Quinoa Encrusted Zucchini Sticks – Crisp, tender zucchini sticks covered in quinoa flakes and oven-roasted to perfection. They make a healthy and nutritious side dish recipe for weekday dinners or weekend parties!
Whenever I am on vacation I let all eating rules go out the window. Not that I follow that many rules to begin with, but I generally eat healthy when I am home. That’s because I only keep healthy ingredients in my house and since I only eat out when I am either lazy or want to try a new restaurant, that means most of the time.
This past weekend I ate whatever I wanted and didn’t think twice. Ice cream, froyo, french fries and an unhealthy amount of vodka (there’s a reason there’s no other pictures from the boat) all made it’s way into my mouth. And I have zero regrets. There was a time when I would feel guilty for indulging but that feels like it was a lifetime ago. Old Davs would have said that “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”, but that’s because she had never tried Blueberry Salted Honey Custard. CRAZINESS.
But after four days of straight indulgence, it’s only natural you start to crave some veggies. I actually made these Quinoa Encrusted Zucchini Sticks for a dinner I hosted last week but zucchini’s were on sale (yay for zucchini season!) so they’re on the roster for tonight. I don’t believe in quick fixes when it comes to diets, but it’s only natural that sometimes we need a reset. For me that means going to the grocery store and shopping the outer aisles for fresh veggies and fruit and protein sources.
$112 dollars later and I’m ready for some healthy, nutrient-packed meals! Sure my grocery bill was slightly on the higher end, but it sure beats the price tag for a juice cleanse! I don’t want to hate on juice cleanses, because I too have done one (although I did turn into Cruella De Vil, hangry stylez) but they’re probably not going to be that magic weight-loss trick you always wanted. Say adios to your water weight for approximately 3 days and hello 3 days later! But then again if that’s what you need for your reset, more power to ya.
My reset involves zucchinis and quinoa and yogurt and mustard. Maybe unconventional to you, but it works for me!
PrintQuinoa Encrusted Zucchini Sticks with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Zucchini Sticks:
- 2 large zucchinis (or 3 medium)
- 2/3 cup quinoa flakes*
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 large egg
For the Honey Mustard Sauce:
- 1/2 cup 0% fat greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/2 garlic clove, minced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Slice zucchinis into thirds and then slice thirds into sticks.
- in a large bowl combine quinoa flakes, garlic powder and sea salt.
- In a separate bowl whisk one egg.
- Using one hand, dip one zucchini stick into the egg and then using the other hand dip the stick into the quinoa flakes. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat until all zucchini sticks have been coated.
- Bake sticks for 30 mins.
- Meanwhile, combine all honey mustard dip ingredients.
- Remove sticks from oven and serve warm with honey mustard dipping sauce.
Notes
*Not regular quinoa. Look for quinoa flakes in health food stores or gluten-free aisles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
Do you eat differently on vacation? Do you ever do a food reset?
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47 Comments
Amy @ Long Drive Journey
June 25, 2014 at 8:58 amA reset is definitely what I need! I love your philosophy when it comes to vacation (mainly because we have the same one), but I’ve been indulging way too much at home – because for the longest time “home” in Louisiana WAS vacation. Hmm…I wrote a whole post about needing to get back on track today and never saw it that way until just now! Who is whose psychologist now?? 😉
Alexis @ Hummusapien
June 25, 2014 at 8:50 amBlueberry salted honey custard?! You MUST be kidding. Your trip with Lee sounded so fantastical…totally jealous over here but I’m glad you packed it to the brim with all the vaca essentials (vodka, fries, froyo, and more vodka). I plan to eat alllll the gelato, crepes and pizza while I’m in Europe. Like on repeat duh!!! PS these zukes look freaking amazing–I’ve never used quinoa flakes but now I have a delish reason to buy a box!
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl
June 25, 2014 at 8:20 amLove zucchini sticks! I’ve never tried quinoa flakes, though. I’ll have to pick some up because this looks like the perfect snack or side dish, plus I have about 5 zucchinis in my fridge right now. 😉
Alex@vegginout
June 25, 2014 at 7:51 amI always crave veggies after even a day without too many of them. Especially if I go a day without broccoli… that’s just a disaster waiting to happen. 😉
This looks like the perfect way to get some green food in! I’m especially in love with that dipping sauce because I think I’m addicted to honey mustard. 😛
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
June 25, 2014 at 7:27 amThese look delicious!!! And yep, I’m in the “reset” mode right now! After the wedding, I indulged a lot on the honeymoon and haven’t gotten totally back on track. Time to set things back to normal!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat
June 25, 2014 at 7:26 amWow, does this recipe sound amazing! And, honey mustard dressing is by far one of my favorites. I’ve never made a homemade version before, so I’m excited to try it out. I love how easy it is!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs for Food
June 25, 2014 at 6:59 amThese look delicious! And I’m so glad you didn’t try to call them french fries, because I’ve seen people try to pretend with zucchini and it’s a lie. I would totally make these, though. I’ve never seen quinoa flakes before, though, so I’ll have to do some digging.
When I’m traveling I stick to healthier foods for breakfast and lunch, then whatever I want for dinner/drinks. Works well for me!
Lauren
June 25, 2014 at 6:55 amI am so happy you have posted a “courgette” 😉 fries recipe. I was out for dinner with my sister the other day and she ordered courgette fries. As I am on the no gluten experiment, I could not have any – it was so sad. So hello healthy gluten free version right here. On holiday I will still eat mostly healthy stuff because that is what I actually enjoy but if I am in a restaurant where the local delicacy is something a bit “nauuugggghty” then I am definitely going to eat it. Part of the beauty of travelling is eating foods from different cultures!!
erin @ The Almond Eater
June 25, 2014 at 6:39 amWhoever came up with “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” clearly never had Nutella gelato. JUST SAYIN’.
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
June 25, 2014 at 6:20 amI am TRYING to get to a place where it’s OKAY to eat whatever I want on vacation…I’m getting there 🙂
I am totally planning on making some quinoa crusted chicken for dinnah, so I am thinking this would be a lovely side dish. I want to swim in the that dipping sauce!
meredith @ Cookie ChRUNicles
June 25, 2014 at 5:49 amI have made these before! So good. I think I need a new box of quinoa flakes, thanks for reminding me!
Arman @ thebigmansworld
June 25, 2014 at 5:33 amI need to make that honey mustard sauce because…as you know, Australia have nothing. I’ve made something similar but used parmesan cheese and crushed up crackers (bread crumb less) lol…but quinoa? Nice!
On vacay, I try and enjoy the areas specialties…cept when I’m in T town where I’ll take advantage of certain people.