A Low Carb Summer Feast

We're having our summer solstice celebration soon, and most of us there are low carb. So here are some ideas for a low-carb picnic that can still taste great and feel like summer food!

On the Grill:

• Hamburgers (minus the buns)
• Good quality hot dogs/sausages (again, minus the buns)
• Chicken--(marinade in 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 cup tamari, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp lemon grass, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp thyme before grilling)
• Salmon (grill on foil to prevent sticking), sprinkle with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp tamari, 1 tbsp dill, 1 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp onion powder per large fillet.

Salads:

Pasta and potato salads are completely out, but you can have some delightful salads.

Green salads, of course, are standard, but one of my favorites is my Tomato-Cucumber salad.

Tomato Cucumber Salad

4 large cucumbers, peeled and diced
2 pints of cherry tomatoes (especially the mixed variety), washed and halved
8 oz cherve
1/2 tsp each: thyme; dill; onion powder
1 tbsp parsley
2 tbsp olive oil

Mix and serve. Excellent. You can also add chicken, ham, or tuna and make a great chef's salad.

Drinks

Zevia is great for soda, or Talking Rain, or you could make my iced herbal tea:

Raspberry Tea Drink

3 cups double strength raspberry herbal tea
2 cans Strawberry or Black Cherry Zevia
1/4 cup lemon or lime juice
Kiwi-Strawberry sparkling Talking Rain (or an unsweetened flavored water similar) to fill pitcher

Desserts:

Forget the high carb desserts. But you can still have some yummy desserts.

Raspberry Lemon Macaroons

¼ cup butter
2 eggs
½ cup erythritol
1 tbsp (equiv. to 1/2 cup) stevia
¾ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1/3 cup raspberry sugar free coffee syrup
1 tsp lemon extract
1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
2 cups almond meal

Whip butter. Add eggs and whip.

Add in erythritol, baking powder, stevia, and salt. Whip (scrape bottom of the bowl once or twice)
Whip in raspberry syrup, lemon extract.
Blend in coconut and almond meal
Scoop with medium ice cream scoop onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for ten minutes. Turn off oven and leave in for 20 minutes.
Makes 20 cookies at 1.75 carbs each

Rum Berries
3 cups mixed rasbperries and blackberries
1/4 cup dark rum
2 tbsp Rasberry sugar free coffee syrup
1 tbsp lime juice

Stir and let set in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. You can serve with Stevia-sweetened whipped cream or just plain.
Makes 6 servings at 7-8 carbs each

So there you go--a low carb picnic that's tasty and yet healthy for those who can't have many carbs. Serve with a cheese plate, a vegetable platter, and plenty of fun.

Yasmine