Many people celebrate Chanukah by enjoying potato latkes, partly because the oil reminds us of the miracle of Chanukah, which is that the oil lasted eight days, instead of the expected one.
This year while trying to keep your commitment to fitness, how about lightening up your latkes? Here is a recipe to help you cut the fat while still partaking in the holiday fare.
Keep your fitness fire burning throughout this holiday season...lighten up your latkes.
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Light Latkes Baked with Carrots & Parsnips
I adapted an old Weight Watcher's Recipe to create these delicious Light Latkes.
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Prep Tiime: 20 min., Cooking Time: 50 min., Yield: 8 servings
3/4 lb. carrots, peeled
3/4 lb. parsnips, peeled (optional)
1 small onion, peeled
3 large egg whites, lightly beaten or 1/3 fat free egg substitute.
1/4 C all-purpose flour or plain dried bread crumbs
2 tsp. chopped fresh or dried thyme
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp coarsely ground black pepper (optional)
Set a rack on a large baking sheet & place in the oven. Preheat to 200°F (or 425°F if you plan to use the bake alternative below).
Coarsely grate the carrots, parsnips & onion into a medium bowl; stir to combine.
Add the egg (whites), flour, thyme, salt & pepper & mix well.
Spray a large non-stick skillet w/non-stick cooking spray & set over medium heat.
Drop the mixture by 1/4 cupfuls into the hot skillet to make 4 mounds. Press each mound into a 3-inch pancake. Cook until browned & cooked through, about 8 min. per side.
Transfer the latkes to the oven & keep warm. Repeat w/remaining mixture.
Yields: 2 latkes per serving.
Baking Alternative
As an alternative, you can bake these in the oven either using a muffin tin or a cookie sheet.
Last night my husband baked them on a cookie sheet making a little potato mound about the size of the palm of your hand & simply baked those in the oven on 425° for 30 or 40 min. After about 15 minutes, we checked them & turned them over to finish cooking. They basically should get golden brown on each side.
Make sure you spray a generous amount of cooking spray first.
Enjoy!
Janice Litvin is a Fitness Educator and can be reached at www.ZumbaContraCosta.com
