My six-year-old son loves French fries. Every time we go out to eat, that is what he wants. He asked if I could get a fryer to make French fries at home so he could have them “all the time.”
I explained that though they taste good, French fries are not good for you. “They take a big vat of oil, make the oil really hot, and put the fries down in the oil to cook them. When they take the fries out, they have to let the oil drip off. Then they put lots of salt on them.” We talked about why too much fat is not healthy and why foods like French fries should only be treats, not regular fair.
My son’s eyes got big and he didn’t ask for a fryer again.
So this week I bought potatoes when I went to the grocery store. I will make him baked fries. They don’t taste exactly like French fries, but they taste good. They are a great healthy substitute for the fried version.
If you like fried food, try baking your favorites instead. They won’t be exactly the same, but you’ll still get lots of flavor and crunch. Here are some ideas:
French Fries – wash and cut potatoes into wedges. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake on a nonstick sheet at 425 degrees until soft on the inside – prick with fork (20-30 minutes).
Onion Rings – peel and cut a sweet onion into rings. Toss with 2 egg whites (whisk first). Coat with crushed Cornflakes and 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning. Bake on a nonstick sheet at 425 degrees until tender and crispy on the outside (20-30 minutes).
Zucchini Sticks – wash and cut a zucchini into long sticks. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Coat lightly with Italian bread crumbs. Bake on a nonstick sheet at 425 degrees until tender and crispy on the outside (20-30 minutes).
“Fried” Chicken – mix together Cornflake crumbs and half a packet of dry ranch dressing mix. Coat raw chicken tenders in crumbs. Bake on a nonstick sheet at 400 degrees until cooked through (35 -45 minutes).
Make these healthy “fried” favorites for your family and enjoy great taste without the fat.
