CHRISTMAS 2016 WITHOUT A CORONARY OR BANKRUPTCY: FIRST COURSES/APPETIZERS

WELCOME TO 67GOINGON50'S 2016 FESTIVE RECIPES,

'Getting through Christmas without a coronary or bankruptcy'

'Vintage' 40-yr old Christmas baubles, including the most angelic angel ever
  (Blogger's own)

Here we are again: excitedly anticipating Christmas but worrying about indulging guests and family (some with dietary requirements) on a budget.       

This year's crop of recipes continue to be health conscious but focuses on make-ahead qualities.  It also includes a few more indulgent dishes than last year; if armageddon - political or otherwise - is on the way, then the Blogger wants to face it with a full and happy stomach. 

GENERAL HEALTH ADVICE

On Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve, relax and enjoy.  The rest of the time, try to stay as close as possible to your eating plans.  Practice portion control; Self-discipline is a tool not a burden.  

Tips for staying stress-free from the Daily Mail  

REDUCING COSTS 

Following your festive budget will be easier if the main meal of the day offers three courses: a soup or starter, a main, two veg and dessert.  Soup and dessert don't need to be fancy but encourage smaller portions of more expensive protein

MODERATING CALORIE INTAKE:

• if you've stopped tasting it, stop eating it
• if you find you're overdoing it, replace a meal or two with Broth, Granola Porridge or Savoury Custard.
• eat as much salad, vegetables and fruit as you can
• cut back on meat and white carbs 
• if you've eaten something dodgy or are feeling bilious, try ginger root tea or jasmine and mint tea (How to...Wean Kids off Fizzy Drinks) 
• a homoeopathic remedy called Nux Vomica 30, available at Boots and most chemists, can also be effective if taken properly
• don't forget your Exercise Programme, even if you can only manage a walk!

Newest First Courses/Appetisers

Veloute of Smoked Haddock, Glorious Indulgence, Dairy-Free
Skinnier Sausage Rolls, low fat, big taste
Sensational Strudel Bites, Triple-Duty for vegans with meat & fish options

Other suggested appetisers:

SKINNIER

Oriental Spiced Wings

Twice-baked Potatoes
Spicy Chicken Livers with figs

Low-cholesterol Liver Pate

Sticky, hot spicy wings (adults only)
Oriental spiced wings, 
make-ahead

EASY-PEASY

Sausages in Honey & Mustard, a perennial favourite

Turkey Lollipops, skinny, make-ahead


Minted Lamb ribs, slow roasted, healthier

THE 'WOW' FACTOR

Spinach Parfait, gorgeous emerald pate

Devilled Eggs & Tuna, very 1950's but in a good way; low fat

French Onion Dip, Skinnier & easier

VEGAN (but ever-so-tasty/healthy for everyone else)

Garlic Wedges

Roasted Spicy Chickpeas

Crunchy 'chicken'gougons with boozy dipping sauce

Aubergine Tahini Dip

AND SOME MORE from 2015...

Minimising potential health damage. 

• NUTS.  Make your own - spray raw nuts lightly with olive oil; Bake in a pre-heated 180C/350F/gas 4 preheated oven for about 5 minutes.  Salt lightly; add finely minced fresh, or dried rosemary or smoked paprika. Some PACKAGED NUTS can be less expensive. Rub with a paper napkin to reduce oil and salt.  

• CRISPS  Try low-salt, fat-reduced and baked crisps or crisps based on pulses or other root veg.  

• SAUSAGES.  Pierce with a fork several times; drop into boiling water; reduce heat; simmer 10 mins.  Bake on a rack in a roasting tray on a rack so sausages do not sit in their own fat. 

• BUFFALO WINGS - Bake naked first 25 mins to render off fat; then brush with sauce of choice.  

• SPARE RIBS. Reduce fat by dropping ribs into boiling water with two onions & a couple of cloves of garlic.  Boil 5 mins; reduce heat to medium; simmer 30 -45 mins or until tender. Coat with sauce; bake in a medium oven 30 mins, basting with sauce every 10 mins.

Canapes

• Parmesan Crisps.  A salty Indulgence to accompany drinks. Easy-peasy.  Drop tablespoons of freshly grated parmesan onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper, leaving a bit of room between; level with clean fingers; bake in a moderate oven 7-10 mins. Rest a minute or so then lift with a metal fish slice onto a cooling tray. They are very delicate but no one will refuse broken shards.

• Cucumber & spiced sausage.  Cut slices of cucumber 1/4 in/1/2 cm thick and top with similar-sized slices of good salami or a Polish sausage like kielbasa. A set of scone cutters may be helpful. 

• French Bread Crispbreads.  Frugal; Easy-peasy.  Thinly slice French bread; lightly spray with olive oil both sides; salt lightly; bake 7-10 mins in a medium oven (watch they don't burn).  Cool on a wire rack.  A good vehicle for cheese or smoked salmon on a slice of lettuce (anchor both with a dab of mayo) or pate but assemble at last minute to retain the bread's crispness.

• Parma ham Sticks. Roll parma or thinly sliced ham round breadsticks or thin mango wedges or drained peach slices. (Fruit ups the healthy quotient.)

• Date & Walnut Yummies.  An Indulgence.  Fresh Medjool dates are at their best at this time of year - plump and not-too-sweet.  Slit tops, fill with cream cheese & top with (a) a dab of set honey or (b) a walnut half or coarsely chopped walnuts

• Baby tomato & mozzarella balls.  Alternate baby tomatoes & mozzarella on cocktail sticks.  Serve with a pesto dip.  A non-meat canape.  

• Stuffed New Potatoes.  Take a thin slice off the bottom of boiled new potatoes to keep them upright.  Use a melon baller or sharp knife to hollow out the top, stuff with sour cream or yoghurt-mayo; sprinkle with (a) chives or (b) strips of offcuts of smoked salmon of (c) whatever you fancy

Also see Recipes on the Nav Bar, Appetisers, Soups
 for more.....

(Questions & comments, pls email  b67goingon50@yahoo.co.uk )

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These recipes have been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.