Tis the Season My Fav: 7-Ingredient or Less Appetizers

The holidays can be a whirlwind of indulgences, but that doesn’t mean you have

to sacrifice eating healthy or spending hours in the kitchen.

Below are 7 nutrient rich, EASY recipes that are designed to keep your blood sugar balanced while impressing all your friends and family.

They are packed with protein, healthy fats, veggies, and fiber to provide an energy boost and prevent cravings or crashes post cocktail hour.

Plus they are SO simple meaning less stress on you and more time to relax or tip-toe around the Christmas tree.

I also LOVE how festive the dishes look featuring red and green ingredients - yum!

1) Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites

What You Need:

• 1 package of Smoked salmon

• 1 large cucumber

• 1 can of chickpeas

• 2 tbsp of olive oil

• 1 package of fresh dill

• 1 sprinkle of salt & pepper to taste

What You Do:

1) Slice cucumber thinly

2) Spread hummus on the slice, top with smoked salmon and dill

3)Roll cucumber with filling and poke through with a toothpick

2) Green Hummus & Veggies

What You Need:

• 1 can of chickpeas, rinsed

• 1 bag of spinach 

• 1 lemon to juice

• 2 tbsp of olive oil

• 1 sprinkle of salt & pepper to taste

• 1 tsp of paprika to top (optional)

• 1 bag of baby carrots, cucumbers or radish sliced for the side

What You Do:

1) Blend chickpeas, spinach, olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper

2) Serve with sliced raw veggies

3) Avocado Deviled Eggs:

What You Need:

• 1 carton of eggs

• 1 large ripe avocado 

• 1 lemon to juice

• 1 tsp paprika to top

• 1 sprinkle of salt & pepper to taste

What You Do:

1) Hard boil the eggs, peel and slice them

2) Scoop out yolks, mash with avocado, lemon juice, salt and pepper

3)Pipe the creamy filling into the eggs and sprinkle with paprika 

4) Spinach & Feta Stuffed Mini Peppers

What You Need:

• 10 mini red bell peppers

• 1 bag of spinach

• 1 block of goat milk feta cheese

• 3 cloves of minced garlic

• 1 tbsp of olive oil

• 1 sprinkle of salt & pepper to taste

What You Do:

1) Sauté spinach with garlic in olive oil

2) Stuff mini red bell peppers with the spinach mixture 

3) Top with feta and bake at 400 for 10 minutes

5) Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

What You Need:

• 1 bunch of asparagus

• 1 package of prosciutto

• 2 tbsp of olive oil

• 1 lemon to squeeze on top

• 1 sprinkle of salt & pepper to taste

What You Do:

1) Wrap each asparagus spear with a slice of prosciutto

2) Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes

3) Finish with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon

6) Caprese Skewers

What You Need:

• 1 carton of cherry tomatoes

• 1 container of fresh mozzarella balls

• 1 package or bunch of fresh basil

• 1 tbsp of olive oil

• 1 tbsp of balsamic

• 1 sprinkle of salt & pepper to taste

• 1 package of toothpicks

What You Do:

1) Skewer cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves

2) Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper

7) Sweet Potato Rounds with Pomegranate

What You Need:

• 2 sweet potatoes

• 1 tbsp of olive oil

• 1 container of goat milk feta or almond butter for sweeter dish

• 1 large pomegranate

• 1 tsp of cinnamon

• 1 package of thyme or rosemary

• 1 sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste

What You Do:

1) Slice sweet potatoes into rounds, sprinkle with oil and roast at 400°F until tender

2) Once cooled, spread feta or almond butter on top

3) Sprinkle with thyme, pomegranate arils, cinnamon, and sea salt

Comment below any suggestions or substitutions you made, I am always looking to reinvent my favorites.

I hope you enjoy these, Happy Holidays!