Recipe Makeovers: Do they curve your cravings?

In almost all of the food magazines I've read in the past several years, I have come across at least one "recipe makeover" article in each of them. These are the type of recipes where they take your favorite high fat, high sodium, high sugar concoction and try to make it healthier but still taste just the same. Personally, I get very excited when I see these articles. This probably comes from my undeniable weakness for foods that I shouldn't be eating very much of, like fettucine alfredo, wings, french fries, and mac and cheese. The list goes on and on and on. . . .

I'm also a married woman, cooking for my husband who rarely enjoys eating the boring "grilled-chicken-steamed-veggies-brown-rice" combo that I would prefer we eat. So I have to get creative with my dinner, and sometimes these recipe makeovers do work. Take for instance, Food Network's Baked Fish and Chips recipe from the Magazine (which I really am starting to love). Zach loves fish and chips, so I thought I would try this one out a couple months ago. We LOVED it. Not the same as your typical fish and chips, but still very tasty. I made it again a couple nights ago for Zach and my brother. Here is the final product.As you can see, I added a side of lightly dressed greens to add some veggies to the whole mix. If you check out the recipe, the fish is dipped in egg whites then coated in panko crumbs. I dredged the cod fillet pieces in flour first, then egg white, then panko. I found that this really helps keep the panko from falling off the fish during baking.

The fries are russet potatoes cut thinly, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with cayenne and salt. I tried to use as little oil and salt to cut the fat and sodium. Both the fish and the fries are baked at a high temperature (450 degrees) to help give them a crispy texture. I really liked their tip for preheating the baking sheet for the fries before you place the fries in the oven. This helps them get an extra crisp on them.

I think what we like most about this meal, however, is the crispiness of the fish. The panko actually makes this version crispier than the fried version of fish and chips. Don't get me wrong, it does taste different than the original, BUT you are saving a lot of saturated fat in the process. And you wont feel as bad about your dinner the next day

But does this meal satisfy our craving for the real fish and chip greasy goodness? Maybe and maybe not. Personally, I could go a long time without eating fish and chips, but that's probably not true with Zach. I will say that this recipe gives me a reason to make fish and chips at home, because this recipe is actually less scary than the fried version. The idea of frying in my kitchen seems like a lot of work, too. You have to have a good amount of oil on hand, and you have to worry about spatters, hot oil, and grease fires. Not really how I want to spend a relaxing Wednesday evening.

BUT if the taste of the "makeover meal" is really that different than the original food you were craving, is it even worth it to make the less fat version? In some cases yes. I would bet that the next time we go to a pub, Zach might not feel like he "needs" that big plate of fried fish and french fries. If I make this, then maybe I wont order the mac and cheese at James Gate the next time I want some good comfort food.

But in other cases, I totally recommend you go for the real thing. It depends on your tastes too. For example, I am perfectly fine subbing a real beef patty for a black bean burger at a restaurant at a great burger joint. But others might really be craving that beef patty taste. If it's going to cure your craving, and keep you from going crazy then go for it. Just remember. . . In moderation. Maybe cut the burger in half and take the rest home. Or get a salad on the side instead of the french fries. And dont beat yourself up about it. You had the meal. You enjoyed it. Now get back on track

How do you feel about "recipe makeovers"? Do you have any great ones that taste just like the real thing? Let me know!

Also, here are some links to makeovers I want to try soon:

Hot artichoke spinach dip

Chicken Zucchini Alfredo

New England Clam Chowder

Hamburger Buddy --if this tastes anything like Hamburger Helper, I will be happy =)

Boneless Buffalo Wings