PEPPERONI CHEESE CRISPS

APPETIZER AT HOME

Wow..these were so good.  Saw the recipe on an Instagram post and made them the same day.  The entire family loved this low carb snack and I will be making these again real soon.  Served with a little Marinara Sauce for dipping.  The recipe called for Mozzarella Cheese but when I saw this Italian blend at the store I decided to use it instead of just plain Mozzarella.

Glad I did because the taste of the cheese is what makes these so delicious.

PEPPERONI CHEESE CRISPS

ITALIAN FIVE CHEESE BLEND

MAKE LITTLE CIRCLES OF CHEESE

READY TO GO INTO 375 DEGREE OVEN FOR 3 MINUTES

CHEESE COOKED FOR 3 MINUTES

TOP WITH OREGANO

ADD THE PEPPERONI AND BAKE ANOTHER 5 MINUTES

FINISHED PEPPERONI CHEESE CRISPS

SERVE WITH MARINARA SAUCE

PERFECT LOW CARB SNACK

THESE ARE SO GOOD!

 

CARNE ASADA AND AVOCADO SALAD

LUNCH AT THE OFFICE

After our Carne Asada Taco Night I got to enjoy a Carne Asada and Avocado Salad at the office.  This was so good and very satisfying.  Loved it!

CARNE ASADA AND AVOCADO SALAD

 

CARNE ASADA STREET TACOS

DINNER AT HOME

Made these super delicious and low carb Carne Asada Street Tacos using Mr. Tortilla 1 net carb tortillas.  A little Guacamole, Carne Asada, Onions, Cilantro and Hot Sauce.  So simple and so delicious.  One of my faves!

CARNE ASADA STREET TACOS

SIMPLE PERFECTION!

 

PANYA BISTRO AND BAKERY

PANYA BISTRO AND BAKERY

1288 ALA MOANA BLVD

HONOLULU, HI. 96814

808-946-6388

HOURS:  Daily 8AM - 10PM / Thursday 8:30AM - 10PM

http://panyabakery.com

https://www.yelp.com/biz/panya-bistro-honolulu-6

https://www.facebook.com/PanyaHawaii/?rf=176142139175161

I really like Panya Bistro.  Love the outdoor seating, dog friendly, food and service.

On this visit I tried the Ahi Salad ($20).  It was large, fresh and delicious.  I asked them to make sure there was no Spring Mix Lettuce with the bitter purple leaves.  They did it.  All Romaine which I love.  Nice amount of Ahi and Avocado which filled me up and satisfied.

Click links below to view previous posts on Panya Bistro;

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2019/03/panya-bistro-and-bakery-1288-ala-moana.html

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2017/11/panya-bistro.html

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2017/08/panya-bistro.html

AHI SALAD

VENISON TENDERLOIN

DINNER AT HOME

I love Venison and when we saw it at a local Farmers Market, I just had to buy some.

They had lots of cuts but I went for the Tenderloin.  Did some research on how to properly cook it and ended up using a recipe by Gordon Ramsey.  Marinated the Venison in Salt, Pepper and Olive Oil for a few hours.  Then seared all sides, basted in butter and placed in oven at high heat for 8 minutes. Results were a perfect medium rare.  I made an incredible Red Wine, Cherry and Chocolate Sauce that came out perfect.  Could not wait to sink my teeth into the Venison.  As I did, there was a slight smell.  Gamey?  No it smelled like shit.  I took one bite and it tasted like shit.  I mean shit.  Pooh.  Crap.  My Wife said no it is just gamey I bet.  She dug in and took a big bite.  "Oh my goodness" she said "it really does taste like pooh.  She spit it out and ran to brush her teeth. Neither one of us could take another bite.  It really did taste like shit.  I did some research and found this is common when Venison is not cleaned properly.  We were so disappointed.  The Venison was vacuumed sealed so we could not smell it prior to buying.  Don't know if MauiNui Venison is known for this but we did buy it at a Farmers Market out of a cooler.  

VENISON TENDERLOIN

MAUINUI VENISON TENDERLOIN

 

TAQUERIA LA MAREA

TAQUERIA LA MAREA

237 KALIHI ST

HONOLULU, HI 96819

808-469-5066

HOURS:  Tuesday thru Saturday 10AM - 3PM / Closed Sunday and Monday

https://taquerialamarea.com

https://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-la-marea-honolulu

https://www.facebook.com/taquerialamarea/?ref=py_c

https://www.instagram.com/tacosla_marea/?hl=en

Had to go off the low carb diet to enjoy some Birria Tacos from Taqueria La Marea.  I have been wanting to go here for months after seeing their posts on Instagram.  I ordered the Birria Special $12 which is two tacos filled with Beef and Cheese.  Served with side of Pickled Onions, White Onion, Cilantro and Birria Sauce.  These were really good and probably the best of the four Birria Taco places I have been during the past two months.  

TAQUERIA LA MAREA BIRRIA TACOS

PICKLED ONIONS, WHITE ONION AND CILANTRO

DIP INTO THE BIRRIA SAUCE

ENJOY!

 

TACO SALAD WITH AVOCADO

LUNCH AT THE OFFICE

My lovely Wife made me a delicious Taco Salad with Avocado to take to work.  Shredded Lettuce, Seasoned Beef, Cheddar Cheese, Pico de Gallo, Onion, Cilantro, Cotija Cheese and Avocado.  This really hit the spot and satisfied me until dinner.

TACO SALAD WITH AVOCADO

 

DOMO CAFE SPICY AHI POKE SALAD

DOMO CAFE

4346 WAIALAE AVE

HONOLULU, HI 96816

808-888-8860

HOURS:  Daily 10AM - 8PM

https://www.domocafehawaii.com

https://www.yelp.com/biz/domo-cafe-honolulu-5

https://www.instagram.com/domocafehawaii/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/Domo-Cafe-1088797604480988/

Our second visit to Domo Cafe for a quick lunch.  I had the same thing as before.  Fresh Spicy Ahi Poke Salad with Avocado.  Love this salad and it really fills me up.  I order it without the mayonnaise which is normally loaded on Spicy Ahi Poke.  

SPICY AHI POKE SALAD

 

STEAK AND CRAB

DINNER AT HOME

We actually had 6:30 dinner reservations at a restaurant.  Around 3PM my Wife decided she did not want to go out and instead wanted Date Night at home.  Boy am I happy we stayed home as she prepared this amazing Steak and Crab dinner.

STEAK AND CRAB

 

HAMADA GENERAL STORE

HAMADA GENERAL STORE

885 QUEEN STREET

HONOLULU, HI 96813

808-379-1992

HOURS:  Daily 9AM - 2PM / Closed Sunday

www.hamadageneralstore.com

https://www.yelp.com/biz/hamada-general-store-honolulu

https://www.instagram.com/hamadageneralstore/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/hamadageneralstore/

Walked into Hamada General Store not knowing what to expect.  Only have seen a few posts of the place on social media.  It is kind of like a store where they sell t-shirts, hats and a few pre-packaged local food items.  The counter to the right is where you order and then watch the action in the kitchen as your food is quickly prepared.  I asked for the HGS Burger with Lettuce in place of the bun.  The gal at the counter questioned me and then a man came up and said "yes" they could do that for $2 more.  No problem I said and I got my burger.  Burger was good and it was served with a huge pile of French Fries of which I did not eat one.  Not one.. My Wife got the Kim Chee Pastrami Sandwich which looked incredible.  She however thought it was just o.k.  Happy they accommodated me with the Lettuce Wrapped Burger but don't think I will be back because the menu is very limited.

HAMADA GENERAL STORE BURGER PROTEIN STYLE

HAMADA GENERAL STORE

MENU ON TWO DISPLAY BOARDS AND IS VERY LIMITED

ORDER AT THE COUNTER AND WATCH THEM COOK

HGS BURGER WITH LETTUC WRAP IN PLACE OF BUN

KIM CHEE AND PASTRAMI SANDWICH

PORTUGUESE SAUSAGE, AVOCADO AND EGG

BREAKFAST AT HOME

It has been a while since I made breakfast on a weekend.  Looked in the refrigerator and saw Portuguese Sausage and half an Avocado so I made this little tower with Portuguese Sausage, Avocado and Egg.  My goodness this was delicious.  Avocado really goes well with Portuguese Sausage and the egg yolk all over Avocado......heaven!

PORTUGUESE SAUSAGE, AVOCADO AND EGG

A BREAKFAST TOWER OF FLAVOR

 

PAN SEARED AHI

DINNER AT HOME

This dinner was the best.  Restaurant quality meal for two for under $20.  I simply seasoned the Ahi with Hawaiian Salt and Pepper before searing it in a mixture of butter and olive oil.  What set this dish over the top was the sauce which I made with sautéed Shallots and Garlic with Butter, White Wine, Chicken Stock, Cream and more Butter.  Reduced the sauce to perfection.  Tasted like a Five Star Restaurant.  The bomb!

PAN SEARED AHI 

FRESH HAWAII AHI

 

SUSHI APPETIZER

APPETIZER AT HOME

My girls love Sushi so I bought some of their faves like California and Spicy Tuna Rolls.

I am staying away from carbs so did not enjoy this snack.

SUSHI APPETIZER

 

BAKED BBQ CHICKEN

DINNER AT HOME

One of those nights where I am cooking with whatever we have in the refrigerator.  Came up with Baked BBQ Chicken with Asparagus and Mushrooms, Onions, Garlic in a White Wine, Cream and Butter Sauce.  Pretty darn good!

BAKED BBQ CHICKEN

 

SKINNY CALIFORNIA WRAP

LUNCH AT THE OFFICE

I love these little California Wraps that I pick up at Foodland Farms.  Low carb, fresh and oh so delicious.  Think I have had them four times in past few weeks.

SKINNY CALIFORNIA WRAPS

SUSHI WITHOUT THE RICE

 

PASTA SAUCE LOW CARB PIZZA

DINNER AT HOME

We had some Beef and Mushroom Spaghetti Sauce in the refrigerator and since I am trying to stay low carb, I put it on a low carb Pizza Crust and topped with Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheeses, Red Onion, Oregano and Bell Pepper.  Pretty good pizza!

LOW CARB PIZZA WITH SPAGHETTI SAUCE

 

ITAILIAN MEATS AND BACON PROVOLONE WRAP

LUNCH AT THE OFFICE

Clearing out the refrigerator and had some Italian Deli Meats.  Loaded them into a Provolone Cheese Wrap and added a little Bacon for a low carb lunch.

LOW CARB WRAP

ITALIAN MEATS, BACON, LETTUCE WRAPPED IN PROVOLONE

 

MORTADELLA, SWISS CHEESE AND PICKLE WRAP

SNACK AT HOME

I love this little snack of Mortadella, Swiss Cheese and a Pickle.  Nice low carb alternative to snacking on Chips, Cookies or Candy.

MORTADELLA, SWISS CHEESE AND PICKLE WRAP

TAKE A BITE...IT'S DELICIOUS!

 

TACO SALAD

LUNCH AT THE OFFICE

After Taco Tuesday there is Taco Salad Wednesday at my desk.

TACO SALAD

 

LOW CARB BEEF TACOS

DINNER AT HOME

Loving Taco Tuesdays at home with Mr. Tortilla 1 net carb Tortillas.  While they don't have the great taste and texture of a regular tortilla, they do serve the purpose and taste pretty good. They are also about half the size of a standard tortilla.  These Beef Tacos rock and are one of my faves.

LOW CARB BEEF TACOS

MR. TORILLA 1 NET CARB TORTILLAS

LOVE THESE LITTLE TACOS

 

BEEF AND PEPPERONI STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

DINNER AT HOME

I love these little Stuffed Zucchini Boats but my Wife is getting sick of our Keto/Low Carb diet.  She wanted Pasta with Meat Sauce but gave in for me so we could eat the same dinner.  I stuffed the Zucchini with Beef, Mushrooms, Garlic, Bell Pepper, Onion and Tomato Sauce.  Topped with Pepperoni slices, Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese.  

BEEF AND PEPPERONI STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

NICE LOW CARB DINNER

 

KING CRAB SALAD

LUNCH AT THE OFFICE

We had leftover King Crab from the weekends dinner so my lovely Wife made me a King Crab Salad to take to work.  Oh...this was so good.  I love King Crab!

KING CRAB SALAD

 

PIEOLOGY CAULIFLOWER CRUST PIZZA

PIEOLOGY PIZZERIA

AINA HAINA SHOPPING CENTER

820 W HIND DRIVE

HONOLULU, HI 96821

808-377-1364

HOURS:  Monday thru Thursday 11AM - 9:30 PM / Friday and Saturday 11AM - 10:30 PM

                 Sunday 11AM - 9PM

https://pieology.com/locations/HI/honolulu-aina-haina

www.yelp.com/biz/pieology-pizzeria-honolulu

www.facebook.com/PieologyHonolulu/

www.instagram.com/pieology/?hl=en

I like Pieology Pizza and now that I am eating a low carb diet we decided to try the Cauliflower Crust.  They add $3 to the cost of the Pizza to go Cauliflower Crust.  I ordered everything else for my Pizza just like normal.  Sausage, Pepperoni, Canadian Bacon, Jalapeños, Red Onion and Bell Pepper.  The crust was thin and a bit crispy.  It did not have a strong Cauliflower flavor and tasted pretty much like a normal Pizza to me.  I liked it.

Now that I have tried Cauliflower Pizza Crusts at CPK and now Pieology, I am a fan and will continue eating low carb pizza crust when it is available.  

PIEOLOGY CAULIFLOWER PIZZA CRUST