An alternative to junk food dinners

I often start the week with good intentions; the fridge is full of fruit and vegetables, I take healthy salads to work for lunch and make sure there are no family size packs of crisps in the cupboard! By Friday evening, I am absolutely shattered and a walk with the dog saps the rest of my energy. This is the time when I am most likely to turn to junk food, as it is quick and easy to prepare.

As a vegetarian, takeaways aren't the convenient solution they once were, as most of the dishes contain meat or fish. I would usually end up with a chip buttie with loads of garlic mayonnaise and something sweet to follow-and I'm not talking oranges or apples! My daughter came up with the following as a healthier alternative to chips or burgers, and it is surprisingly satisfying, quick and easy to prepare.

Alternative chicken burger and fries

A wholemeal bread roll or pitta bread
Quorn fillets (the ones which are shaped like chicken breasts)
lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes
garlic mayonnaise
sweet potatoes

1. Peel and slice sweet potatoes to make chunky chips. Place on a greased oven tray and brush lightly with extra virgin olive oil. Bake for about 30 to 45 minutes until crispy. When they are almost cooked, shallow fry a couple of Quorn fillets until tender and lightly golden.
2. If you are using pitta bread, shred the cooked fillet and place in the pitta, along with chopped lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes. If you are using bread rolls, either shred the fillet or leave whole, adding the lettuce, tomato and cucumber.
   
3. Add garlic mayonnaise to taste and serve with the sweet potato fries. 

This can be made healthier by leaving out the garlic mayonnaise, but as an alternative to a takeaway, this is a satisfying and healthy option.

Please let me know if you have any healthy swaps for junk food.