Q: What’s the big deal about oven-baked french fries? Are they healthier?
A: Eating french fries usually comes at a high price. Fast food versions often contain 450 to 500 calories and up to 25 grams of fat in a large order. A similar size of oven fries made at home contains only 170 to 190 calories and five grams of fat. To prepare oven fries, cut each potato into 10-12 wedges. Spread one teaspoon of olive oil on a shallow pan. Bake at 425 degrees F for about 25 minutes.
Q: When recipes call for alcohol, can I just use water instead?
A: If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can usually substitute water, but that will change the flavor. Instead, try substituting with a liquid that will add flavor to your dish: try almond extract in place of almond liqueur; unsweetened orange juice concentrate instead of orange-flavored liqueur; and unsweetened apple, orange or pineapple juice in place of sherry, rum or brandy. Wines in stews or sauces can often be replaced with chicken or vegetable broth, apple cider or white grape juice.
Q: Do the cautions about grilling food apply to vegetables, too?
A: Red meat, poultry and seafood all contain a substance that reacts under intense heat, like grilling or frying, to form carcinogens called heterocyclic amines. Grilling vegetables does not pose a health concern as long as char doesn’t form. Most vegetables may be cooked very quickly on a grill before charring can occur.
-By Karen Collins, a registered dietitian for the American Institute for Cancer Research.
Send your questions to “Nutrition-Wise,” c/o Town Crier, 1759 R St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009.
