15 Healthy Mouth watering Christmas Appetizers You Should Try.

 

    Christmas! It's that time of the year that is full of joy, laughter Santa Claus and delicious food. Yeah!

    We tend to throw our healthy eating habits out the window and indulge in savoury but unhealthy food.

    However, delicious food does not have to be unhealthy. 

    You can indulge your palate with delicious appetizers that are healthy too.

  All you need is to make wise food choices and enjoy yourself just as much.

    So if you are looking for healthy appetizers to prepare for your family and friends this Christmas, look no further. 

      I have listed below 15 healthy and delicious appetizers you can eat and serve to your guests without compromising your health goals. Let us dive in.

Cucumber Aspic.

    It is a delicious dish that can be served as an appetizer and dessert according to your taste. You can entertain your guests and family with it.

• Ingredients.

1. Two cucumbers, peeled.
2. One packaged lemon gelatine.
3. ¼ tsp salt.
4. ½ chopped onion.
5. 1 Tsp lemon juice.
6. ¾ cup mayonnaise.
7. Two envelopes unflavoured gelatine.

• Process. 

1. Mix the lemon gelatine, unflavoured gelatine, salt and 1 cup of boiling water to dissolve the gelatine.
2. Put the cut-up cucumber in a grinder with the lemon juice and onion. Run until mushy and add the gelatine.
3. Pour in a mould and chill until firm. Serve with mayonnaise.

Coconut Shrimp.

   I love anything coconut. When it is combined with seafood, it is simply divine. Your family and friends will love it.

• Ingredients.

1. 1/3 cup oat flour.
2. Two eggs, beaten.
3. 1 kg, raw shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails attached.
4. 3-4 Tsp coconut oil.
5. ¾ cup bread crumbs.
6. 1 cup shredded coconut.
7. ½ tsp salt and black pepper.

• Process.

1. Mix the flour, black pepper and salt in a bowl. Beat the eggs and put them in a separate bowl.
2. Mix the bread crumbs and shredded coconut in another bowl.
3. Dip the shrimp in the flour, then dip in the eggs. Dip the shrimp in the coconut mixture. Make sure the shrimp is coated with the coconut mixture. Set the coated shrimp aside.
4. Pour the coconut oil I a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the shrimps and do not crowd them in the pan.
5. Flip the shrimp over after 3 minutes and fry the other side until golden brown.
6. Place the fried shrimp on a paper towel. Serve hot.

Fruit Tidbits.

        They make a good conversation piece for your Christmas party. Try it, you may love it.

• Ingredients.

1. Two crisp red peppers.
2. Two crisp green peppers.
3. Jumbo-sized ripe olives.
4. Six small red tomatoes.
5. Four ripe bananas.
6. 1 kg pork, cut into bite-sized pieces.

• Process.

1. Thread squares of the peppers, olives, bananas, tomatoes and olives into the skewers.
2. Weave the pieces of pork in between the fruits.
3. Barbecue until pork is crisp.

Fried Eel.

    Take inspiration from Cape Verdean cuisine with this exotic dish. Your guests will love it.

• Ingredients.

1. 1 kg moray eel.
2. A pinch of salt.
3. Bay leaf.
4. Lemon juice.
5. 1 tsp vinegar.
6. 1 tsp ground black pepper.
7. Two chopped garlic.
8. Pepper paste.
9. Two beaten eggs.
10. Oat flour.
11. Coconut oil.

• Process.

1. Wash and cut the Eel and leave it to drain. In a bowl, add the chilli paste, salt, flour and ground black pepper together.
2. Put the Eel in the beaten eggs and pass through the flour.
3. Put the coconut oil in a frying pan and heat over medium heat. Fry the fish until golden brown.

Baked Plantain.

       Plantain is so delicious and versatile. It's so easy to prepare. You can serve as an appetizer in no time.

• Ingredients.

1. Four ripe plantains.
2. 2 Tsp coconut oil.
3. 1 tsp salt.

• Process.

1. Skin the plantains and slice them into thin stripes or flatly.
2. Season them with salt and coconut oil.
3. Crease a large pan with the remaining coconut oil. Spread the sliced plantain on it.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake plantains for 10minutes,turn over. Bake for another 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Stuffed Sardine Courgettes.

   It is a healthy recipe you can try this Christmas without sacrificing your health goals.

• Ingredients.

1. Two cans of sardines.
2. 100g goat cheese.
3. Salt.
4. Two large Courgettes.
5. Freshly ground pepper.
6. Two green olives.
7. 1tsp lime juice.
8. 4 Tsp coconut oil. 
9. ¼ handful chives.

• Process.

1. Open the can of sardines and flake with a fork. Chop the olives and capers.
2. Mix the lime juice, goat cheese, sardines and capers until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Wash the courgettes and cut off the ends. Cut courgettes lengthwise into thin strips. Brush the courgettes with coconut oil and season lightly with salt.
4. Fry on a grill pan for 5 minutes and remove to a plate.
5. Spread each slice with two tablespoons filling and roll-up.
6. Blanch chives for 1 minute and tie around courgette rolls. Serve on another plate.

Tuna kebobs.

This appetizer is quick to prepare. It will be ready in a short time.

• Ingredients.

1. 1 kg tuna steaks.
2. One courgette.
3. Small ripe tomatoes.
4. ½ cup dry Vermouth.
5. 1 tsp salt.
6. ½ cup coconut oil.
7. One tsp pepper.

• Process.

1. Combine the cooking oil, salt, vermouth sauce and pepper in a screw-top jar. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Cut the fish into 1 inch thick cubes. Cut slices of the courgette one-quarter inch thick.
3. Alternate fish, courgette and tomato on the skewers. 
4. Set up a grill and brush skewered foods with the Vermouth sauce. Lay skewered kebobs in a grill close to the coals.
5. Barbecue, basting with more sauce and turning until the fish is cooked.

Baked Garlic Shrimp.

e

1. 1 kg large raw shrimps, deveined and tails removed.
2. 2 Tsp coconut oil.
3. 1 tsp salt.

• Process.
• Put the shrimp in a bowl and drizzle with coconut until the shrimp are coated.
• Get a dry baking pan and arrange the shrimps in an even layer. There should be no overlapping whatsoever for the shrimp to cook evenly.

Sprinkle salt on the shrimps and bake for 3 minutes or until they turn reddish-pink. Remove from the pan and serve warm.

Stuffed Cucumber Salad.

  Try this salad dish. It is delicious and packed with nutrients but low in carbs and unhealthy fats.

• Ingredients.

1. Three cucumbers, cut in half lengthwise.
2. 2 Tsp minced red onion.
3. 2 Tsp minced celery.
4. 1 tsp salt.
5. 2 Tsp minced celery.
6. 1 tsp salt.
7. 6 Tsp goat cheese.
8. 1 Tsp lemon juice.
9. I Tsp olive oil.
10. Chives.

• Process.

1. Scrape the seeds from the centre of the cucumber.
2. In a bowl, mix the cucumber seeds, onions, celery, salt and goat cheese.
3. Refill cucumbers. Mix the lemon juice and olive oil and drizzle on the cucumbers.
4. Put the halves together and chill for 4 hours. Then cut into thick slices. Garnish with chives.

Fried Mackrel.

• Ingredients.

1. 1 kg raw mackerel.
2. ½ cup oat flour.
3. ½ tsp black pepper.
4. 1 cup coconut.
5. 1 ½ cup bread crumbs
6. 3 large eggs.

• Process.

1. Mix salt, pepper and flour in a medium bowl. Beat the eggs in another bowl until frothy. Wash and cut the fish into four pieces. Remove the heads and discard. Leave the fish to drain.
2. Dredge the fish in flour and shake any excess flour. Dip fish into the eggs, then press it in the bread crumbs. Turn the fish and repeat.
3. Pour the oil into a large frying pan to reach the depth of 2 inches. Heat to 350 degrees F.
4. Add fish to the hot oil and deep fry until cooked, about 5 minutes.
5. Transfer fish to a paper towel to drain. Arrange fish on a platter and serve.

Fried Calamari 

    It is a delicious Mediterranean seafood recipe you should serve to your guests this Christmas.

• Ingredients.

1. ½ cup lime juice.
2. 1 tsp kosher salt.
3. 1 kg calamari (squid)
4. 1 ½ cup oat flour.
5. 1/3 cup corn starch.
6. ½ tsp baking powder.
7. ¾ cup oregano.
8. ½ tsp cayenne pepper.
9. 1 cup coconut oil.

• Process.

1. Slice the squid into ¾ inch thick rings and clean them thoroughly.
2. In a bowl, mix the kosher salt and lime juice. Freeze for 30 minutes.
3. Mix flour, oregano, corn starch, baking powder and cayenne pepper together in a bowl.
4. Toss a few calamari rings in the flour mixture until well coated, then transfer to a sieve. Repeat until squid is coated in the flour mixture.
5. Fill a frying pan with 4 inches of coconut oil and heat to 360 degrees F. Drop a calamari ring into oil to test the temperature. If the calamari begins to float, the oil is ready.
6. Fry the squid in batches for 4 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Transfer them to a wire rack covered with paper towels. Serve warm.

Mango Chilli Pops.

     Be inspired by this Mexican snack. It is easy to make and will satisfy your sweet tooth.

• Ingredients.

1. Two large mangoes.
2. 1 Tsp honey.
3. 2 tsp fresh lime juice.
4. 1 tsp chilli powder.

• Process.

1. Peel, cut and seed mangoes. Take half of the mango and run it through a blender. Add the honey, lime juice and repeat.
2. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate until chilled.
3. Stir the chilli powder and remaining cubed mangoes into the chilled mixture. Pour into a 3 oz ice pop mould. Insert a popsicle in each mould and freeze for 3 hours.
4. Remove and run the bottom of the moulds briefly under cold water to release ice pops from the mould. Serve chilled.

 

Thai Green Mango Salad.

    This dish is rich in nutrients and so refreshing.

• Ingredients.

1. 3 green ripe mangoes
2. 14 tomatoes, halved.
3. 4 tsp honey.
4. 2 tsp lime juice.
5. ½ kg green beans, trimmed and cut lengthwise.
6. 1/2shallot, minced.
7. 4 cloves garlic, minced.
8. 2 tsp dried shrimp.
9. 8 red peppers, stemmed, seeded and julienned.
10. 2 tsp cashew nuts, chopped.

• Process.

1. Put dried shrimp in a food processor and run until coarsely ground but not smooth. Transfer to a bowl.
2. Put the peppers, garlic and shallots in a blender and run until bruised. Add the mango and run until slightly softened. Transfer to another bowl.
3. Put the green beans, tomatoes, fish sauce, lime juice and honey in the blender and run for 1 minute to extract the juice.
4. Transfer to bowl with the mango mixture. Stir to combine in another bowl and garnish with crushed shrimp and cashew nuts.

Pear Waldorf Salad.

• Ingredients.

1. 2 diced pears 
2. 1 cup diced celery
3. Coarsely chopped walnuts.
4. ½ mayonnaise.
5. Lettuce.

• Process.

1. Mix the pears, mayonnaise and celery.
2. Toss until both are coated with mayonnaise.
3. Chill for 2 hours. Arrange lettuce in a bowl. Transfer salad to the lettuce-lined bowl.
4. Garnish with walnuts.

Orange Onion Salad.

• Ingredients.

1. 7 large oranges.
2. 1 large sweet onion, sliced thinly.
3. 2 Tsp lemon juice.
4. 2 Tsp olive oil.
5. Few strips of pimento
6. Greens.

• Process.

1. Peel and slice the oranges and combine with the onions.
2. Mix the olive oil and orange juice and drizzle over the salad. Marinate for 1 hour.
3. Garnish with pimento and serve on crisp salad greens.

        So try these appetizers at your Christmas party and tell me what you think below. Bon Appetit!

 

1.     

 

1.