Low Carb Italian Bowl of Love

Ingredients:

2  Sausages (I used Al Fresco)

1/2  cup roasted vegetables (I used Trader Joe’s Fire Roasted Peppers and Onions, you can make your own roasted vegetables by grilling or broiling)

3 Tablespoons or more to taste marinara sauce

Parmesan cheese, optional

Cook sausages, I grilled mine. Slice into bite size pieces. Warm up vegetables and marinara sauce. Combine ingredients and garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired. You can serve this over low carb pasta if you wish but it will change the carb count from low carb to medium high carb.

***As far as the carb count goes, the sausages I used were 1 carb each. The toasted vegetables were about 4 carbs. My marinara was on the high side, I didn’t notice it until I read the label. I used tomato basil flavor and used about 3 tablespoons which was approximately 4 carbs. My goal carb count 9 carbs. Not bad. I didn’t count the cheese because I used so little. You will need to read your labels to see what your total carb count is. I currently have 2 boxes of low carb pasta in my pantry but I find the carb count on the high side. I can’t imagine what regular pasta is.

Peppadew Pepper Poppers

I first enjoyed this appetizer several years ago at Macaroni Grill. It’s very easy and simple to make and so yummy.  

  
Ingredients:

I jar of peppadew peppers, drained (I purchased mine at an Italian supermarket but if you can’t find them, sweet cherry peppers can be substituted)

4 ounces garlic herb goat cheese, purchased in the gourmet cheese section of the grocery store

1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

Balsamic glaze (can be found in the vinegar section of the grocery store)

  
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain peppers on paper towels until dry. Stuff open cavity with the goat cheese.  Dip the top of the pepper coating the cheese with the bread crumbs. Place on baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is warn warm.   Drizzle with balsamic glaze and enjoy. 

   

 
This recipe was inspired by an appetizer I enjoyed several years ago at Macaroni Grill.