SOUTHFIELD, MICH (WXYZ) — Did you know tghat the average American consumes between 5,000 and 7,000 calories on Christmas Day?
Grace Derocha, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and health coach with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, stopped by Broadcast House to walking Action News viewers through some healthier and festive appetizers to incorporate into their Christmas Day spread. She also shared a couple of recipes. They're posted below.
Sweet Christmas Tree Platter with Avocado Chocolate Mousse
INGREDIENTS
For the platter:
· Green apples
· Cranberries
· Kiwis
· Berries – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries
· Pineapple or starfruit (star)
· Oranges
· Clementine’s
· Grapes
· Pomegranate
· Dried fruit
· Yogurt cover pretzels / raisins
· Meltable chocolate (dark, white, etc.)
· Graham crackers or teddy grahams
For the mousse:
· 2 very ripe avocados
· 4 oz. 70% cacao baking chocolate, melted*
· ¼ cup milk or milk substitute of choice
· 1/3 cup maple syrup
· ½ tsp. vanilla extract
· ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
· Sea salt
· Garnish with whipped cream, fresh raspberries or toasted almond slices
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a food processor, combine the avocadoes, melted chocolate, cocoa powder, maple syrup, almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
2. Puree until creamy. Spoon the mousse into a container and chill for at least 1 hour.
3. Arrange everything on a platter of your choice and serve the mousse with your favorite garnish.
Savory Christmas Tree Platter with Feta Avocado Dip
INGREDIENTS
For the platter:
· Herbs (rosemary, thyme, chives, etc)
· Almonds
· Walnuts
· Crackers
· Olives
· Red peppers
· Cucumbers
· Broccoli
· Grape tomatoes
· Banana peppers
· Cubed Cheese
· Mozzarella Balls
· Goat Cheese or feta (for snow)
· Cubed meats
For the dip:
· 1 avocado – diced and removed from peel
· 4 oz. feta cheese
· 1 lemon – juiced
· 2 or 3 scallions – roughly chopped
· 1 large handful of parsley
· 8 twists of black pepper from a pepper mill
INSTRUCTIONS
For the dip:
1. Add avocado, feta cheese, juice of one lemon, scallions, parsley and pepper to a food processor.
2. Pulse food processor until desired consistency.
For the platter:
1. Arrange all ingredients on platter and enjoy!
For more health tips and information, visit https://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/
