Lightening up Your Appetizer Menu
June 25, 2012
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Minneapolis/St. Paul
• 0 Comments
Lightening up Your Appetizer Menu
Appetizers appeal to many people and for this reason, you can find them most anywhere. Parties, business meetings, family get-togethers, conventions, most anywhere you go, there will more than likely be an opportunity to enjoy these wonderful little delicacies. Even some of the hottest Minneapolis culinary arts restaurants are as highly revered for their appetizers as they are for their entrees. They are also the focus of many a cooking class.
However, like any type of tasty food, appetizers can slowly (or not so slowly) pack on the pounds. Most think of eating appetizers in this way, “It’s not a full size meal, so what’s the harm a few bites of food going to do?” Well, the harm can be hidden in these bits of food, so much so, that a full regular meal would actually add less fat and calories to one’s diet than a handful of harmless looking appetizers.
Most appetizers are meant to be a pre-curser to a meal or as a stand-alone item for a party. These items are highly flavorful, and easy to make yourself or in a cooking class. This in itself can lead to higher fat and calorie content than conventional cooking however. One way to counteract the trap of high fat/calories is to make some flavorful substitutions in the cooking or preparation process.
For example, potato chips and French onion dip could be replaced by a baked chip with fresh salsa. Baking items instead of deep frying can also save on added fat and calories, without necessarily compromising the taste of certain foods. Replacing heavy creams for low fat or nonfat creams, or a low fat yogurt based cream can also help save on calories. You will notice (if you look at the menu – chances are you won’t taste it) that many of the most popular restaurants on the Minneapolis culinary arts scene use these calorie cutting ingredients.
Other ways to lighten up on the appetizers is to use fresh fruits and vegetables with low- or no-calorie dips. Homemade or store bought salsa can bring out the flavor in a lot of foods without the heaviness of dips or creams.
A Simple Example: Mango Tomato Salsa vs. French Onion Dip
Four tablespoons of French Onion Dip (which is one serving by the way) is 200 calories with 15 grams of total fat (saturated fat is the culprit here). By the same token, ¼ cup of the Mango Tomato Salsa is only 73 calories with a total fat of 0.3 grams. Let’s see here; 15 grams of fat vs. 0.3 grams of fat….let the math wizards figure that out.
Another way to lighten up the menu is to provide sparkling water with lemon or lime slices added in place of or in addition to other beverages. Sparkling water is light and zesty, without the extra calories of alcoholic beverages. Drinking the water can help one have a “full” feeling, causing one to eat less in the first place. This will cause less calories overall to be consumed.
These ideas are here to get you started. There are many more ideas out there to help you on your way and cooking class can also help you learn more tips and techniques. There are also many online sites that can give you low fat appetizer ideas. You are only limited by your willingness to try new ideas, and your creativity in making fun, appetizing food bits. With some imagination and planning, you are well on your way.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Minneapolis/St. Paul offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota area. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/Minneapolis-St-Paul for more information.
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