It is high time we stop dilly-dallying and try to live a healthy lifestyle. Every year it is the same story, we start making ambitious resolutions for the New Year only to abandon them in a few weeks. The key to success is consistency; small changes over time can help achieve that. It is much easier to form habits over time and see their impact over a long period rather than undergoing drastic changes that are difficult to maintain. If one of your changes is going for a Keto diet. Our list of Keto friendly recipes should help.
A Ketogenic diet means eating meals with high protein content while cutting back on carbohydrates. A Keto diet can work wonders as it has been proven to produce positive health effects. There is a huge amount of scientific data that points to the efficacy of the Ketogenic diet in helping to reduce weight, bring down blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Cutting back on carbohydrates can seem like a daunting challenge, so here are ten delicious Keto-friendly recipes that are super easy:
Bacon and Eggs
Let’s start with breakfast because you must start your day with a healthy and satisfying meal. Everyone has had bacon and eggs, or a variation of it. Thinly sliced strips of bacon cooked to a crispy perfection paired with the softness of fried eggs, the combination is a classic. The good news is that this breakfast is already keto-friendly so you need not make any changes.
You can substitute the bacon with greens if you want. Spinach, broccoli, green beans, and asparagus are all greens that are low in carb content and can be stir-fried and seasoned for a hearty breakfast with some eggs.
Pancakes
Speaking of classic breakfasts, pancakes are a top pick. However, traditional pancake recipes are not keto-friendly. The copious amount of flour that goes into making pancakes is an issue. But that does not mean you cannot enjoy pancakes on your keto diet. Keto-friendly pancakes are made out of almond flour. Combine almond flour with eggs, water, salt, and maple syrup or stevia. Mix the ingredients to get a pourable consistency and cook with the lid on. The result is a batch of soft, fluffy pancakes that taste as good as they are healthy. Check one of my favorite recipes here.
Seasoned Salmon Fillet with Sauce
Seafood is a great addition to your diet when you are following a Keto plan. Salmon, in particular, is excellent as it is full of nutrition and takes minutes to cook. You can lightly season your salmon and cook it in butter. Just sear each side of your salmon fillet. Salmon goes well with greens, like collard greens.
To jazz up your salmon make a cream sauce. Boil some vegetable or chicken stock and add full-fat cream, chives, and lemon juice. Now season the sauce with some salt and pepper. This rich, creamy sauce will give the meal some depth and elevate the taste of the salmon
Also Read: How to Cook Salmon Perfectly Every Time
Zucchini Noodles
You do not need to be deprived of pasta when you are on a keto diet. Zucchini noodles, or zoodles, are the best way to get your pasta fix without the excess of carbs. Cutting thinly sliced zucchini into strips will give you long, zucchini noodles. Now you can use seasonings and flavors to enhance the taste of the zucchini and make a great meal.
Take some olive oil and some chopped garlic and stir-fry the zucchini noodles. Season and top with parmesan cheese to create a simple, snack in under ten minutes. For a more decadent dish stir-fry boneless chicken pieces with flavorings of your choice to go with the zucchini noodles.
Also Read: Zucchini Noodles with Shrimps: Recipes Worth Cooking
Roast Chicken with Mashed Cauliflower
Roast chicken is the ultimate comfort food and is a great meal choice for those who are on Keto. Most people have a family recipe for roast chicken that is their go-to recipe for the best chicken roast. Make an herb and butter mix and put it all over the whole chicken with skin. Cook the chicken on medium heat until cooked.
Mashed potatoes go well with roast chicken, however, potatoes are high in carbohydrates. You can substitute mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower. Mashed cauliflower is soft and fluffy. Boil the cauliflower until cooked. Next add in a clove of garlic, butter, parmesan, salt, and some milk, and blend all these ingredients in the food processor. Your smooth, creamy mash is ready to go along with the crispy roast chicken.
Also Read: How to Make the Perfect Roasted Cauliflower
Steak Dinner with Mash and Vegetables
Indulge in a steak dinner with any premium cut that you prefer. Season and cook the steak as per your choice. Premium beef cuts require little seasoning as they are flavorful on their own. To complete the meal you can make a cauliflower mash and lightly fry asparagus or broccoli. It is a full meal that will satiate your hunger without the need to include carb-rich foods.
Also Read: What Type of Oil Should I Use When Cooking Steak?
Marinated Chops with Tomato Sauce
Lamb or pork chops are extremely underrated. They are juicy and delicious, and give you the energy you need to go through the day without feeling hungry until the next meal. Marinate the chops in soy sauce, mustard, salt, garlic, pepper, and brown sugar. Fry the chops with butter until completely cooked through.
Marinated chops can be paired with caramelized onions or a thick delicious tomato sauce. Take a few ripe tomatoes and fry them in some olive oil. Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Put some water and all the ingredients simmer until a thick sauce is formed. This tomato sauce is a great addition to any meaty dish.
Also Read: Keto Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin: Recipes Worth Cooking
Asparagus and Egg Salad
Salads are a huge issue for those on Keto, even though it is not that hard to come up with a tasty and healthy salad when you know which ingredients you can use. you can make an asparagus and egg salad and combine them in pieces of either bacon or chicken. Season like any other salad.
Cabbage, avocado, poultry, meat, and most kinds of cheese can be tossed together to make a good salad.
Chocolate Cake
It is not a dream; you can eat a chocolate cake on a ketogenic diet. You will need to substitute a few ingredients with low-carb alternatives. Use coconut flour instead of regular flour, and keto-friendly sweeteners instead of sugar. Combine coconut flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, sweetener, vanilla extract, eggs, and cream. Bake the mixture until done. You can check whether the cake is cooked by poking the middle of the cake with a toothpick, the cake is cooked if the toothpick comes out clean.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
The perfect snack, chocolate chip cookies can be made keto-friendly for a guilt-free indulgence. Mix in almond flour, butter, sweetener (erythritol), and sugar-free chocolate chips. Use an ice-cream scoop to place the cookie dough on a tray lined with parchment paper and bake until cooked. Enjoy healthy chocolate chip cookies without feeling like you are cheating on your diet.
Aside from these ten recipes you can find hundreds of recipes online. Most of all knowing which ingredients you can use will allow you to get creative and come up with your recipes. Find out substitutes for commonly used ingredients that are not suitable for Keto. The effort will be worth the results and you will improve your wellbeing tremendously.
