IT IS party season. Time to dust off your seasonal sparkles and dance around the Christmas tree with the best of them.
Whether you are partying indoors or gathering outside from a safe social distance, the season calls for a warming tipple, something sparkling and a tasty nibble or two, but this doesn't have to leave you feeling like an overstuffed turkey.
A little bit of balance will mean you can serve up some healthier treats while still indulging in a little of what you fancy.
Mocktails and mulled winter warmers
So many more of us are looking for alcohol-free alternatives, and we are spoiled for choice when it comes to alcohol-free options these days. From non-alcoholic wines and beer, to spirits and botanicals, there is something to suit everyone's taste.
Some of the alcohol-free botanicals are flavoured with seasonal spices. Lovely as a G&T alternative, or served with a light ginger ale (look for one without artificial sweeteners, like Fevertree naturally light) and a slice of orange.
For something with a taste of Christmas, try making some alcohol-free mulled wine with cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and oranges slices, or use the mulled wine sachets available from off-licences and supermarkets. You can do the same with apple juice or non-alcoholic cider too.
For a simple non-alcoholic cocktail, try mixing some pomegranate juice with cranberry juice, top with sparking water and pop a few pomegranate seeds into the mix.
Keep an eye out for kombucha. This non-alcoholic fermented drink tastes fresh and slightly fizzy and is lovely with a slice of ginger, a wedge of lemon and a handful if ice.
Kombucha is packed with probiotic bacteria to help balance your gut microbiome. There are plenty of small, local producers making it, so keep an eye out for these - brands like The Bucha's Dog and Nua Kombucha make interesting blends.
Christmas canapés and cocktail nibbles
It wouldn't be a Christmas party without a few cocktail sausages, but if you are looking for something a little healthier for your Christmas party, then I have some ideas for you.
- Serve some nuts, savoury popcorn and vegetable crisps alongside your Pringles for a healthier choice. Also look out for crisps made with olive oil, wasabi peas or roasted bean snacks.
- Rainbow winter dips and crudities - veg sticks and dips like houmous, tzatzixi, olive tapenade and salsa look great on a platter with a selection of chopped vegetable sticks - carrots, peppers, cucumber, celery. Why not make your own beetroot houmous, or butternut squash dip for a colourful selection.
- Olives, gherkins and pickled vegetables fall into the category of fermented foods, so will add a little pop of probiotics to your party.
- Mini oatcakes with smoked salmon and cream cheese are a treat with a healthy twist.
- Baby gem lettuce can make a good base for healthy canapés - stuff with whatever you fancy - try Asian inspired beef with red peppers and Asian spices, chicken Caesar or a prawn cocktail mix. Make your filling in advance and use it to stuff individual lettuce leaves just before serving
Pink Beetroot Houmous
This is a super simple dip that will add a pop of pink colour to your canapé platters.
1 tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 cooked beetroot, chopped
2 garlic cloves
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2tbsp olive oil
Generous pinch of sea salt
½tsp smoked paprika
Method:
1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
2. Roughly chop the beetroot.
3. Add all ingredients into blender and blitz.
4. Serve with raw veg sticks or oatcakes.
This will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
