Hi there, my name is Henry Johnson. Welcome to my website about food and cooking. As I was growing up, my parents did all the cooking. Since they had very sensitive stomachs, the only spices used for food prep were salt and pepper. When I moved out and started cooking on my own, I started integrating all herbs and spices into my meals. Through trial and error, I found the elements that worked that best together. On this site, I want to share those herb and spice combinations to help everyone increase the flavor profile of the meals they cook. Thanks.
If you are on a low-carbohydrate diet, either for health reasons or because you want to lose weight, there's no reason to give up your favorite Mexican foods. Why not forgo the high-carb wraps and tortillas and fill up on appetizers, soups and salads for starters? Here are 8 low-carb alternatives to satisfy your cravings at your local Mexican eatery:
1. Start Off With Some Guacamole Appetizers
Ditch the chips and salsa and opt for some guacamole dip made from fresh avocado. Ask for some crunchy jicama sticks or carrot sticks for your dip.
2. Order Some Low-Carb Mexican Soup
As a starter to your meal, fill up on soup and you wont miss the carbs. A delicious meatball and vegetable soup combination you might want to try is Sopa de Albondigas. While this tasty Mexican soup is often made with long grain rice, you might request yours to be rice-free. You may find find onions, carrots, and peas added to the seasoned meatballs.
Mexican chicken soup with avocado is another choice you might find on the menu at your favorite Mexican restaurant. The healthy avocado is a good alternative to the high-carb tortillas that are often included in Mexican-style soups.
Sopa de habas is another favorite. It is made with beans, sauteed tomatoes, garlic, and onions. This dish is sometimes called Mexican Fava Bean soup, and it is hearty and filling.
3. Try a Seasoned Jicama Salad (With or Without the Chicken)
The protein-rich jicama, beans, peppers, onions, and cucumbers will fill you up. If you want more than a side salad, add some chicken strips to make it a hearty lunch or dinner entree. There are a few variations of jicama salad, so don't hesitate to experiment.
4. Create a Meal With Chili
A hearty and satisfying meal in itself, Mexican flavored chili is perfect for those on a low-carb diet. It is ideal for a wintertime lunch or dinner, and just about every Mexican restaurant will include chili variations on the menu. Beef and bean chili, Mexican-style, is one offering you might wan to consider. It is made with ground beef, chili powder, cumin, cilantro, onions, tomato sauce, peppers, and garlic. As an alternative, you might opt for a jalapeno chili.
5. Spice Up Your Plate (and Your Palette) With Low-Carb Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Here's another favorite on the Mexican menu. How does fresh bell peppers stuffed with Asiago cheese and ground beef sound? It is topped off with Mexican spices for added flavor. This tasty offering can be a side dish or a main lunch entree.
6. Replace the Fajitas with Grilled Pollo Asado
If you loved fajitas and chimichangas, there is a low-carb alternative for you to try. Pollo Asado is Mexican-style grilled chicken without the tortilla wrap. Try this marinated grilled chicken dish flavored with Mexican spices such as Guajillo, and team it up with some grilled asparagus.
7. Set Your Sights on the Seafood
With so many Mexican-style seafood entrees to choose from, many of which are low-carb, you'll never be bored. For starters, you might want to try some savory camarones al ajillo? This tantalizing Mexican dish consists of shrimp in garlic sauce. If crab meat is more to your liking, you might prefer some south-of-the-border crab boil, or perhaps a Mexican crab meat enchilada.
8. Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
You don't necessarily have to pass on dessert if you're watching your carbs. One Mexican favorite that is low-carb is a scrumptious treat known as sugar free Dulce de Leche Spiced Mug Cake, topped with caramel sauce. You might also try some sugar free Mexican spiced hot cocoa to top off your meal. Also, look for sugar free mango ice cream on the menu.
Check out menu items at restaurants like El Molinito Restaurant & Catering to see all your options.