Skip The Take-Out

A crazy day of work and running errands can lead to a resentful trip to a drive-thru. Don’t do it!  I know it can be very tempting when we have a busy day, especially when the delightful smell of french fries comes wafting through our car window. We try to reason with ourselves that one stop is not a big deal. Sometimes we even feel like we deserve it after a hectic day, however one takeout meal can have enough calories, fat and sodium to undo a week of going to the gym and eating healthy. The average number of calories in a fast food meal is 836, according to an article in USA Today. Many believe this to be an underestimate. It would be nice if we could live off pizza and fries, but we can’t. Instead try to make these traditionally unhealthy fast foods at home. You can even prep them in advance to save time. Get your fix without the fat with these tasty fast food substitutes.

pizza and chicken fingers

Tuscan Pizza with a Zucchini Crust

Zucchini Crust

• 8 cups shredded zucchini
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2/3 cup almond flour
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 3 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 tsp salt

Toppings

• 8 oz Fresh mozzarella
• 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast grilled and chopped
• Fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon fresh diced garlic
• 2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
• 1 tablespoon diced roasted red peppers.

1. Preheat oven to 475°
2. In a large bowl, toss the zucchini with 1 teaspoon salt and set aside for 15 minutes. Squeeze the excess moisture out of the squash by wrapping it up in cheese cloth and wringing it out.
3. Then place the shredded zucchini back into the bowl and add the cheddar cheese, flour, garlic, oregano, basil, eggs, and salt.
4. Mix all of the ingredients together.
5. Using your fingers, spread the zucchini crust mixture to form a circle about 12” in diameter, 1/4” thick. Pinch the edges up so that it forms a crust.
6. Place shaped pizza crust on a well oiled cast iron pizza pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden and crispy.
7. Once the crust is to your liking, remove pan from oven.
8. Spread your tomato paste on crust and top with garlic. Then place fresh mozzarella, chicken and red peppers on top.
9. Once the toppings are on, place the pizza pan back into the oven for 10 more minutes. 
10. When done top with Romano and fresh basil.

Chicken Fingers

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 5 teaspoons canola oil
• Ranch dressing seasoning packet
• 1 pound chicken tenders
• Hot sauce ( optional)
• Light ranch dressing ( optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with oil.
2. Mix all-purpose flour with 1/4 teaspoon salt and garlic powder in a shallow dish.
3. Beat eggs in a second shallow dish. Set next to the flour.
4. Stir breadcrumbs, ranch packet and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a third shallow dish. Drizzle oil over the breadcrumb mixture and then mix thoroughly with a fork until all of the oil and spice coats the breadcrumbs.  Set to the side of the egg mixture.
5. Dip a chicken tender in the flour mixture, turning to coat completely. Dip into the eggs, coating completely.  Press into the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure it’s coated completely. Set on the prepared baking sheet. Continue with the remaining tenders.
6. Put the baking sheet of breaded tenders into the oven and bake until the chicken is cooked through, around 25 minutes.
7. Serve with hot sauce and light ranch (optional)

burger and fries

Balsamic Glazed Turkey Burger Sliders 

• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup red onion diced
• 1 egg yolk
• 6 slices of whole grain bread, toasted
• condiments (optional)

1. Mix all the ingredients well with your hands (minus the bread).
2. Heat a large skillet with some oil in it. Cook the burger for roughly 5 minutes on each side, or until it’s fully cooked.
3. Cut bread slices in fours.
4. Make a mini sandwich with two bread pieces and burgers
5. Top with whatever condiments you like.

Makes 12 mini burgers

Honey Sweet Potato Fries

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch long slices, then 1/4 -inch wide inch strips.
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tablespoons organic honey

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl toss sweet potatoes with olive oil. Bake until sweet potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes.
3. Once out of the oven drizzle honey on them.
4. Let cool 5 minutes then serve.