So I want to apologize for not posting for awhile. I just haven't felt it to be honest with you. This post I actually started to write about something that is bothering me about my family, but decided it may be considered too personal. Oh, and they might read it XD. So instead I decided to do a little bit of my own Julie & Julia and write about a dinner I made last week.
I was enlightened by two of my co-workers that Taco Bell now serves Shrimp tacos. This is a wonderful option for Friday lunch for those of us who practice the no meat on Fridays during Lent. We started talking and one of them asked me if I thought it was a healthy choice(they know my major is Nutrition Science), I told them I wasn't sure since I didn't know what the nutritional values are. After she looked it up I agreed it was a healthier choice than most of their options but the values are not good, because of the ratio of fat to calories, and the sodium.
That conversation inspired me to create my own a lighter version. So I began my journey. I purchased corn tortillas, peeled Rock shrimp (on sale), fajita seasoning, a Poblano pepper, red onions, Habanero peppers, limes,nice firm avocados,some peaches, and of course some Plantains.
I decided to make a Avocado, peach salsa for the tacos, since I wanted more of a lighter summer feel to the dish. I sauteed the Poblano pepper and red onion w/ a touch of garlic, and also sauteed the shrimp, w/ very little olive oil. I did fry the Plantains, but used olive oil and not much, just enough to coat the pan.
I served the tacos w/o cheese or sour cream. Instead of using sour cream I have figured out that fat free yogurt tastes very similar. I used just a small amount of the fat free yogurt to coat on each of the soft corn tortillas.
The finished product was wonderful, and very flavorful. I wish I had taken a picture to share with you. This was actually a dish that did not take long to make, and by making it myself, I can control the bad fat, good fat, and sodium levels.
Next time I make them I will post a picture.
Hi Magimae, I also practice the no meat on fridays for lent and I have made shrimp and even fish tacos before. I come from a Mexican family so tacos are on the menu many times (my kids love them). You mentioned that your major is nutrition science. I think that many recipes that are high on bad fat and sodium can be modified. I used to weight 226 pounds back in 2003 when my son was born. I wanted to loose weight and I noticed that most Mexican foods are cooked the wrong way, with lots of fat. I modified some recipies. Like you said, substituting sour cream for fat free yogurt, I substituted it with fat free cottage cheese and to fool my husband and kids I pure it in the blender. For the tortilla I have always used corn tortillas (50 calories each). By substituting ingredients in my recipies and doing exercise I lost about 70 pounds.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I have a recommendation for you, when you use poblano peppers try roasting them either in the broiler or directly on the stovetop flame until the skin blackens, put them in a plastic bag so they can sweat for about 15 minutes and peel them (don't rinse them, the flavor will go away). They give your dishes a really good smoky flavor.
Oh my dear Jesus, will one of you come and cook some of this fantastic stuff for me! My stomach is growling for fish sticks! I'll give up everything for lent except love! If you want me to give that up then me and God will have to chat about it first!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jackie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice; I will have to try that next time. There are many cultures and regions where the diets of its people could use some modification. We actually discussed it in my Nutrition planning class last week. I currently reside in FL so there are a lot of southern and Latin/Caribbean influences in the food. It amazes me how people get stuck in the mind set of how to cook, and will not try new options.
To Mark: If I could ship you some of my cooking I would ;0). I have to admit though I did not give up anything except meat on Friday's for Lent this year. I had my gallbladder removed a week before, so I figured I gave enough ;0).