Guilt Free...cheese fries??

So apparently Wednesday is the day that I promise you some sort of recipe...and then somehow run out of time to blog about itJ hahahahhaahhaha...sorry about that!  But at least this one will be worth the wait!

Remember when I promised you decadent & delicious???

But also relatively GUILT FREE???? 

Witness Texas Chili Cheese Fries:

I know what you're saying...."wait a minute, wait a minute...how can chili cheese fries FOR DINNER be guilt free???"  Well, my friends, with a few simple swaps to the most decadent ingredients, you can change this normally fat & calorie laden dish into one that could fit into your healthier lifestyle.  Ready to see how??

Step one:  The fries....

Instead of deep fried calories bombs, these fries were made out of diced white potatoes, drizzled with heart healthy extra virgin olive oil (and a little Montreal Steak Seasoning) and baked at 450 for 40 minutes... 

The result?  Crispy fries straight from the oven...NOT the deep fryer! 

Next up:  The Chili....

Made from lean turkey meat and all of the flavors coming from a combo of chili powder, onions, cumin & Worcestershire...NOT excess fat.  YUM! 

Have I mentioned how much I love Worcestershire??  Any recipe that calls for it just instantly makes me happyJ

And finally:  The cheese sauce...

YES, that ooey gooey cheese sauce can be made on the 'healthier' end of the spectrum by using a combo of 1% milk, fat free chicken broth & low fat cheese!  This sauce was also flavored with some yellow mustard & smoked sea salt.  Again:  tons of flavor without a whole lot of calories & fat!  WIN! 

Oooooooooo Yeahhhhhhh.... 

And how "guilt free" did this taste??  I don't think either of us even had time to think about it, as we inhaled this dish and dreamed of seconds the moment we were done eating.  This one was a definite winner in our house and me thinks you will be a fan too!! 

"Guilt Free" Chili Cheese Fries

Adapted from Rachael Ray

• 2 large Idaho potatoes
• 1 tablespoon of Montreal Steak Seasoning
• 3/4 pounds lean ground turkey breast
• 1 large onion
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder (more or less...use to taste)
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire
• 1 1/2 cups of beef broth
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 3 tablespoons of flour
• 1 cup of 1% milk
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons of yellow mustard
• 2 cups of low fat cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. Dice up the potatoes into long "fry-like" strands and layer of foil-lined cookie sheet.  Drizzle potatoes with extra virgin olive oil & the steak seasoning.  Mix around and top in the oven for 40 minutes, or until crispy, flipping halfway through.
3. While the potatoes are cooking, add the ground turkey to a olive oil drizzled pan.  Break up the meat with the back of a spoon and cook until it's no longer pink. 
4. Add the onion, garlic, cumin & chili powder and let cook for about 5 or 6 minutes or until the onions are soft.
5. Add the tomato pasta, Worcestershire & beef broth.  Bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes.
6. In another small saucepan, melt the butter and then add the flour to cook for 1 minutes.
7. Whisk in the mustard, chicken broth & milk.  Allow the mixture to come to a boil & then let in simmer until thickened, whisking frequently.
8. Once the sauce is thickened, add your shredded cheese & stir until melted.
9. Plate your crispy fries, smother with chili & drizzle with ooey gooey cheese.
10. Enjoy!

So, we got a nice little surprise in Jersey yesterday that we have BARELY seen this winter: SNOW!!!  Not a lot, but enough for me to break out a SUPER cozy dinner recipe last night.  I'll post it tomorrow, as it may come in handy this weekend.  The temperature is suppose to dip into the low 30's this weekend...which has been a rarity in nearly a MONTH!  And we just may see a few more of those pretty, white flakes...fingers crossedJ

Have a good Thursday everyone...and go make those cheese fries!