The Fry Alternative — Baked Veggies

The American french fry — yes, writing that intro. seemed a little strange, but let’s be honest, it’s an All-American food — is a popular side item for lunch and dinner. But recently, the fry has been getting a bit of flack here at Culinary.

In fact, one of our coworkers informed us that she has — brace yourselves — taken a stance against the french fry. Why you ask? Quite simply, she realized she was eating fries, without actually craving them. She merely ordered them, because they were an option, rather then really enjoying them. Instead, she decided she wanted to find healthier options.

Her explanation got me thinking about how many Americans simply order fries, because they’re well, everywhere. Don’t worry, I’m not stepping onto a soapbox here. Rather, I decided to round up flavorful fry replacement recipes and post some here for any and all that want more options.

Here is one recipe that doesn’t require frying:

Baked Zucchini Sticks from Eat-Yourself-Skinny.com

Blogger Kelly of  Eat Yourself Skinny offers several options to replace the fry at your table. In addition, Kelly provides the calorie counts for her meals, which is always appreciated by those watching their waistline.

Here are the ingredients for this easy, flavorful and healthier side dish:

_____   Non stick cooking spray
3           tablespoons Italian bread crumbs
2           tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1           egg white
1           teaspoon fat-free milk
2           large zucchini, cut lengthwise and in half
1/3        cup pasta sauce, warmed

Preheat oven to 400°. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray; set aside.

Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan in shallow dish. Combine egg white and milk in separate dish; beat with fork until well blended.

Dip each zucchini stick first into crumb mixture, then into egg white mixture, allowing excess to drip back into dish. Roll again in crumb mixture to coat.

Place zucchini sticks on prepared baking sheet; spray with cooking spray. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with warmed pasta sauce.

 

For those of you who prefer the onion ring to the fry, Eat Yourself Skinny has you covered with the Baked Onion Rings recipe. With only 74 calories per serving, you can enjoy this flavorful appetizer or side item, without the guilt of its fried counterpart.

 

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