7 delicious, low-calorie appetizer ideas for barbecues, picnics
By Brittany Anas
The term “finger food” tends to be code for diet-busting, mayonnaise-coated, batter fried calorie bombs. But, believe it or not, you can still serve or share fun fare this spring and summer as you make your rounds at bridal showers, picnics and barbecues. Here are seven ideas for healthy appetizers and snacks that are easy to make, convenient to serve and packed with flavor.
Edamame with sea salt. Sound familiar? This dish is a popular starter at sushi restaurants. To make it for a party, put your edamame beans in a steamer basket, set over a pot of boiling water and steam them for about five minutes. Move your beans to a serving bowl, drizzle with a tablespoon of sesame oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve warm.
Skinny deviled eggs. These picnic classics can easily be turned into a healthy, low-fat appetizer. Boil eight eggs, let them cool and then peel off the shells and cut each egg in half. Remove the yolks, setting them aside in a separate bowl. In the bowl, combine 8-ounces of plain, nonfat yogurt, 1 tablespoon of sweet pickle relish, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, a dash of salt and a dash of pepper. Spoon your mixture back into the egg halves. Garnish with chopped chives and paprika. Let cool in the fridge for one hour prior to serving.
Chocolate-covered berry and banana kabobs. Thread strawberries and bananas on skewer sticks. Drizzle with melted chocolate candy. (Find “candy melts” at Wilton.)
Lemon pepper and Parmesan popcorn. Whisk 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt and 1 teaspoon of lemon pepper together in a small bowl and then drizzle over three cups of popped popcorn. Coat the popcorn and then sprinkle it with 1 tablespoon of shredded Parmesan cheese. (Click here for Jolly Time coupons.)
Shrimp cocktail. A cute presentation idea that will be picked by your word-nerd friends is to serve the shrimp cocktail in martini glasses. Spoon some cocktail sauce and a dollop of horseradish into the glass. Then, line three or four jumbo-sized shrimp cocktail around the rim. (Need some martini glasses? Here’s a classic four-pack from Cost Plus World Market for $15.96.)
Pretzel crisps and honey mustard. Pretzels are a low-fat alternative to potato chips, but they still pack a salty crunch. Set out some Pretzel Crisps with a ramekin of honey mustard. Want to dress up your pretzels even more? Check out these great “pretzel pairing” ideas from Pretzel Crisp’s website. Save on Pretzel Crisps with coupons and 6% cash back at Walgreens.
Berry bowl with low-fat yogurt. Berries are nature’s candy. Mix blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries for a colorful dish. For dipping, set out some low-fat vanilla or lemon-flavored yogurt.
Need some fun serving dishes? Check out the Food Network Store.
Want to save on your next trip to the grocery store? Click here for grocery coupons from ShopAtHome.com.
Other articles you might also like:
• 3 safety rules to avoid sports injuries
•Healthy tips from First Lady Michelle Obama and her “Let’s Move!” campaign
• What’s the value of a baseball card?
• March Madness: Basketball games you can play with your family
• The most flattering bathing suits for your body type
• Top 5 reasons you’re not losing weight
