GRANDMA'S GREEN BEANS

A super simple #keto side dish that tastes like my Texas childhood.

It's not quite like my grandma used to make*, but it's pretty darn close.

Serves: 2-3 hungry people

Tools:

• Standard US measuring set

• 1 x 1/2 tbsp

• 1 can opener

• 1 medium-size sauce pan with lid

• 1 spoon

Ingredients:

• 1 knob of lard* (about 1 tbsp but I eyeball it)

• 2 cans of cut green beans in water (400g each)

• 1/2 tbsp salt

• 1/2 tbsp ground black pepper

Instructions:

• Step 1: Put the knob of lard* in the medium-size sauce pan on low heat

• Step 2: Empty 2 cans of cut green beans into sauce pan with the lard

• Step 3: Fill the emptied cans with water and empty those into the sauce pan (this step adds water and rinses your cans ready for recycling)

• Step 4: Add the 1/2 tbsp of salt and the 1/2 tbsp of pepper

• Step 5: Give everything a quick stir and then put the lid on and cook for 2-4 hours (you don't HAVE to cook them that long, but I like them that way. Just check periodically to see if you have to add more water)

• Step 6: Serve alongside your favourite dish and enjoy!

Shopping List/Stock Check:

• Green Beans (2 cans of cut green beans in water)

• Lard

*Grandma used bacon grease, but the bacon in the UK is so lean that it takes forever to get a decent amount so I just use lard.

KETO LEMONADE

The perfect summer drink.

This #sugarfree #keto beverage is an American lemonade (versus the fizzy UK kind). A great juice option for the kids.

Tools:

• Standard US measuring set

  • 1 x 1 cup

  • 1 x 1/3 cup

• 1 lemon juicer

• 1 strainer (for lemon juice)

• 1 spoon

• 1 medium-size sauce pan

• 1 litre-sized jar or pitcher

• 1 funnel (if you're a messy pourer like I)

Ingredients:

• 6 (or so) lemons (though I've used this with success)

• 7 cups water

• 2/3 cup granulated stevia

Instructions:

• Step 1: Put 7 cups of water your medium-size sauce pan over high heat

• Step 2: As that's happening, juice your lemons until you have:

  • 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Put to the side.

• Step 3: Once you water is boiling, add your stevia

• Step 4: Stir until your sweetener has dissolved

• Step 5: Remove your sweetened water from the heat

• Step 6: Add your 1 cup of fresh lemon juice

• Step 7: Let it sit until it reaches room temperature

• Step 6: Pour it into your litre-sized jar or pitcher (use your funnel if you need to)

• Step 7: Chill and enjoy!

Shopping List/Stock Check:

• Lemons (at least 6)

• Granulated stevia ( I use this)

*Tip: This makes AMAZING ice lollies if you pour the cooled liquid into a mould.

*Tip 2: This also goes really well with a splash of vodka and some soda water.

KETO ZUCCHINI BREAD

A family favourite that's blissfully sugar-free.

This loaf is #keto #paleo #glutenfree #sugarfree and ready in under an hour.

Tools:

• Standard US measuring set (like this)

  • 2 x tbsp

  • 1 x cup

  • 1 x tsp

  • 1 x 1/4 tsp

• 2 large bowls

• 1 spoon

• 1 whisk

• 1 grater

• 1 clean kitchen towel for courgette wringing

• 1 loaf pan (like this)

Ingredients:

• 2 courgettes

• 3 large eggs

• 2 tbsp granulated stevia

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups ground almonds

• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp bicarbonate soda

• 1/4tsp salt

• 1 tbsp salted butter for greasing

Instructions:

• Step 1: Preheat your oven to 175° (350°F)

• Step 2: Shred your 2 courgettes

• Step 3: Place your shredded courgettes into your clean kitchen towel

• Step 4: Wring out what moisture you can (but don't hurt yourself, it needs to be a little moist)

• Step 5: In the first bowl mix:

  • Shredded courgettes

  • 3 large eggs

  • 2 tbsp granulated stevia

  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• Step 6: In the second bowl whisk together:

  • 2 cups ground almonds

  • 1 tbsp cinnamon

  • 1 tsp bicarbonate soda

  • 1/4tsp salt

• Step 7: Add the almond flour mixture to the bowl with courgettes and mix until smooth

• Step 8: Grease your loaf pan with 1 tbsp butter (get in the corners!)

• Step 9: Pour your mixture into the loaf pan (tap the pan to evenly distribute)

• Step 10: Bake until browned and set (40 minutes works for me)

• Step 11: Leave it to cool completely for two hours

• Step 12: Enjoy! I slather salted butter on top of mine. Don't judge me, it's keto.

Shopping List/Stock check:

• Courgettes (2)

• Large eggs (at least 3)

• Granulated stevia (I use this)

• Vanilla extract

• Almond flour or ground almonds (at least 200g)

• Ground cinnamon

• Bicarbonate soda

• Salt

• Salted butter