The basics: tempeh hash browns

Some veg ketoers have observed that there are brands of tempeh that are pretty high in carbs. Different manufacturers will use different quantities of fermentation agents and sometimes just plain sweeteners to create a milder flavor. If you’re looking for something more keto friendly, I strongly recommend lightlife tempeh and, if you can find it, specifically the flax variety. Those are what those black flecks in the picture are, little flax seeds! This is a very large and filling breakfast for one or can be split in half for two nice breakfast sides.

Some notes on frying:

How it’s done: The oil should be between 360-375 degrees for optimal frying before you put your food in the oil. This is best measured with a thermometer, but there are hacks for this if you don’t have a thermometer like using a grain of rice, a popcorn kernel or a wooden spoon. I sometimes just drop a small piece of what I’m cooking in the oil and wait for it to go start jumping and popping before I put the rest in, but that’s very imprecise. You should watch for a nice caramel brown color to develop on the tempeh as you’re frying it. Absolutely do not continue to fry it past the point where sizzling occurs, upon which point it will begin to dramatically absorb oil and burn, making a charred greasy mess.

If you suck at it: I’m not a good deep fry cook. I hate using oil thermometers and splattering oil. If there is a way to make a mess, I will. I’ve burned a lot of things trying to fry them. If that’s you, buy an electric deep fryer. They’re cheap and everything comes out perfectly. That’s what I did and I’ve been kicking myself ever since for not doing it sooner. You should read the instructions carefully for safety.

Ingredients:

8oz (1 package) lightlife flax tempeh

Oil for frying (the amount will vary based on your cooking apparatus, it should completely immerse the tempeh)

salt to taste

Instructions:

Either slice or grate the tempeh based on your hashbrown preference and deep fry until caramel brown as in the picture. Remove from oil, blot with a paper towel and salt generously.

Nurtition in 8oz lightlife flax tempeh:

427 calories

18.7g fat

24g total carbs

18.7g fiber

5.3 g net carbs

40g protein

calories/fat from frying will vary, but frying properly and blotting carefully will minimize added calories/fat.