A restaurant favorite, coconut shrimp is sweet, crunchy and almost always deep-fried—hence its deliciousness. Next time you’re tempted to order it, consider this: ONE coconut shrimp contains 126 calories and over 7 grams of fat. Mathematically speaking, that means more than 50% of the calories come from fat. And when was the last time you ate just one shrimp? Here’s the deal: ALL of the fat comes from the batter and frying process because shrimp is virtually fat-free by nature.
Since I realize people adore the dish, I developed a fabulous coconut shrimp recipe with only four ingredients (plus salt and pepper). You’ll be amazed at the amount of flavor you get from just four ingredients. Tangy buttermilk tenderizes succulent shrimp while acting as the “glue” for the coconut crust. I also add whole-wheat Saltine crackers for that “fried”, crispy exterior. As the little crustaceans bake in the oven, the coconut becomes golden brown and develops a subtle nuttiness, the perfect contrast for the buttermilk. The best part? You can enjoy eight of these gems for just 196 calories and 5 grams of fat.
Read more »
For years my culinary students have told me how much they love shrimp. They’re pretty surprised when I tell them that these crustaceans are not only delicious, but good for you too! Here’s why we love shrimp and how you can too.
Shrimp Facts
90% of the shrimp Americans consume is imported from countries in the Central and South America and Asia-Pacific regions. The hundreds of species of shrimp are typically divided into 2 basic categories: warm-water and cold-water shrimp. The rule of thumb is the colder the water, the smaller and juicier the shrimp.
Shrimp ranges in hue from deep red to pink to grayish-white to yellow and even dark green. When cooked, most shrimp shells change color due to a heat-induced chemical change.
You can buy shrimp according to their size—usually you’ll find that larger shrimp cost a prettier penny. Colossal shrimp usually come 10 or less per pound, jumbo 11-15 per pound, extra-large 16-20 per pound, large 21-30 per pound, medium 31-35 per pound, small 36-45 per pound and miniature about 100 per pound. Of course, these numbers can vary from region to region. As a general rule, one pound of whole, raw shrimp yields ½ to ¾ pound of cooked meat.
Shrimp is available all year round. They can be found in various forms at your local market such as shelled or unshelled, cooked or raw and fresh or frozen.
Read more »
- Tilapia is a low-mercury, low-cost fish with a very mild flavor.
Recommendations for eating seafood can be confusing. Fish can be a low-calorie and heart-healthy choice and the omega-3 rich fish have additional health-protecting benefits. On the other hand, some seafood contains mercury, which can be harmful in large amounts. There are plenty of seafood options with little or no mercury. Here are some fabulous options.
Tilapia
Tilapia is mild, tender and super budget-friendly. According the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, American farm-raised tilapia is the most sustainable choice.
Recipes:
Baked Tilapia
Broiled Tilapia With Horseradish and Herb-Spiked Mayo
Read more »
- Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Don’t you love walking in the door after a long day and dinner is waiting? It’s that easy when you put your slow cooker to work. Whip out this under-appreciated kitchen appliance and try these 5 mouth-watering dishes.
5 super-simple slow cooker dinners »
In this week’s nutrition news: A new study shows that weight loss may reverse artery clogging, shrimp allergy findings and restaurants are dropping pricey tomatoes from their menus.
Read more »
Every week we post healthy eating ideas from our readers, and every week our readers come back with even more tasty suggestions. On this week’s menu: roasted shrimp, salmon wraps, and whole-grain pasta to fool the pickiest eaters.
Hungry for more great comments? Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Read more »
Three ounces of shrimp only contains 84 calories and 1 gram of fat and comes packed with selenium and energy-boosting B-vitamins. As long as you keep portions under control (and forgo the frying), there’s no need to stress about the cholesterol. Shrimp lovers, try these five recipes.
Get the recipes »
Just because they call it “Fat Tuesday” doesn’t mean you need to interpret that literally. Celebrate Mardi Gras tomorrow with Southern-style dishes but leave the sticks of butter, mounds of meat and gobs of heavy cream off the shopping list. These healthy picks will make your mouth water.
Get the recipes »
Doctors and other health experts used to warn folks away from clams, shrimp, crab and other shellfish because they were too high in cholesterol. Turns out that shellfish can still be a tasty part of a heart-healthy diet.
Read more »
When I first started cooking, the biggest challenge I faced was figuring out flavor profiles (that is, the balance of flavors in one dish). I especially had to master deciphering which herbs and spices would complement each other in a well-rounded dish. Over time, I discovered that when I associate certain flavors with specific cuisines, I could more easily create a successful recipe and not be intimidated by mixing herbs and spices.
Learning this concept has been integral to my healthier cooking because a low-cal dish’s flavorful heart comes from its seasoning. To introduce you to some new flavor profiles, I’m focusing a series of blogs on different international cuisines. This way, next time you reach into the spice cabinet, you’ll feel more comfortable with the flavors looking back at you.
To kick it off, let’s sample Greece, where I spent two weeks last summer creating great memories and even better food! I fell in love with the taste of the Mediterranean because the area’s flavors are vibrant and naturally healthy.
Read more & get recipes »
