Zucchini fries. Not even close to a french fry. Much more succulent. Almost hollow with a tender bite of deliciousness. While these babies are fried in a lot of oil, they are still filled with protien (lots of nuts, coconut flour), and the perfect snack when you want chips or fries, but, like me, can’t eat either!
And, if you are wondering how something fried can be “healthy”, well, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and all of life, there is yin and yang. Heavy and light. So, a little fry mixed with some raw or light (maybe a veggie soup, grilled fish, etc) is perfectly fine in my worldview! These guys are low-carb, and Paleo, gluten-free and SCD friendly as well.
I started with a bag of mini-zucchini from Trader Joes. You can use bigger zucchini, just cut them in half to make the pieces smaller and then slice them into strips a bit bigger than matchsticks. This will accomodate about a pound (3 medium) zucchini or about a pound of baby zucchini. If you use baby zucchini, its a lot faster and less cutting, plus they are adorable and sweeter!
***note: you can make breaded cauliflower that is off-the-hook with exactly the same method as described below!***
Zucchini Fries
1 lb baby zucchini with the stems removed and then cut lengthwise. (or about 3 medium-sized zucchini cut as described above ( sliced in half to create two ends of zucchini, and then into strips lengthwise to create “fries”) You want the pieces small enough to look like fries and to fry easily.
peanut oil, canola oil or another high temp oil (do not use extra virgin olive oil!) to fry.
coconut flour (about 1/2 cup). if you do not have coconut flour, you can try using all almond meal, though the coconut flour works great here and does not taste like coconut)
almond meal or almond flour (I get mine at Trader Joe’s) (about a cup)
seasoning for almond meal: I used— 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. You can use an Italian season blend (about 1 1/2 tsp) or any other spices you prefer to create your own flavor profile.
2 eggs, well beaten.
A pot (a stock/soup sized pot) for frying.
Metal tongs (preferred) that you can get at a kitchen store or grocery for preparing and frying more safely.
To make:
Fill the bottom of your pot with about 2 inches of oil. Yes, its a lot of oil. You are frying.
I place this on a back burner of my stove on low heat and let it heat up gradually as I get everything together. From the moment you turn on the oil, do not leave your kitchen! If this is your first time frying, wait until you have everything prepared before turning on the oil.
Slice up your zucchini and put them on a plate.
In a small bowl, beat the eggs well.
In another bowl, add the coconut flour. If you are using more almond meal/flour, leave it plain in this bowl.
In a third bowl add the almond flour that will now be seasoned as you wish & well-blended!
Create an assembly line:
*Coconut flour (or plain almond flour) * then egg * then seasoned almond meal.
Take one extra plate and line it with paper towel for the finished pieces to drain. Keep it nearby.
I hold the plate of sliced zucchini in one hand and, using metal tongs, take each piece and drop it into the coconut flour. I shake off the excess coconut flour so they are just finely “dusted”, then dip them into into the egg. Let the excess egg drip off into its bowl. Finally, roll the piece in the “almond spice crumbs”.
Now, carefully lower it into the hot oil.
I start with one piece. When I see that this piece is floating and sizzling gently, I know the oil is ready to roll. Keep the heat very low on the oil. And keep your assembly line going. I manage about 8 to 10 zucchini in my pot at a time. I watch them roll around and float until they are brown.
Pluck them out with your metal tongs and place on the paper-towel-lined plate. Then load in your next batch. It takes three to four batches to finish all the frying to golden brown. If you oil starts getting smoky or too hot, lower it immediately.
Very important: Do not leave this unattended. I would also caution against doing it with kids or animals nearby, as you have very hot oil in motion.
Surprisingly, in a deep pot with just a few inches of oil, this is much easier than I intially suspected!
Once they are all drained on their paper-towel tray: you are ready to serve & eat!
I whipped up an easy lemon mayo dipping sauce for the side. You may want to have with salsa or as-is, but the mayo is “awesome” and can be used for anything else this week that you’d like to make.
DIY Mayo (you can use this on anything, and it is incredible!)
In a blender:
add one fresh raw egg (room temp is best)
the juice of one medium lemon (about a tsp)
a tsp of dijon mustard (SCD people-use an approved mustard or skip it!)
1/4 tsp (* a decent pinch) of sea salt
1/4 tsp cayenne (or black pepper)
1/4 tsp smoked paprika (or skip it, ir you prefer)
And about 1/2 tsp of honey
1 cup of your favorite oil
Turn on the blender, removing the center piece from the top. Slowly-very- pour in one cup of your favorite oil in a steady stream. You’ll watch mayo happen right before your eyes!
You can store this in the refrigerator in a covered container for about a week.
Serve on the side. Or with anything you want!
& Enjoy! xoxo Dana
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Chicken & Asparagus Penne. Delicious and healthy! I want this right now!
Shrimp Étouffée from Weight Watchers eggplant instead of pasta shells
yummy 3 lbs chicken tenderloin or boneless skinless breasts 2 lbs bacon 2 cups brown sugar 3 TBS chili powder 1 tsp cayenne pepper DIRECTIONS 1 I prefer the tenderloins. Take the chicken and cut it into ping pong ball sized cubes. Mix the dry ingredients and put into a bowl to dredge the chicken. Cut the bacon slices into 1/3’s. Roll the chicken piece in the dry mixture. Wrap with the bacon. Secure by stitching the bacon into the chicken with a toothpick. Roll again in the sugar mix...
This two year old’s birthday bash couldn’t be cuter, or chicer, honestly! His mama, Jackie of Finding Lovely, took a modern, neutral approach to baby’s favorite book with this woodsy Brown Bear birthday party. And boy! Did it turn out great! It’s fun for kids with chocolate milk, yard games, coloring placemats and cutesy desserts. And fun for parents for all the same reasons, plus party favors and pretty decor. We’re sure the adorable theme will inspire many more kids’ (or grown ups’!) parties!
Jackie says, Our little boy has a late fall birthday and loves Brown Bear Brown Bear by Eric Carle. So, when I started planning his 2nd birthday party I knew I wanted a woodsy, outdoor feel inspired by his favorite book. But not wanting to go with the bold colors Eric Carle is known for, I decided to stick to a neutral color palate of soft grey, pops of evergreen and natural woods, more appropriate to the season – Brown Bear Brown Bear au naturale.
Miss Nibbits did a beautiful job with the custom invitations and signage complete with watercolor bears and paw prints. The grey check pattern on the invitation carried over to to the beautiful dessert table check tablecloth and hand-painted onto the cookies by KessaCakes.
My favorite project for the party was the birch frame above the dessert table made of gathered white birch branches. The ends were wrapped with twine and wired on evergreen clippings from the backyard. It added impact for little cost! The cake itself was made by WholeFoods but I fully decorated it at home with natural wood trees, wood slices and evergreen clippings.
There were many little details throughout the party that brought it together; from homemade woodland treats to the kid’s table made extra special with bear-themed coloring pages and bundles of crayons. And also… the favors table where adults got to take home honey jars and the kiddos got to pick a bear-themed book, to getting to sip chocolate milk in bear bottles. The whole day was lovely, filled with dear ones, and captured beautifully by Emily March Photography. A day we won’t soon forget, especially since the birthday boy keeps singing himself happy birthday, Every. Single. Day since!
1. What game show have you always thought you could be on and totally WIN!Wheel of Fortune - might have been the only one I could've possibly done well on.
2. Do you have a tattoo(s)? What are they and what made you chose them? If not, would you get one, yes/no/why?
I currently have 5 tattoos - and intend to get a few more!
My favorite (so far) is this one:
My arm is on the left - the pink one. The other is my sister - this is a Celtic symbol for sister. It's symbolizes the 3 women in our family - sister, me, mom. The squiggly decoration symbolizes my niece :)
My 2nd favorite tattoo is the one on my foot. My sister also has a matching one. We like to get matching tattoos :)
I also have a star behind my left ear, a rose on my left ankle and a punk rock Tinkerbell on my back.
I want to get a starfish on my right wrist, "Everyone is a Star, & deserves a chance to shine" Marilyn Monroe quote somewhere (haven't decided where yet). And I want to get the Phoenix Coyotes logo over my heart.
3. What is your favorite piece of jewelry that you own?
My starfish bracelet - or my Coyotes earrings... tuff call!
4. What is your driving pet peeve(s)?
People who ride my ass...
If you're gonna ride my ass honey, at least pull my hair! ;)
5. What was your favorite sitcom growing up that you wish was still on?