Shine OnFoodies rejoice – healthy poutine is possible!
If you thought going on a diet or trying to lose weight meant you had to give up your favourite comfort foods forever, you were wrong.
Montreal restaurant La Banquise, which just so happens to hold the honour of having Quebec’s best poutine, has come up with a delicious and healthy variation of Canada’s most iconic dish after being challenged to do so by Weight Watchers.
“When Weight Watchers approached us to create a healthier version of our classic poutine, we were intrigued, to say the least. Poutine is the quintessential comfort food. For us, it was important to stay true to the recipe. We sought to invent a simple, satisfying and flavorful recipe that is both in accordance with the Weight Watchers plan and easy to recreate at home,’’ says Annie Barsalou, owner of La Banquise. ‘’You don’t have to deprive yourself if you make smart choices. For example, we combined potatoes and turnips for the fries. Once cut in thin strips and oven-baked, they taste just like everyday fries! We also used a nourishing cheese that is high in protein and low in fat.”
Being able to enjoy your favourite foods (in moderation, of course) is one of the keys to long-term weight-loss success, along with choosing whole foods and regular exercise.
Food writer Michael Pollan says, the one rule for better health is that we can eat anything we want as long as we cook it ourselves.
So here’s how you can enjoy a lightened-up poutine at home. Add your favourite veggies and protein for a complete, customizable meal.
HEALTHY POUTINE RECIPE FROM LA BANQUISE
Makes one serving, 10 PointsPlus
Ingredients
- 150g of turnips
- 150g of potatoes
- 2 sprays of cooking spray
- 80 grams of grated Allegro 4% cheese
Poutine sauce (for 250 ml)
- 250 mL of homemade low-fat chicken stock
- 1 tsp of liquid beef bouillon
- 1 tsp of barbecue seasoning
- 1 tbsp of cornstarch, diluted in 30 mL of cold water
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Peel and cut turnips and potatoes into thin strips.
3. Place the turnips and potatoes on a baking tray and evenly coat with two sprays of cooking spray.
4. Bake the fries in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the fries with a spatula and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
5. Add all ingredients for the sauce in a saucepan. Let it simmer and mix with a whisk until the mixture thickens.
6. Place the fries into a bowl, top with cheese and warm with 160 mL of sauce.
*The healthy poutine is not offered at La Banquise.
