Q. When I bake, can I leave out the salt from recipes? I'm trying to reduce the amount of salt in my diet.
A. Yes & No
Yes, when you bake sweet recipes like cakes, tea breads, pies & cookies. You won't miss it!
No when you're baking non sweet yeast breads like white bread, rye and whole wheat. They will taste flat. But you can often reduce the amount of salt by half with still good tasting results.
Q. I LUV grilled cheese sandwiches but not all the fat for frying! I've tried to "dry-fry" my sandwiches in a nonstick pan without any butter but they're not as good. Any ideas?
A. Apple sauce!
Spread the outside of the sandwich very thinly with apple sauce.
"Fry" it (without any butter) in a pan that's been light coated with cooking spray.
The apple sauce will crisp up the bread like butter does but without any fat.
It doesn't matter whether the apple sauce is sweetened or unsweetened... just make sure it's very thinly spread on the bread. If it's too thick, the bread will go soggy instead of getting crispy. Enjoy!!
Q. Hummus seems so healthy but all the ones I find at the grocery store are loaded with fat. Where can I find a fat free version?
A. Right in your own kitchen!
Puree a can or two of your fav beans (rinsed & drained) using the food process or blender. Add a little bit of water to make it the consistency you like. That's it!
Flavor, if desired, with anything & everything - garlic, onion, roasted red peppers – anything!
Add salt & pepper to taste.
FYI .....The best beans to use for this recipe are cannelloni, great northern or black beans. Garbanzo beans (chick peas) that are traditionally used for hummus they don't puree smoothly unless you add fats like tahini and/or oil.
Q. How many fewer calories does light olive oil have than extra virgin olive oil?
A. Calorie reduced foods are often referred to as “light” but when it comes to olive oil, “light” refers to its taste – not calories.
Light olive oil has the same number of calories as extra virgin (about 120 calories per Tablespoon) but “light” olive oil has no olive taste.
In recipes calling for vegetable oil, light olive oil can be used instead and in the same amounts. It’s a great way to add the health benefits of mono-unsaturated fats to your diet.
Q. I like butter on my toast and sandwiches but I have to reduce the amount of saturated fat I eat. Got any ideas?
A. Yes!
How about making your own heart healthier bread spread?
Olive oil adds heart healthy mono-unsaturated fats cutting the amount of saturated fats in half.
Using an electric mixer, whip together equal amounts of butter and light olive oil.
For example – 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) and ½ cup olive oil.
Pack into a crock or other container with a lid. Store in the fridge.
The spread will liquefy and separate at room temp so don’t leave it out too long.
Use as a bread spread or in cooking. Light olive oil has no olive taste but, as a variation, you could use extra virgin olive oil for a pronounced olive taste.
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