New Year's Resolutions: Consider Your Health Conscious Guests in 2011

Happy New Year!  As we step into 2011, we are faced with exciting new prospects, journeys to embark upon, challenges to overcome and lessons to be learned.  And as part of the traditions that come with a New Year, we set goals, hopes and dreams for ourselves - known as the New Year's Resolution.  The concept of the resolution is important to keep in mind as we head into a new season of events and entertaining; for without fail, for many, the top resolution is a goal for weight loss, usually accompanied by eating healthier and exercising more.  So, as you move into 2011, you should be considering your health conscious guests when putting together a menu - whether catered or something you prepare for personal entertaining.

I would imagine this resolution has been in the lineup for many of us year in and year out, just out of general awareness for our health.  And let's face it, it sounds like an excellent idea following the indulgences of the holiday season.  And the good news is, we don't have to sacrifice an amazing meal, appetizers or even Super Bowl Party goodies for our weight-loss initiatives.  I hosted a Super Bowl get-together last year while on Weight Watchers and prepared a few dishes that much to my surprise, and that of my guests, were tasty and reminiscent of typical football appetizers, while being on the healthier side.  Here is one of my personal favorites (recipe originally from weightwatchers.com):

Photo courtesy of weightwatchers.com

"Fried" Onion Rings 
Ingredients:
Olive Oil Cooking Spray
1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/8 tsp. Dry Mustard
1/4 tsp. Table Salt
2 large Onions, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and separated into rings
1/2 cup Buttermilk
1 cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
  
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, dry mustard and salt.  Add onions and toss to coat.
Pour buttermilk into another large bowl, add onions and toss to coat (use your hands for the best result).
Place bread crumbs in another large bowl, add onions and toss to coat.  Transfer onions to prepared baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
Bake until golden brown, about 35 minutes.  Serve hot.


Flavor Booster: Give onion rings more crunch and fiber by using homemade multi-grain bread crumbs.  Place 2 slices of toasted multi-grain bread into a food processor or blender and mince using on/off pulses.


Be sure to also checkout letspartymagazine.com's article on partying healthy with ideas from Chef Anthony Rea of Creations in Cuisine.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.