The keto diet has been around since the 1920s and has enjoyed a major resurgence in recent years. Now, millions of people partake in the low-carb, high-fat diet to lose weight and improve their health.
While the diet is effective, filling up on bacon, cheese, butter and avocados can get old fast. Why not switch up your meal plan and try these delicious gourmet recipes instead?
Get creative in the kitchen, experiment with different ingredients, and enjoy new flavors without compromising your diet. Here are six gourmet recipes that you should try next.
1. Japanese Kingfish Lettuce Wraps
The standard keto diet involves sourcing 75% of your calories from fat, 20% from protein, and 5% from carbs. Get your daily fill of protein with Japanese kingfish lettuce wraps. These healthy, bite-size cups are brimming with onions, radishes, fish and tasty asian-inspired sauce. They’re super simple to make, but look and taste gourmet, making them the perfect appetizer for your next dinner party.
First, place the fish in a food processor and pulse until it’s finely chopped. Then, heat the peanut oil in a large frypan and cook the onions and garlic until soft. Add the fish, mirin and various sauces. Serve the mixture in lettuce leaves and top with cabbage, radish slices and more sauce, making sure the presentation is attractive.
2. Hot and Sour Soup
Eggs and oils are mainstays in the keto diet, and this hot and sour soup has them both. Warm your body and soul with this healthy comfort food that’ll help you shed pounds rather than pack them on. You can even use silken tofu or thinly sliced yuba instead of eggs if you want an extra dose of protein.
Cook the ginger and garlic until fragrant and add three cups of water to the saucepan. Then, whisk in the miso, soy sauce, vinegar, oil and pepper. Maintain a simmer to let the flavors mingle. Add the mushrooms and peas before gently stirring in your protein of choice. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with more peppers if you really want to spice things up and jump-start your metabolism.
3. Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Fall is the perfect time to whip out your cast iron skillet and make some comfort food. Try your hand at this keto-friendly one-pan garlic parmesan chicken. The recipe calls for riced cauliflower instead of traditional rice to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. It cooks right in the sauce, so it’s bound to be delicious.
Brown your chicken in a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Then, set it aside and add garlic, vinegar and wine to the pan to deglaze it. Don’t worry; the alcohol will cook off! Add the cream cauliflower, thyme and chicken drippings and simmer until the mixture is thick and creamy. Add the chicken, sprinkle with parmesan and bake the whole thing for 20 to 30 minutes before digging in.
4. Lobster Cakes
Lobster is rich in protein and carb-free, making it an excellent addition to practically any keto diet. The sweet, juicy meat also contains calcium, iron, and selenium, all of which play an important role in keeping you happy and healthy. Try and enjoy the best Maine lobster rolls and lobster cakes to make the most of your diet. Whip up some moist, buttery lobster cakes with almond flour and crushed pork rinds to skip the carbs without missing out on the gourmet flavors and textures you desire.
Mix the meat and an egg in a small bowl. Then, add the pork rinds, flour, veggies, juices and seasonings. Combine the ingredients with your hands and form five small patties with the mixture. Cook the cakes over medium heat until golden brown and serve with a small side salad. Add some cheese, berries and an oil-based vinaigrette to really dress this dish up.
5. Instant Pot Swiss Steak
If you’re looking for a deceptively simple gourmet meal that’s both affordable and keto-friendly, look no further than this instant pot swiss steak. Gravy, mushrooms, celery and juicy steak come together to make a mouth-watering dish that’s ready in a matter of minutes. All you have to do is toss it in a pot and push start.
Season the steak on both sides and quickly brown it in your instant pot. Then, dice your onions, mushrooms and celery and cook until soft. Add half of the broth, deglaze the pot and put the steak back in. Top with the rest of the broth and diced or crushed tomatoes. Pressure cook for 20 minutes before removing the steak and boiling the gravy mixture for an additional 10 minutes. Serve over mashed cauliflower and garnish with parsley.
6. Zucchini Noodle Mac
Are you craving a steaming bowl of mac and cheese? Enjoy this fall favorite by swapping the pasta noodles for zucchini noodles. This gourmet recipe takes less than 10 minutes and contains just three carbs per serving.
First, melt the butter over medium heat and stir in the cream cheese and broth. Cook for two minutes until the mixture is thick and creamy. Then, add your cheeses and seasonings. Pour the ooey-gooey sauce over warm zoodles and top with tomatoes, bacon bits and even more cheese. Dinner’s never been so easy — or delicious!
Cultivating a Healthy Lifestyle
When it comes to losing weight, diet is only half the equation. Cultivate a healthy lifestyle by supplementing your meal plan with a daily exercise routine. Eat good and feel better by fueling your body with good food and breaking a sweat. Doing so will help you tone up and slim down so you reach a peak physique in no time!