Fruit Tart With Almond Meal Crust - Gluten free - Grain Free - Sugar Free

While I was making my Chicken Sopes the other night, I had some left over sope shells and had this brilliant idea to make fruit tarts. I made a small tweak to the dough recipe and came up with a winner. This dessert is perfect for Summer entertaining. You can make the crust a day or 2 ahead of time and putting this dessert together is a snap. If you eat a clean diet then you will most likely have all of these ingredients in your pantry or fridge.

INGREDIENTS:

• 12 fresh strawberries (medium size) sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 cup Fage Greek Yogurt (you can use fat-free or 2%)
• 5 Packets of Xylitol (or 1 1/4 Tablespoons of Agave Nectar or Honey if sugar isn't a problem) 2 of the packets will be added to the dough recipe, 2 will be added to the yogurt and 1 will be added to the fruit mixture
• Salt to Taste
• 2 cups of Almond Flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 Tbs Olive Oil

INSTRUCTIONS (Fruit Filling):

• Add sliced strawberries, raspberries & blueberries in a bowl
• Add 1 packet of Xylitol
• Toss well to coat and let sit

INSTRUCTIONS (Yogurt Filling):

• Mix yogurt and Xylitol together. If you are not worried about having sugar, then use Agave nectar or Honey to sweeten. Chill in refrigerator until ready to assemble.

INSTRUCTIONS (Tart Shell):

• Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F
• In a medium bowl add the 2 cups of almond flour, 2 eggs, 1 Tbs of Olive Oil & 1/2 teaspoon of salt & 1 - 2 packets of Xylitol. This is a matter of taste. It depends on how sweet you like your crust. Even without the sweetener this crust is good.
• Mix well to incorporate. You will need to form a "dough" ball with your hands.
• If the mixture is too wet add a bit more almond flour
• Form the dough into a 2 1/2" roll
• Form each slice by gently flattening the middle of the tart and pinching the edges up to form a little wall. Each tart should end up being about 3 1/2"
• Lay them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or foil
• Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 - 12 minutes (don't overbake them they will get dry)

Here you can see the prep of the dough. Notice the little raised edge on the tart shell. It is really helpful to use a dough cutter (pictured) to slice and move the tarts around. The almond dough can get very sticky. I also like to work on waxed paper and then transfer them to parchment paper to bake. When you bake the tart shells, they may not actually get golden so don't overbake them. They should be crisp outside and tender inside.



ASSEMBLY is Easy:

• Take a large spoonful of the yogurt mixture and spread it on the tart shell.
• Carefully add a few scoops of the fruit mixture. You can add berries where needed to make them look pretty.
• Top each mound of fruit with a small dollop of yogurt mixture and top with a blueberry

That's it! Enjoy this simple, refreshing dessert without the guilt!

Gluten Free Almond & Flax Meal Crust Pizza

Yes, I know, I seem to be obsessed with pizza, right?  The truth of the matter is simply that I love bread and since I am not really eating it anymore (for now), I find myself wanting pizza.  I think it is a great way to feel like you are cheating when you are not.

For those of you following Jorge Cruise's Belly Fat Cure Fast Track, this is perfect and so Belly Good!

I have posted recipes before for another flax crust pizza and also recently a cauliflower crust pizza.  This recipe is sort of a compilation of what I think worked in each of the recipes.  I substituted about 1/4 of the almond meal with flax meal.  I like the texture and crunch that flax meal lends to the crust.  The almond meal keeps it light!  I know the last time I made this pizza I had thought abut using all almond meal but I find that it doesn't tend to get as crunchy or hold up as well and it is rich.  I must say the crust was really good this time.  Nice crunch and not dry.  You won't choke on this like I have heard some have on other recipes, lol.

Here is the recipe:

Heat oven to 375 degrees F

INGREDIENTS:
Crust:

• 1 1/4 Cups Almond Meal
• 1/2 cup Flax Meal
• 2 Large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 Tbs Coconut Oil
• 1/4  cup Parmesan cheese

Topping it off:

• 1/4 cup Low Sugar Tomato sauce (your favorite brand)
• Granulated Garlic
• Grated Parmesan
• Shredded Cheese (your choice of favorites, mix it up)
• Sliced vegetables: Bell Peppers, Onion, Mushrooms, Jalapenos, Olives, Meats, etc

DIRECTIONS:

• Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl
• Press this dough into a lightly oiled cookie sheet
• Bake at 375 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes until slightly golden
• Add your low sugar sauce as needed
• Sprinkle a bit of Granulated Garlic on top of sauce
• Sprinkle a bit of Grated Parmesan
• Add Toppings - Bell Peppers, Mushrooms, Onions, Jalapenos, Onion, Meats (if desired)
• Add Shredded Cheese of your choice
• Bake again at 375 degrees until cheese is golden and bubbly! About another 13 minutes

Mmm Good! Makes 4 servings -

Coconut Oil - Has Beaten It's "Bad Rap"

I have had several people email me asking if the coconut oil that I consume and that Jorge Cruise uses in some of his recipes is safe to eat.  I will admit that when I first heard about the idea of eating coconut oil it brought on the same concerns I have heard throughout my entire life.  Coconut oil has gotten a bad rap all these years.  It was believed that it would clog up your arteries and cause heart disease.  After all of these years and thanks in part to the vegan community coconut oil has made a huge comeback and the scientific studies are making this natural oil a new healthy fat alternative.
Coconut oil is also great as a moisturizer for your skin and a conditioner for your hair. 
Keep in mind that any fat that is overly consumed can be unhealthful and lead to obesity.  Portion control is always key to a healthy, clean eating lifestyle!

Read this to find out some more amazing benefits of coconut oil!

• Coconut oil is antiviral, antifungal (kills yeast too) and antibacterial. It attacks and kills viruses that have a lipid (fatty) coating, such as herpes, HIV, hepatitis C, the flu, and mononucleosis. It kills the bacteria that cause pneumonia, sore throats, dental cavities, urinary tract infections, meningitis, gonorrhea, food poisoning, pneumonia, and many, many more bacterial infections. It kills the fungus/yeast infections that cause candida, ringworm, athletes foot, thrush, jock itch, diaper rash and more.
• Coconut oil is called the "low fat" fat. It actually acts like a carbohydrate in that it is quickly broken down in the liver and used as quick energy. It is NOT stored like other fats. It boosts one’s energy and endurance. Many athletes use it blended into their drinks. It also supports thyroid function and increases your metabolism (great if you want to lose weight).
• Coconut oil improves digestion and absorption of fat soluble vitamins, minerals (especially calcium and magnesium), and amino acids. It improves the body’s use of blood glucose and improves insulin secretion and absorption (great for type II diabetes). In fact, many diabetics (type I and type II) use it to reduce their symptoms. One’s risk of diabetes decreases with regular use of coconuts and coconut oil. And as we already mentioned, cooking with coconut oil does not create any harmful byproducts.
• Coconut oil helps the body heal and repair faster. It aids and supports immune function, protecting us from a variety of cancers.
• Coconut oil, contrary to much hubbub, is good for your heart. It keeps our blood platelets from sticking together (and causing dangerous clots). Regular users of coconut oils have a much lower chance of atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries), arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and strokes. Coconut oil can lower your blood pressure.
• Coconut oil is a natural antioxidant. It protects the body from free radical damage and prevents premature aging and degenerative diseases.
• Finally, coconut oil is the best massage oil on the planet. What it does to your skin, you simply have to witness. It forms a barrier against infections, softens and moisturizes your skin, and prevents wrinkling, sagging, and age spots. It promotes healthy hair and complexion, protects from any damaging UV rays.

Excerpt from: http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/nutrition/coconut.htm

Here is another great article about coconut oil:
http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

Cauliflower Crust Pizza - Perfect for Jorge Cruise Diet

Finally, a wonderful, healthy alternative to a beloved, fattening, American pastime!  Pizza!  I love it but since I am not eating grains or "white stuff" it can be difficult to come up with tasty ways to enjoy our favorite foods.  I posted a recipe for a terrific flax meal pizza crust.  It is also a delicious recipe but for those who have to watch their flax seed intake or want to eat more vegetables then swapping out the flax seed for cauliflower is the way to go!  Cauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables that one can use in so many unique, flavorful and healthy ways.  More recipes to come soon.

My Version Was Topped with Mushrooms and Golden Peppers!



Photo by Beth from Eat, Drink, Smile

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp crushed garlic
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt (I use Granulated Garlic)
• Olive oil (optional)
• Pizza sauce
• Shredded cheese
• Favorite toppings*

Directions:

To "Rice" the Cauliflower:

1. Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater).
2. Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes (some microwaves are more powerful than others, so you may need to reduce this cooking time). There is no need to add water, as the natural moisture in the cauliflower is enough to cook itself.

One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

To Make the Pizza Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir. Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, pat out into a 9" round. Optional: Brush olive oil over top of mixture to help with browning.
3. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.
4. Remove from oven.
5. To the crust, add sauce, toppings and cheese.
6. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes).

Enjoy!
*Note that toppings need to be precooked since you are only broiling for a few minutes.

Source: Eat. Drink. Smile.
Adapted from Your Lighter Side.

Skinny Brownie - Chocoholic Bliss & Gluten Free

Yes, I am back with another recipe in a mug.  Well, not a mug exactly but a cute ramican.
I am always on the quest for something good and chocolate.  I recently saw a recipe for a 1 minute brownie on happyhealthymama.com.  It sounded great and she had tweaked it from a more fattening recipe to a decent lower calorie and fat dessert. 

I loved the idea but I wanted something that would be a grain free, gluten free chocolate wonder that cooks in only 30 - 40 seconds.
Here is my rendition:

This is pretty darn good.  I had to play around with it a bit, but the end result is super satisfying.

SKINNY BROWNIE

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Tbs. Egg Whites or Egg Substitute
• 1 - 2 tsp. Coconut or Olive Oil (I find a bit more oil makes it more moist)
• 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder (add less if you want a gooier texture)
• 1 Tbs. Cocoa Powder (unsweetened)
• 2 packet of Stevia sweetener (Xylitol can be substituted but will ad 4 more carbs per packet)
• 1 splash of Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 Tbs. of Almond meal (Flax meal can also be used)

DIRECTIONS:

• Add egg whites to mug
• Stir in baking powder with a fork making sure it is fully incorporated
• Add the coconut oil (it will break up and dissolve a bit)
• Add cocoa powder
• Add Stevia & a splash of the Vanilla extract
• Stir in 1/4 cup of Almond Meal
• Microwave for 30 - 40 seconds DON'T OVER COOK!

Some pointers about making the muffin:

• Be sure your baking powder is really fresh (use less, just a pinch if you want a gooey brownie)
• You can use either coconut oil or olive oil
• Add nuts if desired
• If you cut out the Xylitol and just use Stevia you can save a whopping 8 carbs.

CARB & SUGAR INFO: 14 Carbs, 1g Sugar
Almond Meal - 1 carbs, 1 sugar per 1 Tbs. serving
Xylitol - 4 carbs, 0 sugars per serving
Cocoa Powder - 3 carbs, 0 sugars
Egg Whites - 0 carbs, 0 sugars
Baking Powder - 1 carb, 0 sugars
Vanilla Extract - 1 carb, 0.5 sugar
Coconut Oil - 0 carbs

Zucchini Hash Browns - Stay on Track with Jorge Cruise

Whether it's Atkins or Jorge Cruise or just plain simple and clean eating, these little mounds of zucchini goodness will be a welcome treat. If you have cravings for potatoes or starchy things then these "hash browns" made from shredded zucchini will help to conquer those cravings and keep your carb intake down as well!

Zucchini Hash Browns

(From a recipe by Tina T.)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 medium eggs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 dash pepper
• 1 dash salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1  1/2 cups shredded zucchini

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in skillet.
2. Mix together zucchini, slightly beaten eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
3. Drop by spoonfuls into the hot skillet.
4. After browning on one side flip and brown the other side.
5. Note: you can substitute egg whites to lower calorie, cholesterol, and fat counts. (1 egg white is about 3 Tbs)
6. You can also add a bit of shredded onion to the mix if you want them to be more like a potato latke

Week 4, Day 2 The Belly Fat Cure - Jorge Cruise

I transitioned over from The Belly Fat Cure - Fast Track , to Jorge Cruise's Original Belly Fat Cure Program.  The major differene is that you can have some Healthy grains or "Belly Good Carbs".  I am still watching my sugar intake, basically, not really eating any sugar, but I am letting myself have 1 or 2 pieces of fruit a day (when I want). 

Since being on Jorges program I have come to realize that you really don't need to eat all of these processed foods and sugar.  Once your body gets used to not having them, you don't really miss them.  I know if I want to have a piece of "white" bread, or a cookie every now and then, I can, but I find myself not wanting to even go there. 

I have come up with new ways to satisfy my love of chocolate and carbs in a healthy way!

I have lost about 8 1/2 lbs since the start.  The scale stopped moving after the first 2 weeks, but I am stilllosong inched which leads me t believe that some of the original weight loss was what Jorge calls "False Belly Fat Loss" meaning that most of your initial weight loss is water & waste, so I am not discouraged as I know that the decrease in my measurements proves that the 8 1/2 lbs is now actual fat loss.  I'll take it!

Cilantro Pesto Grilled Shrimp - Perfect for Jorge Cruise's Belly Fat Cure

Since I had left over grilled Pasilla Chile Peppers and a nice big bunch of fresh cilantro I decided to make a flavorful low calorie, low carb, low sugar entree.  The result was fabulicious.  Just a few easy steps and some basic ingredients from your pantry and dinner is ready in no time.  With simple clean food like this it is easy to stay on the Fast Track and enjoy what you are eating.

Grilled Cilantro Pesto Shrimp

INGREDIENTS:

•  1 - 1/2 cups of fresh cilantro
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup olive oil
•  Fresh garlic clove to taste (1 or 2)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Juice from a small Lemon & Lime
• Juice from a small Mandarin Orange
• 1/2 chopped jalapeno or Serrano Chile
• 1/2 of a cooked Pasilla Chile chopped
• 30 Med/Lg Raw Shrimp, cleaned and peeled

DIRECTIONS:

•  Add cilantro and garlic to a small food processor and chop finely
• Gradually add in olive oil and watch it emulsify
• Add squeezes of Lemon, Lime & Orange Juices.  A couple of TBS of each should do it.
• Go easy on the orange juice , you don't want it too sweet
• Add in the jalapeno , pasilla , salt & pepper
• Continue processing until it gets thicker.
• Set aside about 1/4 of the marinade as a topping for your shrimp.
• Marinade the shrimp in the remaining marinade for at least 15 minutes or longer
• Grill in a grill pan or skillet until done.
• Remove to a serving dish
• Drizzle remaining Cilantro Pesto sauce over the shrimp.
• Add a squeeze of lime if desired.
• Enjoy!

Beef with Roasted Chiles & Golden Peppers - Fabulicious

I am on Week 3, Day 3 of Jorge Cruise's "The Belly Fat Cure - Fast Track".  I have been having fun coming up with new recipes to satisfy my taste buds and keep my carb & sugar intake lower.  No Problem!  For lunch how about a nice serving of Beef with Roasted Chiles & Golden Peppers?

I roasted these Pasilla Chiles on my indoor grill. They were popping and crackling and they smelled so good!

Some Like It Hot! Jorge's Skinny Muffin Gets Some Flava'

OK, So by now I am sure you have figured out that I tend to obsess over certain things.  Food is one of them.  I am constantly trying to find new ways to make over great recipes.  I love chocolate and on the opposite end, I also love foods that are spicy & sassy!

One of my favorite things to eat is Jalapeno Cheese "Anything".  So why not?  With a few minor adjustments this simple skinny muffin can be any flavor you want.

FABULICIOUS!

Ooh La La, Spice Up My Life!

This muffin cooked up super light and fluffy!  It was also very, very moist!  I used almond meal instead of the flax meal and it had a very nice "corn meal" texture which was perfect for this savory muffin.  I substituted egg whites for the whole egg.

Jalapeno Cheddar Skinny Muffin:

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 Tbs. Egg Whites or 1 Whole Egg
• 1 tsp. Olive Oil
• 1 tsp. Baking Powder
• 2 Tbs Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1 Tbs Sliced Jalapenos, or more (the nacho slices in a can or jar)
• 1/4 cup of Almond meal (Flax meal can also be used)

DIRECTIONS:

• Add egg whites to mug
• Stir in baking powder with a fork making sure it is fully incorporated
• Add the olive oil
• Stir in 1/4 cup of Almond Meal
• Stir in the Cheddar Cheese
• Fold in the Sliced Jalapenos
• Sprinkle a bit of shredded cheddar on the top
• Microwave for 50 - 55 seconds

CARB & SUGAR INFO: 8g Carbs, 0g Sugar
Almond Meal - 6 carbs, 1 sugar per 1/4 cup serving
Cheddar Cheese -  0 carbs, 0 sugars
Jalapenos - 1 carb, 0.5 sugar
Egg Whites - 0 carbs, 0 sugars
Baking Powder - 1 carb, 0 sugars
Olive Oil - 0 carbs, 0 sugars

Week 3, Day 1 Jorge Cruise's The Belly Fat Cure - Fast Track

Relaxation - So Nice!

Today was my off day for exercise!  It was so nice to relax and get some things done that I was falling behind on.  I have been doing well on Jorge Cruise's Belly Fat Cure Program. 

I will continue to follow the Fast Track program but I do plan to add back some of the grains like brown rice, quinoa and oatmeal perhaps 3 times a week in controlled portions to see how things go.

I will also continue to keep my sugar intake at 15g a day or less which is quite a challenge considering that almost everything we eat has some sugar in it.  I will allow myself to have a bit of fruit a couple of days a week to treat myself and my body.

I feel I am getting good results, but I want to be able to live as normal a life as possible and that means not restricting healthy foods forever.

It was my plan to try and balance my hormones and get my sugar under control.  I think it has worked!

Looking forward to a good day at school tomorrow!  We have a NASM Quiz on Program Design for workouts! 

Sometimes A Girl Just Has to Have Chocolate!

Sometimes A Girl Just Has to Have Chocolate, so yes, here I am again with another Jorge Cruise - Skinny Muffin recipe.  I love chocolate and sometimes I just need it, lol.  My son decided to bake chocolate chip cookies tonight.  Oh goodness, now what?  Well, I made my own chocolate chip muffin.  It is perfectly safe and acceptable for Jorge's Belly Fat program. 

SATURDAY NIGHT - GIRL JUST WANTS TO HAVE FUN MUFFIN

 This Skinny Muffin recipe incorporates Almond meal instead of Flax meal for a nice fluffy texture.  By using egg whites intead of a whole egg it offsets some of the fat and calories that the Almond meal adds.  Ghiradelli 86% Cacao & unsweetened coca powder bring home that good chocolate flavor!

Double Chocolate Skinny Muffin:

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 Tbs. Egg Whites
• 1 tsp. Coconut or Olive Oil
• 1 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Cinnamon (ground)
• 1 tsp Cocoa Powder (unsweetened)
• 1 packet of Stevia sweetener (Xylitol can be substituted but will ad 4 more carbs per packet)
• 1 splash of Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 cup of Almond meal (Flax meal can also be used)
• 1/2 of 1 square of Ghiradelli 86% Cacao crumbled into chips.

DIRECTIONS:

• Add egg whites to mug
• Stir in baking powder with a fork making sure it is fully incorporated
• Add the coconut oil (it will break up and dissolve a bit)
• Add cinnamon & cocoa powder
• Add Stevia & a splash of the Vanilla extract
• Stir in 1/4 cup of Almond Meal
• Stir in the crumbles chocolate pieces
• Microwave for 50 - 55 seconds 

Some pointers about making the muffin:

• Be sure your baking powder is really fresh
• Add the egg whites first, then the baking powder and really mix it good to break up the baking powder and mix it well into the egg.
• Add the rest of the ingredients
• Add a dash of Vanilla extract to give it a more homemade taste.
• You can use either coconut oil or olive oil
• Fold in the chocolate pieces last

Yummy Good with a cup of coffee!

CARB & SUGAR INFO: 13.8g Carbs, 2g Sugar
Almond Meal - 6 carbs, 1 sugar per 1/4 cup serving
Xylitol - 4 carbs, 0 sugars
Ghiradelli 86% cacao - 4 carbs, 1.5 sugars
Cocoa Powder - 1 carb, 0 sugars
Cinnamon - 1.8 carbs, 0 sugars
Egg Whites - 0 carbs, 0 sugars
Baking Powder - 1 carb, 0 sugars
Vanilla Extract - 1 carb, 0.5 sugar

Week 2, Day 4 - Jorge Cruise's "The Belly Fat Cure - Fast track"

Today is the 4th day of the 2nd week. I am feeling really great on the program. I wish I could get more sleep, but once again I was up late. I managed to sleep in a little but I really need to work on this.

I am happy to announce that I have lost a little more weight on Jorge's program. I am down another 2 lbs for a total of 8.25 lobs in 2 weeks. I don't have a lot of weight to lose so I am very happy with these results. I know Jorge claims that a person can lose u to 14 lbs in 2 weeks so for me 8.25 lbs is terrific!

I went for another run in my Couch to 5k program this morning. I am in week 2, day 2. It was challenging but i was thrilled to do the run 2 times. I am still feeling tired from it but I also feel victorious!

MEALS:
Meal #1: Jorge Cruise's Skinny Muffin with Blueberries, coffee with sugar free creamer
Snack: no snack
Meal #2:
Snack:
Meal #3:

WATER: 4 glasses

Low Carb - Low Sugar - Pepper & Asparagus Beef

Pepper & Asparagus Beef

I am trying out new ways to stay low carb, low sugar.  Jorge Cruise mentions that bell peppers and Asparagus are super carb foods so I used those and some very lean beef sirloin to create a tasty and healthy dish.

Pepper & Asparagus Beef
(makes 3 - 4 generous servings)

Ingredients:
1 Bell Pepper (or more)
1 Bunch of Asparagus
2 cloves of garlic
Olive Oil (a few Tbs as needed)
6 - 8 ozs of lean, beef sirloin
Salt & pepper to taste
Sriracha hot sauce (optional)

Preparation:

• Slice bell peppers
• Cut asparagus into 1 1/2" pieces
• Slice beef into thin strips
• sprinkle with slat and pepper and set aside

Directions:

• Heat Olive Oil in pan
• Saute bell peppers and Asparagus in oil until they start to soften
• Season with salt and pepper
• Mince or use garlic press and add garlic to the peppers and asparagus
• Add sliced beef to pan and continue to saute until the meat just turns brown outside.  (I like my beef tender and a bit pink inside, if you like it more done, cook a bit longer).  Do not overcook or beef will get tough.
• Stir in a dash of Sriracha hot sauce or your favorite if desired.

So Good!

Jorge Cruise - Zucchini Cheese Fries! A Little Bit of Heaven!

Wow, I just made a recipe from Jorge Cruise's "The Belly fat Cure - Fast Track" called "Zucchini Cheese Fries".  This is Jorge's alternative to french fries.  It was delicious!

These are super easy to make.  I just made 1 Zucchini instead of the 8 - 10 he suggests you use to make 6 - 8 servings.  I found that 1 egg was more than enough for making a single serving.  I also used a combination of grated Parmesan and shredded Parmesan to give it more texture and crunch.

Here is the recipe for a single serving (I only ate half of this myself)

Jorge's Zucchini Cheese Fries for One!

Ingredients:

1 med Zucchini

1 egg

1 pinch of chili powder

handful of shredded Parmesan (or as needed)

handful of grated Parmesan (or as needed)

Olive Oil (just a bit for frying)

Directions:

Wash and slice ends of of the zucchini.  Slice it crosswise to make 2 short pieces, then slice it down the middle and cut each half into halves & cut each of those into halves or 1/3rds again.  The object is to get the zucchini slices to look like fries.  You can make them thicker or thinner for your preference.

• Beat egg with the dash of chili powder. 
• Put Parmesan cheeses on a paper plate.
• Dip each piece of zucchini in egg mixture
• gently roll and press the zucchini into the cheese
• set aside until they are all breaded

Heat oil in a med to large fry pan.  Just enough to put a nice layer on the bottom.

• Fry in the olive oil turning gently on each of their 3 sides until golden brown and softened.
• Drain each "fry" on paper towels.
• Serve immediately or keep in a warm oven.

Mmm.  Good stuff!