6 Resolution-Friendly Healthy Appetizers
Did you resolve to eat better this New Year? After a month of cookie overload, I’m ready to make some healthier choices, too. It’s easy enough to honor resolutions during the week, but weekend party foods are often heavy on cheese, cream and calories.
Luckily, a few simple swaps can lighten up your appetizer spread without sacrificing great flavor. Here are some recipes to try this weekend.
This vegetarian carrot-ginger soup is flavored with vibrant curry spices and fresh ginger. Pureed carrots give the soup a velvety texture without high-calorie cream. Spoon hot or room temperature soup into shot glasses for the perfect party-sized portion. Pressed for time? Pick up a box of prepared carrot-ginger soup, then top each shot glass-sized serving with Greek yogurt and a fresh mint leaf.
Make This: Carrot-Ginger Soup
Baked eggplant chips are sweet, crunchy and delicious, and make a surprising alternative to classic potato chips. For a seasonal twist, swap the basil in the pesto for kale, arugula or spinach.
Make This: Eggplant Chips With Cilantro Pesto
Swap white bread for the hearty whole-grain variety in this classic appetizer; whole-grain breads typically have fewer calories and help you feel fuller, longer. To make the most of winter tomatoes, buy the oblong Roma variety, and let them sit with salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic and herbs for about 20 minutes before serving. Or, swap in high-quality canned tomatoes for a different flavor.
Make This: Whole-Grain Roasted Garlic Bruschetta
Store-bought hummus is a party standby, but it’s super-easy to make your own. If you don’t have time to soak and cook dried chickpeas, sub in 2 cans of garbanzo beans. Serve with whole-wheat pita pieces and vegetable sticks.
Make This: Homemade Hummus
This sushi-inspired appetizer swaps the typical ratio of rice to veggies: A few kernels of rice sit atop blackened tuna, with a thick cucumber slice in place of a cracker. Top each one with a chunk of avocado and a dollop of hot sauce.
Make This: Blackened Tuna Bites
Courtesy Sarah Copeland, 2012 CookingChannelTV.com
Every party needs something sweet, so swap cookies and brownies for this delicious and nutritious trail mix. With dried fruit, toasted nuts and dark chocolate, this treat is actually as good for you as it tastes.
Make This: Apricot Dark Chocolate Trail Mix
