Cutting Calories on Snack and Drink Favorites

You recognize this scenario, right? You get a basket of fried tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole or queso or other specialty dip. You're hungry and it is really, really good. Before you realize it, you've eaten a full basket of chips. Wash that down with a margarita the size of a Buick and you've consumed over a day's allotment of calories before your actual meal arrives.

With the help of Hungry Girl, I prepared and enjoyed these favorites at home, reducing the portion sizes AND the calorie count. By using and baking corn tortillas, I reduced those calories to 110 (two 6-inch white corn tortillas). The spicy salsa was purchased at Pepper Place Market this year from Spradlin Farm in Vinemont, Alabama. Salsa adds so few calories that I don't even count it. Much to my delight, the chips became crunchier as they cooled.

Low-Calorie Corn Chips
Recipe from Hungry Girl, Cooking Channel
Serving: 1

Ingredients:
Two 6-inch corn tortillas
1/8 tsp. salt

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut each tortilla in half. Cut each half into 3 triangles, for a total of 12 triangles. Spray a baking sheet lightly with nonstick spray. Place tortilla triangles close together on the sheet. Cover triangles with a 1-second spray of nonstick spray (optional). Evenly sprinkle with salt. Bake in the oven until crispy, about 8 minutes, carefully flipping about halfway through bake time. Eat alone or with salsa.

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As Hungry Girl pointed out, it is the taste of the alcohol we desire in an alcoholic beverage, not the mixes. Many times, most of our calories come from those mixes. Here, with the use of low-calorie beverages, HG was able to reduce the caloric content to around 115 calories! One can drink a margarita the size of a Buick for the calories of a VW Beetle!

I must admit I was skeptical about the margarita, but it actually turned out quite good. It reminded me of the pre-prepared margaritas served at many restaurants. Adding salt around the rim would help cut some of the sweetness but, all in all, I'm impressed and will be preparing this often!

Low-Calorie Margarita
Recipe by Hungry Girl, Cooking Channel

Ingredients:
1 packet sugar-free lemonade powdered drink mix, such as Crystal Light or Wyler's Light
6 ounces diet lemon-lime soda (I used Diet 7-Up.)
1 ounce (2 Tbsp.) freshly squeezed lime juice
1 1/2 ounces (1 shot) tequila

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a glass or shaker. Stir to dissolve drink mix. Pour into a margarita glass with lots of ice. Garnish with lime slice, if desired.