Borracho Beans......Low Carb, Keto Friendly & Yummy

This morning I needed comfort food, but I wanted to stay within my low carb lifestyle. For me that means tacos and beans. But beans while healthy are not low carb friendly. I have found a solution that works for all low carb lifestyles, Eden's Organic Black Soybeans. Full of fiber, high in nutrients and protein with great texture and flavor. These little gems absorb whatever flavor you add to them. I use them in my chili, for refried beans and now borracho beans. They are a great addition to any meal.

Carb-less Borracho Beans

1 can (15 oz) Eden's Organic Black Soybeans
1 tsp Better Than Bouillon Chicken base
20 g tomato paste
1 large jalapeno, seeds removed, chopped
40 g onions, chopped
1 T butter (or cooking oil of choice)
Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper

In medium saucepan over medium heat, saute onions and jalapeno until onions are clear or to desired doneness. Add in remaining ingredients and stir together.

I do not measure my seasonings. I just sprinkle them over the top, lightly at first and taste. Then adjust. I use just a pinch of chipotle powder because it's super hot. Always adjust to your taste though.

Cover the saucepan and bring up heat to just boiling, then reduce and simmer for 20 minutes. Add a little water if too thick. Eat warm with your favorite tacos or proteins.
Makes 5 servings (3g net carb per serving)

Chile Relleno Keto Quiche.....without all the mess!

Anyone who makes or has made Chile Rellenos know they are time consuming, not keto friendly and messy. But I just cannot get that yummy chile craving to go away. I looked for a casserole recipe but none have measured up to the egg, chile, cheese flavor from traditional Rellenos. So I decided to just wing it today with my breakfast. I had to roast some peppers I purchased so why not, right?!

Everyone in the family (keto and non-keto) loved this dish and wanted more! It makes your heart happy when your recipes work. I hope you and your family enjoys it as well.

For the recipe pictured below, I used my mini Dash 8" electric skillet. It can be just as easily be done on the stove or in the oven. Please read the whole recipe because you will need to prep your chiles. Canned chiles will work, but the flavor will not be the same. Once you have fresh roasted chiles, nothing compares. I recommend fresh roasting your chiles. Oh! And yhe chiles freeze really well after roasting. I keep them on hand in the freezer for when those cravings hit!

Chile Relleno Keto Quiche

2 roasted poblano chiles*, peeled and seeds removed
1 roasted jalapeno or serrano*, peeled and seeds removed diced (optional adds tons of spicy heat)
100g pepper jack cheese shredded
4 large eggs
2 T heavy cream
2 T coconut flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp pink salt
1/2 tsp Black pepper
1/2 tsp Simply Organic Adobo seasoning
1 T Coconut oil
Spicy Green Chile Recipe

Make the Spicy Green Chile sauce.
Mix eggs, cream, flour, baking powder, pink salt, black pepper and Adobo. Mix well and sit aside for at least 5 minutes. This allows the flour to absorb and soften.
Shred the cheese. You can use any cheese to your liking.
Heat skillet with coconut oil. Stir egg mixture and pour half into the heated skillet. Place one poblano (open flat) over the egg. Top with most of the cheese and the diced jalapeno. Top with second poblano. Pour the rest of the egg over the skillet. Top with remaining cheese. Cover skillet reduce heat to low. Cook until set and all cheese has melted. This takes a good 20 to 30 minutes. (For oven in greased 8x8 baking dish layer as directed, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.)
I serve this with the hot Ranchero sauce over the top.
For dinner I serve with warm taco meat, avocado, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomato and queso fresco.

*To roast chiles I wash the peppers and dry completely. Cut off the stems but don't cut into the chiles (this helps them fit in the air fryer). Place dry chiles in your air fryer (no oil required). Air fry at 390° for 12 to 15 minutes for large chiles. This works for all peppers just adjust the time for the size of the chiles. I turn the chiles half way through. The chiles skin should be blistered when they are ready. Remove from fryer to a large bowl and cover until cool enough to handle (30 minutes). Take each chile, pull out stem, slit down one side and scoop off seeds. Flip over and peel the "plastic" looking skin. Chiles are ready to use whole, strips or diced in your favorite recipes.

Spicy Green Chile Sauce, Low Carb and Keto Friendly!!

Mexican foods have always been my downfall. Tacos, enchiladas, chile rellenos, burritos, nachos or just tortilla chips. That crunchy corn goodness. Thick and creamy green chile sauce! Oh! My!!!

But we all know that low carb and corn is not a good fit. Corn is gluten free but still has too many carbs per serving to handle for weight loss. Maybe in the future. Still looking for a good substitute too!

Another food that was on a regular rotation was Green Chile sauce. I would make a flour based green chile sauce that I miss. I tried psyllium husk, xanthan gum and keto flours with horrid results. Xanthan gum is slimy no matter what I do! I have used it in baking with great results though. So not going to waste!

Last night I made mashed cauliflower, which is creamy, thick, super easy and so good! I thought, will creamed cauliflower thicken my green chile? Yep, it does!! Jon had seconds, which is such a compliment from a pickier eater!

So here is my recipe for a Low Carb Green Chile Sauce. Please read the recipe through before starting. Your peppers need roasting and you will need to prepare the cauliflower mash for thickening.

Carb-Less Green Chile Sauce

46 grams roasted poblano peppers, seeds and stem removed*
76 grams jalapeno peppers, seeds and stems removed
61 grams onion
Dice the peppers and onions. In a large skillet or saucepan, saute in oil until onions start to turn clear.

Then add to your skillet:
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp cumin
Salt & pepper to taste
Saute to heat your seasonings 1 minute.

Then add to the skillet:
1 cup Great Value fire roasted diced tomatoes Tex Mex/Salsa Style
1 cup Great Value chicken broth or favorite bone broth
Stir to combine and mix well.

Once bubbling, add to your skillet:
1/2 cup cauliflower mash**
1 tsp better than bouillon chicken flavor
Stir and bring up heat. If too runny, it can be reduced by letting it cook uncovered or you can add more cauliflower mash. Carefully taste the sauce. Adjust the seasonings if needed. If too much salt, add more tomato or cauliflower.

Serve hot over your favorite mexican dish with your favorite toppings!

Note: You are welcome to use all poblano peppers or a combination of peppers. My favorites are poblano, hatch new mexico (when in season) and jalapeños.

* I use my air fryer to roast my poblano peppers. Wash your peppers (as any produce) , dry them and place in your air fryer basket. No oil needed. Air fry at 390°F for 12 to 15 minutes or until skin is blistered. Transfer peppers to a heat safe dish and cover with plastic wrap or a plate. This steams the peppers for easy skin removal. Once cool enough to touch. Cut or pull out stems. Slice down the side of the pepper and lightly scrape out seeds. Turn over and peel off the skin. I roast peppers every two weeks and freeze them. Then I pull out what I need and cut into bite size pieces. I use these in omelets or just for a taco topping. So good!

**For cauliflower mash I use a 12 ounce steamable bag of Great Value frozen cauliflower florets. Microwave as directed on bag. Let sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Dump bag contents into a blender/processor. Add 1/4 cup chicken broth and blend. I add up to another 1/4 cup of broth if needed to make it creamy. It's now ready to use as a thickener in sauces and soups.

Shown here is this green chile sauce over my shredded pork taco. The taco shell is a psyllium husk/almond flour tortilla. While it holds together nicely,  it's a little thick, more like bread. I'll share once I prefect the recipe. Stay safe y'all!!

Jalapeño Popper Bites

I love jalapeño poppers and I have made unbreaded poppers with amazing results. I also love a omelets with peppers, onions and cheese. I made Kristi Davis' Pizza Bites and thought these woul be great as popper bites as well. Please check out Kristi's YouTube channel to find the Pizza Bites recipe. These also make a quick grab-n-go breakfast. Here's what I did for the popper bites.

Jalapeno Popper Bites

3 jalapeños chopped, (seeds and veins removed for less heat)
4 oz cream cheese softened
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp Simply Organic Adobo seasoning
1/2 tsp Mrs Dash onion
1/4 cup real bacon bits
3 eggs
1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl. I add just a pinch of salt and pepper as well. Set mix in fridge for 10 minutes to set up. I use a small cookie scoop and evenly place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake @ 350° for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

NOTE: To make Denver Omelet Bites, use 1/3 cup minced green bell pepper in place of jalapeño and 1/3 cup diced ham for the bacon. Add an extra egg.