THE EMPHASIS FOR CHRISTMAS 2018 IS SIMPLICITY OF PREPARATION WITH ELEVATED FLAVOUR & PLEASURE...NOT FORGETTING BUDGETS, WEIGHT & HEALTH
New 2018 Recipes for Canapes/Appetisers
New 2018 Recipes for Canapes/Appetisers
 |
| Courtesy of Freepik Geographand licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence |
Enjoying the Seasons' Treats while still eating Healthily
On Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve, relax; eat anything you like. Otherwise, stay as close as you can - or would like to - to your usual eating plan. Practice portion control. Remember:
See also: Tips for staying stress-free from the Daily Mail
On Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve, relax; eat anything you like. Otherwise, stay as close as you can - or would like to - to your usual eating plan. Practice portion control. Remember:
- if you've stopped tasting it, stop eating it
- if 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 (see How to...Wean Kids off Fizzy Drinks)
- an over-the-counter homoeopathic remedy called Nux Vomica 30 from Boots and most chemists, can also be effective if taken properly
- don't forget your Exercise Programme, even if you only manage a half hour walk every 2nd day!
See also: Tips for staying stress-free from the Daily Mail
Some other 2018 appetisers:
Familiar treats with a twist
Avocado & Ham Devilled Eggs, Vegetarian opt: quirkily yummy with delicate heat and a sublime salty sweetness that's just 'Wow'
Devilled Tuna gourmet open faced sandwiches: creamy mashed tuna & cooked egg yolk with celery, spring onions & radish plus tabasco/chilli & mustard accents; serve on square bread, in quarters. Frugal, low-fat.
Easy-peasy Dill Pickles, lower sugar, prep 3 days ahead: Hard to beat - 'Wow! I love these. Very refreshing.' 'Better than I expected.' Tasters
Frugal & Fast
Kids' Delight Glazed Wings: lower fat but kids will love them; they're crispy, smokey, sweet and more-ish.
Braised Oriental Wings: Low-fat, low-sugar, low-salt. 'Great Chinese flavour with lovely amount of garlic!' TasterAlmost Instant Beetroot Chive Hummous
Carnivore's Delights
Beef Skewers with Hoisin & Orange, crowd-pleasing Asian accents
 |
| 'Oh my goodness; these are wonderful - full of umami flavour.' Tasters |
Spanish Pinchitos: popular Arab inspired Spanish tapas, boldly flavoured & tender meat cubes, marinated a day ahead
Beef Mini-Koftas: prep ahead; spicy, herby & meaty mini-koftas with exotic tahini sauce delights crowds
Vegan
Unfried Crispy Chinese Dumplings: carnivore pleaser 'Crispy without being greasy' 'Unbelievable diet version' 'Amazing with the sweet chilli sauce' Tasters
Thai Larb/mince in lettuce cups: carnivores' option: a die-hard carnivore and Thai food fan tested this dish without knowing it was vegan and loved it! Fast & easy.
Sweet & Savoury Tomato Jam: sensational with home-made bread, cheddar and cucumber (and for carnivores, cold meats). No need for brown pickle with this one!
Popular Blasts from the Past:
Artichoke & Spinach Dip, hot show-stopping dip served in a crusty bread bowl
Chive & Onion Dip - zingy low-cal dip made with cottage cheese
Crunchy 'Chicken' Gougons: VEGAN, kid/ults love them, easy, prep ahead, optional boozy sauce
Creamy Mushroom & Sherry Soup: low-dairy, silky smooth, no cream or potatoes
Skinnier sausages with honey(maple syrup) & mustard: does anyone need to know more?
Smoked salmon dip: offcuts make this a wonderfully wallet-friendly treat
Cheese & Chive crackers: You"ve never tasted a cheese cracker until you've tasted homemade; melt-in-the-mouth & light yet explosively tasty.
Some Simple Easy Starters
- Parmesan Crisps. Drop tablespoons of freshly grated parmesan on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper or a silicone mat, leaving a bit of room between; level with clean fingers; bake at 180c/350f 7-10 mins. Rest a minute then carefully lift with a metal fish slice; place on cooling rack. Broken ones will be fine but not crumbs.
- Cucumber & spiced sausage. Slice cucumber 1/4in/1/2 cm thick; top with similar-sized slices of good salami or Polish sausage like kielbasa. Scone cutters will make evenly shaped sausage slices.
- French Bread Crispbreads: easy-peasy, frugal, VEGAN. Thinly slice French bread (1/4in/1cm); lightly spray with olive oil both sides; salt lightly; bake at 180c/350f 7-10 mins or until lightly golden, turning once. (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 or vegetarian dips. Assemble at last minute to retain crispness.
- Parma ham Sticks. Roll parma or serrano ham round breadsticks or thin mango wedges or drained peach slices. (Fruit ups the healthy quotient.)
- Date & Walnut Yummies. VEGAN opt. An Indulgence. Fresh Medjool dates are at their best at this time of year; slit tops, fill with cream cheese & top with (a) a dab of set honey or (b) a walnut half or (c) coarsely chopped walnuts
- Baby tomato & mozzarella balls. VEGAN. Alternate baby tomatoes & mozzarella on cocktail sticks. Serve with a pesto dip.
- Stuffed New Potatoes. VEGAN opt. Take a thin slice off the bottom of boiled new potatoes to keep them upright. (The potatoes are slightly underdone; a sharp knife inserted into the centre should meet a little resistance; they will keep cooking after being drained.) Use a melon baller or sharp knife to make a depression in the top, stuff with sour cream or thick yoghurt; sprinkle with (a) chives or (b) strips of offcuts of smoked salmon or (c) whatever you fancy
Go to How to... on NavBar for recipes from Christmases past
Please leave a comment in the box below
These recipes have been developed or adapted by B Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises. They may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.
No comments:
Post a Comment