The keto diet has been around for a long time, and has been used to treat specific medical conditions. Like in the 19^th century, keto was commonly used to treat and control diabetes. In the 1920’s it was used as a means to treat epilepsy. It has also served to help treat certain types of cancers and brain related disorders.

However, the keto diet grew in popularity around the 1970’s when there was a raised craze to lose weight, and was popularized by several celebrities. Though there are similar diets out there that reduce carb intakes of the dieter, what makes the Keto diet unique is that it promotes consuming exceptionally high fat content; nearly 70%. The main idea is to deprive the body of glucose, which is the main source of energy for the body.

If you are someone who indulges in healthy cooking or diets, you would have definitely heard about the Ketogenic diet. There has been a lot of buzz around the keto diet, and it being an effective way to lose extra weight. The keto diet is a low- carbohydrate, moderate protein, and high fat diet that aim at burning fat more efficiently. It apparently has various benefits for weight loss, health, fitness and overall activity, and hence is often recommended by many dieticians. It is useful to treat various health conditions too, such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s, etc.

Just because you are on a diet, that does not mean food has to come boring! We live to eat, and that should not change regardless of what diet we are on. So here are some easy keto recipes that are tasty, and promote keto weight loss. These dishes are wholesome and contain keto nutrition.

Ketogenic Diet- Tasty Keto Recipes:

1. Keto Caprese Panini

While being on Keto, eating a sandwich and enjoying the simplistic beauty of bread becomes difficult, however this Caprese Panini is a fun little sandwich made of low carb bread. It is an incredible recipe and is a vegetarian keto recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 Serving Low-Carb Bread
• ½ Sliced  Medium-Sized Tomato
• 60 g Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
• ½ Tbsp Prepared Basil Pesto
• 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter

Equipment Required:

Grill or Toaster/ Panini press

Directions:

• Firstly, take the low-carb caprese panini bread, and then chop the tomato and mozzarella. 
• Further, slice the panini bread into two halves and create two slices. After that, place the tomatoes on the bottom slice. 
• Subsequently, continue to add the cheese, and then spread the pesto on the top slice before placing it on top of the caprese panini.
• In addition, melt the butter in a grill pan over medium heat. Finally, place the caprese panini in the pan, with cheese side down. Thereafter, press it down with a spatula as it cooks. 
• In approximately 3 minutes, or once the cheese begins to melt, carefully flip it and repeat on the other side. Cut it diagonally, and serve immediately with any dip of choice or a keto suitable ketchup.

2. Roasted Cauliflower with Tomatoes and Garlic

Simple and humble, this cauliflower is a keto vegetarian dish, full of flavor and color. It the perfect wholesome meal.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 cherry tomatoes
• 4 cloves Garlic, smashed and peeled
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Ground black pepper
• Red pepper flakes
• 1 medium sized cauliflower head

Directions:

• Pre-heat the oven to at 200 dgrees.
• In a baking dish, add the tomatoes and garlic, drizzle the olive oil, and srinkle the salt, pepper and chili flakes. Toss around to coat evenly.
• Trim the cauliflower to remove the leafy portion. Pushing the tomatoes and garlic to the side, place the cauliflower in the center, and drizzle a little olive oil, and using a spoon drizzle the oils in the dish to coat the cauliflower. Sprinkle a little more chili and salt, according to liking.
• Roast for an hour, or until the cauliflower is tender and can easily be pierced with a paring knife.
• Sprinkle parsley and cut the cauliflower into wedges to serve.

3. Keto Mummy Dogs:

Craving something savory and tasty, this dish just does it. Fun and playful, this is a spin on a classic hot dog. These wrapped hot dogs are every bit cheesy and tasty.

Ingredients:

• ½ cups almond flour
• 4tbsp coconut flour
• ½ salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 ½ oz butter
• 1 bowl shredded cheese
• 2 eggs
• Sausages

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 180 degrees
• Mix the almond, coconut flour and baking powder in a large bowl.
• In a pan, on low heat, melt the butter and cheese. Stir with a wooden ladle, till smooth. Remove from heat. Allow to cool
• Stir one egg into the dry ingredients, and then add the cheese mixture. Mix till combined and makes a firm dough.
• Flatten into a large rectangle, and cut strips around an inch wide.
• Wrap the strips around the sausages. Break open the second egg, whisk it, and brush onto the sausage.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or till dough is golden brown.

4. Cauliflower Soup:

This minimalistic soup is packed with tons of flavor and is super filling. This soup can be stored in an air tight container for up to 4 day. This is your ideal partner if you love a good meal prep.

Ingredients:

• 1tbsp olive oil, pus extra for garnish
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cauliflower head, cut into small florets
• 6 cups vegetable stock
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt
• Black pepper
• ¼ cup heavy cream

Directions:

• In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add in the onion and garlic, cook till fragrant and translucent.
• Add in the cauliflower, stock and bayleaf, and bring to a simmer. Cook umtil the cauliflower is tender, for around 15-20 minutes.
• Once tender, remove the bay leaf and discard it. Blend the soup with a blender, entil smooth.
• Stir in the cream, and reheat. Garnish with olive oil and fresh thyme.

5. Keto Zucchini and Cauliflower Fritters:

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower head
• Zucchini
• Egg
• 1/3^rd cup coconut flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive Oil

Directions:

• Stream the cauliflower head, just to prep it and peel the zucchini. Grate both the zucchini and cauliflower, or simply add it into a food processor.
• Once grated, squeeze out all the excess water. Add salt and pepper according to taste and any other seasoning of choice.
• Create flattened cutlets, and dip into the egg and then into the almond flour, to bind the ingredients.
• Heat a pan with olive oil, and then cook the cutlet for 2 minutes on each side, or till nice and brown.

6. Keto Stuffed Cabbage

Ingredients:

FOR THE SAUCE:

• 1 (14-oz.) can diced tomatoe
• 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

FOR THE CABBAGE ROLLS:

• 12 cabbage leaves
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 3/4 lb. ground pork
• 1 c. riced cauliflower
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 c. chopped parsley, plus more for serving
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Puree the tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano in a blender; season with salt and pepper.
• In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add the pureed tomato sauce, bring to a simmer, then lower to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, until slightly thickened.

FOR THE CABBAGE ROLLS:

• In a large pot of boiling water, blanch cabbage leaves until tender and flexible, about 1 minute. Set aside.
• Make filling: in a large bowl, combine ½ c. tomato sauce, ground meats, cauliflower rice, scallions, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish. Using a paring knife, cut out the hard triangular rib from each cabbage leaf. Place about ⅓ cup filling into one end of each leaf, then roll up, tucking in the sides as you roll. Place rolls seam side-down on top of sauce in baking dish. Spoon remaining sauce on top of cabbage rolls. Bake 45 minutes to 55 minutes, until the meat is cooked through and internal temperature reaches 150°”
• Garnish with more parsley before serving.

7. Keto Pancakes:

For when you are craving something sweet!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cups almond flour
• 4 oz.  cream cheese, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• Butter, for frying and serving

Directions:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together almond flour, cream cheese, eggs, and lemon zest until smooth.
• In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Pour in about 3 tablespoons batter and cook until golden, 2 minutes. Flip and cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining batter.
• Serve topped with butter.

8. Keto Stuffed Peppers:

Ingredients:

• extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 Onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 lb. ground beef
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp. Chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
• 3 bell peppers, halved (seeds removed)
• 1 c. shredded Cheddar
• 1 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
• 1 c. Shredded lettuce
• Hot sauce, for serving
• Lime wedges, for serving

Directions:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Add onion and cook until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain fat.
• Add chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika to beef mixture, then season with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle bell peppers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the peppers, cut side up, in the baking dish and spoon meat mixture into each pepper. Top with cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and the peppers are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.
• Top each pepper with lettuce and serve with, hot sauce, and lime wedges.

9. Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Slowly beat in vanilla extract and eggs.
• In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt. Stir into butter-sugar mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.
• Roll dough into 1-inch balls, placing them about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly golden.

10. Garlicky Greek Chicken:

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 lb. chicken thighs
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 lb. asparagus, ends removed
• 1 zucchini, sliced into half moons
• 1 lemon, sliced

Directions:

• In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano. Whisk until combined then add chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• When you’re ready to cook the chicken, preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat remaining tablespoon olive oil. Season both sides of marinated chicken with salt and pepper, then add chicken skin-side down and pour in the remaining marinade.
• Sear until the skin becomes golden and crispy, about 10 minutes. Flip chicken and add asparagus, zucchini and lemons to the skillet.
• Transfer pan to oven and cook until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.

Here are some keto friendly recipes, to survive this diet, without missing your old lifestyle. Just because you choose to diet, and make healthier choices it does not have to be boring!