The Best Low carb, Sugar Free Monster Cookies (like a low carb M&M Cookie or...chocolate chips cookie)

 

A couple weeks ago I got into a cookie making mood and although I don't like chocolate chip cookies myself, I was making a vanilla 'sugar' cookie for me, so I whipped these up for my husband.  

I was using our regular old sugar and flour recipes but substituting keto and low carb options.  If you leave the chocolate candies off these and use plain sugar free chocolate chips you can save carbs but the option of sugar free 'gem' candies (like M&M's) are fun if you can afford the few extra carbs.

1/2 c butter, softened
1 c brown sweetener, like Swerve
3 T granulated white sweetener, like Lakanto
1 egg
2 t vanilla extract (good quality like Watkins)
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 3/4 c King Arthur Keto Flour
6 oz. chocolate gem sugar free candies, or about 6-8 oz. sugar free chocolate chips

Cream the butter and sweeteners, beat in the egg and vanilla.   Add the dry ingredients.  You can add the chocolate chips at this point but if you are using gem candies, and want them to show up bright and pretty on top, add them later - after you form your cookies on the pan.

Drop by large spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet or parchment covered.  Top with the colored candies or even more chocolate chips.  Bake at 375 for about 9 minutes or until the edges are just golden.  Let cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

 

I can find the keto flour at my local Publix grocery store but my Walmart and other groceries don't carry it.  I have also bought it (for a better price) online from Amazon as they have it cheaper than my grocery store does.

King Arthur, Keto Wheat Flour Blend, Non-GMO Project Verified, 1-to-1 Substitute for All- Purpose Flour, 16 Ounces

 

 

I use Serve Brown for my substitute 'brown sugar' 

Swerve Sweetener, Brown Bundle, 12 oz pack of 2

 

 

Introducing Russell Stover Sugar Free Chocolate Candy Gems & Chocolate Coated Peanuts 6 Pack (3 Chocolate Candy Gems/3 Chocolate Coated Peanuts)2 oz each

 

King Arthur has a sugar alternative as well although I make my own blend using various sweeteners and I keep it in a container in my pantry.  You could buy theirs though if you don't want to make your own blend or don't have a favorite brand/style to use. 

King Arthur, Baking Sugar Alternative, Made with Plant-Based Ingredients, Keto-Friendly, 1-to-1 Substitute for Granulated Sugar, 12 Ounces

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Todays Instagram: Solar Cooking - making our dinner (garlic lemon pork roast) in my sun oven

 

  

If you are here because of my post on Instagram today... this is for you.  :)

Yes, I really do bake and cook meals in our sun oven.  I have posted about it (as well as recipes) a few times over the past 8 (?) or 9 (?) years.  I bought mine years ago and yes... I love it.  

Today I'm making a lemon garlic pork roast for dinner.  In the past I've baked or cooked everything from chicken to beef roasts, pulled pork to cakes.  Cookies and even pastries (search for the post on Dutch Letter Pastries... yum!)

My exact oven isn't sold anymore, but the business still makes them, they've just changed how they look a little bit and they are blue now instead of black.  

 

Here is 'my' sun oven - the All American.  Although again, they've changed a couple tiny things since I bought mine in 2012 (?).  They are about $100 more now in 2021 than what I paid, but for being almost 10 years ago, that's not too bad!

All American Sun Oven- The Ultimate Solar Appliance

 

 

This version below is a package deal - mine came with these accessories and 2 baking/roasting pans... this one doesn't come with the pans but you do get the drying racks and parchment paper.  There are many more styles and versions and sizes available from other companies;  some are folding for easy travel... I've not tried them as this is the only brand and style I've used but there are plenty to choose from.

 

Sun Oven All American with Dehydrating and Preparedness Accessory Package  

 

 

 

 

Zucchini Side Dish - (Using up yellow squash and zucchini -use as a side dish or a main entree)

 

 

Reposting this one as I go through photos in my file folders.... This dish isn't one that really has a 'recipe' so much as a throw it all together type thing.

When you eat low carb for years there are certain items you automatically always seem to have on hand, and for us, it's yellow squash and zucchini.  The problem is that sometimes I buy them and then we go all week without having anything that uses them and I forget about them until I realize I have to use them up or they are going to go bad.  

I've spiralized them and froze them at this point, or spiralized them and served them along side whatever meal we had that evening as a 'noodle' side dish or I quickly use them in random recipes (many already posted on this site).  

 

***One of my favorite quick ways to use them up is to slice them into rounds about 1/2 inch thick, drizzle them with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill them!  YUM!*** 

 

Here is another quick 'use em' up' dish....

 

Sauteed Zucchini and Yellow Squash

 

Zucchini and/or Yellow Squash
Mushrooms
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Feta Cheese 
options:  a bit of diced red/yellow or orange pepper, a little bit of onion, green onion or even diced celery

Add some olive oil to your pan and then add the vegetables.  Saute' until they are tender.  Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with feta cheese before serving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keto Lasagna Noodles - (No pasta Lasagna) and a BONUS - using the cheese-pasta for your Mexican Lasagna too

This morning I'm trying to clean up some of the 1,000 random food photos in my files.  I don't have to be anywhere or have any tasks pressing to get done so my goal is to clear out and post some of these pictures I uploaded from my phone at the time, but never got around to posting on the site.

 

I originally posted this recipe back in 2017 or 2018 (?) but I've used it many times and in a couple completely different recipes.  The original post was for my keto lasagna.  I'll put some notes at the bottom for my second favorite way to use them!

 Original Post:  No Pasta Lasagna

I used my own homemade spaghetti sauce that I make, food vacuum seal and freeze.  Use whichever store-bought or homemade sauce you prefer just make sure you are reading labels to make sure of the carb and sugar content.

For the no-pasta noodles:

• 2 eggs
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 1/4 c Parmesan cheese
• 1 c mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 t Italian Seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder

Place items in a food processor and blend smooth.  Spread smooth into a 9X13" pan you've lined with parchment.  Bake about 20-25 minutes.  Let cool or chill while you make the rest.

• 1 lb. ground beef (or mixture of beef/sausage if that's what you prefer.) Brown in a pan on the stove with:
  

• 1 t Italian seasoning
  1 t garlic powder
  1 t dried oregano
  1 t onion powder

Also use:

• 1 1/2 - 2 c spaghetti sauce of you choice (I make mine homemade) Check carb and sugar counts on yours
• 1 c ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
  
• 1-2 t dried basil
• 1/3 c mozzarella or Parmesan cheese

Turn the 9X13 pan of baked cheese "pasta" the long way in front of you and slice it into 3rds.  You now have 3 sheets that are the same size as a bread loaf pan. These are going to substitute the pasta. 

Mix the basil into the ricotta cheese and egg.  I use cottage cheese with an egg or two to thicken it, when I don't have ricotta on hand.  You can also use sour cream instead of cottage cheese or ricotta if that's all you have on hand (my brothers wouldn't eat ricotta or cottage cheese growing up, so my Mom always used sour cream in her lasagna and still does to this day.)

In a loaf pan, layer your lasagna as you usually do.  A bit of sauce, a sheet of cheese-pasta, meat, the ricotta cheese mixture, sauce, cheese-pasta, meat, ricotta.  Layer at least 3 layers and you should be to the top of the loaf pan.  Sprinkle with parmesan or mozzarella (or even a mixture of cheddar jack if that's what you have in the house).  Bake about 25-35 minutes at 350 until golden brown, bubbly and hot all the way through (depends on the thickness of your pan, your oven's 'personality' for baking, etc)  Let set at least 10 minutes to set up - or if you dig into it right away (like we always do) expect it to look more like a casserole on your plate because you didn't allow it to set up.  We enjoyed with a green salad and blue cheese dressing on the side.

I believe when these photos were taken, it was during the holidays when I was doing a lot of baking and I had used my 9X13 pans for bars and other goodies;  I have a lot of loaf pans though (bread pans) and just baked the layers in 3 bread pans instead of a 9x13 pan.  Improvise as you will.

After baking your 'faux pasta' will be a nice firm, golden sheet

 

Everything layered and ready for the oven

I had made a keto bread dough for garlic breadsticks with the lasagna that night

*NOTE*

I've posted our family's favorite Mexican Casserole many, many times since I started this site in 2006 and I later adapted it to be lower carb by using low-carb or keto 'flour' tortillas, etc.

I found another option to make it more keto friendly was to use the 'cheese pasta' above in this recipe too!  It's a little more work since you have to make the 'pasta' first but it's a great fit for this dish.

Here is the original recipe - you can make it low carb or keto by using the options I mentioned.

Mexican Lasagna (original version)

1 - 2 lbs. ground beef, chicken, turkey, etc.
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 t seasoned salt
2 cups diced tomatoes (or use canned if you prefer)
1 T jalapeno's, diced fine (optional if your family hates them)
1 T onion (another option!)
1 - 6 oz. can tomato paste with 3 empty cans of water OR use 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 1/2 c sour cream  OR  ricotta or cottage cheese
2 eggs
10 flour tortillas (any style - low carb, etc. is fine too)
2 1/2 - 3 c shredded cheddar or mixture of cheese

Cook the ground beef (if you are using) and drain.  If you are using already cooked beef, chicken, etc. place it in a large pan on the stove top.  When hot, add the taco seasoning, salt, tomatoes, paste and water or tomato sauce, jalapeno's and onions if you are using them.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce and simmer about 10 minutes while you mix the sour cream OR ricotta/cottage cheese with the eggs in a bowl.  Preheat the oven to 350.

Spread half the meat mixture in a 9X13 inch pan.  Cut your flour tortilla in half.  Layer about 5 of them over the meat.  Spread half the sour cream or cottage cheese mixture over the tortillas.  Sprinkle with half the shredded cheese.  Repeat the layers with the rest of the meat, tortillas, sour cream or cheese mixture and top with the rest of the shredded cheese.  You can now use green olives or black olives on top if your family likes them.

Bake uncovered about 20-30 minutes until golden brown, bubbly and hot.  Let it stand 10 minutes to 'set up' for easier cutting.  You can serve this as is or offer sour cream, guacamole, salsa, etc.

Re-posting - One of the best and easiest keto riced cauliflower sides

 

I've posted a version of this previously - about 2 or 3 (?) years ago.  But I love it and make it often as it goes so well with different meals depending on a couple tiny additions or substitutions.  It's based on a recipe I found in the book: 500 Paleo Recipes


Chicken Flavored Riced Cauliflower with Slivered Almonds

1/2 head fresh cauliflower, shredded with an S-blade to 'rice' it or store bought in frozen foods
1/4 c slivered or sliced raw almonds
2 t coconut, olive or almond oil to saute' the almonds
1 bunch scallions/green onions, sliced
1/4 c fresh, chopped parsley or 2 T dried
1 1/2 T Tone's Chicken Base

Steam the cauliflower in the microwave for about 4 minutes.  You want it to remain crisp enough to double for 'rice'.  In a skillet, place the oil, heat to medium high and add the almonds.  As the almonds start to brown, be sure to stir them or they will burn quickly when you aren't watching.  Add the cauliflower when the almonds turn golden; add the scallions and parsley along with the chicken base flavoring.  Stir-fry until the chicken base is all mixed in.  Serve along with your dinner!

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Basically it's the flavor and crunch/soft texture of Rice-A-Roni - and I'm all about a crunch in my foods. You can play with this one a little bit - I'll note some of the ways I do - depending on what I have on hand, in the pantry or in the freezer.

Use any of these or a mixture of them:

• Store bought frozen, plain riced cauliflower
• Cauliflower Medley
• Fresh cauliflower you cook/steam and rice yourself

Best choice is sliced almonds but improvise if you wish:

• Sliced almonds
• Whole, raw almonds, chopped
• Slivered almonds

Additions (based on your carb count goals)

• Chopped green onions or scallions
  
• A few baby peas
• A little shredded carrot
• A scrambled egg (like fried rice)
• Soy Sauce/Liquid Aminos/Coconut Aminos
• Dried chives
  
• Dried parsley
• A little fresh, minced garlic
  
• Bits of chopped broccoli
• Bits of diced red pepper
  

 

MY PERSONAL NOTES:  I almost always double the almonds - they are my favorite part.  Be sure you are sauteing them first though - it's a must for the right flavor of this dish.  You can substitute the chicken base for cubed bouillon but you would probably have to smash it to a powder before adding or try to dissolve it in a bit of liquid - which would make your dish liquidy.  Chicken bouillon granules would work; as does the paste base (which I always always have on hand).

I make it as above for a side with almost anything in hurry.  Made as above it's great with any chicken entree'.  When I use it with any of my Chinese inspired meals I add a scrambled egg, use the 'medley' version or add just a few peas/carrots and some Liquid Aminos.  I've also left out the chicken base and used 2 frozen bags or one head of cauliflower and used a packet of Sun Bird Fried Rice mixture.  YUM!

One Simple Step to Clean Your Pampered Chef Pizza Stone

 

I have blogged about this in the past - the first time was in 2007 - it's how I clean my Pampered Chef Pizza Stones. 

It's easy.

I keep them in the oven when I set it to 'self-clean'.

They go in dark, they come out clean and beige.  If they are heavily soiled or dark, I'll have to wipe the ash off with a paper towel.

No, really.  That's all I do.

As a matter of fact, the photo above shows my stones - Pampered Chef Pizza Stones that were bought in 2005.  

I've been cleaning them in my oven on 'self-clean' regularly since 2007.
It's now 2021.

I only cleaned one this time and then laid them side-by side.  'Before' and 'After' if you will.

When I first started to clean them this way in 2007 I'd have to season them again by making something a bit greasy but that was easily;  I'd just bake buttery croissants them.  That was usually enough to re-season.

(This is not how I'm telling you to clean yours; that's up to you.  It's how I clean mine.  All three of them.  For the past 16+ years.)

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My stones literally live in the oven all the time.  They stay in when I bake other items (usually) and they work as a drip pan of sorts as well, which is great.  Because they are about 18 years old, they are well seasoned and turn a nice dark, almost black color very quickly even with just a couple uses.  The are the beige stone color right out of the oven, but the darkness returns within a couple uses - again, because they are so well seasoned after so many years.  When I first started to clean on self-clean back in 2007, I'd have to re-season them to get that non-stick awesomeness.  Usually I'd just make something like canned, store-bought croissants on them as they were 'greasy' enough to season the pan for me for future uses.  But after a few years, I didn't need to do anything with them after cleaning. 

To clean them in between the deep cleanings, I just use the little plastic scraper to scrape them.  Sometimes some really hot water but never soap.

 

_______________________________

They don't make the classic round pizza stone(s) like mine anymore, (discontinued) but you can find the newer versions and more options for pampered chef pizza stones on Amazon if you are interested: 

 

  

Need to use up celery? Dehydrate it! Dehydrate it and then either use right away or food seal for longer term storage.

 

 

We hosted a family get-together last month and had a whole bag of celery leftover.  It sat in the refrigerator for a couple weeks waiting for me to use it up but the first bag wasn't completely gone yet so we were still using that one.  Finally, as the ends were starting to brown, I knew I needed to 'get around to it' that day.

I decided to replenish our jar of dehydrated celery in the pantry.  

I freeze the leafy part of celery to use in future soups or homemade broth, but when I have too much celery to use up, my favorite way is to dehydrate it.  

I know not everyone has a dehydrator at home - for years I didn't either.  But my husband saw one on clearance at Home Depot or Lowes years ago and bought it for me. It's a very low-end (cheap) version with no bells or whistles and has worked great for me over the past 9 (?) years now.   You can dehydrate small vegetable pieces like this in the sun or in the oven as well but I never have since I use my dehydrator.  

If you are an Amazon shopper,
you can search for a dehydrator through
my dehydrator affiliate link here

The best thing is... NO PREP NEEDED.  

Just wash and trim the celery into pieces roughly the same size so they dehydrate evenly and at the same rate.

That's it.

One full large bag of celery from Sam's Club or Costco, once dehydrated, fits into a small pint sized jar.

Store in an airtight jar in your cupboard or pantry.  You can rehydrate with warm water and let it set for 15-20 minutes before using or add directly to your soups or sauces and simmer. 

 

 

You can see the ends were starting to brown - time to use it up quickly!

 

 

Just trim the ends off and dice the rest to use 

 

Try to make your pieces uniform so they dry at the same rate.

 

My trays didn't come with canvas liners - I made a post about those a few years ago.  I just bought canvas sheets and drew around the trays and then trimmed to size.  I've managed to misplace one of the canvas liners and I don't want the pieces to fall through the larger slats of the trays so for that one I just use parchment paper.

That's it.  Just place your pieces on the trays and turn on your dehydrator.  Again, mine is a really cheap model and doesn't allow me to change the temperature so it just has an 'on' and 'off' button but if you have a more expensive model, just use the temperature yours calls for or at one of the lowest temperatures yours offers as celery (and mushrooms) dry very quickly.  

Near the end of drying time (just a few hours) you'll want to remove the dried pieces and let the ones still plump to dry a bit longer.  Let them all cool down to room temperature before sealing tightly so there is no condensation or moisture in the jars.

NOTE FOR STORAGE:  Over the past few years I just stored our dehydrated foods in a small canning jar or jelly jar.  I was using either the metal lid and rings or the reusable plastic caps for the jars I was using up in the next couple months in regular cooking. 

For longer storage you can use your canister attachment for a food sealer.  Because the smaller, regular sized lids are a bit temperamental on holding their seal, either use a wide mouth jar (because those almost always seem to seal perfectly for long term) or, as I found this week, Tattler lids sealed perfectly with the canister attachments!  No more popped lids as with the metal versions.  

 

 

 

 

Using Tattler lids and gaskets with a canister attachment and food sealer

I use Tattler lids for canning (see onions on the right) but wondered if I could use them with my canister attachment and food sealer too?

 

I wondered if the Tattler style canning lids and seals would work with my canister attachment on my food sealer.... and that is how this post was born.

If you own one of the food sealers that work with the mason jar attachment sets, you probably already have realized the wide mouth size work better than the 'regular' sized.  There are hints and helps to try to get the regular mouth sized jars to seal - and keep their seal - as they often either don't seal at all, or will 'pop' their seal if you check them a few hours later.  

One of the hints to help seal the mason (ball/kerr etc) jars is putting a
second metal lid over the first and then when you lift the canister sealer off,
it takes the second lid off and the first (in theory) seals your jar airtight. 
This does work (most/some) of the time, but it's not reliable like
the wide mouth size are. 

This past week I had a bag of celery to use up and dehydrated it for the pantry.  Typically I just close the jar with a screw top since I don't want to have to deal with the food sealer and canister, knowing it will take a few attempts to seal the small sized jars perfectly. 

However, this past spring I bought Tattler lids and seals and I wondered if they would work with my canister food sealer.  

The short version of the story?

THEY DO.

I was just going to use a screw top, but really wanted it air-tight. I tried Tattler lids on a whim!

It sealed perfectly the first time - and no tricks needed like with the metal lids

 

 

I tested the seal at 12 and 24 hours because with metal lids the seal has usually popped by then if it's going to (again: the WIDE mouth seal beautifully but for some reason the smaller regular sized mouth lids don't work as well with canister sealer attachments) but the Tattlers sealed perfectly.  I checked seals before posting this and yep;  still as perfect as when I first sealed them.

NOTE:  The only note I will add is that I rinsed the rubber gasket in water and shook it off just before sealing.  I put it on the plastic lid - and was careful there were no drops of water or moisture on the plastic lid at all (because you don't want moisture in your dehydrated foods).  I did not boil the gasket, just rinsed it so it would be damp for a good seal. 

Sealed quick and easy in mere seconds. 

 

 

I had a brainstorm one day and decided to use a Keto Cake Mix in my old "CAKE MIX COOKIES" recipe: "Keto Cake Mix Cookies"

 

 

 

Remember back around 2006 or so when "cake mix cookies" became a 'thing'?  I've posted many different versions of them that I made of the years but last month (or was it two months ago now? Time goes by so fast!) I made them using a keto cake mix.  Because... why not try it?  Right?  It was just an idea I had one day so I did it!

 

The end result was good and was obviously simple.  I used a keto cake mix and had sugar free sprinkles on hand too so I made a "Keto Funfetti Cookie" version.  In the end, when we are doing strict keto they are a good option but I admit I do get tired of almond flour based cookies - which is why I've been posting some of my King Arthur Keto Flour cookies - because sometimes I need to mix it up a bit.

 

I bought the sugar free sprinkles from Netrition - and I am giving a link to it but their image is their chocolate version.  They offer both chocolate or muti-colored.  Obviously I used multi-colored (rainbow) sprinkles.  They are super expensive (about $9.99 for a single small bag) but luckily you only need a couple tablespoons per recipe so they've lasted longer than I thought they would when I first bought them and went through sticker-shock.

 

Good Dee's Sugar Free Sprinkles

 

 

Swerve Yellow Cake Mix

 

The basic "CAKE MIX COOKIE" recipe:

 

1 dry cake mix
1/3 c oil
2 eggs

Mix, form balls, bake at 375 for about 8-9 minutes.  Cool on the baking sheet a minute or two and remove to cool on a rack.

FOR THE KETO VERSION:   Because the Swerve Sweets cake mix is only about half the size of a regular cake mix, I 'halved' the recipe and used 1 egg and less oil.  I also added a teaspoon of vanilla.  After mixing the batter, stir in your sugar free sprinkles.

Form balls, bake on parchment at 375 for about 8-9 minutes until set.  Let cool on the parchment for a few minutes until they are set, and then cool completely on racks.

 

  

I get most of my keto and lowcarb/sugarfree items from Netrition.  I do order some things on Amazon but Netrition is my main go-to for most items.   

You can visit the Netrition Home Page here or the links to the items themselves below.  I've also been able to find the Swerve Sweets mixes at my local Publix grocery store (be warned they are expensive!  About $8-$9 each).

 

Swerve Yellow Cake Mix 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Dee's Sugar Free Sprinkles   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King Arthur Keto Flour Version of my favorite Sugar Cookies - Keto Sugar Cookies - low carb and sugar free

Keto version of my favorite sugar cookie

 

This version from Crisco is an oldie-but-a-goodie and happens to be my favorite simple drop-style sugar cookie version.  The problem?  It's 15 carbs and 8 sugar grams per 'traditional full sugar/flour' cookie.  Eek!  We eat primarily low carb and sugar free so eating 3 of these (because seriously, who only eats one cookie?) is something my brain can't even fathom.  45 carbs and 24 grams of sugar?  That's enough carbs for 2 days; and more sugar than I typically eat in a week.  But... so so perfect and good.

Original version

1 c Crisco Shortening
1 1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 t vanilla extract

2 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt

Oven to 375.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.   Beat shortening and sugar on high speed 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Beat in flour, baking soda and salt.  Drop on prepared baking sheets and bake 9 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

ENTER THE LOWER CARB VERSION:  Which is currently my 'go to' version of this cookie.

 Keto Flour Version

1 c Crisco Shortening
1 1/3 c sweetener(s) - I mix my own with Erythritol, Allulose and Monk Fruit
2 eggs
2 t good quality vanilla extract
2 1/4 c King Arthur Keto Flour
1/4 c all purpose flour (use all Keto Flour if you wish to save about 1 carb per cookie)
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt

Oven to 375.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.   Beat shortening and sugar on high speed 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Beat in flour, baking soda and salt.  Drop on prepared baking sheets and bake 9 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

 

 

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King Arthur, Keto Wheat Flour Blend, Non-GMO Project Verified, 1-to-1 Substitute for All- Purpose Flour, 16 Ounces

King Arthur, Baking Sugar Alternative, Made with Plant-Based Ingredients, Keto-Friendly, 1-to-1 Substitute for Granulated Sugar, 12 Ounces

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chipotle Lime Marinade for Grilled Chicken

I posted once before, but it's a favorite.  Posting again with the amounts I typically use (I play with amounts and ingredients based on what I have on hand and by taste).

 

 

 

 

Chipotle Lime Marinade

 

1 T fresh lime zest 

1/4+ c fresh squeezed lime juice 

2 T avocado oil

2 t minced garlic

1 T chipotle powder

2 t dried cilantro 

1/2 t salt and 1/4 t pepper

Marinate chicken thighs or breasts.  Grill.  Serve on low carb tortillas with sour cream, cheddar cheese, salsa, guacamole.  Side: Garlic Riced Cauliflower with a bit of tomato paste/sauce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips to Ensure your Tattler Canning Lids Seal Perfectly! (Canning onions with Tattler lids for photos)

  

If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen these photos posted yesterday - I was canning onions and using Tattler lids. 

 

Now, first off - onions are something I don't regularly can (in case you were wondering).  

 

Onions normally keep perfectly for a couple months in when kept in a cool, dry, dark place and I have a large open air crock where I keep ours. But we have more than enough onions for family use over the next month, and I had a huge bag leftover from the family reunion last weekend that wasn't even touched.  I normally would dehydrate or freeze them.  Neither of which are needed right now as we have both on hand and both of those storage ways limit what I can use the onions for because of the change in texture, taste and size, etc.

 

Yesterday I decided I wanted to can them - so I could use them in things like fajitas, roasts, etc. And I used my Tattler lids.   It was only after posting on Instagram that I decided to save the pictures and do a quick post on An American Housewife about the lids.  This is it!

 

THE LID CRISIS:  If you are already a home-canner or you started to learn the process during the Covid quarantines, then you know there was a HUGE canning supply shortage last year.  You couldn't find water bath nor pressure canners; you couldn't find canning jars for love nor money and finding the metal sealing lids was utterly impossible.  The thing is, it still is.  Jars and pots and canners are back on the shelves for the most part, but lids are still incredibly difficult to find.  Enter the Tattler lids.

Tattler lids have been around since 1976 but never as popular as they are becoming now as more and more people turn to them to replace the metal lids they can't get their hands on.   Many home canners have been using them for 30+ years and love them; others tried them, had failures and proclaim to anyone listening that they don't work and they hate them.

Mostly... that's user error.

 

Tattler lids are plastic lids (BPA FREE) with rubber gaskets that can be used over and over and over for years and years until they show wear like drying out or cracking.  

Many people don't actually read the instructions that come with them and try to can with them just as they do the metal lids they've been using for years.  With that, comes failure.  There are also two versions of Tattlers, the newer versions say EZ on them.  Read the instructions that come with your Tattlers and you'll do fine - and more than likely not have any (or very few) fail to seal.

Note:  if you do have any fail to seal, just re-process them again and if you still didn't get a seal, just put that one in the refrigerator and use it up first over the next week or so.

I'm not going to give directions on the canning PROCESS because I'm not a canning expert and I don't play one on the internet.  What I DO want to mention is a couple TIPS FOR USING TATTLER LIDS that might help you with your canning success using them.

TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN USING TATTLER LIDS

1) Bring your lids and rubber rings to a boil on the stove, reduce to a low simmer and let them simmer while you pack your canning jars.  Use them hot.

2)  Be sure to wipe the canning jar edges with vinegar to remove any grease or food drops/spills even if you think you didn't splatter anything on the rims.  They need to be clean for the rubber to seal.

3)  Leave more headspace than you do with metal.  Metal lids only need about 1/2 - 1 inch headspace.  Tattler lids like more.  1 - 1 1/4 inch. 

4)  Do NOT tighten the lids down with the metal rings like you do traditional metal lids.  Lay your lid and gasket on the clean edge.  Put the ring in place.  Hold the lid and the jar in place with ONE FINGER on top.  Now using your other hand to start to tighten the metal ring.  When your jar starts to turn with the ring - STOP.   If you've canned before, your instinct is to think it's 'too loose!' and you need to finger tighten the lid!  YOU DON'T.  As soon as that jar starts to spin with the ring, it's tight enough.  Even if you don't think so. Even if you think it's sure to come open during the canning process.  You cannot tighten them to finger-tight like metal lids or your jars will blow their tops or even break.

 

Process your jars as directed for the foods you are canning.  There is just ONE more tip.

 

5)  After removing the jars from your canner, let them sit for about 2-3 minutes and then using a towel to protect your hands and fingers, tighten each lid down on your jars.  NOW is when you use your regular "just finger tight" twist that you WANTED to use when you first put the lids/gaskets on.   

 

After you finger tighten them after processing, let them sit and don't disturb them either overnight or until the next day.  Basically, just let them sit for 24 hours.  Then you can remove the metal rings and slowly pick up each jar by the seal to make sure they all are sealed tight.  The lid will also be concave so you can see it sealed - but make sure you pick them up to test.  If your lid comes off, then it's not sealed and either re-process or just use it up first.

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Just some photos of canning with the Tattler lids....

Lids on, into the canner

View from the top of the lids and jars in canner

The lids use your regular metal rings

This batch was pressure canned (here I am just putting the lid on and starting the process)

Straight out of the canner, piping hot.  The lids are already concave as you can see

 24 hours later....

Metal rings removed and seals tested - beautiful!

 

 

I ordered all my Tattler lids directly from their site (reusablecanninglids.com) but if you prefer ordering from Amazon they offer them there as well.