It is SO HARD during the holidays to eat healthy, isn't it?? What is it about the season that makes us (me included!) think that it's a free-for-all? Well this year I have been super-intentional about making sure The Hubster and I don't constantly indulge, but rather try to make healthy foods that taste rich and delicious; like we're not missing out.

So for Meatless Monday (which does NOT sound rich and delicious, does it?) I decided to make something souper-rich (see what I did just there?) with an Asian flare. And this low-almost-no carb meatless dish did NOT disappoint! Hot soup on a cold day! PS This is so easy it shouldn't taste like the indulgence we experienced!

CARAMELIZED ONION AND EGG DROP SOUP

1 onion, halved, both halves sliced thinly

3 tbs extra virgin olive oil (evoo)

1 tsp sea salt

pepper

32 oz box chicken broth

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 green onion, chopped coarsely

3 eggs

1 tbs water

2 tbs sesame oil

Sprinkle evoo into a soup pot and heat on medium-high for about one minute. Add onions, stir, and let them cook, untouched, for about three minutes. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper to taste, stir, and let them cook, untouched, for another three minutes. Stir, and let cook, untouched for another five minutes. or until caramelized and brown. Pour chicken broth and soy sauce over onion and bring to a boil, add green onions then turn heat down to low. Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes and turn heat back up to medium. Whisk eggs and water in a separate bowl until well-blended and a little frothy. Slowly pour into the soup mixture, whisking the soup as the eggs go in. Cook an additional minute or two. Turn off heat, add sesame oil and gently stir. Serve with garlic sesame not-bread sticks.

NOTES: I garnished with chopped parsley, but cilantro would also work here, or no garnish at all would still be yum!

GARLIC SESAME NOT-BREAD STICKS.

(a variation of Fat Head Dough)

3/4 cups almond flour

2 tbs cream cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

1 tbs garlic powder

pinch of sea salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 egg

1/4 cup sesame oil

sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, add almond flour, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper. Microwave for one minute. Stir and microwave another 20 seconds. Add egg and stir until egg is blended into dough. place between two pieces of parchment paper (see notes) and shape into a rectangle about 1-inch thick. Remove top piece of parchment paper and bake for about fifteen minutes or until just golden brown. Spread sesame oil over top of baked dough, sprinkle with desired amount of sesame seeds and bake another five minutes. Take pizza cutter and slice into bread sticks. DIP INTO CARAMELIZED ONION AND EGG DROP SOUP!!

NOTES: Parchment paper is key here. I've tried this with foil and it is sorely disappointing. PARCHMENT PAPER. Trust me.

This combo is PERFECT and comforting for this cold holiday weather as well! Merry Christmas!