Featuring over 350 tried and tested recipes that can be prepared at home. From comfort food to restaurant style. Plus 110+ articles on Kitchen and Cooking Tips, Restaurant Reviews and more.
Showing posts with label Avocado Smoothie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Avocado Smoothie. Show all posts

Tuesday, 17 July 2018

Keto Pizza with Shrimp and Basil Pesto


For this Pizza Wednesday, I have a yummy seafood pizza recipe for you. Prepared with Shrimp and Basil Pesto this pizza is one of my favorites. The flavor combination is absolutely wonderful and if you have never had Pesto before, let me tell you it’s very different than marinara sauce. If you feel fresh Shrimp will be too expensive you can always use a frozen bag. Just make sure to count the number of pieces you will be using for the recipe and place the bag inside the freezer again (we don’t want the entire bag to thaw). 

Now if you are not on Keto diet, you can still use the toppings to create this delicious pizza whenever you want. You can make your own pizza base (follow my directions in the article: Homemade Pizza with Paneer, Tomato and Basil) or you can buy a readymade one. 

Once your pizza base is ready, generously spread the Basil Pesto on it, followed by the Shrimp, vegetables, cheese and seasoning. The pizza will be ready as soon as the cheese melts. 


Bon Appetit!

Ingredients for the Pizza base:
  • Mozzarella Cheese - 1 ½ cups, shredded
  • Cream Cheese - 1 ounce, cut into cubes
  • Eggs – 2, large, beaten
  • Coconut Flour – 1/3 cup 
  • Red Pepper Flakes – ¼ teaspoon


Toppings:
  • Basil Pesto Sauce (low carb) – ¼ cup (or as you like)
  • Shrimp – 6-8 pieces, peeled and deveined
  • Mozzarella Cheese – 1 cup, shredded
  • Salt and Ground Black Pepper – to season (about ¼ teaspoon each)
  • Butter – 1-2 tablespoons
  • Onion – ¼ of a small onion, cut into small thick slices
  • Mushrooms – 2, sliced
  • Tomato – ¼, sliced


Others:
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Parchment Paper
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Non stick pan


Directions to bake the Pizza base:
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 
  • Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper.
  • Combine the Mozzarella Cheese and Cream Cheese in a microwave safe large bowl. 
  • Microwave for 45 seconds, stir with a spatula. Then put it back and microwave for another 45 seconds. Stir again until everything is well combined. 
  • Stir in the beaten Eggs, Red Pepper Flakes and Coconut Flour. The mixture will be hot so be very careful while kneading with your hands. You can use a rubber spatula (but I have found that the kneading is way easier if I am using my hands). 
  • Knead until a dough forms. 


Tip: If the dough becomes hard before fully mixed, you can microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften it.

  • Transfer the dough onto the lined baking pan and cover it with another piece of parchment (this will make the rolling much easier, otherwise it will stick on the rolling pin and your hands).
  • Roll the dough using your hands or a rolling pin. Make sure to keep the center thin and the sides a little bit thick. Roll it into an 8-inch pizza base.


Tip: Make ahead – you can roll the dough and keep it covered in a cool dry place till you are ready to bake. 

  • Use a fork to poke lots of holes throughout the crust to prevent bubbling.
  • Bake for 6 minutes. Poke more holes in any places where you see bubbles forming. Bake for 3-7 more minutes, until golden brown (keep a watch on the pizza base while baking the second time, we don’t want it to get brown).
  • Once the base is ready, let’s assemble our Pizza.


Directions to prepare the Toppings:
  • While we are baking the pizza base, let’s prepare the toppings. Start by heating a nonstick pan over medium heat.
  • Melt the Butter on it.
  • Add the Shrimp with the Onion, Mushroom and Tomato slices, season with Salt and Black Pepper and sauté for 2-4 minutes until the Shrimps look pinkish in color.
  • Switch off the heat and transfer the toppings to a bowl.


To assemble the Pizza:
  • Spread the Basil Pesto Sauce generously on the pizza base. 
  • Arrange the toppings (Shrimp, Onion, Mushroom and Tomato slices) in a single layer over it.
  • Sprinkle the Mozzarella cheese (1 cup) over it. Sprinkle some more seasoning (if required).
  • Return the pizza back to the oven for 5-7 more minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  • Drizzle some Extra Virgin Olive Oil on the pizza and sprinkle some Red Pepper Flakes. Enjoy.


Tip: Seafood overcooks very fast, so it is important to keep an eye on the pizza. When the cheese has melted, switch off the oven and remove the pizza promptly.


Recommended Reading:

Sunday, 10 June 2018

Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon



This year to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary we went to Branson. The idea was to have a quiet romantic getaway and explore the city. There we went to a place called ‘Top of the Rock’ which offers breath taking views of the Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake. 



After we had finished exploring the beautiful scenery and taken a golf cart ride to the caves, we went to a restaurant called Arnie's Barn at Top of the Rock. Now Mexican cuisine may not be ideal for the keto dieters but it is the perfect place to have a wonderful lunch specially if you are celebrating something special! We started our meal with Tortilla Chips and Bacon Guacamole which had House Smoked Bacon, Roasted Corn Salsa and Queso Fresco.



This Guacamole was so good that we immediately decided to try this at home. So, yesterday I looked for the recipe, made a few changes and improvised it to suit my Keto needs. Foodies enjoy this delicious Keto Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon.



Photo Courtesy: Dr. Debarshi Chatterji

Ingredients (Serves 2): 

  • Avocado - 1, ripe
  • Green Chili – 1-2 or or Jalapeno Pepper – ½ 
  • Onion – ¼ of a big onion
  • Fresh Cilantro – a handful, washed
  • White Vinegar or Lime Juice – 2 teaspoons
  • Salt – ¼ teaspoon (or as per taste)
  • Black Pepper – ¼ teaspoon, ground
  • Bacon - 3 slices, cooked and crumbled, divided into two parts
  • Goat Cheese – ¼ cup, crumbled, divided into two parts


Serve with: Keto Tacos

Directions:

  • Using a food chopper, chop Green Chili (or Jalapeno Pepper) and Onion. Transfer to a small serving bowl.
  • Run short pulses to chop the Avocado and Cilantro then transfer to the bowl.
  • Add the White Vinegar (or Lime Juice), Salt and Black Pepper. Mix, taste and season (if desired). 
  • Stir in one part each of the Bacon and Goat Cheese. 
  • Top with the remaining Bacon and Goat Cheese as garnish. 
  • Serve immediately with Keto Tacos.




Recommended Reading:

Avocado Strawberry Smoothie


In my previous article - Avocado Smoothie, I suggested to use different types of extracts like Vanilla/ Coconut or Orange to enhance the flavor of the smoothie. However, I later discovered that berries are the only fruits allowed on Keto diet (again not to be consumed in a huge quantity), and I thought perhaps it will be better to add them in the smoothie. Suffice it to say that by doing so I not only satisfy my craving to consume fruit on a regular basis but also, the smoothie tastes delicious without adding any extracts. So let me present to you the recipe of: Avocado Strawberry smoothie. If you don’t like adding different types of extracts in your smoothie or don’t prefer to buy extracts at all then try this recipe. Since the avocados are dull on flavor, the strawberries give it a punch and color thus making it my favorite kind of recipe.


Ingredients:
  • Avocado – ½ ripe, halved and pitted
  • Whole Milk – 1 cup
  • Yogurt – ½ cup
  • Strawberries – 3-4, big, hulled


Now what does Pitted means:
  • Pitted means to remove the seed. Avocado has a big seed and we can remove it by cutting the fruit in half lengthwise. Use a sharp chef's knife and slice through the avocado until you feel the knife hit the seed. Scoop out using a spoon.


And what is the meaning of Hulled?
  • The green leafy top of the strawberry is called Hull. It is generally removed before cooking or serving. Since we will be using the strawberries in the smoothie we can cut them in small pieces to remove the hull.


Directions:
  • Combine the Avocado, Whole Milk, Yogurt with the Strawberries and blend until smooth. If using Nutri Bullet use the extractor blade.
  • The mixture will be thick but pourable. Taste and add some Stevia if you want it sweeter. 
  • Serve in chilled glasses with straws.


Tips:
  • If you are not on Keto diet, try the smoothie with a tablespoon of Honey. 
  • If you like adding extracts then read my article - Avocado Smoothie.
  • Always remember to wash the fruits before consuming.



Recommended Reading:

Friday, 25 May 2018

Avocado Smoothie


Following a diet is hard specially because our mind is programmed to eat carbs and sugar everyday and when we start a diet, any diet they are the first to go. However, a delicious Avocado Smoothie is a really good way to trick your mind. The milk helps satisfy your sugar cravings and the Avocado fills you up! Since I am on Keto diet right now, I use Whole Milk & Orange Extract to make the smoothie but at other times I usually use 2% milk with a tablespoon of honey. Also, if you are not an Avocado fan, I would definitely recommend going for the latter option because it brings a mild sweetness. I have used Whole Milk because I couldn’t add Honey but if you have sweet tooth feel free to add some Stevia. I think the addition of whole milk brings a natural sweet flavor in the smoothie and for me it tastes perfect so try it and then improvise as per your needs.

Avocado is full of fibers and healthy fats and makes this smoothie thick, creamy and delicious. I give this smoothie to Debarshi as a quick on-the-go brunch and sometimes prepare it as a dessert with the dinner. Just make sure you are using a fully ripened Avocado otherwise it wont blend smoothly and there will be small, chewy chunks in the smoothie. You can get a bag of avocado and keep them in the fridge. Start with the one which is already ripe (usually you will have one or two fully ripened avocados in the bag). To soften the rest of them, I place one unripe avocado on my kitchen counter everyday and it usually takes 18-20 hours to fully ripen. Then I use my Nutri Bullet to make the smoothie and enjoy it cold. 

So what do you say? Don’t judge the smoothie by its color but by all the goodness it offers. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out.



Ingredients:
  • Avocado - 1 ripe, halved and pitted
  • Whole Milk – 2 cups
  • Yogurt – ½ cup
  • Vanilla/ Coconut or Orange Extract – ½ teaspoon


Directions:
  • Combine the Avocado, Whole Milk, Yogurt with the extract (Vanilla/ Coconut or Orange) and blend until smooth. If using Nutri Bullet use the extractor blade.
  • The mixture will be quite thick but pourable. Taste and add some Stevia if you want it sweeter. 
  • Serve in chilled glasses with straws.


Tips:
  • If you are not on Keto diet, try the smoothie with 2% milk and a tablespoon of Honey. 
  • Experiment with different extracts or add a scoop of ice-cream for more flavor.
  • Always cut the avocado in half lengthwise. Use a sharp chef's knife and slice through the avocado until you feel the knife hit the pit. Scoop out using a spoon.



Recommended Reading:

Friday, 25 March 2016

Pineapple and Banana Smoothie

Hello Food lovers!

This week I have been very busy reading Sherlock Holmes. You guessed it! I have not been able to write anything for the blog because it is very difficult to leave such an interesting book and think about anything else so I thought I will upload a quick recipe for you. I present to you a cool beverage for the summer brunches - Pineapple Banana smoothie recipe. 

Till next week. See ya!









Ingredients:
  • Ice Cubes - 4
  • Fresh Pineapple – ¼ peeled, cored and cubed
  • Banana- 1 Large, cut into chunks
  • Pineapple or Apple Juice - 1 Cup


Directions:
  • Place everything (Ice Cubes, Pineapple, Banana and Pineapple/ Apple Juice) into the bowl of a blender. 
  • Puree on high until smooth. 
  • Serve cold.


Recommended Reading: