Showing posts with label snack.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snack.. Show all posts

Friday, May 5, 2017

Quick Fish Tacos; semi-homemade



It is Cinco de Mayo today!!! Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over the French forces at the Battle of  Puebla.  It is celebrated with great pomp in this part of the world. This was just a reason for me to make Tacos. Everyone in my home loves tacos; any kind! We love vegetarian tacos, bean tacos, fish tacos, chicken tacos.. You name it, we like it; except the ones with meat in it. You see we don't eat meat.





Tacos are nothing but some kind of vegetarian or meat filling in the middle of a small tortilla ( roti) that is usually topped with lettuce/shredded cabbage, onion, sour cream, taco sauce and shredded cheese. When I make tacos at home, I make it healthy by switching the sour cream with Greek yogurt and using low fat shredded cheese. I sometimes skip the cheese in mine altogether. I also substitute lettuce with shredded cabbage. I also sometimes top it with baked butternut squash. You can make a vegetarian version using just butternut squash and the shredded lettuce and sauces.





Tacos are perfect for weeknight dinners when you don't have much time or patience and want to rustle something quick and easy. You can serve it with guacamole , any kind of salsa,  pico de gallo or salsa verde if you wish.




I often keep some organic, least processed breaded fish fillets in my freezer for quick use. I also almost always have some organic corn tortilla in my refrigerator handy.
Today, I am sharing with you one of my easy, quick to rustle taco recipes. 





I am bringing this to all my friends at Angie's Fiesta Friday!!   Monika @ Everyday Healthy Recipes and Sue @ Birgerbird are the co-hosts this weekend!

Servings: 2 ( 2 per person)



Prep time: 5-10 minsCook time: 15-20 minsTotal time: 20-30 mins



Ingredients:


Corn tortillas: 4 (in number )
Breaded fish stick or fish fillets: 4 in number
Greek yogurt: 1/2 cup ( may not need all)
Chopped onion: 1/4 cup
Shredded cabbage: 1/2 cup
Taco sauce: 1/4 cup ( may not need all)
Shredded low fat Mexican blend cheese: 1/2 cup ( may not need all)
Roasted butternut squash cubes: 1 cup ( may not need all), ( optional)

Method:


Cook the breaded fish sticks in the oven or the microwave as per the instructions on the package and keep ready.




If you wish to add roasted  butternut squash(optional), roast it in the oven in a single layer at 350 degrees for 30mins. Keep ready.



When the fish is cooking, finely shred /chop the cabbage/lettuce and keep ready.

Assembling the tacos:


Warm up the corn tortilla on a griddle or for 10 seconds in the microwave.  



Place the tortilla on the serving plate.


Apply a layer of Greek yogurt. 




Now, place one piece of cooked breaded fish. 



Top it with 1/2 tsp chopped onion, 1 tbsp shredded cabbage and 1 tbsp shredded cheese.





If using roasted butternut squash, add it to the taco before the cheese.


Drizzle taco sauce on top.





Do the same with all 4 tacos.

Serve
 it with guacamole , any kind of salsa,  pico de gallo or salsa verde if you wish. Eat immediately.

Cooking made easy:

Tacos are usually assembled by the individual who is eating it. Tacos made ahead of time becomes soggy.

Tip for healthy living:


Tacos can be made gluten free by using corn tortillas. You can totally skip the yogurt and shredded cheese and make it vegan by substituting it with a cabbage slaw.

Food for thought:



Nothing is possible until you do. Maya Angelo


Please do share your thoughts. Your opinion matters!




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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Quick Masala Peanuts ( Spicy pan-roasted peanuts); Diabetes Friendly Thursday


Creating Recipes with a Cause!
I am a proud DFT blogger. 
To learn about DFT, read this link
To view more DFT recipes, Click here!


The greatest joy comes from the simple pleasures of life. For me, one of them is sitting in a relaxed chair in the balcony on cool spring evenings sipping a cup of tea with some light crunchy snacks and some nice soothing music playing in the background. Makes you wistful, doesn't it?  Well, you see we are so busy running around, trying to get things accomplished in the limited amount of time that we have that we forget this important aspect of life. We all need a vacation. But that takes a lot of planning. Drinking a relaxed cup of tea with some delicious healthy snacks  is an achievable goal. It re-energizes and revitalizes me. The healthy snack is achievable too. Today, I am going to share with you one such snack that is super-easy to make, super-delicious and super-healthy.This recipe was graciously shared by my dear sister-in-law, Geetha during my daughter's first birthday party.It was a super-hit! Since then, I have made it many a times and each time, everyone has liked it. My other team -mates from the DFT team have brought along a variety of  healthy snacks too. After all, snacks is the theme for this week's Diabetes Friendly Thursday.



So, what have I brought? Quick Masala Peanuts. It has to be quick, right? If it is not quick, it would never be made in my home! I love to eat but it has to be quick, tasty and nutritious. Peanuts as you are all aware is very healthy and delicious. Who doesn't like peanuts. In fact, in India, it is referred to as a poor  man's almonds. This is said not with the intention of belittling either the peanuts or poor people; rather it emphasizes the nutritional value of peanuts. It is as rich in proteins as almonds and affordable to all. One doesn't have to break the bank to eat peanuts.To learn more about peanuts, read the foot notes ( tip for healthy living).



The recipe I am sharing today adds a mouthful of flavors to the regular peanuts. It has a little tang, a little kick, lots of flavor .. Well, what more does one need?? Isn't it perfect to munch on while reading a book, watching t.v or a movie , studying or how about with a cup of tea or coffee? I have used plain unsalted roasted peanuts. You can use the unroasted ones too but it will take you a little bit longer to make it as you have to roast the peanuts first.



Servings: 3 cups ( Recommended daily serving per person: 1 ounce/ one handful per day).


Ingredients:


Unsalted roasted peanuts: 3 cups
Olive oil: 1/2 tbsp ( any cooking oil can be used).
Onion: 1 very small onion, chopped very fine.
Garlic: 2 small cloves, minced
Red chilli powder: 1/2 tsp
Amchur powder: 1/4 tsp
Salt: 1/2 tsp
Coriander leaves ( cilantro), chopped: 1 tbsp


Method:


Heat oil in a sauté pan/ frying pan. Add the finely chopped onion and garlic and sauté on low heat until it is golden brown. 

Add the chilli powder and sauté  for a few seconds. 

Add the peanuts and sauté for 2 mins. 

Add in the salt and amchur powders and mix well. 

Turn off the flame and mix in the chopped cilantro. You may reserve some for garnishing.

Serve immediately. If you are not intending to use immediately, do not add the cilantro leaves. Add the cilantro leaves just before serving.



Stays fresh in an airtight container for 1-2 days.

Enjoy!



Cooking made  easy:


If you are using unroasted peanuts, dry roast them first separately in the pan for a few minutes until they are crunchy. Keep it aside on a plate while you are sauteing the onions etc.. Once you are done, add the peanuts back into the pan.


Foot Notes (Tip for healthy living):


Peanuts make for a great healthy snack for diabetics.Peanuts are both low glycemic index(13) and low glycemic load food. The presence of healthy oil, protien and fiber in peanuts helps control the blood sugar levels in both healthy individuals and those with Type 2 diabetes.It is however a energy rich snack with 567 calories per 100gms and contains healthy fats like MUFA, especially Oleic acid. Studies have shown that MUFAs may have a role in preventing coronary heart disease.Peanuts are one of the best sources of plant-based protiens .Peanuts are rich in anti-oxidants and the bio-availability of the antioxidants is increased by roasting or boiling peanuts.Peanuts are also rich in vitamin E and the B-complex group.It is also rich in minerals like manganese, copper, magnesium,potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and selenium.Peanuts apparently also help reduce inflammation in the body.

Disclaimer:
I am not a nutritionist or dietitian. My knowledge and information is based on my research and reading from different resources. Please consult your doctor or dietitian before making any changes to your diet.


Other Entries from this week DFT featuring more Dry Snacks!



Prachi's ultimate multi-grain mathris.










Food for thought:


Imagination is more important than knowledge. Sylvia Plath