With the holiday season in full swing and festive parties aplenty, your schedule is bound to be full of celebrations and libations galore. But while holiday parties bring tons of cheer, they also lead to an array of food options that aren’t conducive to your busy workday.
Don’t succumb to the mid-afternoon slump after one too many holiday sweets. With that end-of-year report deadline looming, here are some holiday menu items that you can enjoy during the holidays without the food coma following soon after.
Appetizers:
While crostini and cheese spreads usually dominate the appetizer table, steering clear of the overdone options and heavy hors d’oeuvres is the key to making sure you don’t get “food burn out” during the holidays. Here are some delicious appetizer alternatives that your office or party guests will love:
- Shrimp Cocktail
- Butternut Squash Soup Shooters with Spiced Yogurt & Pepitas
- Smoked Salmon Platter
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Sun-Dried Tomato Bacon Jam Dipping Sauce
Main Dishes:
Spiraled ham and turkey and turduckens, oh my! Instead of overloading on heavy holiday fare, opt for some of our lighter options for your main dishes. As an added bonus, your coworkers will thank you for avoiding the tryptophan kick from a turkey-filled feast.
- Organic Roast Chicken Breast with Garlic & Rosemary
- Pepper Seasoned Grilled Steak with a Brandy Au Poivre Sauce
- Braised Beluga Lentils with Autumn Vegetables
- Grilled Chicken with Brown Sherry Wine Sauce
Sides & Salads:
Mashed potatoes? Overdone. Green bean casserole? Over it. Don’t let your side dishes fade into the background. Revamp the overplayed holiday sides with one of these unique and nutrient-rich alternatives.
- Sauteed Green Beans
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Shallots
- Pan Roasted Cauliflower Florets
- Roasted Winter Vegetables
- Steamed Rainbow Greens
- Holiday Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash & Brussels sprouts
- Sweet Potato Mash
- Ginger Pomegranate Roasted Carrots
- Mushroom & Brown Rice
- Kale, Apple, & Fennel Salad
- Baby Mixed Greens, Dried Cranberries, Crushed Walnuts, & Feta Salad
Desserts:
A holiday party meal is like a marathon. You pace yourself throughout the entire meal but need to finish strong at the end. So it’s important to remember dessert! Ending your meal with something sweet doesn’t mean you have to indulge in heavy pies or pastries. Instead, choose something that satisfies your sweet tooth but doesn’t leave you with a sugar crash later on.
- Chocolate Mousse
- Lemon Bars
- Apple Spice Cake
With so many parties during the holiday season, make sure yours stands out. We can plan your entire party by including unique twists on timeless holiday food favorites. Let us help you plan the ultimate holiday gathering, without the usual tryptophan slump.
