Secret Ingredient: Keto Zone Thanksgiving Stuffing

Have you ever wanted to transform a recipe into a Keto Zone or low-carb one, but got stuck on specific grain-ingredient? Today, we’re making Keto Zone Thanksgiving Stuffing and using a secret ingredient. You can use it to replace “bland” grains.

By doing so, you’ll omit unhealthy refined bread with one of the most healthful ingredients available. It contains omega-3s, protein, fiber, antioxidants and disease-fighting compounds.

It takes stuffing from a guilty pleasure to a health-promoting food you should enjoy any time of year.

Ready for the secret? Hemp Heart Seeds for the Win!

Keto Zone Thanksgiving Stuffing with Cauliflower and Hemp Heart Seeds

Ingredients

• 1 large head cauliflower (cut into small florets)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 celery stalk, sliced (the single rib, not the entire bunch)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup hemp heart seeds
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into thin slices

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Or, use foil and grease very well.
2. Stir together all vegetables in a large bowl (chopped cauliflower, onions, celery, and garlic). Add olive oil and toss. Stir in poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, sea salt, and black pepper.
3. Spread the mixture in a single layer onto the lined baking sheets. If you cannot fit both into your oven on the same rack at one time, you’ll need to bake each sheet separately to get a good texture.
4. Roast each sheet in the oven for about 15 minutes. The onions should be soft and the cauliflower slightly browned.
5. At this point: If using 2 sheets, mix everything onto one or transfer to a greased casserole dish. Add fresh parsley, hemp heart seeds, and pecans. Mix everything together and place thin slices of butter throughout. Roast for 10-15 additional minutes. Seeds should be toasted, cauliflower well browned and onions very soft or caramelized. Serves 10, ~1/2 cup each

Nutrition Info (per 1/2 cup): 125 calories, 10 grams fat, 7 grams carbs, 4 grams net carbs, 3 grams fiber, 2 grams protein

Why Use Hemp Heart Seeds in Keto Zone Cooking?

If you’ve never used hemp heart seeds, it’s time to start. Put simply, hemp heart seeds are a great Keto Zone food. They are low in carbohydrates and high in nutrition.

In fact, these small nutty-flavored seeds contain healthy omega-3 fats, protein, fiber, and more (1).

And when it comes to Keto Zone cooking, they provide a good substitute for grains like oats or pieces of bread by providing texture and flavor in addition to vegetables and other ingredients.

With each serving of hemp seeds, you’ll get:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Plant-based ALA).  In each serving of hemp heart seeds, there are 1.5 grams of ALA omega-3s (they are not quite a great and potent as the DHA and EPA found in seafood, but still beneficial ).  The seeds small amount of omega-6 and significant omega-3 improve your ratio to promote anti-inflammatory reactions in your body. Importantly, they improve health and reduce metabolic disorders in the body (2).

Better-Than-Plant Protein – Hemp is a complete protein, containing six grams per serving with all essential amino acids.  The best part? Hemp heart protein has a  “globular protein” structure that’s similar to proteins manufactured in our blood. This means they are readily digestible and efficiently used by our bodies.

Vitamin E and more: Hemp seeds also contain a good amount of vitamin E, magnesium, fiber, calcium and iron packed into a great-tasting seed.

Are you weary of any hempseed – marijuana connection? Fortunately, hemp and marijuana are quite different. They both come from the same species of plant, Cannabis sativa L., but are different varieties. Just as any variation of a species is different from another, they are different plants and hemp contains no THC.

2 Bonus Recipes Using Hemp in Place of Grains (Oats)

1.No-Bake Iced Keto Zone  “Oatmeal” Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup natural almond butter or peanut butter*
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup hemp heart seeds
• 1/8 tsp pure stevia powder
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• *The almond butter will provide a blander “oatmeal cookie” flavor

Optional Icing:

Instructions

To make cookies:

1. Combine all cookie ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Adjust taste as needed with stevia, salt, and cinnamon. If the mixture is too wet, add more ground flaxseed.
3. Drop cookies onto a lined baking sheet or plate by spoonfuls. Flatten with bottom of measuring cup.
4. Freeze for about 30-60 minutes until hardened.

To make the icing:

1. Cream butter and cream cheese together in a medium bowl until completely combined.
2. Add erythritol and vanilla extra. Beat very slowly until incorporated.
3. Once mixed, beat on high for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
4. Use immediately on frozen cookies or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator (up to 1 week). Freeze up to 3 months and thaw again before using it.

Nutrition Info: 30 grams fat, 4 grams net carbs

3. Keto Zone Super-Seed Overnight Oatmeal

One of our most loved recipes if perfect for Holiday guests, or your own personal breakfast through the cold months.

It’s easy, cooks itself, and is delicious. Find the recipe here.

Bottom Line

Hemp heart seeds make a great ingredient in our Keto Zone Thanksgiving Stuffing, “Oatmeal” Cookies, and Overnight “Oatmeal.” Not only do they provide a low-carb alternative, but they are also loaded with great nutrition for your body!