Broccoli Chowder

If you're always looking for new and tasty soups to try while watching your carbs this recipe is relatively low in carbs and big on taste. It can be a great base as well for other stews like chicken and beef as well. Simply add to a blender and puree and add to any chicken or beef stew you have brewing.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

    2 cups carrots peeled and sliced                                
    2 cups water                                                   
    2 cups chicken cooked diced                                
    1 1/2 cups chicken broth                            
    1 pound broccoli fresh stems pared and cut in 1/2 -inch slices 
    1/2 cup onions finely minced                                  
    1 teaspoon salt                                                
    1/2 cup cream of chicken condensed soup                                  
    2 cups milk                                                    
    1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:

Combine carrots, water, chicken, broth, broccoli, onion, and salt in a saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add in Cream of chicken soup slowly add in milk. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until ready to serve. Top with cheese. You can add many different types of cheese, you're only limited by your imagination.

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How to make your own egg-free mayonnaise

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Mayonnaise is a condiment that has been around for quite sometime. More than likely a recipe originating in France, it has become a favorite condiment in the United States. In South Carolina, the general favorite of all is Dukes Mayonnaise. For a complete history and purchase of Dukes Mayonnaise, see: Dukes Mayo. You can purchase Dukes Mayonnaise online and see for yourself. For the rest, here is a recipe to make your own without using eggs. The recipe is great for those that have egg related allergies. This recipe can be stored for a week in your refrigerator.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons dijon style mustard
2 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
1 teaspoon lemon peels grated
2 tablespoon water
1 ½ cups safflower oil
4 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon savory dried, crushed
1 teaspoon basil dried, crushed
2 tablespoon parsley minced fresh
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
Few drops of hot pepper sauce

Instructions:
In a blender or food processor blend mustard, lemon juice and rind, and water; beat in 1/2 of oil in a thin stream. Add heavy cream about 1/2 teaspoon at a time alternating with about 1 tablespoon oil. When all oil and cream have been added, add the remainder of ingredients; blend for 10 seconds or more. Taste for additional seasoning.
Note: Can be stored in a covered jar in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
For more recipes see: Recipes from a Southern Kitchen, or The Low Carb Kitchen.

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Grilled chicken in beer marinade

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Living in the south means there will be plenty of chicken on the table at meal time. Thinking of new ways to serve an old favorite is not only fun but tasty too. With summer weather already happening here in South Carolina, how could you not try this grilled chicken recipe? For more southern recipes, see links at the bottom of this article. This recipe has few carbs and that is why it had to go in this blog! Enjoy!

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 broiler-fryer chicken 3 1/2 -pound, quartered (you can use 3 ½ pounds of any chicken pieces )

1 onion large, diced

4 cloves garlic peeled

6 green onions sliced

1 teaspoon tarragon dried, crushed

1 teaspoon of sage

1 teaspoon of rosemary

1 ½ cup beer

1 ½ cup chicken broth (your own or canned)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ cup butter real

Freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions:

If making the same day, place chicken in shallow glass baking dish. Place all remaining ingredients in food processor and purée. Pour ½ of marinade mixture over chicken and reserve the rest for later; marinate at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or if making ahead place chicken in 1 gallon sized zip lock bag with ½ of the marinade in refrigerator until needed. Place chicken from refrigerator into a glass baking dish if you made ahead, cover container with foil; bake in preheated 350° F oven for 20 minutes. Remove chicken to grill and cook over medium heat for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, brushing chicken with remaining marinade frequently and turning pieces to cook even

For more southern recipes, see: Recipes from a Southern Kitchen

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• How to make Creamed Chicken
• Hamburger veggie bake
• The Low Carb Kitchen

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How to make perfect low carb iced tea

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South Carolinians will be cooking and planning our Easter dinner menus soon. With all the rich and decadent flavors that will be eaten, serving a nice healthy beverage is a good way to feel a little less guilty. This iced tea recipe calls for Splenda, however, you can substitute it for sugar, just reduce the amount by 1/2 cup.


Instructions

Things You'll Need:
* 10 iced tea bags, I like Red Rose but there are plenty of good ones
* 2 herbal fruity tea bags of your choice.
* Dutch Oven
* Ladle for straining
* 2 cups of Granulated Splenda sweetner
* large plastic or tempered glass pitcher. If you do not have a tempered glass pitcher, allow tea to thoroughly cool before adding.

Step 1
Take the 2 liter sized pitcher your tea is going into and fill it almost all the way up with cold water. I usually have mine filled to about 2 inches from the lid. The reason Im not giving you this measurement in cups is because I hate measuring. Once this is done, pour it into your dutch oven.

Step 2
Now take your tea bags and tie them all together and toss them into the pot. Put your stove top setting on high and bring to a boil. Once it is boiling vigorously, turn off the heat and let it steep for about 10 minutes. You basically want a good rich color.

Step 3
Remove your teabags, aren't you glad they were tied together? Add your sweetener or sugar. If using sugar, try the smallest suggested amount first, (1 1/2 cups), if it is not sweet enough you can always add more. stir until sugar/sweetener is fully dissolved.

Step 4
Take your pitcher, and add sliced oranges and lemons, yes I like both. The oranges give the tea a wonderful flavor along with the lemon and both work great. Its all about the fruity flavor of the tea that makes it have a tropical and yummy taste. Pour the tea carefully into your pitcher. If it is not quite full, add a little more water, and enjoy!

Looking for regular southern recipes? See: Recipes from a Southern Kitchen

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Healthy dessert recipes

Brownies anyone?-

Whenever we diet, we tend to crave things we ordinarily can not have. Especially sweets and chocolate. Flavorful Pecans from the south make this brownie absolutely divine. This brownie recipe will fill that craving with its delicious and generous chocolate flavor. A low carb brownie is the best type of brownie to enjoy. Healthy and easy to make try this recipe. Try these low carb brownies that have only 2 grams of net carbs per serving, crumbled in frozen yogurt too! For a healthy chocolate fix try fixing this recipe:

 Low carb chocolate brownies.

Perfect Pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving-

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The low carb options for those of us living in South Carolina are few and far between. Coming up with recipes that offer the flavor of southern cooking that is healthy is a challenge. This is a wonderful low carb dessert using that ever favorite squash , pumpkin.  It is healthy, not really southern, but has the decadent flavors South Carolinians have grown to love.  It can be made with or without a crust and is perfect to serve at Thanksgiving but anytime is a good time for Cheesecake, especially a healthier version. Your dieters will thank you! This is also a great dessert to serve our diabetic friends and loved ones. Who deserve a sweet treat too! Give this recipe a try:

Low carb pumpkin cheesecake

Just peachy and healthy-

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You don't have to wait on  nature to produce fresh peaches for this yummy low sugar cheesecake, canned peaches is all that you need! This dessert is actually a healthier alternative to traditional cheesecake and still pretty darn good. Add to that the fact it is super easy to prepare and you've really got no reason to avoid making this dish.  If you love trying out many different healthy versions of cheesecake, give this low sugar recipe a try:  Just peachy low sugar cheesecake.

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How to Bake Lower Carb Macaroni and Cheese

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How to Bake Easiest Lower Carb Macaroni and Cheese

I love Mac and Cheese baked in the oven the old fashioned way..but I like it really easy too. This is an easily converted low carb recipe too, which I will share with you in the instructions ;o)

Things You'll Need:
8 cups Elbow Macaroni
4 cups sharp shredded cheese
2-3 eggs beaten
1 cup sour cream
6-8 tbs butter
1 cup of milk
1/4 finely minced onion,or scallions

Step 1
PreHeat your Oven to 350 degrees

Step 2
Butter one 9 X 13 inch casserole dish, this makes a big casserole for a family of 4-6.

Step 3
In large dutch oven boil your elbow macaroni add several tbsps. of salt to boiling water once cooked, drain.
For a healthier low carb version, use a low carb pasta like Dreamfields brand, and low fat sour cream.

Step 4
Place hot macaroni in a large mixing bowl and add in your cheese and allow it to melt through out as you mix. Add sour cream and onions (optional, you can also replace or add bacon bits for a real yummy taste)
Macaroni should be pretty cool by now and it is safe to add milk and eggs. Stir together thoroughly, and add salt and pepper. I prefer white pepper. Use your own judgment as to how much salt to use. I like to add it to the pasta water, but after that, wait until its on my plate. This way you control the amount of sodium you have.

Step 5
Pour mixture into greased 9 X 13 pan. Place several pats of butter all over the top.I like to sprinkle additional cheese (you cant have too much of this can you?lol) on the top of the mixture right before I bake it along with adding a sprinkle or two of Paprika for color and mild smoky flavor.
Bake for 35-45 minutes depending on the efficiency of your oven. I like to start peeking at it in the oven after 30 minutes

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