Skinny Onion Rings

 

Your read right. I used the words “skinny” and “onion rings” in the same sentence. You didn’t think it was possible did you? Well, I didn’t either – until I developed my obsession with Panko breadcrumbs. It’s so easy, even I could pull this off.

Yes, sometimes it’s nice to indulge in the deep-fried, battered goodness of fast food onion rings. But it’s also nice to be able to enjoy crispy onion rings without the added artery-clogging fat.

Skinny Onion Rings Recipe

 Ingredients

Olive oil Spray
Panko Breadcrumbs
1 Large Onion, cut into rings 
 

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line a large baking sheet with wax paper
On the baking sheet, spray onions liberally with olive oil spray, on both sides
Dip each onion ring into Panko breadcrumbs, making sure to coat each ring well
Place on the baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes.
Then broil for 5 minutes (or less).

1 Large Onion makes 1 serving.

Nutrition Information – Servings: 1. Calories per serving: 358. Carbs 27g. Fat 28g. Protein 3g. sodium 25g. Sugar 7g.

Diet Diaries: Bunless Turkey Burger

 

As I mentioned in my Grilled Dijon Tilapia post, I’m doing my very best to stick to a low-fat, low-carb, low-sugar diet. Let me tell you, it’s not as easy as it sounds. I did well even on our short weekend trip to New York City. I stuck to my yogurt and made healthful options. It’s just not much fun. Today, I was craving a big fat burger. Instead of giving up on my diet and giving into temptation, I made a small improvisation. Instead of a fat-laden beef burger I made a lean turkey burger, topped it with fat-free American cheese, ditched the bread and swapped starchy potatoes for canned Sauerkraut. I’m one of the few people I know that actually like Sauerkraut – that’s because it’s basically pickled cabbage, or at least that’s what it tastes like to me.

Introducing the Diet Burger. Eat with utensils.

 

 

Bunless Turkey Burger Recipe

Ingredients

1 lb Lean Ground Turkey (6% fat or less)
Onion Powder
Garlic Salt
Fat-free American Cheese
 

Directions

Divide turkey into two heaping burgers. Form into 2 burgers. 
Flatten each burger, sprinkle onion powder and garlic salt to taste. Mix well with your hands, and form into burgers. 
Grill to desired done-ness. 
Place American Cheese on top and melt while on the grill.

Serves 2

Chicken with Tomato Mushroom Sauce

 

Ingredients

1 can Diced Tomatoes
2 Chicken Breasts
1/2 Onion, chopped
1 can Mushrooms
Salt to taste
 

Directions

In a large skillet, pan-sear chicken breast with olive oil until browned. Remove from skillet.
In the same skillet, sauté onions with olive oil until translucent.
Add mushrooms and sauté until tender.
Add 1 can diced tomatoes then add the chicken back into the skillet. Allow the mixture to come to a boil, add salt, cover and reduce heat.
Cook for 20-25 minutes Until done.

Grilled Dijon Tilapia

 

I know I’m not the only one that struggles to maintain a yummy, yet healthy lifestyle. And having a food blog definitely doesn’t help. Although the holidays are really not an ideal time to get started on a diet, I figured if I didn’t start now, I’d put it off until the beginning of the year – like everyone else. Then end up miserable until Spring when – like most people – I’ll realize swimsuit season is creeping up and I still have Holiday weight to lose. It’s an endless cycle. That’s why, no matter how inconvenient it is now, I started.

For anyone that’s been on a restrictive diet (diets that don’t include sweets and carbs, the two things I love most), you know that the first few days are tough. You want to stick to the guidelines but you’re sick of salad and baked chicken with steamed broccoli – or in my case, asparagus. So, despite some limitations, I’m determined to find a way to still be able to cook delicious. I won’t divulge too much about which fad-diet I’m on as of late. I’ll wait until it actually yields results to share with everyone else. In the meantime, I can still cook meals that are just as delicious as full-fat meals and feel much better about myself and my health.

This recipe is so unbelievably easy. Serve with vegetables of choice.

 

 

Grilled Dijon Tilapia Recipe

Ingredients

2 Tilapia Filets
1 tablespoon Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard
Olive oil Spray
 

Directions

Heat your Panini grill, or grill pan
Spread Dijon mustard in a thin layer over both sides of the tilapia filets
Coat the grill with spray olive oil, place fish on grill. Cook until done. If you’re using a grill pan it may take a bit longer – don’t forget to flip the filets over.
Serve with veggies.

Donut Holes

Donut Holes

If you’re in search of a low-fat, low-calorie donut hole recipe, this is not it. But if you’re anything like me, and spend all week trying to fit in workouts and counting your calories on a convenient little iPhone app, then you’re allowed a little indulgence on the weekend. It’s okay, I won’t tell anyone. Just be sure to have a salad for lunch.

 Donut-Holes

Recipe adapted from Rasamalaysia.

 

Donut Holes

Ingredients

  • 1 package Pillsbury Grand Jr. biscuits (contains 10 pieces)
  • Sugar
  • Oil for deep frying

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a frying plan.
  2. Separate each biscuit piece and form round shapes with your hands.
  3. Drop them into the frying pan making sure to brown them without burning them. Turn them over to get all sides.
  4. Remove onto a paper towel-lined plate or bowl (to remove excess oil) dust with sugar and serve.
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Panko Crusted Chicken

 

Panko crumbs have become the new trend lately. I’ve noticed it used more often than the traditional Italian breadcrumbs. For those of you unfamiliar with Panko, it is a thick, flaky Japanese breadcrumb used mostly for frying. The nice thing about Panko is that it’s crunchy even if you don’t fry it.

When my mom started using Panko, I knew I had to get on that bandwagon. So during one of my weekly grocery store escapades I picked up a package. I was so excited to use it in my cooking.

I’ve been trying to make healthier dinners. So instead of frying Panko chicken I decided I was going to “oven fry” it. I have a feeling I won’t be going back to Italian breadcrumbs for a while.

Panko Crusted Chicken

Ingredients

2 Chicken Breasts
Olive Oil Cooking Spray
1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
Italian Seasoning
 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350
Generously spray each chicken breast with Olive Oil Cooking Spray
Dip each oiled chicken breast into the Panko crumbs until well coated
Place in a baking dish, sprinkle with Italian Seasoning
Bake for 23-25 minutes. 
Then, broil for 10-15 minutes (until browned)

Serve with Steamed Asparagus