Sometimes you want to enjoy your comfort Latin meals, but they can be a little too much to consume. Here are some great healthy alternatives to those meals you love.
1. Empanadas
Empanadas are one of the delicious staples you expect when you think of Latin cuisine. However, the grease from frying these empanadas can be seen as unhealthy. A healthy alternative is to bake these empanadas, rather than fry them. Another alternative can be using olive oil instead of butter in the dough, which will cut back on fat. A great recipe for baking empanadas can be found in a past article of ours on Gaby Melian.
2. Red Quinoa con Pollo
Everyone loves chicken and rice. It’s a classic meal used in countless Latin recipes. However, the carbs from white rice can be a lot for some. While you could use brown rice as a healthier alternative, you could also use quinoa, which is a whole grain packed with protein, fiber, and iron. Here is a great recipe made by Chef/Television Personality Angelo Sosa and Radio/Television Personality Angie Martinez.
3. Lentil Soup with Spiralized Turnips
Lentil soup is a comfort food for many. While it is not necessarily unhealthy, a way to make it healthier is by adding spiralized veggies. Cookbook Author Ali Maffucci has created this recipe showing that you can be healthy and creative when cooking these meals. Adding these vegetables can reinvent a comfort soup into a new way. Check out the recipe here. Take a look at some of her other recipes in her cookbook “Inspiralized.” For a great recipe on Lentil Soup, check out our article, Five Easy-To-Make Recipes.
4. Slow Cooker Turkey Burritos
Any latino can appreciate a good burrito. However, the traditional ground beef put into a burrito can not be very healthy, being high in sodium. An alternative to this is using ground turkey instead. Additionally using a slow cooker is healthier than frying your meat, taking out all the grease. While this takes longer to make, it is healthier and still extremely tasty. Take a look at the recipe here.
You should not have to sacrifice your taste buds when concerned about your health. Enjoy these healthy alternatives to Latin foods you enjoy!
