Well, it is that time of year once again – let the feasting begin. Whether you’re planning a huge family gathering or a small intimate Thanksgiving dinner, there are a variety of healthy and delicious Thanksgiving appetizers to choose from. Here are three appetizers that are sure to please:
Apricot Canapes
If you feel for something that’s bite-size, sweet and healthy, try Apricot Canapes. This appetizer will have your guests craving for more. Here are the full details:
Nutrition: 64 calories (per piece), 170 mg of Potassium, 2 g Protein and 20 mg of Sodium.
Serving Size: 16
Ingredients: 16 sliced dried apricots, 2 ounces chopped shelled pistachios 8 teaspoons blue cheese (crumbled), ground pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of honey.
Preparation: Place 1/2 teaspoon of blue cheese on top each apricot. Sprinkle a little pepper and the pistachios. Then place a little honey on top.
Smoked Trout Spread
If you’re tired of the same old cheese platter, try something different. This crunchy and creamy appetizer is a winner. Served with low-fat whole-grain crackers or celery sticks, the savory, smokey flavors are a great way to begin the feast. You can jazz up your platter with sliced red onions, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Nutrition: 365 calories (per serving size), 9 g fat, 12 g fiber, 16 g protein and 616 mg sodium.
Serving Size: 4
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 ounces of smoked trout (skinned, flaked and boned), ground pepper (to taste), 1/2 small red onion, 1/2 cup cooked white beans, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1/3 cup of low-fat Neufchatel cream cheese, 1 tablespoon horseradish, 1 sliced cucumber (English), 2 medium sliced red tomatoes and 20 whole-grain crackers.
Preparation: Mash up the beans with a fork in a medium-sized bowl. Chop up the union into very thin pieces. Add the lemon juice, cream cheese, onion, horseradish, pepper, parsley and trout. Then add the contents with the beans. Serve the trout spread on a platter with your sliced onion, cucumber, tomatoes and crackers.
Upside-Down Mushroom Tartlets from Martha Stewart
Ingredients: 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed and cut into 6 3-inch rounds; 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 large shallot, minced; 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced; Coarse salt, ground pepper; 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, extra for garnish; ¾ cup feta cheese (2oz)
Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the puff pastry rounds in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate while mushrooms cook. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring, until soft, 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until soft and browned, 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in thyme and remove skillet from heat.
Lightly oil 6 jumbo muffin cups. Divide mushroom mixture and cheese among cups, then top each with a chilled pastry round. Bake until pastry is golden brown and puffed, about 25 minutes, rotating pan halfway through.
Run a small knife around cups to loosen tartlets. Place a rimmed baking sheet or large plate over pan and invert to release tartlets. Sprinkle with more thyme. Serve warm.
Makes 6
Be sure to include a colorful platter of raw vegetables for those watching their calories, as you know the big meal is coming. Go easy on the stuffing and potatoes, but enjoy the smaller portion. Eat more turkey, roasted vegetables and salad. Be sure to save room for a small slice of pumpkin pie. Enjoy the holiday!
As a holiday treat for yourself or someone you love, turn to our mini nutritional consult to learn what diet and supplements are best for you!
Apricot Canapes
If you feel for something that’s bite-size, sweet and healthy, try Apricot Canapes. This appetizer will have your guests craving for more. Here are the full details:
Nutrition: 64 calories (per piece), 170 mg of Potassium, 2 g Protein and 20 mg of Sodium.
Serving Size: 16
Ingredients: 16 sliced dried apricots, 2 ounces chopped shelled pistachios 8 teaspoons blue cheese (crumbled), ground pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of honey.
Preparation: Place 1/2 teaspoon of blue cheese on top each apricot. Sprinkle a little pepper and the pistachios. Then place a little honey on top.
Smoked Trout Spread
If you’re tired of the same old cheese platter, try something different. This crunchy and creamy appetizer is a winner. Served with low-fat whole-grain crackers or celery sticks, the savory, smokey flavors are a great way to begin the feast. You can jazz up your platter with sliced red onions, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Nutrition: 365 calories (per serving size), 9 g fat, 12 g fiber, 16 g protein and 616 mg sodium.
Serving Size: 4
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 ounces of smoked trout (skinned, flaked and boned), ground pepper (to taste), 1/2 small red onion, 1/2 cup cooked white beans, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1/3 cup of low-fat Neufchatel cream cheese, 1 tablespoon horseradish, 1 sliced cucumber (English), 2 medium sliced red tomatoes and 20 whole-grain crackers.
Preparation: Mash up the beans with a fork in a medium-sized bowl. Chop up the union into very thin pieces. Add the lemon juice, cream cheese, onion, horseradish, pepper, parsley and trout. Then add the contents with the beans. Serve the trout spread on a platter with your sliced onion, cucumber, tomatoes and crackers.
Upside-Down Mushroom Tartlets from Martha Stewart
Ingredients: 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed and cut into 6 3-inch rounds; 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 large shallot, minced; 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced; Coarse salt, ground pepper; 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, extra for garnish; ¾ cup feta cheese (2oz)
Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the puff pastry rounds in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate while mushrooms cook. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring, until soft, 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until soft and browned, 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in thyme and remove skillet from heat.
Lightly oil 6 jumbo muffin cups. Divide mushroom mixture and cheese among cups, then top each with a chilled pastry round. Bake until pastry is golden brown and puffed, about 25 minutes, rotating pan halfway through.
Run a small knife around cups to loosen tartlets. Place a rimmed baking sheet or large plate over pan and invert to release tartlets. Sprinkle with more thyme. Serve warm.
Makes 6
Be sure to include a colorful platter of raw vegetables for those watching their calories, as you know the big meal is coming. Go easy on the stuffing and potatoes, but enjoy the smaller portion. Eat more turkey, roasted vegetables and salad. Be sure to save room for a small slice of pumpkin pie. Enjoy the holiday!
As a holiday treat for yourself or someone you love, turn to our mini nutritional consult to learn what diet and supplements are best for you!
RSS Feed