Eating Out… In
We will forever be indebted to McDonald’s. McDonald’s fries were the first solid food we convinced Connor to taste… and like most children, he loved them instantly! From there, he conceded to try McDonald’s chicken nuggets, and from there chicken breast, ham, ground turkey…. until, at age five, most of the solid foods he will eat are in some way connected to that first McDonald’s Happy Meal.
We have, however, been working hard to trim the excess expenses from our budget and the excess fat and additives from our diet; and so, much to the boys’ dismay, trips to McDonald’s… and their other favorite restaurant: Costco’s Food Court for pizza, have been far less frequent. In hopes of keeping the boys from rioting for their favorite dinners, I set out to find a way for our family to eat out… in. I started by searching for nutritious homemade versions of the boys’ favorite fast foods: chicken nuggets, french fries, and pizza. In the end, I happened upon a couple of tasty, surprisingly nutritious recipes even my picky eaters can’t wait to have again. Tonight, we had popcorn chicken and homemade french fries, the all around family favorite dining out-in recipe to date.
A Homemade Happy Meal of sortsPopcorn chicken, French Fries, and Veggies
Homemade French Fries from potatoes*
based on a recipe from The Sneaky Chef
based on a recipe from The Sneaky Chef
2 large potatoes
1 large egg white
1 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP cornmeal
1 large egg white
1 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP cornmeal
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut each potato into thin french-fry strips, about 1/4″ thick. Toss potatoes with the egg white, evoo, and salt, coating evenly. Sprinkle with cornmeal and spread in a single layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet… make sure they are in a single layer or they will stick together. Bake 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
All in all, the dining out-in program has been a success. The boys still ask to go to McDonald’s at least once a day, but they are easier to appease with the promise of Happy Meals at Home than I would have ever imagined… and the savings are indeed noticeable.
*
Connor just could not believe these french fries were actually made from potatoes! He enjoyed french fries made from potatoes so much that tomorrow he wants to try sweet potato french fries… whether or not he actually eats a sweet potato fry, the fact that he even suggested we make them speaks volumes to how much he loves our homemade fries! And yes, I WILL make them tomorrow night, just in case he will indeed take a taste.