Three Healthy Holiday Appetizers That Sleigh

According to a YouGov survey of more than 1,100 Americans, roast potatoes take the No. 1 spot for the most popular holiday dish, followed by mashed potatoes and turkey. The holiday season often brings an abundance of indulgent foods. While it’s OK to enjoy your favorite foods, it’s a good idea to mix in nutrient-dense and vegetable forward options with the traditional spread.

Healthy holiday appetizers don’t need to be bland or boring. Mini phyllo shells are a versatile vehicle for healthy and flavorful fillings. These crisp, flaky vessels offer a light, crunchy contrast to soft fillings. Try these three healthy, holiday-worthy mini phyllo shell appetizers with fresh fillings:

Seafood and Dill Shells

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

These seafood crab and dill bites are a perfect refreshing and protein-packed starter. Dill adds a burst of flavor while cucumber brings a crisp element to this dish. Simply mix light mayonnaise with lemon juice and herbs, then add the protein to combine and fill the shells.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup light mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 3 Tbsp. fresh dill or 1 Tbsp. dried dill
• 1 sprig green onion, chopped, divided
• 10 oz imitation crab legs
• 4 oz smoked salmon
• Salt to taste
• 12 phyllo dough mini crusts/shells
• ¼ English cucumber, sliced to half moons
• 1 sprig green onion, chopped

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix light mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill and half the green onion.
2. Chop imitation crab legs and smoked salmon until fine in texture, then add to the mayonnaise mixture. Season with salt to taste. Keep in mind that smoked salmon is salty.
3. Add a spoon of the mixture to the mini shells. Add a halfmoon slice of English cucumber and sprinkle chopped green onions.

Sundried Tomato Avocado Shells

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

This bite-sized appetizer brings balanced flavor with fat from avocado, acid from lime, salt from turkey bacon and a sweet-tart flavor from sundried tomatoes. These bites will bring color to your holiday table.

Ingredients:

• 2 large avocados, ripe
• 1 lime, wedged
• 3 slices uncured turkey bacon
• 1 green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/3 cup sundried tomatoes in oil, julienne cut
• 12 phyllo dough mini crusts/shells

Instructions:

1. Prepare turkey bacon according to package instructions until crispy. Cut into 1-inch squares or similar size.
2. In a bowl, mash avocado with lime juice and green onion. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Add a spoonful of the avocado mixture to the mini shells. Top with a piece of sundried tomato and a piece of turkey bacon. Sprinkle with additional lime if needed.

Mushroom and Creamy Horseradish Shells

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

These appetizer bites are earthy and savory. Sautéed mushrooms and a zesty horseradish cream filling make an elegant and flavorful appetizer. Mushrooms are naturally low in calories and a great source of fiber, antioxidants and B vitamins, making them a perfect filling. Simply sauté the mushrooms with herbs and garlic, whip up an easy and creamy horseradish sauce then fill in the phyllo shells.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 3 green onions, whites and greens separated
• 1 tsp. dried parsley
• 8 oz mini portabella mushrooms, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup light sour cream
• 1 Tbsp. milk
• 1 tsp. Horseradish
• 1 tsp. Lemon juice
• 12 phyllo dough mini crusts/shells

Instructions:

1. In a large pan over medium-low heat, add olive oil. Once warm, add garlic and green onion whites and cook until fragrant, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes.
2. Once the garlic is golden, add diced mushrooms and parsley and bring up to medium heat. Sautee until fork tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. In a bowl, add light sour cream, horseradish, lemon juice and milk. Mix until well-combined, adding more milk if needed to thin.
4. Add sauteed mushrooms to the phyllo shells. Add a little of the creamy horseradish and sprinkle with the green onion greens.

Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family. For more recipes and health information, visit ahealthiermichigan.org.