The online cooking sites are overflowing – like ruptured cornucopias – with Holiday Nibbles recipes. That’s to be expected. But the goodies they’re pushing aren’t necessarily the healthiest. Aunt Maggie has created a roster of (mostly) healthy snacks…
Without further ado, I’ll dive into my list of most-healthy Holiday snacks, nibbles and hors d’oeuvres…
Something for everyone
If you thought it was hard to come up with healthy Holiday nibbles… Well, you’re not me! There are lots of tasty, easy-to-make treats that will appeal to folks of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
Crudités
The old standby (pictured above). And you can just go with the traditional selection (with Celery and Carrot sticks, etc.) But let’s give it a newstalgic update! Include cherry tomatoes, quartered cucumber rounds, button mushrooms, edamame beans, seedless grapes. And, maybe, some Cornichons. For Dip, default to a yogurt-based creamy preparation…
Olives
A small tray of Green and Black Olives will suffice. Provide both Pimento-stuffed and on-stuffed Green Olives. Make sure the pits have been removed. If you feel creative, cut longitudinally (top to bottom) ALMOST all the way through, spread the quarters to create a larger central space and stuff them with fancy stuff!
Cheese
There’s really no substitute for the classic Cheese Tray. But this year, choose cheeses that may be new to your guests and family. Ask the cheese specialist at your supermarket – or visit a cheese specialty shop, for free advice!
I hear you saying, “Cheese is fatty and salty!” Yes, but it’s also chock-full of concentrated healthy ingredients. And the portions are small. A far cry from serving up cheese-loaded Pizza or Mac and Cheese!
Finger Fruit
Raspberries, blackberries – and especially strawberries. Seedless red and green grapes. Blueberries and other small fruits are to small to handle easily. Have extra napkins beside the fruit platter. And provide some spoons and little paper cups folks can use to serve themselves without getting their fingers in the platter.
Resist the temptation to provide cut-up pieces of larger fruits – even on their own separate platter. Watermelon, Cantaloupe, peaches, pears and similar fruits go mushy and get tired-looking fast. They’re also messy to eat. Apples particularly, turn brown within half an hour.
Seafood Bites
I’m talking about morsels, such as pre-cooked small or ‘cocktail’ shrimp, smoked oysters, Pre-cooked, chilled baby Bay scallops, sashimi chunks, lobster chunks. And, if you’re really eager to impress, make smoked salmon ‘roses’.
Have your choice of: Tatar Sauce, Cocktail Sauce, Asian Seafood Sauce (bottles, from the super-market), and (Garlic) Aioli available.
Whole Grain Treats
After all that… I’m not suggesting you do away with all the traditional salty, crunchy grain-based finger foods. Just the worst offenders: Potato and Corn Chips, Puffs (eg. Cheetos), Pretzels, Chex party Mix, etc.
I always have some Ryvita crackers on hand. Melba Toast is also a classic fave. Provide healthy top-pings such as Pico De Gallo or soft, spreadable cheese for your crispy, stand-up bases. If you want to please your more conventional friends, put out some Wheat Thins and Triscuits. They come in low-salt and other healthier versions, now…
Folks who like it hot will love flatbread topped with Middle-Eastern Zahtar!
My take
Of course, the foregoing are just suggestions. You can mix and match healthy ingredients to suit your and your guests’ tastes.
Whatever you choose, serving healthier nibbles this Holiday Season will give you a chance to change things up, and introduce your guests to new food experiences!
~ Maggie J.