Source: CanolaInfo | Story Posted: July 01, 2013 | Category: Media Releases

Say "I Do" to Engaging Appetizers Before Wedding Vows

CHICAGO – Summer weddings and engagement parties go hand in hand with festive fare. Kick off the celebration (while being mindful of the bride and groom’s waistlines) with CanolaInfo’s “Engaging Appetizers” recipe collection. These elegant, portion-controlled bites take advantage of the season’s best produce, while marrying health and flavor.

“Couples attend so many parties leading up to the big day and it can be a challenge to eat healthfully,” says Ellie Krieger, M.S., R.D., host of the Cooking Channel’s “Healthy Appetite,” who developed the recipes. “Traditional appetizers are often heavy and loaded with unhealthy fats, but these dishes taste great and leave you feeling good, too.”

Krieger’s recipes pop with garden vegetables and fresh herbs such as roasted red peppers and basil leaves wrapped in grilled zucchini or pesto made with handfuls of fresh mint. To cut saturated fat, Krieger also swaps in better-for-you ingredients, such as canola oil, canola mayonnaise and nonfat Greek yogurt, for other oils and sauces. Healthier cooking methods like sautéing in place of deep-frying vow to stave off extra calories.

“These recipes show how easy it is to prepare truly delectable dishes that are ‘wedded’ to nutrition,” says Krieger. “Canola oil keeps saturated fat in check and lets all the bright flavors shine through. Fresh vegetables showcase the vibrant colors of nature while chicken, shellfish and beef offer variety in tastes and textures.”

Ellie Krieger, M.S., R.D.

The engaging appetizer recipes average about 100 calories per serving and are low in saturated fat and sodium. Each  recipe is made with canola oil, which has the least saturated fat and most omega-3 fat of all common cooking oils and is free of trans fat and cholesterol. Recipes include:

“I love the simple elegance of these easy-to-make and crowd-pleasing, healthy recipes,” says Krieger. “They’re perfect for celebrations and wonderful, heart-healthy “gifts” to the bride, groom and guests.”

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For more information or high-resolution recipe photos, e-mail fyi@canolainfo.org.