Thanksgiving side dishes/desserts - low carb

Here is a AWESOME side dish:

Spicy Butternut Squash Gratin with Poblano Peppers & Cream

Serves 12 - Per Serving: 92 calories 5 Protein 2 Fat 4 Sugar 15 Carbs

6 large poblano peppers (about 1 ½ lb)
2 large butternut squash (4 lbs total)- peeled, halved, seeded and sliced ½ in thick or buy the pre-cut
Olive oil
1½ tsp coarsely chopped thyme
Salt and pepper
1 large white onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, diced
1 tsp coarsely chopped oregano
½ cup heavy cream (sub. with silk)
¾ cup crème fraiche or sour cream (Fat Free)
8 oz. shredded Monterey jack cheese (2%)

Roast poblano pepper: Place one oven rack on very top rung. Place oven on broil high. Roast poblano pepper turning until charred all over. Transfer to a glass bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let them steam for 10 min to peel the skin off and chop.

Roast squash: Move the rack back to the middle. Oven heat at 400°. Spread squash on 2 large baking sheets. Oil them (3 Tbsp/sheet) and mix with hands. Sprinkle with 1 tsp thyme and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20-25 min, until tender, shifting the pans from top to bottom and front to back halfway through baking.

While roasting squash: in a skillet, heat 3 Tbsp oil over med heat. Add onion, oregano, and remaining thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and fragrant (about 8 min). Peel, seed and chop the poblano pepper. Add poblano pepper and garlic to the onions for 4-5 min. Add the heavy cream and simmer until thickened, about 5 min. Remove from heat. Stir in crème fraiche and season with salt and pepper.

Place oven on 425°. Spread squash in a casserole dish. Pour the poblano pepper mixture over top. Gently stir to mix. Top with Monterey jack cheese. Bake in center of oven for 20 min, until golden and bubbling. Let stand 10 min before serving.

I'm not sure if you mean low sugar like all kinds of sugar,or low in refined sugar. If it's the latter, I really enjoy a ripe sliced pear with a drizzle of agave nectar or honey for a simple but elegant dessert. And maybe some berriers with a dollop of mascarpone on the side.

Of course I also love poached pears but that involves the addition of quite a bit of sugar, and since I've also eliminated artificial sweeteners, many low-sugar desserts are out for me.

This may not be what you are looking for on Thanksgiving but it's the simplest/healthiest dessert in my repertoire

Hungry Girl!


Lean Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients

Two 16-oz. bags frozen French-style green beans, thawed, drained, and dried
Two 10.75-oz. cans 98% fat-free cream of celery condensed soup
One 8-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 oz. (about 15 pieces) onion-flavored soy crisps, crushed

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a casserole dish (a 2- to 3-quart rectangular one works best) with nonstick spray and set aside.
Make sure the green beans are thoroughly drained and completely dry -- use a towel, if needed. Then place half of the green beans in the casserole dish.
Pour 1 can of the soup evenly on top of the layer of green beans. Place half of the sliced water chestnuts over the soup layer. Cover with the remaining green beans and then top with the remaining can of soup. Evenly top with the remaining water chestnuts.
Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Top with crushed soy crisps, and return the dish to the oven until crisps turn golden brown, about 10 minutes.
PER SERVING (1/8th of casserole): 100 calories, 2.5g fat, 436mg sodium, 16g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 4g sugars, 3g protein -- PointsPlus® value 2*

Low Carb Stuffing?
Yep! Make your own stuffing but use a low carb bread. Dice, add seasonings and diced veggies (onions, celery etc), add egg whites and bake!

Low Carb Gravy?
YEP!! Use pan drippings, strain out fat, add red wine, minced onions and reduce over heat. It won't be the traditional thick gravy (think of it as a Thanksgiving Au Jus). You could also puree some onion, celery and sour cream (to look like baby food) and add it to the sauce, reduce heat and simmer till desired texture. There are also store bought thickeners - Arrowroot, ThickenThin, and Konjac flour that will work for a more traditional texture, but you want to mix them with water before adding to your drippings (to avoid clumps).


Enjoy!

check out www.genaw.com tons of low carb ideas

low carb on Thanksgiving = FAIL