Guide for Making a Holiday Cheese or Charcuterie Board
Detailed, comprehensive guidelines for building a perfect cheeseboard for any occasion, with a focus on preparing a low carb cheeseboard
Holidays& Celebrations
Holidays and celebrations are a part of life where food is often the centerpiece. Whether your typical routine meals are low carb, slow carb or no particular diet approach at all, joy and tradition are more important than deprivation during the holidays.
That said, if you want to stay true to low carb or slow carb during holidays or celebrations, it does not have to mean tasteless, boring dishes. There are many options and many recipes that can stand in and stand up to joyful social eating.
Here are my favorites for each holiday (some are low carb and some are not)
Valentine’s Day
Mexican Paloma Cocktail
The Mexican Paloma cocktail is arguably the most popular cocktail in Mexico (yes, even more so than a margarita!). Made with fresh grapefruit juice, it is light and refreshing and can balance out heavier Mexican dinner fare. Bonus is that both tequila and grapefruit juice are preferred beverages on a low carb or slow carb …
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Blackberry Rosemary Sauce
Sweet potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for our family, but there are many ways to customize the topping for roasted sweet potatoes. This recipe brushes a harissa sauce (or paste) over the potatoes while broiling and then drizzles a blackberry and rosemary compote over the top after they come out of the oven. …
Champurrado (Chocolate Atole): Mexican Hot Chocolate
Champurrado is a rich Mexican hot chocolate thickened with masa, sweetened with piloncillo (or brown sugar) and spiced with cinnamon. It is considered a chocolate atole and is a traditional drink enjoyed around the Mexican winter holidays, specifically Day of the Dead and Christmas. The nice thing about atoles and champurrado is you can make …
Mexican Holiday Shortbread Cookies: Biscochitos
Biscochitos are often referred to as Mexican shortbread, and they are very popular around the Christmas holidays. The biscochito dough is flavored with generous amounts of anise and a hint of orange and then covered in cinnamon sugar. Essentially a cross between sugar cookies and Mexican wedding cookies. Biscochitos are also known as polvorones or …
Top 5 gifts for Loose Leaf Tea Lovers (+ Hibiscus Tea Recipe)
Looking for something to give the tea enthusiast in your life? Whether they’re just starting out their tea journey or are a long-time connoisseur, Farm to Jar’s top 5 gifts for loose leaf tea lovers has something for every tea aficionado. Plus bonus hibiscus herbal tea recipe! Jump to: RECIPE for Hibiscus Tea | Gifts …
Instant Pumpkin Spice Latte Dry Mix
When the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte became such a major trend, my kids were in college and I was always looking for things to send them in holiday care packages. This homemade dry mix for a pumpkin spice latte was a big hit for them at the time, and remains a staple fall treat at …
Easy Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Always a decision this time of the year as to which pumpkin bars to make – silky pumpkin cheesecake bars, pumpkin bars with a crunchy oat crust, pumpkin bars with a maple sugar streusel topping, and the list goes on. I’m starting the Fall season off with this light cake pumpkin bar with a silky …
Italian-Style Asparagus Spears: Baked or Fried
This Southern Italian-Sicilian recipe for fresh asparagus can be served as a side dish or a snack, either hot or at room temperature. A light batter of Parmigiano or Pecorino Romano cheese, garlic, bread crumb, chopped Italian parsley and egg turn fresh asparagus into a special treat that Italians, and my family, devour in a …
Afternoon Tea Party at Home with Cucumber Sandwiches & Snacks
High teas and afternoon teas are great, but they can be a bit on the formal side. A casual afternoon tea with snacks and games can be a great alternative. Throwing your own party means you can control the budget, select your favorite finger food and enjoy a creative activity if so desired. We have …
Persian Saffron Rice Pudding Flavored with Rosewater
Persian saffron rice pudding makes a scrumptious springtime dessert, often enjoyed for Ramadan or Easter. In this recipe, traditional Persian spices of cardamom, cinnamon and saffron pair with sweet rice for the classic rice pudding dessert. Rose water is also added, which gives it a floral hint that is quite unique. Jump to: RECIPE | …
Italian Orange Cardamom Olive Oil Cake Drizzled with Orange Glaze
This Southern Italian olive oil cake recipe is enhanced with fresh oranges, Grand Marnier, and cardamom spice. Easy to make in one bowl with a whisk, this cake is not-too-sweet, and very aromatic. It is enjoyed by Italians for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack, or as a dessert. I especially love it during Easter week as …
Tips for Growing Vegetables in Pots or Containers
For many people in urban settings, growing tomatoes and edible plants in pots is necessary due to space constraints (or lack of an area with 6 hours of direct sunlight). This video and post explains the 6 key requirements for growing food in containers or pots. Jump to: Growing Vegetables in Pots | Choosing the …
Popular Mini-Vegetables for Urban Kitchen Gardens: (aka Baby Vegetables)
Short on garden space? You can still grow your favorite vegetables on a balcony, on a deck, on a roof top, or in a small side yard. Growing vegetables in small urban spaces is easier however if you opt for growing baby vegetables (aka mini vegetables). Jump to: Benefits and Nutrition of Baby Veggies | …
Essential Mexican Pantry Ingredients for Celebrations & Fiestas
Mexican cuisine is quite diverse, with many different regional variations of traditional or authentic recipes. However, there are a few key staples that can be found in nearly every Mexican household, especially during the holiday seasons. Below are the essential pantry ingredients that will help you be prepared to take on making most Mexican celebration …