Spicy Arugula Salad

(Mostly Keto)

We love this salad, it is our all time favorite! This is literally a spicy salad, as it includes hot pepper and cinnamon –
didn’t expect that, did ya?

Start off with a package of Fresh Arugula, about 5oz. Chop it up, but not too fine.

Sprinkle 1/4 tsp Red Pepper (ground) and 1/2 tsp Cinnamon (ground) over the dry Arugula, and toss well, very well.
Next take a medium-large Granny Smith apple, and chop it up into bite size pieces.
Chop 1/2 cup of your favorite nuts, I pick pecans!
Toss in 1/3 cup Craisens

Mix all of it together, and then drizzle 1/4 cup of Panera’s Fuji Apple salad dressing over the top. Flip all upside down, and drizzle another 1/4 cup of the dressing over your salad.
Now sprinkle some Goat cheese on top, or you could leave it off until right before serving, and let those who want it, add it to their salad at the table.


Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve. (Call me crazy, but sometimes I like it even better the next day when the Arugula has wilted a little bit.)

Enjoy!! (Serves “4” with 23carbs per serving unless you add more dressing than called for)

Keto Birthday Cake

I wanted cake for my birthday, but didn’t want to “blow the bank”, so I modified a family favorite. It IS cake, and you COULD put candles in it, but we didn’t want to set the house on fire, so….no. Besides, the surface was kinda firm, but could’ve been potentially wobbly!

Start off with one of those cake pans that has an indentation for a filling. (Example shown above)

5 EB XL eggs
1 cup almond flour & 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 4oz baking chocolate, melted
2/3 cup Monk Fruit
4 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1-3/8 tsp Xanthen Gum (optional, for more dense brownie texture, omit)
1-3/8 tsp Baking Powder
3/8 tsp salt
1-1/2 tsp real vanilla extract

Mix all the dry ingredients together while melting your baking chocolate. Blend in the eggs and oil until smooth, and then add the melted baking chocolate last. Pour into well greased pan, and bake about 25 minutes at 350.

While the cake is baking, prepare the fruit topping. Two packages of fresh raspberries, or about 1-1/2 to 2 cups frozen (bring to room temperature). Place in microwave safe bowl with 1/2 cup Monk Fruit, and cook 2 minutes on high. Stir and repeat. Take about 1/2 package of Knox unflavored gelatin, and sprinkle it over a tsp of lemon juice, stir it in, and add it to the raspberries. Cook one more minute on high in the microwave, and then set it aside to cool. It sets very quickly in the refrigerator, if you would like.

When the cake is cool, prepare a small box of sugar-free cheesecake flavored pudding mix with 2 cups whipping cream, and 1/2 cup milk. Whip until fluffy, and spoon into the well of the cake.

Now spoon on the raspberry pie filling. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

Voila! (Let them eat cake!)

***Small disclaimer: remember, baked goods which use Xanthen gum taste best in the first 24-48 hours. They sink and become very dense if left for too long, so don’t be ashamed to share your treat with others!

Pavlova, Keto style!

I have always loved Pavlova, from its origins (Anna Pavlova) it has enchanted me, and it is not only delightful in appearance, but light and decadent at the same time. Perfect for a Bridal or Baby Shower, or even something to treat your favorite guy! (Fathers Day is coming up!)

My version has zero sugar, except for the fructose naturally occurring in your chosen fruit. Colorful berries are full of anti-oxidants, and very pleasing to the eye.

Start off by tracing circles on some parchment paper, these are about 5” in diameter. Then turn your oven on to 250°F. Take your eggs and place them into warm water to get them closer to room temperature. Once the eggs have come to room temperature you can start mixing things together.

2 EB eggs whites (extra large)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla (I used Wilton Clear Vanilla, because I love the extra white look of the Pavlova)

1 teaspoon corn starch (Optional)

1/2 teaspoon of Cream of Tartar

1/2 cup Lakanto Monkfruit

Begin blending at a low speed, and continue increasing the speed until whipped well to fairly firm peaks. Then place the meringue into a piping bag, and fill in the circles you drew on the parchment paper. Bake 40 minutes at 250°, then turn the oven off, and leave them to set for another couple of hours, still in the oven.

Take a small box of Jello brand sugar-free Cheesecake or White Chocolate pudding mix, and mix with 2 cups of real whipping cream and 1/2 cup cold water, to very stiff peaks.

So yummy I took a bite before getting a picture!

When you’re ready to serve the Pavlovas, lift them off the parchment with a wide spatula, and place them on a plate. Put a very generous amount of your sugar-free pudding all over the top, and then drop your favorite berries on top of the pudding. My choice was blackberries, raspberries, and crushed strawberries. You could also add blueberries, or even go with mangoes and peaches!

This one is my Sweeties
And this one was my Son’s

Let me know how it goes!