Throw a fabulous end-of-summer party with minimal effort and minimal calories. Our expert shares her ideas for ushering in the fall in easy, low-cal style.
Homemade barbecue, creamy side salads and decadent desserts don't have to add on the pounds this Labor Day. Heed our advice, and you can serve your guests healthful dishes with minimal effort. After all, you shouldn't have to labor all day on Labor Day.
The "un"-Labor Day
You can prepare a feast for your friends and family without sweating it out in the kitchen. Jackie Newgent, RD, a culinary instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, suggests some fabulous ways to make light and healthy party fare with ease
Easy, breezy preparation ideas
Start early
"A lot of recipes can be prepared ahead of time," says Newgent, who points out that ground meats can be flavored and formed into patties and then stored in the freezer until ready to use. Crisp vegetables, like carrots and celery, can be cut up a day in advance and stored in the fridge in containers with a tiny bit of water.
Look for shortcuts
Instead of shredding cabbage for your coleslaw, consider buying a pre-shredded slaw mix. You can also buy a reduced-fat graham cracker piecrust instead of baking your own.
Read recipes for preparation hints
Some recipes, or parts of recipes, can be made in advance and the food can then be frozen or refrigerated. Read recipe intros and the entire instruction list for clues before deciding on a menu, Newgent advises.
Marinate, marinate, marinate
Don't get up at the crack of dawn to whip up sauces and thread your kebabs. Make or buy a low-cal marinade, then let your kebabs, meats or fish soak up its flavor overnight in the fridge.
Simple service with flair
Opt for serving platters with unique color and style
Plaids, flowers, polka dots, even a bright shade of blue can turn an ordinary dish into something spectacular. So can a large square plate topped with burgers or a star-painted basket filled with rolls. "Mix and match," encourages Newgent.
Garnish away, fat-free
Sprinkle chopped herbs around a serving platter, present meats on a bed of greens or top off a dish with freshly grated zest if it already contains that flavor (for example, sprinkle lime zest over a Mexican dish that contains lime juice).
Get clever with condiments
Decorate a Mexican dish with dollops of fat-free sour cream or salsa. Or, says Newgent, decorate the rim of a burger plate with dots of mustard and ketchup.
A light and healthy menu
Black Bean Dip
Tropical Chicken with Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Chili-Lime Corn
Mixed Berry Crumble