Asparagus Guacamole Adds A Healthy Festive Touch To Your Holiday
As the holiday season beckons, we all face the same dilemma. How can we avoid putting on extra weight while enjoying ourselves during the pandemic holiday season? I have found that preparing lighter versions of my favorite holiday foods with plenty of fruits and vegetables helps keep me on track with my healthy living goals. The challenge I have, like many, is that time is short during the holidays. So my dishes have to be quick and easy and above all must taste amazing.
Healthy eating on the fly is easy with a few secret weapons. Canned beans, good quality naturally preserved fruits and vegetables, plus some flavored oils and vinegar can create a menu within minutes. These items can be transformed into dips and spreads or if you need to pull a dish together for dinner.
Breads and Spreads for the win
If you are more of a shopper than a cook, the choices for mouth-watering bread are abundant as well as a primo selection of spreads and well-prepared dips. Some of my favorites are apple butter paired with a crusty multigrain artesian bread or a lovely hummus served with a soft, chewy flatbread. These items feature good-for-you ingredients that can be on standby in the cupboard or freezer waiting to come out for one of those "Ain't no way I cooking tonight" days.
Asparagus Guacamole
This dip has the creaminess of avocados without the extra calories. Can be made with fresh easily too, substitute 1 1/2 bunches of fresh for the frozen asparagus.
Makes 3 1/2 cups or 8 servings
2- 9-ounce boxes of frozen asparagus pieces, thawed and drained, (3 cups)
1/3 cup red onions, minced
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
2/3 cup chopped tomatoes
3 tablespoons light or vegan mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons cilantro, minced
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce or minced jalapenos (optional)
Directions:
Place asparagus in a high-speed blender or food processor. Add onion and garlic and process until smooth.
In a separate bowl, mix tomatoes, mayo, lime juice, salt, cilantro, chili powder and hot sauce or jalapenos. Stir in asparagus mixture. Serve with fresh vegetables or baked tortilla chips.
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