Earth Day

We've Gone Green!

Here at the Low Carb Connoisseur we're showing that we care about the environment by using recycled boxes and packing peanuts in our shipping process. Don't be alarmed if you see your package arrive in a strange looking box or the packing peanuts are mismatched colors. Just know that we're doing what we can to lessen our impact on the environment and we encourage our customers to do the same by reusing our packing material or by dropping them off at your local recycling center.

Cool Down in this Hot Weather With Vanilla-Coconut Ice Cream

The coconut flavor really shines through in this ice cream. Pair it with sugar-free chocolate syrup mixed with a drizzle of rum for a tropical summer treat.

6 egg yolks
14 packets sugar substitute
2 cups heavy cream
1 can (13.5 ounces) Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk
2 teaspoons coconut extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded NOW Foods Medium Shred Unsweetened Coconut

1. In a medium bowl whisk yolks and sugar substitute to combine. In a medium pot, bring heavy cream to a simmer over medium-low heat.
2. Slowly pour one cup cream into yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Pour yolk mixture back into pot. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut milk, coconut and vanilla extracts. Chill 4 hours.
3. Pour ice cream mix into ice cream maker. Process according to manufacturer's directions. About 5 minutes before ice cream is finished, add the toasted coconut.

To toast coconut, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350º F for 5 minutes.
Servings: 8
Prep time: 5 minutes
Bake/Cook time: 5 minutes
Chill time: 4 hours

Carbohydrates: 6 grams, Net Carbs: 4.5 grams, Fiber: 1.5 grams, Protein: 4 grams, Fat: 32 grams, Calories: 326

Sugar Free Mexican Hot Chocolate

It's February and it's freezing outside, so why not warm up with a cup of yummy sugar free hot chocolate?

Chocolate and cinnamon mixed with warmed milk then frothed with a molinillo. A Mexican Molinillo is the Mexican chocolate "whisk" or "stirrer". It is made of "turned" wood and it is used to froth warm drinks such as hot chocolate, Atole, and Champurrado. A normal wire whisk works too. It's great for people who are enjoying a low carb lifestyle!

Ingredients

2 cups Blue Diamond Almond milk or WestSoy Soy Milk

3 Tablespoons Ghiradelli Unsweetened cocoa

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

4 tablespoons low calorie sweetener

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

Instructions

Warm the milk, cocoa, cinnamon and sweetener in a saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add the seeds and bean to the milk. Stir with a molinillo or whisk until the cocoa is disolved and the mixture begins to boil. Remove from the heat and froth the chocolate with the molinillo or the whisk. Serve immediately in ample sized mugs and ENJOY!

New Erythritol Sweetened Dark Baking Chips!

New Low Carb Specialties ChocoPerfection Dark Baking Chips are finally in stock!! These low carb chocolate chips are made with Erythritol and perfect for snacking or any low carb baking needs. They're all natural and completely sugar free. Here's a great low carb recipe that incorporates these delicious baking chips! Even though you're low carbing, you can show your family how much you love them when you pull a pan of warm, melt in your mouth chocolate chip cookies out of the oven.

Ingredients:
-2 1/4 cups Carbquik (note, start with 2 cups and add additional as needed to form a nice cookie dough)
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-2 cups (12-ounce package) Low Carb Specialties ChocoPerfection Dark Baking Chips
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 cup (2 sticks, 1/2 pound) unsalted butter, softened
-3/4 Splenda 3/4 cup packed brown sugar twin
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-2 eggs
-1 cup chopped nuts

Directions:
-Combine Carbquik, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, Splenda, brown sugar twin and vanilla in large mixer bowl till butter is well creamed.
-Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; gradually beat in Carbquik mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts.
-Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
-Bake in preheated 375ºF oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

New Low Carb Pizza Meatloaf Recipe!
Miss the taste of pizza but not the carbs?
Try this tasty low carb recipe for dinner to satisfy your cravings!


Ingredients:
1 envelope of onion soup mix
2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 cups Dixie Diner Carb Counters Bread Crumb Mix
2 eggs
1 small green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup water
1 cup Colavita Garden Style Pasta Sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all ingredients except 1/2 cup Pasta Sauce and 1/2 cup cheese in large bowl.
2.Shape into loaf in 1 B3 x 9-inch baking or roasting pan. Top with remaining 1/2 cup Sauce.ake 50 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until done. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.