Keto Balmoș (Mountain Cheese and Cream Bake)
Mountain Cheese and Cream Bake (Keto Modified Balmoș)
Yes, with a tweak: absolutely no mămăligă (polenta). About 5g net carbs per serving, lower than 7 in 10 Romanian dishes.
What it is
A keto-modified version of the rich Romanian mountain shepherd's dish, traditionally made with polenta. This version focuses on the delicious blend of various local cheeses (like Burduf, Telemea, Caș) melted with plenty of butter and sour cream, served without the high-carb polenta.
Key ingredients
Brânză de burduf (sheep's cheese), telemea (brined cheese), caș (fresh cheese), urdă (whey cheese), smântână (full-fat sour cream), unsalted butter, optional smoked bacon or jumări (cracklings), salt.
How to make it keto
Absolutely no mămăligă (polenta). The restaurant may offer a cauliflower mash instead if available, but the dish is perfectly keto on its own.
Say this to the waiter (Romanian)
Pentru Keto Balmoș, absolut fără mămăligă, vă rog.
For the Keto Balmoș, absolutely no mămăligă, please.
Watch out for
Any form of traditional polenta or high-carb thickeners.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
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