The first thing I'd like to share is a terrific maple syrup substitute recipe. It's easy enough to make keto waffles, French toast, pancakes, etc. from alternate flours like coconut or almond flour, but I've always found commercial low carb syrups lacking. I made this recipe this weekend and it was wonderful, and very easy to make as well.
Keto Low Carb Sugar Free Maple Syrup
https://www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes...e-maple-syrup/
1 cup Water
1 cup Powdered erythritol
1 1/2 tbsp Maple extract
1/2 tsp Xanthan gum
Instructions
- Whisk together the water, erythritol, and maple extract in a small saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the erythritol dissolves.
- Pour the liquid into a blender. Sprinkle half of the xanthan gum on top (don't dump, just sprinkle lightly and evenly). Puree immediately, until no lumps remain. Repeat with the remaining xantham gum.
- Wait a few minutes to allow the syrup to thicken further. If it's still thinner than you'd like, add a little more xanthan gum, just a tiny bit at a time (1/16 teaspoon at a time, sprinkled lightly and pureed again).
- Recipe has 0 calories and 0 grams carbohydrates, excluding erythritol, which has 0 net carbs.
- Syrup may crystallize over time if you store it, and is smoothest when warm. If crystallization occurs, heat it again (either on the stove or in the microwave), then either shake or whisk vigorously until smooth. You can reduce crystallization by using powdered (rather than granulated) sweetener.
Personal note: I did use erythritol (in the form of Swerve brand sweetener), but I think it would work fine with Stevia, Xylitol, or whatever you like, as long as it's powdered and not granulated. If all you have is granulated, you could powder it by running it through a spice grinder for a bit.
I used the syrup on this low carb French toast, using coconut flour "Paleo Bread" from Julian Bakery. They also have an almond flour version but I tend to prefer their coconut flour bread.
Delicious!
Another thing you can do with this syrup is make a sweet treat. Many years ago, I worked in a yogurt shop, and one of the toppings was something we called "hot wet nuts" - just some Walnuts in heated maple syrup. I did that using this syrup and it tasted exactly like the "hot wet nuts" of my youth! You could use walnurts or any other nuts you prefer. The walnuts version tastes great to me, though.
You don't have to deprive yourself of favorite foods to go ketogenic. It doesn't have to be all bacon, eggs, and cheese all the time. All it takes is a little effort to seek out keto versions of your favorites and investment of a little time to learn how to make them.