Sunday, October 23, 2011

Skinny Oven Fries

I got this recipe over 20 years ago when I worked at Los Alamos National Lab in New Mexico and threw out anything that had ANY fat in it out my front door. I was obsessed with being as thin as I could be and was convinced that all fat was bad. Don't let that concept throw you off from trying this recipe. These "fries" are spicy, crunchy, fill the need for carbs and I make it at least two times per month. It's a good and healthy recipe. Tonight I am using Sweet Potatoes, but you can use the regular ones if you'd rather and even add different spices to suit your taste. (I love vinegar and salt chips and would love to hear from anyone trying this...)

The recipe comes from "Simply Colorado, published by Colorado Dietetic Association 6930 South Bemis Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120."....It would be well worth your while to call and get this cookbook! It's loaded with healthy, really tasty recipes.

This is what you need:


2 tsp. Parmesan cheese, finely grates
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
4 large potatoes
1/8 c. olive oil

Preheat the oven to 350. Mix the seasonings. Cut the potatoes into 8 wedges, toss in oil, Place on baking sheet, sprinkle with seasoning mix, turn and sprinkle the other side. Bake until soft when pricked with a fork For crisp fries....bake 1 hour.

You won't b sorry you tried this recipe!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

My Big Fat Greek Yogurt!

I learned something new at my Weight Watchers meeting today that I want to sing from the rooftops and share with the world about making your very own Greek Yogurt (which has become all the fad).

Greek yogurt is touted as totally decadent and loaded with fat and really not at all calorie-conscious--but completely yummy. Of course, something this good is also expensive, but it need not be if you make your own which is simple enough. It's so simple that I am aghast at how easy the process is.

We love Greek yogurt because it is more dense and flavorful. The whey that is extracted should be saved and used in smoothies, cooked in oatmeal or any other recipe that calls for a liquid. The whey that is extracted is pure protein and worth using, so don't throw it out! Here's what you need and do:

1 fine wire mesh sieve (a strainer!)
1 coffee filter
1 container of non-fat yogurt (any flavor...plain or otherwise)
1 large bowl to catch the whey protein

Place your sieve over a large bowl. Insert a coffee filter into the sieve, dump the yogurt into the coffee filter and allow the whey to pass through. It might take an hour or so.

Save the whey, which looks like a liquid at the bottom of the big bowl.

Now transfer your "Greek Yogurt" into a container and store in the fridge--it's ready to use.