A New Year, A New Blog!

I've been wanting to start a food blog for a few months now and finally decided the new year would be the perfect time!

Here's a recipe I've made three times already this season. I wish I could say it was mostly for gifts, but the truth is, I really, really like these nuts - they're addictive! Slightly sweet, slightly spicy, slightly salty and slightly herby, they are a perfect snack, and eaten in moderation are very good for you. Of course, I'm still working on the moderation part! LOL


I got the original recipe from a friend when I lived in Minnesota and have made it every Christmas since then. This year, since the only FirstLine Therepy approved sweetener is Stevia, I tried it with my favorite brand, Truvia, and it was great! If you don't have blood sugar issues, you can substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons of brown sugar for the Truvia. The fresh thyme is a must though!

Sugar-Free Gifted Nuts

4 cups raw nuts (I use 1/2 pecans and 1/2 almonds)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons finely snipped fresh thyme
1/2 packet Truvia
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Spread nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. (For ease in cleaning, I line the sheet with aluminum foil.) Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until lightly toasted.

Meanwhile, melt butter, salt, Truvia and cayenne together (I do this in the microwave at low power). Add thyme. Toss with hot nuts and let cool. Try not to eat them all in one sitting!

And something I tried on New Year's Eve was an almost sugar free root beer made with Truvia. The Root Beer Concentrate has some corn syrup, but you use such a small amount that I didn't feel it would be TOO detrimental to me, and sometimes, I just want a pop! This isn't something I'd have all the time, but it was a fun treat!

The original recipe comes from More Top Secret Recipes by Todd Wilbur (recipe for A&W Root Beer). If you want to make it with sugar, substitute 3/4 cup for the Truvia.

Almost Sugar Free Home Made Root Beer

12 packets Truvia
3/4 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon root beer concentrate (McCormick is best)
1 liter cold club soda

Dissolve the Truvia in the hot water. Add the root beer concentrate and let cool. Combine the root beer mixture with the cold club soda. Drink immediately or store in refrigerator in tightly covered container.

And to add a little veggies to the mix, here's a salad I made for dinner tonight. The original recipe comes from one of my all time favorite cookbooks called A Pinch of Salt Lake by the Junior League of Salt Lake City, Inc. This was the first joint gift my husband and I were given on the Valentine's Day before we got married (almost 20 years ago!) by my parents. Everything I've ever made from it has been exceptional.

I added some sauteed turkey cutlet to this to give me some protein. The only change I made was the Truvia in the dressing and I cut the fruit into a large dice. Again, if you want to use sugar, substitute 1 scant tablespoon brown sugar for the Truvia. I think the next time I make this, I'll reduce the amount of oil and use all olive oil.


Tossed Winter Salad with Sugar Free Poppy Seed Dressing

Yield 8 servings

1/2 head iceburg lettuce
1/2 head red leaf lettuce
3 pink grapefruit, segmented with membrane removed
1 fresh pear, thinly sliced
1 avocado, sliced
6 green onions (green tops only) cut into 2-inch matchstick-size strips

Sugar Free Poppy Seed Dressing:
1 clove garlic
1-2 green onions or shallots (I used green onion)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/4 packet Truvia
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
Dash of Tabasco sauce
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Prepare dressing first to allow to chill. Chop onions and garlic in a food processor. Add the remaining dressing ingredients and process quickly. Transfer dressing to a covered jar and refrigerate several hours before serving.

Break lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place on 8 plates (or place in a large salad bowl). Assemble fruit over lettuce. Place green onion on top. Add just enough dressing to salad to moisten slightly.

Yummy!