Valentine's Food

Valentine's day without sugar is pretty different. No chocolates, no little candy hearts, no gooey cupcakes... no red wine or chocolate martinis! We substituted a little fruit and cinnamon. Not a good substitute, but we don't want to start over! So this was our pity party food:

Breakfast- Hot rice cereal, with blueberries and cinnamon. A "fake biscuit" and lemon ginger tea.

zucchini with sauce from last night's chicken drummies- onions, tomatoes, simmered with chicken.

Rice noodles with tomatoe sauce.

Salad with guacomole, cucumber, tomatoe dip. Turkey meatballs. Baked beans. Zucchini mixture. Pasta with tomatoe sauce.

Turkey Meatballs
@ 1 lb. of ground turkey, season with kosher salt, pepper, pizza spices
mix with 3 eggs, @ 2T av (apple cider vinegar), 1/4 c rice flour, 2 T flax meal
brown in oven @ 375 for 20 min.

Vanilla pudding with triple berry sauce and whipped cream.

Triple Berry Sauce comes from simmering frozen berries in water until it reduces down.

I adapted this sugar free version of the pudding from the following recipe:

Instead of sugar I used 3 packets of stevia, and 1 tsp xanthan instead of cornstarch. 1/2 Rice milk, and 1/2 whipping cream replace the milk.
I am having trouble keeping this smooth. When I put in the xanthan I get gelled bits. I tried beating it into the egg yolks first before adding to warm milk, but I used a full T. which was too much. maybe it should go in the warm milk first and use 1/2 T. 

Ingredients

• 4 egg yolks
• 1 cup sugar (can substitute half with Splenda)
• 3 cups milk
• 3 heaping tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 scarce pinch salt

Directions

This antique recipe has been modernized by use of the microwave, yet it retains its classic flavor and variability.

1. Scald the milk in the microwave while doing the next step. (Watch so it doesn't boil.)
2. Separate 4 eggs and beat the yolks, adding the sugar and cornstarch. (Do not use whites. If it is too thick to mix, add 1/4 cup of the milk to make it work.)
3. Add egg mixture to hot milk, mixing well -- electric mixer works just fine.
4. Cook till desired thickness, taking out every 2 or 3 minutes to mix for a moment.
5. Add butter, salt, and vanilla. Stir well.
6. Serve hot (eat slowly), warm, or later when cold.

Serves 6.

Read more at Suite101: Basic Homemade Pudding Recipe: How to Make Pudding For Everyday or Festive Occasions http://www.suite101.com/content/basic-homemade-pudding-a73898#ixzz1DzpFmN4S