Men's Fitness Online

When you’re in the mood for comfort food, you want it to taste like it’s supposed to—rich, delicious…comforting—not all “healthified” (“low fat!” “sugar free!”) and cardboard-y.

Well, prepare your taste buds for the surprise of a lifetime, because we’ve come up with recipes that do the impossible: combine solid nutrition with real, decadent indulgence. We’re talking gooey mac and cheese, crispy fish-and-chips, downright sweet brownies—all just slightly modified so you can enjoy the flavors you crave without the pounds that usually come with them. Trust us, even a health food junkie will find these dishes delectable.

Because the only way you’ll stick with eating good food is if it tastes better than junk food.

 

1. Cornflake-crusted fish & chips

Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients

For fish
– 1/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
– Pinch of black pepper
– 1 tsp ground flaxseed
– 4 cod fillets (3 oz each), without skin

For Greek yogurt tartar sauce
– 1 cup 0% Greek yogurt
– 2 tbsp sweet relish
– 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
– 1 tsp chopped fresh dill
– 1 tsp Dijon mustard
– Juice of 1 lemon
– Pinch of kosher salt
– Pinch of cayenne pepper
– Dill pickles

For cheesy polenta tots  
– 1 (18-oz) sleeve organic polenta, cut into 1-inch rounds, then diced into bite-size pieces
– Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil
– 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
– Pinch of black pepper

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, pepper, and flaxseed.
2. Coat a baking pan with cooking spray and place fish on it. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the fish. Bake for 15 minutes.
3. In a bowl, combine yogurt, relish, chives, dill, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper. Chill until ready to serve.
4. Place polenta pieces in a bowl and drizzle oil on top. Add Parmesan and pepper. Gently toss until polenta is coated.
5. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray. Place the coated polenta bites on the sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
6. Divide polenta tots among plates and top each with a piece of fish; serve with a few pickles and a dollop of tartar sauce.

Nutrition (per serving)
388 calories, 41g protein, 30g carbs, 12g fat

 

2. Butternut squash mac & cheese

Makes: 6 Servings

Ingredients

For mac & cheese
– 1 lb rice pasta
– 1 tsp olive oil
– 1/2 medium onion, grated
– 1 tsp liquid amino acids
– 1 tsp ground pepper
– 1 tsp fresh or dried thyme
– 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
– 1/4 tsp nutmeg
– 2 cups frozen or fresh butternut squash
– 1 cup chicken stock
– 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
– 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
– 1/2 cup grated white cheddar cheese

For garnish
– 2 garlic cloves, smashed and minced
– 1/2 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
– 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Directions
1. Boil pasta and cook until tender, 12 to 14 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, place a large saucepan over medium heat. Add oil, onion, amino acids, pepper, thyme, cayenne, and nutmeg. Stir until onions are translucent.
3. Add squash, stock, almond milk, and yeast and bring to a boil. Turn off heat. With a hand immersion blender, puree the sauce until smooth. Stir in cheese.
4. Strain pasta and stir it into the sauce.
5. In a saucepan over medium heat, add garlic, breadcrumbs, and parsley and cook for a minute. Serve pasta in bowls, garnished with breadcrumb mixture.

Nutrition Per Serving
364 calories, 10g protein, 68g carbs, 7g fat

 

3. Quinoa meat loaf

Makes: 8 Servings

Ingredients

For meat loaf
– 1 cup quinoa, cooked
– 1 tsp thyme
– 1 tsp chili powder
– 1 tsp black pepper
– 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
– 1/2 medium white onion, roughly chopped
– 1 small carrot, chopped
– 1/2 medium red bell pepper, chopped
– 1/2 cup arugula
– 2 garlic cloves
– 21/2 lbs lean ground turkey
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 egg
– 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley

For glaze
– 1/2 cup organic ketchup
– 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
– 1 tsp Tabasco sauce 1 tsp cumin
– 1 tsp honey

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine cooked quinoa, thyme, chili powder, black pepper, and almond milk. Set aside.
2. In a food processor, combine onion, carrot, bell pepper, arugula, and garlic. Pulse until all are well chopped. Be careful not to overchop.
3. Transfer vegetables to a large mixing bowl and add turkey and the quinoa mixture. Add salt and egg. Gently combine.
4. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray. Mold the meat into a rectangular shape in the center. In a bowl, mix all the glaze ingredients together and brush over meat loaf.
5. Bake meat loaf for about 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature is well done (165°F on a meat thermometer). Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Nutrition (per serving)
345 calories, 41g protein, 12g carbs, 17g fat