Healthy Holiday Bites for your New Year's Celebrations
Have you overindulged this holiday without meaning to? You likely started off on the right track, but darn, those cookies and cakes and festive beverages were just so hard to resist! And for many of us the holiday festivities are not over... just yet! If you're hosting a party or a few friends for New Year's Eve or New Year's Day there there are plenty of healthy alternatives that won't leave you with a sugar and carb hangover the next day. As far as the Champagne goes, I can't help with that! I think there's certainly nothing wrong with some festive bubbles. In moderation! (Image above from Yummy Mummy Kitchen)
Following I have compiled some healthy and yet divinely delicious ideas to help you to ring in the New Year with a healthy start.
A Bachelor and his Grill has the recipe for these carb-friendly, figure-flattering Grilled Portobello Pizzas.
Endive is the perfect figure-friendly, low carb and gluten-free way to enjoy some of your favorite dips and spreads. It's also a beautiful vehicle for some smaller salad bites, like this Greek salad version. In fact, we love the endive so much, we have an entire piece dedicated to these delicate little leaves over here. This recipe hails from Oprah.com.
Sushi is ALWAYS a good idea. Just be sure to substitute brown rice for the white rice and keep far, far away from anything with the word "spicy" in it for those are ladden in fattening mayo. Stick with basic pieces and offer low sodium soy sauce. (Image via Clean Eating Magazine.)
Individual anything works for me. We love individual salads and any kid will do from a simple green salad to Caesar to Greek to a berry salad for dessert... and certainly a smallish dollop of homemade whipped cream would be just fine. Image via Indulgy. Looking for some small glasses or bowls? Do head to your local consignment or Goodwill Store. The last time I went I saw an abundance of Punch bowls with punch glasses for mere dollars. These would be a perfect method for serving a small salad, or ceviche.
Ceviche, (pronounced "seh-VEE-chay") is a recipe for raw fish and seafood that has marinated in citrus juice, primarily lime and lemon juice. The acid in the citrus juice coagulates the proteins in the fish, effectively cooking it. Ceviche is healthy, festive, and like sushi, always a good idea! Ceviche recipe above from Noble Pig.
While not exactly the most exciting thing to add to your appetizer repertoire, crudites are healthy and always a crowd pleaser. Just be sure to get creative and add festive alternatives such as haricots vert, asparagus, mushroom caps, radishes, multi colored carrots and heirloom baby tomatoes. In addition, or in lieu of regular dips offer, herbed olive oil, sea salt and hummus. I prefer to parboil some of my veggies first - like asparagus, haricots vert, broccoli and cauliflower. I find they taste better and they remain nice and crisp. Image from Loveyish.com.
Kick up your shrimp cocktail a notch. Try baking your shrimp ahead of time instead. You can add salt and pepper or something kickier if you wish. Serve on a silver platter with a really good cocktail sauce. We happen to love Ken's. Joyful Healthy Eats as the recipe for baked shrimp and a recipe for homemade cocktail sauce. Warning, buy extra shrimp. This will be a crowd pleaser!
Celebratory, festive, and even - many believe - known for their aphrodisiac qualities. I think there is no more perfect New Year's Eve food than the oyster. I prefer mine raw, enjoyed on their own with a mignonette sauce or cocktail sauce and horseradish, but Coastal Living has a slew of recipes for you. (Image via Coastal Living.)
Homemade spiced nuts are always a good ideas as well. The image and recipe above hail from Baker by Nature.
Spiced marinated olives are also always a favorite and a great low-cal choice. The perfect little popper that won't affect your appetite. You can make your own, and follow this recipe from Clara Persis, or you can go to your grocery store's local olive bar.
For your New Year's Eve dinner. Stick with New Year's Eve favorites such as filet mignon, roast beef and salmon. Just be sure to leave off the heavy butters and cheese. Haricots verts, asparagus, roasted vegetables, artichokes and roasted potatoes are delicious accompaniments. Heck, go ahead and make the Yorkshire Pudding. But stick to having just one!