How To Make A Healthier Tater Tot Casserole
I am really not familiar with tater tot casseroles. I haven’t really heard of them not ’til I got together with my hubby. It was him who made me try it for the first time. A tater tot is a very American food which is really quite filling and tasty too. Although it isn’t really for the weight watchers because of its ingredients although I’ve successfully modified the recipe so that dieters can also partake of this sumptuous dish.
“Eating healthy” actually means very different meanings depending on different individuals. Some people take it as eating foods which are low in calories and fats while others take it to mean eating less sodium and sugary foods.
Here are some helpful tips to making healthier tater tots.
Meat Substitutes VS. Real Meats
Tater tots are usually made with beef and if you’re going for a healthier kind of casserole then try to use the leaner cuts of meats. Another thing is after you’ve fried your beef with some onions, just drain of any excess fats. One great suggestion also is using meat substitutes that are available in your grocery stores. They contain lesser fats.
Cream Sauce
People who have been making these tater tots use certain blends to make their sauces. It’s composed of butter, milk & some soup (cream of mushroom). This will later on be your tater’s base. If wanting to cut down on fat contents, then take out butter then use those fat free condensed soups (mushroom flavor).
Just add some freshly chopped mushrooms for added texture and some flavor to your sauce. You could also replace regular milk with some fat free ones or unsweetened soy milk.
Adding Other Vegetables
Aside from adding that visual zest to you dish, the addition of vegetables actually make your tater tots have higher fiber contents and will help you in achieving your recommended daily serving need of vegetables and fruits. Make your selection with veggies that you’re a fan of. Some great examples are yellow and red bell peppers, frozen or fresh green peas & beans, cauliflowers or some sweet corn too.
The more colorful your vegetable choices, the better. Make sure that you’ll add around 1/2 cup of extra chopped veggies to your dish than what’s needed for your dish.
When you’re cooking a much healthier tater tot, you’d normally think that it’s bland but it doesn’t have to be. Just season your dish well and make substitutions so you could make them healthier for you and for the weight watchers