Guilt-Free Cinco de Mayo

It’s that time of year again. Cinco de Mayo time!  YUM!!!!

Seeing that I wrote about this last year, you can probably pick up on the fact that I love any excuse to eat Mexican (Tex-Mex) style cuisine. I know the holiday is pretty much an American thing, but whatever. I’ll eat my Fish Tacos and Fresh guac with pride and pleasure.

Oh, and did I mention that I’ll totally do it guilt free? Oh yes I will. Below is my Guilt-Free Cinco de Mayo menu this year (there are more recipes on last year’s post, here).

Grilled Fish Tacos with Cabbage Citrus Slaw
(Makes 1 serving)

-        6oz raw cod (flounder or fluke), washed patted dry
-        ¼ tsp sea salt
-        3 (4-inch) corn tortillas
-        ¾ cup shredded raw cabbage
-        6 fresh cilantro sprigs
-        2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
-        1 dash cayenne pepper (to taste; optional)
-        ¼ medium avocado, cut in 6 slices

1.       Preheat grill or broiler to high
2.       Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of fish (optional)
3.       Grill or broil fish for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until it flakes easily when tested with a fork. Set aside
4.       Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds
5.       Place tortillas on a serving plate. Top each tortilla with one-third fish, cabbage, and cilantro.
6.       Season with lime juice and cayenne (if desired)
7.       Top each tortilla with two avocado slices

I only had 6-inch corn tortillas, so with two:
Calories: 322  Protein: 34  Fat: 12gCarbohydrate: 29g  Fiber: 6

Homemade Guacamole with Jicama Chips

-        Avocado (I used the rest of the avocado from my tacos!)
-        Salsa (aprox. 2 Tbsp)
-        Lime Juice (aprox 1.5 Tbsp)
-        Salt & Pepper (to taste)
-        Jicama

1.       Peel Jicama (I slice the skin off with a knife)
2.       Cut into thin slices; set aside
3.       Mash up avocado with fork
4.       Add salsa, lime juice, salt, and pepper; to taste

With 75g Avocado, 75g jicama, 2 Tbsp Salsa: Calories: 158Protein: 2g  Fat: 11gCarbohydrate: 16gFiber: 10g 

Tell me about it Erin

Okay, so all in all for a tasty splurge meal, I’m not complaining. Marcos come in at about Calories: 480Protein: 36Carbohydrates: 45Fat: 23Fiber: 16g.  I went ahead and upped my cod to 8oz which added an extra 50 cals, 10 protein, 2 fat, but couldn’t finish my jicama and guac.

I’m not sad about this meal, it’s totally tasty and did I mention easy to make too?  Perhaps I don’t need to say it, but I’m going to put it out there that I did so well, I deserve a treat.  Now, I enjoy good tequila and to be honest, I’m happy to drink it straight (Just under 100cals for 1.5oz). But, for those of you out there that want a holiday cocktail, here’s a skinnier recipe for your Margarita. Enjoy (responsibly!) 

Margarita

 Your biggest caloric enemy in the margarita is the prepackaged margarita mix. There are "light" versions available, but their taste is less than extraordinary. Here's another option that'll cut your calories in half without sacrificing flavor.

-         Juice of 1-1/2 limes
-         3 oz. water
-         1/2 tsp. stevia (or other no-calorie sugar substitute)
-         2 oz. tequila
-         1.5 oz. triple sec
-         Ice
-         Salt (to taste)

1.       Mix lime juice, water, and stevia together until stevia is dissolved.
2.       Add tequila and triple sec, then either pour over ice or put in blender with ice.
3.       Add salt to taste.
4.       Sip while looking amazing in your swimsuit, pretending you're on a beach in Mexico.

Calories before: 435                        Calories now: 180

BONUS RESOURCES

Skinny Margaritas (Fresh)
Guacamole – Super (Bowl) Snack
Easy Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Taco Salad Bar