Archive for December 2008

Have you checked out your local fish and seafood market lately? Lobster prices are at a 25-year low and cost one-third less than last year — all thanks to fluctuations in supply and demand. Fishermen have plenty of lobster to sell, but not as many people are buying. Restaurants are even luring in customers by promoting lobster specials. This isn’t good news for fishermen as fuel and bait costs are increasing, but can mean an inexpensive treat for you. Of course, experts say these low prices won’t last — so act quickly!

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Bubbly with fresh fruit never tasted so good! This heavenly drink, which pairs pureed pears and a touch of honey with champagne, is sure to be the hit of the party and the perfect starter for a sweet new year.

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Finding uses for this ancient Chinese delicacy may seem intimidating, but persimmons are versatile. Just be sure to catch them while you can! They are in season from October through January.

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By year’s end, most of us grow tired of the sweets and holiday feasts. So if you’re planning a New Year’s Eve party, just try a sampling of simple, light nibblers for your guests. Here are a few of our favorite appetizer ideas, all under 250 calories per serving.

1. Pizza
Pizza is an easy appetizer that you can have fun with. Start by using store bought pizza dough or make your own. Top with delicious combinations such as:
• Goat cheese and basil
• Grilled shrimp, cilantro and part-skim mozzarella cheese
• Fresh thyme and olive oil
• Mushrooms, basil and onions with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese

Remember to pre-slice pizza into small slices to keep the calories under control.

2. Bruschetta
This classic combo of toasted bread and fresh toppings is a healthy and delicious addition to any menu. Keep calories down by using modest portions of cheese and olive oil. Be creative and experiment with different kinds of whole grain breads, vegetables and cheeses.

Try it: Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil Bruschetta

3. Deviled eggs
This healthier version of the popular appetizer is not only delicious, but also under 65 calories per piece! By replacing some of the egg yolk centers with flavorful ingredients, you cut back on much of the saturated fat and cholesterol.

Try It: Devilish Eggs

4. Buffalo Wings
Even Buffalo wings can get a healthy makeover using chicken breast tenders. Start by creating a lower calorie marinade with nonfat buttermilk, hot sauce and vinegar. Dredge chicken in a little bit of flour or make them super crunchy by using a combination of flour and panko bread crumbs. Cook in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of oil or brush lightly with oil and bake in a 400-degree oven. Finally for the dipping sauce, use low-fat blue cheese dressing and provide a small teaspoon to serve it with.

5. Shrimp Cocktail
This appetizer has a simple elegance that never goes out of style. Shrimp are extremely low in calories (a large shrimp has less than 10) and are not as high in cholesterol as you might think. Mix things up by serving a shrimp platter with cocktail sauce and a creamy lemon-and-herb dip. For some extra crunch, add carrots sticks, sliced cucumbers and radishes.

With a coconut milk marinade and a sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce, Ellie Krieger’s Chicken Sate with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce is perfect for any party (like, say, New Year’s Eve). Plus, you can toss leftovers with pasta and steamed broccoli for a simple dinner.

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‘Tis the season for toasting and tippling. There’s no need to deny yourself a drink or two at a New Year’s Eve party this year — it’s knowing how to control all those calories that’s the tricky part. Keep this info in mind:

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Embrace your root vegetables. Celery root (a.k.a celeriac) doesn’t get much love mostly because people don’t know what to do with it. Containing vitamin K and potassium, it has a fresh celery flavor. This dish pairs the root with sweet potatoes, another tuber that’s loaded with B vitamins and beta-carotene.

These spicy-and-savory fries are a perfect side dish for a simple sandwich or some of your leftover roast. And don’t worry, they’re oven-baked, not fried.

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Not all recipes out there come with those handy nutritional charts (and believe us, we wish we could slap them on there for you).

To help you understand how we pick recipes to feature, we wanted to share the guidelines we follow, which are based on standards from a variety of trusted sources. Our culinary and nutrition experts (that’s Dana and Toby) vet the ingredients line by and line and do their own nutritional tallies based on serving sizes. In cases where substitutions can be made to make it healthier, we share those tips, too.

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Don’t think you’ll ever be hungry for one more Christmas cookie? Think again!

Instead of tossing those holiday leftovers to avoid more over-indulging, use them to your advantage. Here are some practical tips and recipes to help you reduce food waste and space out the calories.

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Cozy up next to the fire with a warming mug of Ellie Krieger’s Mulled Apple Cider. The cinnamon sticks lend this drink a holiday scent, and the fresh orange slices add vitamin C and potassium.

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