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Kim Howerton
BBQ chicken pizza on a blue patterned plate, the hero dish of Protein Prioritized Mini.

A preview from the upcoming cookbook by Kim Howerton

ProteinPrioritizedMini

Kim Howerton

Free preview

Seven recipes to read, cook, and save.

A note from Kim

Welcome,

With the right approach you don't have to sacrifice one for the other.

Thanks for signing up to receive a preview of some recipes from my upcoming cookbook.

Keeping my diet higher protein and lower carb has been a huge help in my quest to manage my weight, both in losing and maintaining my 135 lb weight loss, while still enjoying delicious food. If you know me, you know how important I find it to embrace both great food and great health. With the right approach you don't have to sacrifice one for the other.

A few notes on the recipes

  • Abbreviations. T means US Tablespoon. tsp is teaspoon. C means cup. All eggs are large.
  • Measurements. I sometimes use grams and sometimes ounces when using a food scale. Call it a quirk.
  • Macros. Each recipe has calculated macros to help you decide if it fits your parameters. Keep in mind these will shift with specific ingredients and brands. Totals list carbs with fiber in parentheses, but do not include sweeteners since those vary. Serving sizes are listed per recipe.

I hope you enjoy this sample, and I hope to hear from you soon. You can always reach me at kim@kimhowerton.com.

Warmly,

Kim

The recipes

Seven to start with.

Breakfast, bread, salad, pizza, stir-fry, dessert, and a second dessert because I think you deserve it. Every one is higher protein, lower carb, and genuinely worth making again.

Stack of pumpkin protein pancakes topped with yogurt and syrup on a blue plate with fresh blueberries.
No. 01Recipe

Pumpkin Pancakes

I actually prefer the denser texture of low-carb pancakes over traditional. These pumpkin ones are fabulous topped with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of sugar-free syrup. They are a great make-ahead recipe, so make multiple batches.

Per serving

Makes 1 serving

Calories
330
Fat
17g
Carbs / Fiber
9g / 2g
Protein
38g

Macros before toppings.

Ingredients

  • 70 g pumpkin puree
  • 15 g dairy protein powder (PEScience or Keto Chow, pumpkin pie or snickerdoodle preferred, vanilla works)
  • 2 whole eggs plus 1 white
  • 14 g ground pork rinds (almond flour works)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (skip if using a highly flavored protein powder)
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • A few drops stevia glycerite or a small amount of sweetener to taste
  • Coconut spray for cooking (butter or other spray is fine)

To top

  • Greek yogurt mixed with a bit of sweetener
  • Optional: sugar-free syrup (RxSugar allulose-based is great)

Directions

  1. 1.Combine everything in a bowl and beat together with a fork. It will be lumpy. Let sit 5 minutes, then beat again until mostly smooth.
  2. 2.Heat your pan or griddle with a little butter, coconut oil, or avocado oil spray. Any size pancake works. The batter will be a bit thicker than normal pancakes.
  3. 3.Cook on medium to medium-high for 3 to 4 minutes. Test to see if the top is set enough to flip without falling apart, then cook the other side 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. 4.Continue until all finished and top as desired.
  5. 5.These keep just fine in the fridge. Make a double batch and reheat 15 to 25 seconds in the microwave. Warm, do not overcook or they dry out.

Note

Use a dairy protein (whey plus casein blend). Pure whey, beef, or egg protein will not give you the right consistency.

Stack of three tall, golden-topped squares of protein foccacia showing light airy crumb.
No. 02Recipe

Protein Foccacia

A super versatile bread, and easier than making a loaf. Use it as a sandwich or burger bun, slice it for soup or salad, or smear with cream cheese and ripe tomato for an ex-bagel moment. Swap the spices and protein powder flavor to go sweet. Add parm and cheddar for cheese bread.

Per serving

Makes 6 squares

Calories
110
Fat
3g
Carbs
2g
Protein
8g

Ingredients

  • 60 g egg white protein (Keto Chow or Judee's are good options)
  • 285 ml water
  • Pinch of cream of tartar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 55 g PEScience Select Multipurpose Blend protein powder
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, or 1 to 2 tsp minced fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 beaten eggs
  • Optional: 20 g allulose (highly recommended, without it the surface stays sticky)

Directions

  1. 1.Combine the egg white protein, water, cream of tartar, and salt in a stand mixer bowl. Start slow, then once it froths turn to high. Beat to stiff peaks, 4 to 6 minutes.
  2. 2.Slow to medium and add the dairy protein powder and spices. Return to high for 20 to 30 seconds, then add the beaten whole eggs. Mix another 10 to 20 seconds until fully incorporated.
  3. 3.Spread in a parchment-lined 9 by 13 inch pan. Bake at 325°F for 22 to 24 minutes. It will fall slightly while cooling. Cool completely before slicing.
  4. 4.Slice into 6 squares and store.
  5. 5.To use as a bun, slice a piece in half horizontally. Store in a sealed container in the fridge, good for several days.

Note

Protein powder must be a whey and casein blend or a dairy protein. Just whey will not work. The PEScience blend is unflavored, so it is perfect in either direction.

Classic Cobb salad arranged on a peach bowl with chopped egg, avocado, tomato, chicken, bacon, and blue cheese.
No. 03Recipe

Cobb Salad

Anyone who has dined with me knows I love a good Cobb. Here is my home version. Adjust ingredients to suit your taste. The Greek yogurt honey mustard dressing here is swap-friendly.

Per serving

Makes 2 servings

Calories
413
Fat
25g
Carbs / Fiber
10g / 5g
Protein
36g

Ingredients

Salad

  • 4 cups romaine or similar, chopped
  • 1 hard-boiled egg, sliced or chopped
  • 6 T chopped tomato
  • 2 oz avocado, sliced or cubed
  • 1 oz crumbled blue cheese
  • 2 cooked slices bacon, crumbled
  • 5 oz cooked and cubed chicken breast
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Greek yogurt honey mustard

  • 1/4 C Greek yogurt (whole milk recommended, 2% is fine)
  • 1 T Dijon mustard
  • 1 T yellow mustard
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp sweetener of choice, more if you like it sweeter

Directions

  1. 1.Chop all ingredients as listed. Lay out lettuce in the bowl, then arrange each ingredient in a neat grouping on top.
  2. 2.Whisk all dressing ingredients together. Taste and add salt if needed. Drizzle over the salad.
BBQ chicken pizza topped with melted cheese, red onion, and cilantro on a blue patterned plate.
No. 04Recipe

BBQ Chicken Pizza

I am a complete fool for a good BBQ pizza. The flavor combination of sweet, savory, and salty is a whole-family favorite. This crust can be topped with anything you want, so traditional tomato sauce, cheese, and pepperoni are always a hit.

Per serving

Makes 3 servings

Calories
453
Fat
25g
Carbs
7g
Protein
48g

Ingredients

Crust

  • 8 oz ground chicken breast (raw)
  • 3.5 oz part-skim mozzarella, grated
  • 1 oz parmesan
  • 1 egg white
  • Generous pinch each of salt, onion powder, garlic powder (Italian seasoning optional)
  • Optional: 1/2 oz pork panko or ground pork rinds

Toppings

  • 4 oz fully cooked chicken breast, cubed or shredded
  • 3 oz gouda or mozzarella, shredded
  • 1 oz slivered red onion
  • Bunch cilantro, amount to taste
  • 6 T no-sugar BBQ sauce (Primal Kitchen, G Hughes, or similar)

Directions

  1. 1.Make the crust. Mix all crust ingredients together thoroughly (I use my hands), then plop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Do not skip the parchment.
  2. 2.With clean, slightly wet hands, flatten into a thin circle (or divide into three for individual crusts). A rectangle is fine too. It's your pizza.
  3. 3.Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Using a spatula, separate from the parchment and flip, reusing the original parchment. Bake another 10 minutes, then remove from oven and turn the oven down to 350°F.
  4. 4.Spread most of the BBQ sauce on the crust. Top with half the chicken and onion.
  5. 5.Cover with the cheese, then add the remaining chicken and onion. Drizzle on the remaining BBQ sauce.
  6. 6.Mince some cilantro and sprinkle on top. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the onion is softened.
  7. 7.Top with a bit more fresh cilantro before serving.

Note

If you have leftovers or prep the crust ahead, it loses its crispness in the fridge. To crisp it back up, bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Reheat in the oven, not the microwave.

Bowl of tender sliced beef and bright green broccoli with dark chopsticks and red patterned napkin.
No. 05Recipe

Broccoli Beef

A super simple, nutrient-dense meal. I serve this over seasoned cauliflower rice, but it's good on its own too. It preps well, travels well, and is an all-around easy dinner or lunch.

Per serving

Makes 2 servings

Calories
350
Fat
17g
Carbs / Fiber
10g / 3g
Protein
42g

Ingredients

  • 8 oz flank steak
  • 4 T tamari or coconut aminos
  • 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Generous pinch dried ginger
  • 1 to 2 drops stevia or a pinch of sweetener (optional)
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda
  • 1 T ghee or preferred oil
  • 8 oz broccoli, cut into bite-size florets
  • To serve: cauliflower rice

Directions

  1. 1.In a bowl, mix tamari, garlic, ginger, sweetener if using, and baking soda. Toss with the steak and let sit 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, marinate up to overnight in the fridge.
  2. 2.Heat a pan with ghee or oil. Pull the beef out of the marinade, reserving the marinade. Cook the beef until browned, flip, brown the other side, and remove from pan. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice on the bias into large bite-size pieces.
  3. 3.Add the reserved marinade to the pan and bring to a simmer. Add the broccoli and cook just a few minutes to keep it slightly crisp. Return the beef to the pan to warm through, then remove from heat.
  4. 4.Serve with cauliflower rice.
Slice of golden baked clafoutis studded with dark berries, gold fork lifting a bite.
No. 06Recipe

Clafoutis

As a nerd, I must point out this custard is technically a flaugnarde since it's made with berries instead of cherries. No one calls them that, so we're calling it a clafoutis (clo-foot-ee). A lovely fruit-filled custard that could not be easier. Totally reasonable as breakfast too, just scale up the serving.

Per serving

Serves 6

Calories
110
Fat
5g
Carbs / Fiber
5g / 2g
Protein
13g

Ingredients

  • 4 to 8 oz fresh berries (blackberries, raspberries, boysenberries recommended; pitted cherries or sliced plums if you're more liberal with carbs; avoid strawberries, they make it runny)
  • 1 tsp softened butter for the pan
  • 6 oz plain Greek yogurt or Skyr
  • 1/2 C milk (lactose-free like Fairlife, almond, cashew, or a combination of cream and nut milk for richness)
  • 32 g casein-and-whey protein powder (PEScience White Chocolate Macadamia Nut is great, vanilla works)
  • 1 T coconut flour (add 1 more for cakier instead of custardy)
  • 30 g sweetener (erythritol or erythritol blend recommended; allulose will taste fine but over-brown the surface). Skip if you don't need it.
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Either 1 T lemon juice or 1/2 tsp almond extract (almond is traditional; lemon is great with berries)

Directions

  1. 1.Butter a 9 inch ceramic or glass pie pan. You can also make individual ramekins and reduce the cook time.
  2. 2.Wash, dry, and spread the berries across the pan.
  3. 3.Put all other ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 minute. Pour over the berries. Batter should not go higher than three-quarters of the pan, it will briefly puff up.
  4. 4.Bake at 350°F for 23 to 25 minutes. Cool to room temperature before serving, which is the best serving temperature.
  5. 5.If serving leftovers from the fridge, leave out for 30 minutes to bring back to room temperature. I cut these slices large, so 6 servings per pan.
Squares of chocolate cake topped with chocolate frosting and fresh strawberries on a white platter.
No. 07Recipe

Chocolate Cake

This cake uses one of my favorite stealth ingredients: pumpkin. You can't taste it and it improves both texture and nutrition. I keep servings of pumpkin in the freezer so I don't have to open a fresh can when I only need a bit.

Per serving

Serves 9

Calories
104
Fat
4g
Carbs / Fiber
5g / 2g
Protein
14g

Ingredients

Cake — dry

  • 65 g PEScience Chocolate Cupcake protein powder (Keto Chow Chocolate or Mocha work)
  • 4 T cocoa powder (Dutched)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Pinch of cream of tartar
  • Optional: 1 to 2 T sweetener for extra sweetness
  • 1 tsp espresso powder

Cake — wet

  • 4 whole eggs, separated
  • 170 g plain Greek yogurt
  • 100 g pumpkin puree
  • 8 drops stevia glycerite
  • 1 T almond milk or similar

Frosting

  • 20 g protein powder
  • 2 T cocoa powder
  • 150 g plain Greek yogurt
  • 6 drops stevia glycerite or a pinch of sweetener
  • 1 T almond milk or similar

Directions

  1. 1.Cake. Mix all dry ingredients (except cream of tartar) together in a bowl.
  2. 2.Separate the eggs. Put the whites in a mixer bowl and add the cream of tartar.
  3. 3.Add the remaining wet ingredients to the dry and mix well. It will seem too thick at first. Keep mixing until it becomes the texture of fudgy brownie batter.
  4. 4.Beat the whites to firm peaks and fold into the batter until fully incorporated, keeping as much fluff as possible.
  5. 5.Grease an 8 by 8 inch square or 8 inch round pan. Pour in the batter. Bake at 325°F for 22 to 24 minutes. Do not overcook or it will be dry. Cool completely.
  6. 6.Frosting. Mix all frosting ingredients in a large bowl until it becomes frosting-like. It will seem too dry at first. Keep mixing. Do not add more milk unless you're absolutely positive you need it.
  7. 7.Remove the cooled cake from the pan, cover with frosting, slice, and serve.

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