Your dad loves pies, but he’s on a low-fat diet. Traditional pie crust is loaded with butter, oil, lard, or shortening. He can still celebrate Great American Pie Month with these tips and healthier fillings.
Start With a Nut Crust
Make your dad’s pies with a ground almond crust instead of a traditional crust. Use a food processor to grind up nuts for the crust or purchase almond flour. To 1 ½ cups of almond meal or flour, add 2 tablespoons of almond milk, a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons of almond butter. Press that into a pie pan.
Use other nuts like walnuts and pecans in place of almonds. You can also use a mix of nuts if desired.
Make Low-Fat or Non-Fat Fillings
Take your dad’s favorite pies and turn them into healthier pies. Here are a few ideas.
#1 – Chocolate Pie
Does your dad love chocolate cream pie? Cut 13-ounce square of silken tofu into cubes and place in a food processor. Boil 1/3 cup of espresso and pour it over 16-ounces of unsweetened chocolate chips. Place that pan or bowl over a double boiler and stir until the chocolate is melted.
Pour the chocolate mixture over the tofu and puree until smooth Add ¼ cup to ½ cup of honey or maple syrup to sweeten the chocolate-tofu mixture. Pour into the almond crust and let it chill overnight.
#2 – Apple Pie
Peel and slice six apples and place in a saucepan. Add ¼ to ½ cup apple cider for sweetness, a teaspoon of pumpkin pie seasoning, and a teaspoon or two of vanilla bourbon. Bring that mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer. If there’s too much liquid, a little cornstarch and extra apple cider can help thicken it.
Simmer the apples for half an hour until they’re soft. Pour the mixture into the almond crust and refrigerate overnight.
#3 – Banana Cream Pie
Bananas are great in that they’re already sweet. Mash four ripe bananas with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 ½ cups extra creamy oat milk. Bring that to a boil and stir until thickened.
Pour the banana filling into the almond crust and let it chill overnight. Top with a non-fat whipped cream before serving.
Does Your Dad Need Help With Meals?
Support your dad at home by making sure he has help preparing healthy meals. If he has never mastered cooking and relies on takeout and frozen meals, elder care services are important.
With elder care services like meal preparation, your dad eats well without struggling to cook. Caregivers cook his meals for him, do the dishes, and can even join him for the meal if he hates eating alone. Call an agency to learn more.
If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Plymouth, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
