I can't eat one more awful Easter dinner leaves me bloated, so I chose to change the menu this year
I can't eat one more awful Easter dinner leaves me bloated, so I chose to change the menu this year
Kiss Unhealthy Dishes Goodbye
Easter is a time for us to indulge in healthy servings of delicious food...and maybe a little chocolate. We get the urge to rip into a turkey or glistening ham, but good food can mean low-calorie options, too—ones that don't leave you bloated or wishing you never drove to grandma's house! This year, let's take a look at 25 of the healthiest dishes you can bring to the table this year.
1. Classic Cobb Salad
A salad is a blank slate for home cooks to create their own masterpieces. While Cobb salads come with traditional ingredients like chopped greens, hard-boiled eggs, and avocado, you can add your own spin by swapping out chicken for ham or blue cheese for feta.
2. Herb-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables
Turkey and ham are classic staples for an Easter dinner, but an herb-roasted chicken is another delicious alternative to try this year. Herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil, or parsley can make for a flavorful addition! As for the veggies, the world is your oyster, though we do enjoy carrots, potatoes, or parsnips as a side.
3. Spring Vegetable Frittata
With spring right around the corner, Easter is an ample time to show off your cooking skills with a frittata made of spring vegetables. Asparagus, spinach, and cherry tomatoes are all perfect base veggies to toss in with your eggs. You can even add some meat to the mix!
4. Grilled Salmon with Dill Sauce
Does anything quite beat the combo of grilled salmon with homemade dill sauce? Greek yogurt, lemon juice, herbs, and fresh dill are all you need to whisk up this sauce that’s perfect for Easter celebrations.
5. Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa and Vegetables
Stuffed bell peppers make for a colorful Easter dish that’s not only loaded with fiber and vitamins, but flavor too! All you need to do is halve and clean out the peppers, fill them with cooked quinoa, veggies, and herbs, and then bake until tender.
6. Spinach and Mushroom Quiche
Put a healthy twist on your quiche this year! Bake sauteed spinach, mushrooms, onions, and Parmesan into a whole wheat crust until golden brown to make Easter brunch a special event. Don’t forget your seasoning either.
7. Baked Halibut with Lemon and Herbs
If salmon isn’t your fish of choice, the world is full of alternatives! Halibut is light, flavorful, and simple to bake alongside fresh lemon slices for a zesty twist. Sprinkle your fish with parsley, dill, or chives beforehand to really bring out the taste.
8. Vegetable Stir Fry
You can’t go wrong with a good stir-fry, and Easter is the perfect time to whip one up. And much like a salad, stir-fried dishes are great ways to experiment with new ingredients. Asparagus, snap peas, carrots, and bell peppers are all good places to start, with seasoning like soy sauce or sesame oil.
9. Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry
Spice up your Easter spread with a nutritious cauliflower curry. Simmer some chickpeas and cauliflower in a fragrant curry sauce made from coconut milk, tomatoes, and spices like turmeric or cumin. Then serve over brown rice when you’re done!
10. Grilled Shrimp Skewers
There’s nothing quite like a skewer, so why exempt them from the table at Easter? Thread marinated shrimp onto your skewer and fire up the grill to cook them thoroughly. You can even serve them with mango salsa for a bright, zesty add-on!
11. Baked Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are a terrific Easter appetizer, and can be catered to your tastes. Chicken is often a good base to start with before adding in veggies like carrots, cabbage, or bell peppers. You can always spice things up with seasoning like fresh mint or cilantro, too!
12. Roasted Beet Hummus
We all know hummus is a classic, but if you’re looking for a healthy version for Easter, try this colorful alternative! Beets, Greek yogurt, and garlic are the main ingredients for this little guy, with spices of your choice.
13. Lemon Chicken with Grilled Vegetables
Lemon chicken is a simple, delicious main sure to please at Easter this year. Season your breasts with salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, and thyme before laying lemon slices on top and baking through. Grill some vegetables for a healthy side!
14. Roasted Vegetable and Lentil Soup
Really warm up your Easter dinner with this hearty lentil and veggie soup. Toss some lentils and vegetables into a broth loaded with fresh herbs and then serve with some whole-grain bread as a satisfying starter.
15. Caprese Stuffed Avocados
Caprese? Avocados? What’s not to love? All you’ll need for this is halved avocados with the pits removed, then stuff them with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves. Drizzle with a little balsamic glaze, and you’ve got yourself a healthier spin on this classic.
16. Greek Yogurt Parfait with Fresh Berries
Easter dinner is often served quite early (don’t pretend it isn’t), so your spread may call for a more traditional brunch menu. All you need to do is layer your yogurt with fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries and toss in some granola. You can also save this for dessert!
Tanaphong Toochinda on Unsplash
17. Sauteed Radishes and Greens
A simple, healthy side dish for whatever the main star of your Easter dinner is! A bit of butter and sugar are the only other ingredients you need to sautee your radishes and green beans. You can even toss in some pine nuts for a crunchy extra.
18. Creamed Spinach
For a healthier spin on creamed spinach, you can actually forego cream! Use skim milk instead, or reduced-fat cream cheese, to keep the flavor without all the guilt.
19. Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles
For a light and refreshing Easter dinner, garlic shrimp and zucchini noodles are the place to go. Marinate your shrimp in a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herb,s and saute until cooked through. Serve them over some zucchini noodles for a low-carb dinner option bursting with flavor.
20. Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin
Soft bread crumbs, cracked pepper, thyme, and parsley are what you’ll need to add a bit of crunch to this classic Easter dish. It’s a low-calorie option best served with a veggie of your choice.
21. Carrot Soup
For those cooler Easter days, nothing gets the chill out of your bones like a good soup. Sprinkle in some seasoning like parsley, salt, and pepper, or ground cumin to help this pack a flavorful punch.
22. Classic Charcuterie Board
No matter the occasion, you can’t go wrong with a charcuterie board! An assortment of meats, cheeses, fruits, and spreads helps keep guests with all palettes satisfied until dinner.
23. Grilled Tofu and Vegetable Skewers
This healthy, vegetarian option is a great choice for those in need of something lighter. Marinate tofu cubes in a flavorful mix of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before threading them onto skewers with veggies like bell peppers or onions. Grill until tender and voila, you’ve got a healthy Easter dish!
24. Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Where would dinner be without a classic casserole? Healthy alternatives like low-sodium chicken broth, reduced-fat cheese, and non-fat yogurt can help bring this dish to life and keep calories low.
25. Honey Balsamic-Glazed Salmon
Indulge in sweet and savory this Easter season with a honey balsamic salmon. Coat your fish with a deliciously sticky medley of honey, balsamic, and Dijon mustard and serve with roasted vegetables or a side salad.
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