Eating for health and graceful aging does not mean restricting yourself to carrot and celery sticks during summer social events. But it is possible to minimise the damage bar snacks can do.
This editorial contains recipes including healthier chicken wings, a lower-calorie Skinnier Chive and Onion dip and a sugar-free relish, all lower in fat but big on flavour. There are also lighter versions of 'dirty' favourites.
MINIMIZING DAMAGE FROM BAR SNACKS
⦁ NUTS. Ideally make your own by roasting raw nuts lightly sprayed with olive oil in a 180C/350F/gas 4 preheated oven. Spread them out and bake for no more than 5 minutes. Salt lightly; add finely minced fresh, or dried, rosemary or smoked paprika.
PACKAGED NUTS Shake them in a strainer to remove excess salt and/or rub with a paper napkin to reduce oil.
⦁ CRISPS Try low-salt, fat-reduced. One of our favourite English food halls does a lentil based and chickpea crisp which may not convince your kids but, with a creamy low-fat dip, makes a reasonable substitute.
OR TRY: ROASTED SPICED CHICKPEAS: meets a craving for a crunchy, savoury low-salt snack without preservatives
⦁ CHIPS. Crispy sweet potato wedges are as good as fries with more food value. Cut 3 sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, then each half into three long wedges. Place in a bowl and pour over a scant tablespoon of olive oil. Toss. Bake on a tray lined with greaseproof paper for 45 minutes to an hour until crisp and brown, turning once halfway through. Sprinkle lightly with salt and a 1/2 tablespoon of cajun seasoning. Also try Garlic Wedges
⦁ SPARE RIBS. To reduce fat drop ribs into boiling water with two onions and a couple of cloves of garlic (before roasting and basting with sauce). Boil 5 mins; reduce heat to medium and simmer 30 -45 minutes or until tender. Proceed with roasting and basting as normal.
⦁ SAUSAGES. Pierce with a fork several times. Drop into boiling water; turn off heat and leave at least 10 minutes. Bake on a roasting tray on a rack so sausages do not sit in their own fat. To make up for the slightly drier texture, serve with no-sugar relish ).
⦁ BURGERS & HOT DOGS. Try these delicious Veggie Burgers which were very popular amongst discerning staff at a French bank. See also Burgers Don't Need to be Unhealthy. For vegetarian dogs, try uorn and middle Eastern versions (especially Tivali from Health Food Shops.) Check before you buy; some brands are quite bready.
BUFFALO WINGS - Bake them naked first, then brush with sauce. Click on link.
NO-BUTTER GARLIC BREAD - A skinnier healthier version of garlic bread with a crunch
If you're in the mood for party drinks, and your guests haven't far to go, try Party Sangria - one glass won't be enough but too many and the floor will wobble.
Tip:
If you liked this you will probably also like low-salt/fat/sugar Football Snacks
B Lee/Bright Sun Enterprises accept no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. These recipes have been developed by B Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.
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