Entrees | The Artful Gourmet :: Food Stylist | Photographer | Blogger

February 25, 2020April 12, 2021

Black Pepper Caramel Chicken Udon

JSL Foods recently invited me to participate in their 2nd Blogger Recipe Challenge, and guess what? I won the GRAND PRIZE and $1500 for my Black Pepper Caramel Chicken Udon recipe! And I am so thrilled to share it with you!

I decided to use their delicious Fortune Chicken Udon Noodles as the base for this amazing dish.

Black Pepper Caramel Chicken is a traditional Vietnamese dish made with chicken thighs, shallots and red chili peppers, jalapeños, and cilantro..

tossed in a luscious caramel sauce made with brown sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, red chili garlic sauce, fresh garlic, ginger and freshly ground black pepper,

all mixed together and reduced in a pan into a gorgeous sticky spicy sweet glaze to coat the chicken.

The noodles are cooked separately, then drained and sprinkled with the packaged chicken-flavored seasoning,

then tossed back into the pan with the cooked chicken and sweet savory Black Pepper Caramel sauce.

For serving I topped the dish with a dash of Everything Bagel seasoning (you could also just use white or black sesame seeds if you like), a few sliced jalapeños and fresh cilantro for an extra kick of heat and bright flavor.

You guys, this noodle dish is to die for! These Udon noodles are precooked so they only need to be reheated for a few minutes before serving. And they’re perfectly durable for holding this gorgeous thick glaze on the chicken, and full of ALA Omega-3’s, are non-GMO, zero trans fats, with only .5g of fat and 5g of protein in each serving!

You can also try this recipe using their Mushroom or Original Shoyu Udon Noodles for another layer of flavor to mix it up. Try pairing it with an oaky Napa Chardonnay or grassy Marlborough NZ Sauvignon Blanc to balance out the spiciness and sweetness of the dish. Superb!

Absolutely delicious…Hope you enjoy! And feel free to comment below and please share this post on social media with the hashtags @artfulgourmet @jslfoods #fortunenudonoodles #cheftyaki #udonsoups

Black Pepper Caramel Chicken Udon Noodles

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 4

This is a traditional Vietnamese Chicken dish made with a sticky spicy and sweet caramelized sauce with shallots, garlic, chilies, fish sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ginger and coarse ground black pepper. The chicken thighs are cooked right in the sauce then tossed with Fortune Chicken Udon Noodles and garnished with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños for extra heat and bright flavor.

Ingredients

1 package JSL Foods Chicken Udon Noodles
1 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup Asian fish sauce
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger)
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Asian chili garlic sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons peanut or canola oil
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
1 fresh red chili pepper, cut into thin strips
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
Everything bagel seasoning, garnish Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Sliced jalapeños, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add JSL Foods Chicken Udon Noodles. Cook for 5-6 minutes, and sprinkle with the packet of Chicken seasoning, mixing throughout cooked noodles. Keep warm, and set aside.
In a small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, fish sauce, water, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, black pepper, chili garlic sauce, soy sauce; stir together to make black pepper caramel sauce. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok pan. Add the shallot and red chili pepper and sauté over medium heat until soft, about 4 minutes. Remove from pan; set aside to add back in with chicken and sauce at the end.
Add the black pepper caramel sauce mixture and the chicken to the pan; simmer over high heat until the chicken is cooked through and sauce is caramelized for about 8-10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in the shallots and hot chiles and cooked Chicken Udon Noodles coating them with the sauce and mixing in the chicken evenly throughout.
Transfer Black Pepper Caramel Chicken Udon Noodles to serving bowls, garnish with everything bagel seasoning, fresh cilantro and sliced jalapenos (if using).

Notes

Pairs well with an oaky Napa Valley Chardonnay or grassy, fresh New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wine to balance out the spicy-sweet flavors of the dish.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2020/02/black-pepper-caramel-chicken-udon/

As an added bonus, Chef Yaki is offering a special discount to my readers by joining their Noodle Club online! Click here get the coupon for special discounts and free offers!

You can purchase Fortune Udon noodle products at Target and Walmart as well as these groceries stores online:

Learn more about all the other great noodles, sauces, wrappers and other Asian specialties that JSL Foods offers:

Website: http://www.jslfoods.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSLFoods/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSL_Foods

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jslfoods/

This post is sponsored by JSL Foods for The 2nd Fortune Udon Noodle Blogger Recipe Challenge. All reviews, opinions, photos, recipes and written content expressed in this post are my own.

January 2, 2020May 2, 2022

Citrus Arugula Salad with Pistachios, Ricotta + Mint

This #Winter Citrus #Salad w/ Arugula, Ricotta Salata & Pistachios has a Lemon Truffle Dressing that is to die for!

A gorgeous and refreshing salad made with blood oranges and Cara Cara oranges, arugula, chopped mint, pistachios and sliced red onion over arugula with a lovely dressing made with 7 Barrels White Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. The perfect blend of sweet, tangy, crunchy and salty all in one bite!

#lowcarb #keto #whole30 approved #recipe! ..It’s the perfect refreshing salad for the New Year! Happy #2020!

Citrus Arugula Salad with Pistachios, Ricotta + Mint

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Yield: Serves 4.

A gorgeous and refreshing Winter salad made with citrus, arugula, chopped mint, pistachios and red onion over arugula with a lovely dressing made with 7 Barrels White Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. The perfect blend of sweet, tangy and salty all in one bite!

Ingredients

2 blood oranges, peeled, pith removed and sliced crosswise ¼ inch thick
2 Cara Cara or Navel oranges, peeled, pith removed and sliced crosswise ¼ inch thick
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons roasted salted pistachios, chopped
½ small red onion, halved and sliced thin crosswise
3 cups baby arugula
4 tablespoons Seven Barrels Truffle Oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh Ricotta Salata, crumbled (or 8 thin slices, divided)

Instructions

Layer the orange slices in alternating colors on a large plate or a couple of small plates.
Top the layered oranges with chopped mint, pistachios, and sliced red onions on the plate(s).
Toss the arugula with truffle oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl.
Place a pile of arugula on top of the layered oranges and top with the crumbled ricotta cheese and additional freshly ground black pepper if desired.

Notes

Note: If you can’t find fresh Ricotta Salata cheese, you can also substitute another tangy sheep’s milk cheese such as Manchego or Aged Pecorino Romano. Fresh sliced Mozzarella or Burrata cow’s milk cheese could also substitute nicely for a milder flavor.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2020/01/citrus-arugula-salad-with-pistachios-ricotta-mint/

December 31, 2019April 12, 2021

Rock Star Chili

It’s that time of year again where all i really want to do is stay in and cook some hearty comfort food and watch Netflix with my kitty under a big fluffy blanket. Chili is one of my fav recipes to make because it’s super easy, all in one pot, and a little spicy and savory and oh-so-good.

It’s a simple mix of ground beef, onions and garlic, chili seasoning, beans, stewed tomatoes, whole tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, chili beans, beef broth and a dash of hot sauce all simmered into a lovely big pot of chili goodness. Simply top it with all your favorite toppings like a dab of sour cream, some shredded cheddar or mexican blend cheese, jalapeños, cilantro and then serve some corn chips or tortilla chips along side for the perfect cozy dish, game-day ready!

To make homemade chili seasoning (rather than premixed) use this recipe:

Ingredients

5 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoons cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Feel free to play with this base chili recipe and make it your own! You can add a 12-ounce bottle of beer along with the tomatoes and broth in the beginning of cooking for a more complex flavor. If you want to amp up the heat factor, add some chopped jalapeños and a few tablespoons of the jalapeño juice into the chili towards the end, adjusting to heat level desired. A few chopped up chipotle peppers and dash of sauce will also give a smoky flavor to the chili without the heat. Swap smoked paprika for regular paprika in the chili seasoning for some smoky flavor as well.

The chili can also be prepared a few days ahead. Let the chili cool then cover with foil and keep in the refrigerator. Rewarm over low heat before serving.

Rock Star Chili

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Yield: 8-10

Serving Size: Approx 1 cup

This is a super easy and super delish rock star chili recipe - you can adjust the heat by adding additional jalapeños, diced green chilies and/or hot sauce. Perfect cozy one-pot dish for a gloomy Winter day!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
3 pounds ground beef (80/20) - ground chuck***
2 large onions, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
One packet Chili-O seasoning mix or homemade chili seasoning (see post for recipe)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
One 8-ounce can stewed tomatoes
One 8-ounce can whole tomatoes, chopped
One 8-ounce can Ro-tel diced tomatoes with chilies
One 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 tablespoons hot sauce (optional, add to taste)
One 8-ounce can red kidney beans
One 8-ounce can prepared chili beans
Garnishes: sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, jalapeño, corn chips or tortilla chips

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large heavy pot and add ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease from pot. Stir in the chili seasoning, salt and pepper.
Add onions and cook over medium heat until translucent, stirring often, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute or so.
Pour in the broth, all the tomatoes, tomato paste and hot sauce and simmer the chili over low heat until thickened to desired consistency, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for at least an hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
Mix in beans. Simmer 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, stir together. Reduce heat to low until ready to serve.
To serve ladel into bowls and garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, jalapeños and corn or tortilla chips, if desired.

Notes

To make homemade chili seasoning (rather than premixed) use this recipe:

Ingredients-
5 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoons cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions-
Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Feel free to adjust seasonings to taste.

DO AHEAD Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Refrigerate until cold, then cover. Rewarm over low heat before serving.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2019/12/rock-star-chili/

December 30, 2019May 2, 2022

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Saute veggies

Add chicken

Cook and mix together

Add broth, water

Add noodles and cook 9-11 mins

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve

March 25, 2019March 15, 2023

Sweet + Spicy Chicken Thighs w/ Roasted Broccolini

Sometimes you need to spice things up in life a little. Especially to brighten up those late Winter/early Spring dreary days when you’re craving #BBQ, until the gorgeous grilling weather is back in full swing!

These Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs are the perfect remedy – bathed in a gorgeous sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, made with Penzey’s Northwoods Fire Rub and Woodstock Everything Sauce and a little honey and white balsamic vinegar for a great BBQ flavor with the convenience of the broiler.

I made some fresh and easy Roasted Broccolini with Garlic to go with the chicken, but you could also serve them with the typical BBQ fixings: corn on the cob, baked beans, cole slaw, mac and cheese or fries. Black beans and rice would also be a great option for a Caribbean flair. Or shred the chicken and make some Spicy Sweet Chicken Tacos or BBQ Chicken Wraps or Pizza with the roasted broccolini…YUM!

Chef’s Notes: Penzey’s Northwoods Fire Rub is a lovely spicy mixture of salt, chipotle, black pepper, Hungarian paprika, garlic, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne. If you aren’t able to find it or buy some, you can make your own by using the following: 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons chipotle or chili powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme. Get it online here.

Woodstead Hot Anything & Everything Sauce is a sweet and spicy glaze I found in Upstate New York in Naples in the Finger Lakes (it’s made there locally and sold at the farmer’s markets and you can also get it at Arbor Hill winery). It’s key ingredients are ketchup, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, turmeric and paprika, orange juice, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper and brown sugar. It’s super delicious on everything as a bbq glaze or a dip for chips or fries. If you can’t find the sauce or aren’t able to get it to make my recipe then I suggest finding a Carolina-style BBQ sauce (mustard and vinegar based) and mixing it with the honey and white balsamic vinegar per my recipe instructions and it would be just as delicious! Kinda like a Honey BBQ mixed with the spicy rub for an extra kick!

Sweet + Spicy Chicken Thighs w/ Roasted Broccolini

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: Serves 4.

Serving Size: 1-2 chicken thighs and 3-4 broccolini stalks

These Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs are bathed in a gorgeous sticky, spicy and sweet glaze, made with Penzey's Northwoods Fire Rub and Woodstock Everything Sauce and a little honey and white balsamic vinegar for a great BBQ flavor with the convenience of the broiler. Served with an easy, healthy and delicious Roasted Broccolini with garlic on the side.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Penzey's Northwoods Fire Seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1/2 cup Woodstead Hot Anything & Everything Sauce
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar
Roasted Broccolini:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 bunches broccolini
2 garlic cloves, chopped fine
2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt + fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Dash of red pepper flakes

Instructions

Make the Sweet + Spicy Chicken:
Preheat the broiler.
Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle the Penzey's Northwoods Fire Seasoning over the chicken thighs in a large mixing bowl and toss to coat evenly.
Place the chicken on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray and broil for 5 minutes on each side.
Combine the Woodstead Hot Anything + Everything sauce with the honey and white balsamic vinegar in a small bowl, stirring together well.
Remove the chicken from the oven and brush half of the sauce over the chicken. Broil for 1 minute.
Remove from the oven and turn the chicken over. Brush the chicken with the remaining sauce and broil for an additional minute or until the chicken is cooked through and has crispy edges.
Drizzle or brush any additional sauce over the chicken if desired.
Make the Roasted Broccolini:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Trim 2 inches off the ends of the broccolini stems and place the broccolini in a single layer on a large sheet pan.
Drizzle the broccolini with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with minced garlic, sea salt and black pepper, a dash of red pepper flakes, and toss together to coat evenly.
Roast broccolini for 15 minutes, until it is crisp-tender, and browned.
Serve hot, immediately.

Notes

Chef's Notes: Penzey's Northwoods Fire Rub is a lovely spicy mixture of salt, chipotle, black pepper, Hungarian paprika, garlic, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne. If you aren't able to get the Penzey's spice rub you can make your own by using the following: 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons chipotle or chili powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme. Woodstead Hot Anything & Everything Sauce is a sweet and spicy glaze I found in Upstate New York in Naples in the Finger Lakes (it's made there locally and sold at the farmer's markets). It's key ingredients are ketchup, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, turmeric and paprika, orange juice, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper and brown sugar. It's super delicious on everything as a bbq glaze or a dip for chips or fries. If you can't find the sauce or aren't able to get it to make my recipe then I suggest finding a Carolina-style BBQ sauce (mustard and vinegar based) and mixing it with the honey and white balsamic vinegar per my recipe instructions and it would be just as delicious! Kinda like a Honey BBQ mixed with the spicy rub for an extra kick!

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2019/03/sweet-spicy-chicken-thighs-w-roasted-broccolini/

Sticky..spicy…sweet…all rolled up into a delicious, easy meal – enjoy!

And bring on those Summer dayssssss!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

January 19, 2019March 15, 2023

Fat Head Pizza {Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free}

So you can take a girl out of New York but you can’t take the New York Pizza out of the girl. True story. New York #pizza is one of my favorite things in the world but I’ve been doing my #lowcarb/#keto diet the past 2 weeks and its definitely not on the list of acceptable foods, and is one of those things I truly miss.

This Fat Head Pizza has only 10g of carbs and is really easy to make (and really tasty too!) The crust is made with almond flour, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg and white balsamic vinegar, and pre-baked in the oven for 10-12 minutes before adding the toppings. I made a traditional pepperoni pizza because I was starving last night and wanted to keep it simple, but next time I’m definitely going to experiment with some other fun ingredients now that I have the base crust recipe.

I also found a great low sugar/low carb pizza sauce at Publix called La Famiglia DelGrosso (Pappy Fred’s Old Style Pizza Sauce) that has only 3g net carbs per 1/4 cup and it’s really good! You have to be careful with premade and jarred or canned sauces because there are usually a lot of hidden sugars in them which will blow your carb count if you’re trying to stick to 20-25g per day on #Keto or #Atkins Induction phase 1..

Feel free to switch up the toppings to whatever veggies (onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc.) or proteins you wish (sausage, chicken, bacon, ham, etc.) and if you want to make a white pizza just use Alfredo sauce instead. Top with any garnishes you like (fresh herbs, arugula, pepper flakes) and enjoy pizza without the guilt!

Enjoy! xx, kristen

Fat Head Pizza {Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free}

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: Serves 2

Serving Size: 1/2 pizza (2 slices)

Super delish low carb pizza crust made with almond flour, cheese, egg - topped with Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese and lots of pepperoni! With only 10g of carbs, it's a great way to satisfy your pizza fix on a low carb/Atkins or Keto diet!

Ingredients

Crust
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp sour cream (or cream cheese)
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup almond flour
1 tsp white balsamic vinegar
1 egg
½ tsp garlic salt
olive oil (for hands)
Toppings
1/2 cup low carb/low sugar pizza sauce (DelGrosso brand)
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
3/4 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Pepperoni
Any other additional toppings you like (veggies, sausage, etc.)
Red pepper flakes, garnish
Italian seasoning, garnish
Parmesan cheese, garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Heat mozzarella and sour cream and parmesan cheese in a small bowl in the microwave oven for a minute, stir together, heat for another 30 seconds, stir together until melted.
Measure out the almond flour, balsamic vinegar, egg and garlic salt into a mixing bowl and add the melted cheese/sour cream mixture.
Moisten your hands with olive oil and pat the dough out into a 6-8 inch circle onto a greased baking pan. You can also use a rolling pin to flatten the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and remove the parchment before baking. Try to pat or roll out the dough evenly and patch up the thin spots on the edges or they may get too dark/burn.
Prick the crust all over with a fork, and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
Spread the sauce on to the baked crust and add the pepperoni or desired toppings.
Bake the pizza for 10 minutes. Remove, and turn the heat on broil, up to 450/500 degrees.
Broil the pizza for another 2 minutes until cheese is bubbly and pepperoni is crispy.
Garnish with red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning and additional grated parmesan cheese.
Serves 2.

Notes

Feel free to switch up the toppings to whatever veggies (onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc.) or proteins you wish (sausage, chicken, bacon, ham, etc.) and if you want to make a white pizza just use Alfredo sauce instead. Top with any garnishes you like (fresh herbs, arugula, pepper flakes) and enjoy pizza without the guilt!

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2019/01/fat-head-pizza-low-carb-keto-gluten-free/

Recipe adapted from original Fat Head Pizza

January 18, 2019May 2, 2022

Keto/Low Carb Cheeseburger Soup

Today I present to you the easiest, cheesiest, most delicious #soup ever, and the perfect remedy for a chilly Winter day – Keto/Low Carb Cheeseburger Soup.

It’s made with ground beef, bacons, sautéed onions, garlic and zucchini with lots of cheddar and Monterey jack cheese (YAY!), cream and beef broth. That’s it!

First, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, drain. Cook the bacon until crispy, drain on paper towels and set aside while you sauté the onions, garlic and zucchini.

Add the cooked ground beef back in to the pot and stir together.

Pour in the beef broth and cream and seasonings and stir together.

Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes over medium-low heat.

Add the shredded cheese in one cup at a time, stirring constantly to melt the cheese into the creamy broth, beef and veggies mixture.

Let the soup cook on low heat for another 5 minutes or so until the cheese is completely melted, add a little no starch thickener or corn starch to thicken it up to your liking. Serve hot, immediately and DEVOUR.

It’s super creamy and cheesy and there’s no guilt because it’s super low carb/high fat which of course is great on #Keto and #Atkins and all the other #LCHF diets out there. This my friends, is Winter Comfort Food in a bowl…filling, satisfying and absolutely deeee-lissshh!

Keto/Low Carb Cheeseburger Soup

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 6-8

Serving Size: 1 cup

This Keto/Low Carb Cheeseburger soup is the perfect Winter remedy - made with ground beef, bacons, sautéed onions, garlic and zucchini with lots of cheddar and Monterey jack cheese (YAY!), cream and beef broth. Delish!

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
3-4 slices of bacon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 zucchini, thin sliced into quarter moons
3 cups beef broth
1 1/4 cup heavy cream
3 cups shredded cheese (Cheddar and Monterey Jack)
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon Everglades Heat or Tony Chaceres Creole seasoning
Pink Himalayan sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon No Starch Thickener (or corn starch)

Instructions

Brown ground beef until cooked through, drain and set aside.
Cook bacon slices until crispy, drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat and saute onions, garlic and zucchini about 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add cooked ground beef, bacon, beef broth, cream and dried spices and salt and pepper.
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the shredded cheese into the soup one cup at a time, stirring often to melt into the soup.
Once cheese is thoroughly melted, add the No Starch thickener or corn starch into the soup and cook a few more minutes until thickened to your liking.
Serve hot immediately, and devour!

Notes

Note: If you're not on a low carb or keto diet you can always add some pasta or rice or orzo to it, or serve it with a slice of crusty bread to mop up the cheesy delicious soup which would make it over the top awesome too. Or throw in some other veggies to mix it up like sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms or corn. You could even take it a step further and add some hot sauce, mustard and pickles to it and some potatoes or hash browns to the mix if you're really craving a fully loaded cheeseburger in soup form.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2019/01/keto-low-carb-cheeseburger-soup/

Note: If you’re not on a low carb or keto diet you can always add some pasta or rice or orzo to it, or serve it with a slice of crusty bread to mop up the cheesy delicious soup which would make it over the top awesome too. Or throw in some other veggies to mix it up like sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms or corn. You could even take it a step further and add some hot sauce, mustard and pickles to it and some potatoes or hash browns to the mix if you’re really craving a fully loaded cheeseburger in soup form.

Whatever your heart desires, it’s the weekend. Enjoy! xx, Kristen

January 8, 2019May 2, 2022

Mississippi Pot Roast + Cheesy Cauliflower Mash

I was craving some serious comfort food yesterday – specifically some roast beef and potatoes with gravy like my mom used to make when I was a kid. As part of my effort to eat low carb/keto for awhile, I went on a search for a new recipe without all the potatoes, carrots and onions – which although are delicious and healthy, not necessarily low carb.

My friend sent me a link to a low carb Mississippi Pot Roast made in the crockpot which sounded intriguing, because it’s totally zero carbs and I’ve heard rumors that this recipe is the BOMB. I decided to make it with a little twist of my own and seriously guys, you have to try this one.

It’s so easy to make – all you do is get a 3-4 pound pot roast (chuck roast or outside round), throw it in a crockpot with some butter, beef broth, pepperoncini and spices along with some of the pepperoncini juice. I added little bit of Chardonnay white balsamic vinegar to it as well for a touch of sweetness to balance out the tangy, vinegary butter broth.

And instead of using the recommended Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (which has a lot of carbs in it), I made my own spice mix with onion powder and garlic salt, some dried Italian seasoning, dried dill seasoning, and freshly cracked black pepper. I added a dash of Everglades Heat seasoning (the spicy one) for little extra flavor and heat but you can totally leave this out if you prefer or just add a little cayenne or Creole seasoning like Tony Chacere’s.

You cook it on low for about 8 hours in the crockpot (or 4-5 hours on high) and then remove the roast from the crockpot, shred it into chunks with a fork, then put it back into the juices (you can add a little cornstarch or xanthan gum to thicken the gravy too) and you have a big pot of melt-in-your-mouth, buttery deliciousness.

And instead of mashed potatoes I made some buttery Cheesy #Cauliflower Mash – which is so easy –

Simply cut your cauliflower into large chunks, then microwave it with some cream and butter for about 12 minutes, stirring to coat halfway through. You can also steam the cauliflower too if you wish.

Then blitz it in a blender with some butter and shredded cheese and you’ll forget what mashed potatoes even are, for reals. So good!

I seriously think I’ve discovered my favorite recipe of the century. OMG. This stuff is crack in a crockpot. I could eat this meal forever. Well, maybe not forever, but repeatedly, with no shame.

Enjoy – and you’re welcome 🙂

Mississippi Pot Roast + Cheesy Cauliflower Mash

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours, 15 minutes

Total Time: 8 hours, 30 minutes

Serving Size: Serves 6-8.

This is a melt in your mouth delicious Pot Roast recipe for the slow cooker, made with a buttery, pepper and vinegar beef broth served over mashed cheesy cauliflower. It's totally low carb, keto and gluten-free and absolutely delicious and worth the wait!

Ingredients

Pot Roast:
3-4 pounds beef roast (chuck or outside round)
10 ounces beef broth
6 pepperoncini peppers
1/4 cup pepperoncini pepper juice
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1 stick unsalted butter
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dill seasoning (dried)
Dash of Everglades spicy seasoning (optional)
freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower:
1 head of cauliflower
2 tablespoons half and half or cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
garlic salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Pot Roast:
Combine all the dried seasonings in a small mixing bowl.
Coat the beef and rub on all sides with the spices. Place in slow cooker.
Pour the broth into the slow cooker and add the pepperoncini, pepperoncini juice, and balsamic vinegar over the beef.
Place a stick of butter on top of the beef, cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours (lower is better but you can do on high if you don't have the time to wait!)
Remove the beef from the crockpot onto a large plate or baking pan and shred the meat with 2 forks.
Stir a little bit of cornstarch or no starch thickener (low carb/gluten free) into the juices to thicken it up a little bit.
Place the beef back into the pot with the juices and serve over Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower (recipe follows).
Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower:
Clean and trim the cauliflower, break up into small to medium-sized pieces. Place in a microwave-safe dish.
Add the cream and butter and microwave the cauliflower on high for 6 minutes.
Stir the cauliflower with the cream and melted butter, and microwave again for another 6 minutes.
Place the cauliflower in a power blender or food processor, add a little more butter and some shredded cheddar cheese and blitz it until you get a smooth creamy puree.
Season with garlic salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

You can substitute any cheese you like for the mashed cauliflower, and if you prefer to use pre-made Ranch salad dressing mix you can save time by using that but it has carbs so it won't be low carb if you do.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2019/01/mississippi-pot-roast-cheesy-cauliflower-mash/

December 28, 2018March 6, 2020

Sweet + Spicy Meyer Lemon Shrimp Stir Fry

Hey guys! Oh my gosh, it’s almost the end of the year! Can you believe it? Where does time fly? I’m so ready for a New Year though – #2019 can’t come soon enough! 🙂

I was invited to participate in the #Steviva #Holiday #Keto #Blogger #Recipe Challenge this year and made a Sweet and Spicy Meyer Lemon Shrimp Stir Fry. With all the #holidays going on and the rich, delectable #food I’ve been enjoying this month, I wanted to make a recipe a little bit lighter and healthier, and on the lower carb side…(before it all happens again this weekend for New Years!)

I love Steviva products because they are lower in carbs, low glycemic, low calorie and they use all natural ingredients in their products. Their line of good-for-you all natural alternative sweeteners are terrific options for cooking and baking without sugar. Whether you need a granulated sweetener to replace table sugar, a powdered sweetener to replace confectionery sugar or a liquid sweetener to replace corn syrup, they have carefully developed safe, low glycemic, low caloric sweeteners that taste and act just like sugar.

This dish is super easy and quick to make and has great flavors using fresh Meyer Lemon juice, soy sauce, sesame, Nectevia Agave Stevia Blend, Steviva Erythritol Blend, a dash of ginger and #Sriracha for some spiciness to make a delicious sticky marinade to go with the shrimp and fresh veggies. And it’s low carb and low cal! BONUS*** 🙂

Simply make your marinade for the shrimp with all the ingredients and put it in the fridge in a ziplock baggie for 1/2 an hour. Then stir fry the shrimp for a few minutes until they are no longer pink and remove the shrimp from the pan.

Add the veggies and stir fry those for about 5-7 minutes until tender crisp and the sauce starts to thicken. Add the cooked shrimp back in and toss together for another minute or so.

Serve immediately over brown or cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles or soba noodles and spoon the rest of the spicy and sweet sauce on top and garnish with a few more sesame seeds and even some green onions if you wish.

Sweet + Spicy Meyer Lemon Shrimp Stir Fry

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 4

A super easy and delicious stir fry made with shrimp and fresh veggies, marinated in a spicy and sweet sauce made with Meyer lemon juice, soy sauce, Sriracha, Steviva Blend and Nectevia. Great for a weeknight dinner or special occasion. Best served over brown rice, cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles or soba noodles.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons Steviva Blend
4 tablespoons Nectevia agave syrup
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced garlic
juice of one Meyer lemon
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon Sriracha
dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
dash of ginger (fresh minced or dried)
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups fresh sliced veggies (broccoli florets, red pepper, snap peas)
white pepper, to taste

Instructions

Whisk together Steviva Blend, Nectevia agave nectar, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, sesame oil, sesame seeds, Sriracha, red pepper flakes and ginger in a small mixing bowl.
Add half of the sauce to the shrimp and let marinade in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or more.
Heat butter in a medium sized skillet over medium high heat. Add the shrimp, discard marinade from the bag (save the other unused half for making the sauce). Saute for about 3-5 minutes until shrimp is no longer pink.
Remove shrimp from the pan and add the fresh vegetables. Saute for about 5 minutes or so until soft.
Add the reserved marinade and pour over the vegetables. Cook for another few minutes until sauce thickens.
Add the cooked shrimp back into the pan and toss together with the vegetables and the sauce. Season with pepper, to taste.
Serve immediately, garnish with additional sesame seeds and green onions if desired over brown rice, cauliflower rice, soba noodles or zucchini noodles.

Notes

You can also use this marinade for scallops or chicken or beef, just increasing the cook time appropriate for the protein (about 10-12 mins for chicken or beef until cooked through).
Vegetables can be swapped out as well whatever you prefer!

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2018/12/sweet-spicy-meyer-lemon-shrimp-stir-fry/

I’d love to hear your comments on this recipe below if you decide to make it! Please make sure to tag @stevivabrands and @artfulgourmet with a link back to this original post on my blog if you do share any recipes or photos on social media!

For more information on #Steviva Brands products and more recipes, please visit their website and social media pages:

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Note: I received products from Steviva Brands to experiment with recipes for the Blogger Challenge Recipe Contest. All opinions, recipes, photos and text are my own.

December 26, 2018May 2, 2022

Luscious Truffle Mac + Cheese

The holidays are here and I’m full swing in baking mode! It’s the best time of year for making dishes for parties and special occasions and one of my favorite things to make is a delicious, cheesy, #pasta dish.

I was invited to participate in to compete in the 2nd Annual Tresomega “Organics For Life” Blogger Recipe Challenge again this year, and I decided to make a Luscious Truffle Macaroni and Cheese recipe using their gluten-free Quinoa pasta using a combination of the Elbows and Fusilli.

This recipe is super delicious, easy to make and is super creamy made with five cheeses (Truffle Brie, Mascarpone, Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Parmesan), half and half, truffle butter, a dash of truffle oil and truffle salt, onion and garlic, italian seasoning all topped with crunchy, buttery Panko bread crumbs.

I baked it in a large casserole dish for 30 minutes at 375 until golden brown, and let it cool for a few minutes before DEVOURING it’s luscious, cheesy, truffle-y self.

TresOmega gluten-free quinoa pasta is totally organic, non GMO, wheat and corn free, and tastes delicious just like regular pasta. And the elbows and fusilli shapes are perfect for holding all that cheesy delicious sauce!

It’s the perfect cozy, heartwarming dish made for the #holidays…or any time you just need a dash of comfort on a cold, dreary Winter day.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Luscious Truffle Mac + Cheese

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 cup

This recipe is super delicious, easy to make and is super creamy made with five cheeses (Truffle Brie, Mascarpone, Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Parmesan), half and half, truffle butter, a dash of truffle oil and truffle salt, onion and garlic, italian seasoning all topped with crunchy, buttery Panko bread crumbs. Perfect comfort food dish for the holidays!

Ingredients

8 ounces TresOmega Fusilli pasta
8 ounces TresOmega Elbows pasta
1 tablespoon Black Truffle Oil
3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 tablespoon Black Truffle butter
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon minced garlic
4 tablespoons minced onions
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup flour (gluten-free or all-purpose)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
2 1/2 cups half and half
1/2 cup water or skim milk
1 cup shredded White cheddar
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
1/2 cup Mascarpone cheese
1 cup Truffle Brie cheese, rinds removed
Truffle salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 and spray a large casserole dish with olive oil spray.
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add TresOmega pasta and cook halfway through (about 6 minutes) and drain. Drizzle Black Truffle oil on to cooked pasta, stir through and set aside.
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in the microwave or on stovetop and mix into Panko breadcrumbs. Add Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and stir together, set aside.
Heat another large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat and begin making roux for the cheese sauce. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, a tablespoon of Black Truffle butter, paprika, garlic, onions and bay leaf, cooking for about 5 minutes until onions are soft and lightly translucent.
Add the flour and cayenne pepper (if using) and stir in with the butter until a roux forms and the mixture thickens for about a minute.
Whisk in the half and half and water (or skim milk), stirring and whisking constantly until the sauce thickens, for about 8-10 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the white cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mascarpone and Truffle Brie cheeses, stirring constantly with a whisk until smooth. Finish with a dash of truffle salt and freshly black ground pepper, to taste.
Add the cooked pasta into the greased casserole dish and pour the cheese sauce over the pasta, mixing together. Top the pasta with the buttered bread crumbs.
Bake the pasta for 30 minutes until bubbly and browned and the cheese is super melty.
Let cool for about 5-10 minutes and serve immediately.

Notes

You can also substitute other cheeses that are great for melting: Gruyere, Fontina, Emmental

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2018/12/luscious-truffle-mac-cheese/

You can find out more about TresOmega Gluten-Free Pastas on their website, or on their social media pages:

Feel free to comment and share this post with your followers and be sure to tag #tresomega, #organicsforlife in your post with a link back to this original post on my blog, with a credit to me, @artfulgourmet.