Cookbook Review: Fast Food Fix

Fast Food Fix - 75 Amazing Recipe Makeovers of Your Fast Food
Restaurant Favorites
  Devin Alexander
  ISBN: 1594863105 Paper Back 2006
  Photos: No
  
  Devin Alexander has a show on Discovery Health called Healthy
Decadence, which comes on Thursdays at 4 and 4:30 PM EST. She is also the
author of The Biggest Loser Cookbook. I've been wanting to take a look at
this book since I saw her mention it on her show. I recently checked it
our at our library. Sarita and I found several recipes we wanted to
try.
  
  The first ones we made were - Fatburger: Turkeyburger (for Sarita and
I), Wendy's Big Bacon Classic (for Andrew) and Popeye's: Cajun
Battered Fries. Next we tried Wendy's: Spicy Chicken Fillet. This is one of
Dexter's favorites. We though the turkey burgers were very similar in
taste to the ones we had at Fat Burgers while in CA. They were much less
greasy though, which suited me just fine. We both enjoyed the fries and
I thought they were also similar in taste to the ones I've had at
Popeye's. Andrew enjoyed his burger as well. The Wendy's Spicy Chicken
Fillet was really good, even Dexter enjoyed it (made one for his 2:30 PM
"breakfast" before he left for work). He didn't think it tasted much like
the original but said he liked it. I agree it wasn't a lot like it
taste wise but it was good and I'll make them again.
  
  There are quiet a few more recipes we hope to try from this one and
now I want a copy of my own. I finally earned enough Gather points for a
$50 Border's Card so I know at least one thing I want. LOL
  Nutritional information is included for all recipes. In the first chapter she
tells you how she choose the recipes for the book and how she came up with
the healthier versions. I enjoyed reading this section as well as what
she wrote about each recipe.
  
  In addition to the three places I've already mentioned she includes
recipes from: McDonald's, Burger King, In and Out Burger, White Castle,
Jack in the Box, Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Back Yard Burger, Tommy's,
Arby's, KFC, Churches Chicken, Chick-Fil-A, Long John Silvers, Subway,
Sonic, Steak'n Shake, Blimpie, Del Taco, El Pollo Loco, Pizza Hut, Domino's,
Sbarro, Papa John's, Taco Bell, Dunkin' Donuts, Cinnabon, Starbucks
and Dairy Queen.
  
  She includes Drive thru tips which are time savers, and Even Better
tips which save more calories and use even less fat. Most recipes make
only one serving but are easy to double or triple or what ever to make
as many as you need for your family. She also uses a clock symbol to
denote which recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less and there are 58 of
those. There is also a Stop sign to indicate things you need to know
before you start a recipe. She not only includes the nutritional
information for her remake of the recipe but also for the original so you can
compare the difference. The recipes in this book are easy to follow and
prepare and would be great for beginning cooks.
  
  If you're trying to eat healthy but are having a fast food craving
then this is the book for you.
  
  Wendy's Spicy Chicken Fillet
  You save 107 calories, 11 g fat, 2.5 g sat fat compared to the
original
  
  makes 1
  
  1 teaspoon unbleached or all-purpose flour
  1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
  1/4 teaspoon paprika
  1/4 teaspoon salt
  pinch of garlic powder
  pinch of turmeric
  3 ounces boneless, skinless, chicken breast, pounded 1/3 inch thick
  olive oil spray
  1 egg white
  1 teaspoon fat-free milk
  3 1/2 tablespoons panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
  ground black pepper
  1 Kaiser style hamburger bun (about 4 inches)
  1 leaf romaine lettuce
  1 slice tomato (1/4 inch thick)
  1/2 tablespoon light mayonnaise
  
  In a small resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, cornstarch,
paprika, cayenne, salt, garlic powder, and turmeric. Shake to mix well.
Add the chicken. Shake to completely coat the chicken. Place in the
refrigerator for at least 10 minutes.
  
  Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly mist a non-stick baking
sheet with the oil spray. Set aside.
  
  In a small shallow bowl combine the egg white and the milk. Beat with
a fork until smooth. Place the panko on a small sheet of waxed paper
set next to the egg white mixture.
  
  Dip the chicken in the egg white mixture being sure to coat
completely. Allow any excess to drip off. Dip into panko to coat completely.
Repeat dipping into the egg white and panko. Place on the baking sheet and
lightly mist both sides with the olive oil spray. Season both sides to
taste with black pepper.
  
  Bake for 6 to 8 minutes on per side or until the breading is crisp
and no longer pink inside. Meanwhile preheat a non stick skillet over
medium heat . Place the buns, top and bottom, cut sides down into the
skillet and toast for two to three minutes.
  
  Place the bun bottom on a plate and top with the chicken, lettuce and
tomato. Spread the mayonnaise evenly over the bun top. Flip onto the
sandwich.
  
  Makes 1 serving
  303 calories, 31 g protein, 53 g carbs., 8 g fat, 1 g sat. fat,  4 g
fiber
  Original: 510 calories, 29 g protein, 57 carbs, 19 fat, 3.5 sat. fat,
2 g fiber
  
  Drive Thru: The chicken can be breaded up to one day in advance.
Store in airtight plastic container in the refrigerator.