Tis' The Season Of Health & Fitness
Vegetarian Spinach-Walnut Pate
The words “vegetarian,” “pate” and “caviar” don’t necessarily go together, but this creamy, flavor-packed appetizer spreads like pate, and the tart bursts of pomegranate seeds are a little like caviar. This vegetarian (in fact, vegan) dish is inspired by the country of Georgia’s dish pkhali, a spinach spread that can also be made with beets or mushrooms.
Caprese Boats
There is just something so delicious about the combination of fresh basil, ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Mushroom Wellington with Creamy Carrot Sauce
Serve this impressive main course with the bright carrot sauce, which gets its creaminess from just a touch of cream cheese.
Vegetarian "Southern-Style" Collard Greens
A meat-free take on this Southern favorite that is full of flavor. Omnivores and vegans alike will enjoy this recipe for collard greens. Collard greens are a Southern staple.
Eggplant Ricotta Bites
These eggplant basil ricotta bites are savory, flavorful, and perfect as a side dish for a meal or as an appetizer for any party table.
Lightly breaded eggplant is sauteed instead of deep-fried, giving it crunch without excess oil. It’s then topped with ricotta and tomatoes for an eggplant Parmesan-inspired appetizer with much less fat.
Winter Fruit Salad
Guests are likely to bring cookies to share, so finish your holiday dinner with this jewel-toned winter fruit salad in lieu of a traditional dessert. It’s full of winter fruit favorites like pomegranate, orange, mango and kiwi.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pomegranate and Hazelnuts
Roasting Brussels sprouts brings out their nutty flavor; you add pomegranate seeds, orange zest and toasted hazelnuts to your roasted sprouts for a perfectly festive side dish.
Scallop and Shrimp Cocktail
Tide holiday guests over with a spicy seafood cocktail made with scallops and shrimp. Zippy ingredients like lime juice, chile and onion deliver lots of flavor but very few calories.
Cucumber Cups With Creamy Salmon Whip
Roasting Brussels sprouts brings out their nutty flavor; you add pomegranate seeds, orange zest and toasted hazelnuts to your roasted sprouts for a perfectly festive side dish.
Vegan Potato, Pepper and Olive Phyllo Cups
Finely chopped potatoes are quickly boiled, then mashed with olive oil and nutritional yeast to make a creamy, “cheesy” base for these low-fat, one-bite vegan appetizers. Smoked paprika adds a bacon-y note (but there’s no bacon here!). Make the filling the day before your next get-together, then fill, heat and serve on the day
