz)

1 medium summer squash (12 oz)

½ Vidalia or sweet onion

4 tbsp butter

½ tsp dried thyme

½ tsp dried rosemary

½ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

 

Pour water into a skillet until it measures ½“ and put on the stove over medium-high heat.  Add Italian sausage links and simmer, turning occasionally, until sausage reaches an internal temperature of 160℉, 12-15 minutes.

While the sausage is cooking, cut summer squash into ¼“ rounds and thinly slice the onion.

Remove sausage from skillet and turn heat to medium-low.  Put butter, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, salt and pepper in the skillet.  Allow butter to melt and add squash and onion.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions and squash are soft and caramelized, about 45 minutes.  Add more butter, if necessary, to keep the food from sticking.

While the vegetables are cooking, slice sausage into rounds. Add the pan when vegetables are done and heat through.

Serve immediately.

 

3 servings, 405 calories per serving

Hack:  Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen in airtight containers for up to 12 months.

 

 

Oven Braised Pork Roast with Red Cabbage and Leek

 

Oven Braised Pork Roast with Red Cabbage and Leek
Oven Braised Pork Roast with Red Cabbage and Leek

Oven Braised Pork Roast with Red Cabbage and Leek

 

 

4 tsp paprika, divided

2 tsp dried thyme, divided

1½ tsp salt, divided

1½ tsp black pepper, divided

1 tsp dried sage

2 tbsp olive oil

1 pork roast (2 lbs)

1 small red cabbage, quartered and sliced (1 lb / 6 cups)

1 leek, cleaned and sliced (¾ lb / 6 cups)

1 large carrot, julienned (5 oz)

1½ cups beef broth

1 tbsp tomato paste

 

Preheat oven to 350℉. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Combine 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and sage in a small bowl. Dry pork roast using paper towels and rub with spice mixture. Add pork to hot oil and brown on all sides. Remove pork from the pan and place in a 10”x13” baking pan.

Arrange cabbage, leek and carrot around pork roast in the pan. Combine remaining spices, beef broth and tomato paste, pour evenly over vegetables.

Cover pan with aluminum foil and cook in the oven for 1½ hours or until pork reaches an internal temp of 145℉. Allow pork roast to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

 

4 servings, 300 calories per serving

Hack: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen in tightly sealed containers for up to 3 months.

Hack:  Ask the produce clerk to cut a head of cabbage into wedges so you’ll only have to buy what you need.  They’ll wrap the leftover pieces and put them back on the shelf for sale.  If you find that you have leftover cabbage, use it to make this tasty Roasted Red Cabbage with Shrimp or colorful and creamy broccoli coleslaw!

 

 

Asparagus with Caramelized Onions and Tomatoes

Asparagus with caramelized onions and tomatoes may take some time but it’s definitely worth the wait! It’s low in calories and packs a huge nutritional punch!

Asparagus with Caramelized Onions and Tomatoes

Asparagus with Caramelized Onions and Tomatoes

Course Side Dish
Servings 3
Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1” lengths
  • tsp balsamic reduction

Instructions
 

  • Place olive oil and butter in a heavy saute pan and turn the heat to medium-low.
  • Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and beginning to caramelize, about 30 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid from tomatoes has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
  • Add the asparagus, turn the heat up to medium-high and cook until all liquid from asparagus has evaporated, 10-15 minutes.
  • Make a well in the center of the pan and add the balsamic reduction. Stir to deglaze the pan.
  • Serve immediately or store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keyword asparagus, balsamic, caramelized onions, easy, healthy, keto, low carb, pan roasted, side dish, tomatoes, vegetarian

Hack: To keep asparagus fresh, simply trim the bottoms and stand the spears up in a glass or jar with about an inch of water. Cover with a plastic bag then refrigerate them for up to 4 days.  Change the water if it gets cloudy!

Did you know? Asparagus is a healthy addition to your diet with many nutrients and a good amount of fiber!

Suggestion:  Pair this dish with garlic chicken for a delicious and complete meal!

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